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Author: Andre Sotelo

  • Jema Galanza returns as Creamline gets timely boost for semis

    Jema Galanza returns as Creamline gets timely boost for semis

    Jema Galanza made her return from injury as Creamline sealed a semifinal berth, giving the Cool Smashers a timely veteran boost for the PVL All-Filipino Conference home stretch.

     

    Jema Galanza did not need a huge scoring night to make her return feel meaningful.

     

    For Creamline, simply having one of its most experienced and trusted players back on the floor may have been just as important as the win itself. As the Cool Smashers secured the last semifinal berth in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Galanza’s return quietly gave the team something it had been missing at just the right time — familiarity, calm, and another steady presence for the battles ahead.

     

    Creamline booked its place in the Final Four after beating Akari, 25-23, 25-20, 16-25, 25-16, in a knockout Play-In match on Tuesday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan City.

     

    The result pushed the Cool Smashers back into the semifinals after missing out during last year’s Reinforced Conference, but beyond the scoreline, one of the bigger developments of the night was seeing Galanza back in uniform after sitting out three games with a minor knee injury.

     

    She returned in a service specialist role, a limited assignment by her usual standards, but one that still carried weight for a team trying to get whole at the most crucial point of the conference.

     

    Rather than forcing her way back into a heavy role immediately, Galanza embraced the slower path back, understanding that her return is less about one game and more about building toward what Creamline hopes will be a deeper run.

     

    “Little by little, I’m getting there. The conditioning is already there, but I think I still need to train more consistently with the team so I can better adjust and find my role,” said Galanza in Filipino.

    That patience has become part of her journey.

     

    For Galanza, this is not the first time she has had to navigate a stop-and-start stretch physically. She also missed last year’s Reinforced Conference because of a foot injury, only to work her way back into rhythm in the preliminaries before another minor setback interrupted her again.

    But if there is one thing years in the league have taught her, it is how to endure the frustration that comes with those pauses.

     

    “I’ve been playing for a long time now, so I understand that there are things you don’t expect to happen. As athletes, it’s normal to experience pain or injuries. But we’re grateful because our coaches and physical therapists are there to help us recover,” said Galanza.

     

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    That perspective matters even more now for a Creamline side entering the conference’s most demanding stretch.

     

    The Cool Smashers are no strangers to playing with pressure, but getting players back at the right time often matters just as much as talent or chemistry. And even if Galanza is not yet fully back to top form, her presence alone gives Creamline more flexibility, more poise, and another tested option as the games get heavier.

     

    Before the injury, Galanza had already shown how valuable she could be in this campaign.

     

    One of her best outings came in Creamline’s five-set win over Nxled, where she produced 19 points and 10 excellent receptions on the way to Player of the Game honors. She followed that with a 16-point effort against Akari before eventually being sidelined in the games that followed.

     

    Across the seven games she managed to play, the former Adamson star averaged 13.7 points per match — not eye-popping numbers by superstar standards, but a solid and meaningful contribution for a veteran who often impacts matches in ways that do not always show up cleanly on the stat sheet.

     

    For Creamline, that is part of what makes Galanza so valuable. She is not just a scorer or a crowd favorite. She is also one of the team’s emotional stabilizers, someone who understands timing, pressure, and how to settle into whatever role the moment requires.

     

    That may be exactly what Creamline needs heading into the semifinals.

     

    And for Galanza herself, the bigger win may simply be being back at all. “At the end of the day, mindset is important. What matters most is being able to come back.”

     

    Now, with Creamline set to face PLDT on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena, Galanza’s focus shifts from simply returning to steadily reclaiming the sharpness that once made her one of the league’s most dangerous and dependable stars.

     

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  • Alex Eala opens Linz Open with strong win, sets Ostapenko rematch in Round of 16 

    Alex Eala opens Linz Open with strong win, sets Ostapenko rematch in Round of 16 

    Alex Eala’s clay season did not begin with flair alone. It began with control. In a surface shift that often demands patience, timing, and a different kind of discipline, the Filipina star showed she had all three, opening her campaign at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz with a composed 6-4, 6-3 win over hometown bet Julia Grabher early Wednesday morning.

     

    It was not just a first-round victory. It was the kind of performance that suggested Eala came into clay season with purpose.

     

    After spending the early part of the year navigating a packed stretch of hard-court tournaments, the 20-year-old stepped onto red clay and immediately looked settled, measured, and ready for the grind that usually defines this part of the calendar.

     

    Against the 29-year-old Grabher, Eala did not need to dominate every stretch of the match. She simply played the more disciplined tennis when the important moments arrived.

     

    The opening set was tightly contested and remained deadlocked at 4-4, but that was where Eala’s poise started to separate her. She held for 5-4, then broke Grabher at exactly the right time to take the first set, 6-4, shifting the momentum without ever needing to force the issue.

     

    That composure carried over into the second. After a close 2-1 start, Eala strung together a three-game run to build a 4-1 cushion, putting herself in command and forcing Grabher to chase. The Austrian tried to make one last push and cut the gap to 4-3, but Eala stayed steady, held her nerve, and closed the door from there.

     

    By the end of the one-hour, 42-minute contest, the bigger takeaway was not just that Eala won. It was how she managed the match.

     

    Clay often exposes impatience. It punishes rushed decision-making and rewards players who can stay mentally organized over long rallies and momentum swings. In her first clay outing of the season, Eala looked like a player who understood exactly what the surface was asking from her. That matters, especially considering what comes next.

     

    With the win, Eala advances to the second round where a much bigger challenge awaits in world No. 12 and fourth seed Jelena Ostapenko. It is a matchup that instantly adds intrigue to her campaign, not just because of Ostapenko’s stature, but because Eala has already proven she can beat her.

     

    The Filipina holds a 2-0 record over Ostapenko in 2025, first winning 7-6, 7-5 at the Miami Open before following it up with a 0-6, 6-2, 3-2 victory at the Lexus Eastbourne Open.

     

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    That head-to-head edge does not guarantee anything, but it does change the tone of the matchup.

     

    Eala will not be walking into the second round simply hoping to compete. She will be entering it with recent proof that she can handle one of the more dangerous names in the draw.

     

    Even so, this opener against Grabher may end up being just as important as the marquee match ahead.

     

    For a player trying to build a better rhythm on clay, a solid opening performance can often mean more than a flashy one. Eala entered this stretch looking to improve on a 2-4 clay-court record across four tournaments in 2025, and starting with a straight-sets win gives her a much steadier platform moving forward.

     

    It also reflects the work she put in before arriving in Linz.Following her run to the round of 16 at the Miami Open — her last hard-court tournament of this stretch — Eala spent a week training on the indoor clay courts of the Rafa Nadal Academy, using that time to reset both physically and tactically for the demands of the surface.

     

    That preparation clearly translated.Her movement looked composed, her shot selection stayed disciplined, and perhaps most importantly, she never seemed rattled by the natural ebbs and swings of the match.

     

    Afterward, Eala pointed to exactly that kind of consistency as one of the biggest reasons she got through.

     

    “I kept the intensity well throughout the match —she’s an intense player,” she said.

     

    It was a simple line, but it captured the match well. Eala did not just play with energy. She matched intensity with steadiness, and that balance allowed her to stay one step ahead for most of the contest.

     

    The win also marked her 13th victory of the year, another encouraging sign in what has become a busy and steadily developing 2026 season.

     

    Linz is already her ninth tournament of the year, following appearances in Auckland, the Australian Open, Manila, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Dubai, Indian Wells, and Miami. That kind of volume can wear on even experienced players, but Eala’s latest performance suggested she is still finding ways to sharpen her game rather than simply survive the schedule.

     

    And as always, she made sure to share the moment with the fans who continue to follow her journey.

     

    “Hello mga kababayan, di ko inakala na ang dami niyo dito, salamat sa pagsubaybay,” she said.

     

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  • Creamline boasts six players atop PVL All-Star fan voting returns

    Creamline boasts six players atop PVL All-Star fan voting returns

    Creamline dominates the PVL All-Star fan voting with six players leading their positions, while several others also rank among the top vote-getters, showing the Cool Smashers’ depth and popularity.

     

    Creamline is once again showing its dominance, not just on the court, but in the hearts of fans. In the latest PVL All-Star fan voting, six Cool Smashers players are leading their respective positions, demonstrating the team’s wide-reaching influence and star power across the league.

     

    At the forefront is outside hitter Jema Galanza, holding the top spot with 30.08 percent of the votes. Known for her explosive scoring and consistency, Galanza has become one of the most recognizable faces in Philippine volleyball, combining talent with the kind of charisma that naturally draws fan support.

     

    Right behind her in the outside hitter race is team captain Alyssa Valdez, who earned 14.60 percent of the votes, overtaking Capital1 rookie Bella Belen. Valdez remains one of the league’s most iconic players, and her continued popularity reflects her enduring connection with fans across generations.

     

    Creamline’s strength is also evident in the middle blocker race, where Jeanette Panaga continues to lead with 36.91 percent. Panaga has long been recognized for her timing, net defense, and steady presence on the floor, proving that consistent performance earns fan recognition beyond flashy stats.

     

    At setter, Jia De Guzman dominates with an overwhelming 72.05 percent of the votes. As one of the smartest and most accomplished playmakers in the league, De Guzman’s ability to dictate tempo and elevate her teammates makes her a central figure in Creamline’s sustained success.

     

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    The opposite spiker race also belongs to the Cool Smashers, with Tots Carlos leading at 42.08 percent. Carlos has established herself as a reliable scoring option for Creamline, combining power, timing, and confidence in key moments, which has earned her a strong fan following.

     

    Finally, Bernadeth Pons is making waves with 36.94 percent, highlighting Creamline’s depth of talent. Pons is admired for her all-around ability, contributing on offense and defense, showing fans that versatility and consistency are just as valuable as scoring prowess.

     

    The Cool Smashers’ influence extends beyond the starters as well. Dennise Lazaro-Revila is right behind starter Justine Jazareno in the Team Heart libero race with 14.95 percent, while Bea De Leon ranks third in Team Hustle’s middle blocker voting with 15.34 percent, trailing Fifi Sharma of Akari and Mika Reyes of PLDT. Setter Kyle Negrito is also third in Team Hustle’s voting with 14.95 percent.

     

    Creamline’s liberos further prove the team’s fan support runs deep. Kyle Atienza and Jennifer Nierva are holding down third and fourth place, respectively, in the Team Heart libero race with 21.68 percent and 10.20 percent. Their presence in the top five highlights the fans’ recognition of the squad’s defensive stalwarts alongside the high-profile stars.

     

    Together, these rankings show that Creamline’s dominance in the PVL extends across both the starting lineup and its supporting cast. 

     

    The Cool Smashers’ popularity reflects a team culture that produces both winning results and players that fans passionately support, solidifying their status as one of the league’s most influential franchises.

     

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  • CJ Perez powers San Miguel’s turnaround, earns PBA Player of the Week nod

    CJ Perez powers San Miguel’s turnaround, earns PBA Player of the Week nod

    CJ Perez is starting to look like the spark San Miguel needed to steady itself after an uneven start to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    As the Beermen begin to settle into a new rhythm behind import Justin Patton, Perez has emerged as the local force helping turn close calls and corrections into actual wins — and that impact was enough to earn him the latest PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honor.

     

    The veteran swingman was recognized for the period of March 31 to April 5 after helping San Miguel put together back-to-back victories, a timely response for a team that had spent the opening stretch of the conference trying to regain its footing.

     

    And while Patton’s arrival has naturally drawn much of the attention, Perez’s role in the turnaround has been just as important.

     

    Over San Miguel’s wins against the Macau Black Knights and Barangay Ginebra, Perez averaged 23.0 points on 55-percent shooting, along with 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 steals — numbers that reflected not just scoring production, but his all-around involvement in the Beermen’s recovery.

     

    His biggest moment came on Easter Sunday in San Miguel’s gritty 85-82 win over Ginebra. After being held back by early foul trouble and going scoreless in the first half, Perez responded with the kind of takeover performance that reminded everyone why he remains one of the league’s most dangerous momentum players. 

     

    He scored 15 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter alone, helping fuel the Beermen’s comeback from 15 points down.

     

    “Nakakafrustrate siya pero nag-focus lang ako, nag-stay composed ako, nilaro ko lang laro ko sa second half at nagbunga naman. Grateful ako na nanalo kami,” Perez said.

     

    That response said plenty about where San Miguel is beginning to find its edge.

     

    The Beermen have not exactly looked dominant yet, but they have started to show signs of a team rediscovering how to close games — and Perez has been at the center of that shift, whether by scoring, defending, or making the right play late.

     

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    One of those plays ended up deciding the Ginebra game. With the score tied in the closing seconds, Perez came up with the offensive rebound and then delivered the kick-out pass that led to Don Trollano’s game-winning three-pointer, a sequence that may have summed up his recent stretch better than any stat line could.

     

    That same aggression was also there in San Miguel’s earlier 110-94 win over Macau, where Perez poured in a game-high 26 points to help the Beermen secure another much-needed result.

    Taken together, those performances made him the clear choice for the weekly citation.

     

    Perez was the unanimous selection by the scribes regularly covering the PBA beat, beating out Rain or Shine’s Andrei Caracut and NLEX standouts Schonny Winston and Kevin Alas for the award.

     

    It also marked the third time this season that Perez has claimed the weekly honor, placing him just behind Converge rookie Juan Gomez de Liano, who has already collected four.

     

    More than the award itself, though, Perez’s recent run feels significant because of what it may signal for San Miguel moving forward.

     

    The Beermen made a major adjustment earlier in the conference when they brought in the 7-foot-1 Patton in place of Marcus Lee after dropping two of their first three games. That move was meant to stabilize the team, but roster changes only go so far if the core local stars do not respond with urgency.

     

    Perez has done exactly that. He has helped bridge the transition, giving San Miguel not only another scorer but also a player capable of shifting the energy of a game when the Beermen need it most.

     

    And if this stretch is any indication, San Miguel’s climb back into form may not just be about a new import. It may also be about CJ Perez starting to take over again.

     

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  • TNT, Meralco highlight Tuesday PBA doubleheader

    TNT, Meralco highlight Tuesday PBA doubleheader

    Tuesday’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup doubleheader at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium offers two very different kinds of pressure.

     

    In the first game, Magnolia is trying to prove its first win was the start of something. In the main event, TNT and Meralco meet in a matchup that could say a lot about which team is ready to establish itself as a serious early contender in the conference.

     

    And right at the center of that second game is Bol Bol.

     

    The towering TNT import resumes his campaign as the Tropang 5G take on the Bolts in a clash between two teams that have already started to build momentum after contrasting starts. TNT stumbled in its conference debut, but has since looked much sharper, while Meralco has quietly put together one of the better early records in the field.

     

    For TNT, this is shaping up to be more than just another regular season outing.The Tropang 5G are chasing a third straight victory after back-to-back wins over San Miguel and NLEX, and another one here would continue the team’s climb after an opening loss to Rain or Shine briefly slowed its start. More importantly, it would give TNT another strong result against a team expected to be in the playoff mix.

     

    Bol remains the biggest reason TNT has looked increasingly dangerous. Through three games, the 7-foot-3 former NBA player has delivered exactly the kind of impact the franchise hoped for, putting up averages of 37.3 points and 16.3 rebounds while instantly changing the team’s ceiling on both ends of the floor.

     

    He has not just been productive — he has forced teams to play differently. Opponents have had to account for his size, reach, and ability to score from multiple areas, making him one of the most difficult matchup problems in the conference early on. Whether it is finishing inside, cleaning the glass, or simply altering defensive coverages, Bol has quickly become the focal point of TNT’s identity.

     

    That identity only gets bigger on Tuesday. The Tropang 5G welcome back veteran big man Kelly Williams, who has been activated into the active roster in place of Jio Jalalon. The move gives TNT another experienced frontcourt option and adds even more length and versatility to a team that is already built around size.

     

    Williams’ return could be especially valuable in a game like this.

     

    Against a physical and disciplined team such as Meralco, having another proven interior presence could help TNT not only manage its rotations better, but also maintain its edge in the paint whenever Bol goes to the bench or draws extra attention.

     

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    Meralco, though, will not be walking into the matchup unprepared. The Bolts come in with a 3-1 record and are fresh off a 118-105 win over Titan Ultra, a result that kept them in the upper part of the standings and reinforced the balance they have shown early in the conference.

     

    One of the biggest reasons for that has been the rise of CJ Cansino.

     

    After being held to just 13 points in Meralco’s loss to Rain or Shine, Cansino bounced back with 26 points in the win over Titan Ultra, once again showing that he can provide real offensive punch for the Bolts. His scoring has become an important part of Meralco’s attack, and another strong outing would go a long way in helping the team stay within striking distance of TNT.

     

    The Bolts may at least have a slight edge in familiarity. During the offseason, Meralco was the only team that got to face TNT and Bol in a tune-up game before the Commissioner’s Cup began. That experience, paired with film study from TNT’s first few games, may offer some useful clues on how to at least limit his influence.

     

    Still, knowing what Bol does and stopping it are very different things. That is what makes this game so intriguing.

     

    TNT is trying to build around overwhelming size and star power. Meralco is leaning on continuity, balance, and discipline. One side wants to impose itself physically, while the other will likely try to turn the game into a more controlled and tactical battle.

     

    Earlier in the day, Magnolia and Terrafirma will set the tone in the 5:15 p.m. opener.Magnolia enters the game with a chance to finally build some traction after a rough start to the conference. The Hotshots dropped their first three games before finally breaking through with a 121-109 win over Macau Black Knights last March 28, improving to 1-3 and staying alive in a crowded middle of the standings.

     

    That first victory also came with a major boost from new import Clinton Chapman. Replacing Nuni Omot, Chapman made an immediate impact in his debut by unloading 39 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, giving Magnolia the kind of interior production it badly needed. If he can produce anywhere close to that level again, the Hotshots will have a strong chance of putting together their first winning streak of the conference.

     

    Magnolia will also be hoping veteran guard Mark Barroca continues to regain rhythm.

     

    Barroca played his most minutes of the conference in the win over Macau and responded with eight points, six rebounds, and seven assists. 

     

    Those are not eye-popping numbers, but they are exactly the kind of stabilizing contributions Magnolia needs from one of its most trusted leaders.

     

    Terrafirma, meanwhile, comes in looking to respond after its own momentum took a hit. The Dyip opened the conference with three straight wins before absorbing a 133-105 beating from Phoenix Super LPG, a result that exposed some of the sloppiness that had been masked during their hot start.

     

    Turnovers were a major problem in that loss. Terrafirma committed 17 errors, which Phoenix turned into 22 points, and that kind of carelessness could again become costly against a Magnolia side that will likely try to dictate pace and capitalize on mistakes.

     

    The Dyip will also need a much stronger showing from import Mubashar Ali. Ali had looked explosive to begin his PBA stint, averaging 33 points over his first few games, but he cooled off significantly against Phoenix, finishing with just nine points on 4-of-13 shooting. If Terrafirma is to get back on track, it will likely need him to rediscover the scoring punch that fueled its early run.

     

    By the end of the night, both games should offer a clearer picture of where these teams stand. Magnolia is trying to turn one win into momentum. Terrafirma is trying to prove one loss was just a stumble. Meralco wants to keep pace near the top. TNT wants to keep growing into one of the most dangerous teams in the field.

     

    And with Bol Bol back in the spotlight, the second game may end up carrying the loudest message of all.

     

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  • Carl Tamayo, Changwon clinch KBL Regular Season title

    Carl Tamayo, Changwon clinch KBL Regular Season title

    Carl Tamayo and the Changwon LG Sakers are heading into the KBL playoffs exactly where every contender wants to be.

     

    With an 87-60 rout of the Suwon KT Sonicboom on Friday, Changwon officially clinched the 2025-26 KBL regular season championship, adding another major achievement to what has already been a strong title defense for the reigning champions.

     

    It was a dominant performance from the opening tip.

     

    The LG Sakers came out firing and quickly buried Suwon under a huge first-quarter blitz, building a 28-7 lead by the end of the period and never allowing the hosts to recover. That early separation set the tone for the rest of the game as Changwon cruised to the win.

     

    Tamayo did his part once again for the LG Sakers, finishing with 11 points, four rebounds, and two assists in another steady outing.

     

    The Filipino forward has been one of Changwon’s most reliable players all season, providing consistent production on both ends and emerging as one of the team’s top offensive weapons in his KBL campaign.

     

    For the season, Tamayo has been averaging 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, good for second in scoring on the team.

     

    Assem Marei led the way in the clincher with a near triple-double of 21 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists in just 23 minutes, helping power another well-rounded effort from a team that has looked like one of the league’s best for most of the season.

     

    With the win, Changwon improved to 36-16 and officially moved out of reach of second-running Anyang JKJ Red Boosters, who remained at 33-18.

     

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    That gave the LG Sakers the regular season crown even with two games still left on their schedule, underlining just how strong and consistent they have been throughout the year.

    For Changwon, this latest milestone strengthens its case as the team to beat heading into the postseason.

     

    The LG Sakers are not only the defending champions, but now enter the playoffs carrying the confidence of a group that once again finished on top of the standings.

     

    Last season, Changwon captured the KBL title in dramatic fashion, beating the Seoul SK Knights in seven games after nearly letting a 3-0 series lead slip away.

     

    That championship run gave the LG Sakers their crown, and this regular season title now gives them momentum as they prepare for another push.

     

    For Tamayo, it is another important step in what has become an impressive season overseas.

    The former UAAP star has continued to establish himself as one of the top Filipino imports in Asia, and his role in helping Changwon secure the top seed only adds to that growing résumé.

    The LG Sakers will wrap up the regular season against KCC Egis on Sunday, April 5, and Ulsan Mobis Phoebus on Wednesday, April 8, before turning their full attention to the playoffs.

     

    But with the regular season title now secured, Changwon has already made one thing clear.

    Carl Tamayo and the LG Sakers are entering the postseason with momentum, confidence, and another championship firmly in sight.

     

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  • UST Golden Tigresses lean on mental toughness in UAAP Season 88 Final Four push

    UST Golden Tigresses lean on mental toughness in UAAP Season 88 Final Four push

    The UST Golden Tigresses kept their UAAP Season 88 Final Four hopes alive with a straight-set win over the UE Lady Warriors, 25-21, 26-24, 25-20, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday.

     

    While the scoreboard showed a clean sweep, the match was a test of mental resilience. The Golden Tigresses nearly let a nine-point lead slip away in the second set, as Khy Cepada rallied UE from 24-15 to tie the frame. UST, however, steadied under pressure to secure the victory, improving to a 7-4 record.

     

    Veteran hitter Regina Jurado highlighted the need for consistency in high-pressure moments. “Actually, sakit na din po talaga namin yung gano’n. Hindi namin ma-tapos-tapos yung game,” she said. “Even if kami yung leading. So yun, I think more on mental toughness din and yung kagustuhang manalo, yun yung di pa namin i-polish at i-instill sa sarili.”

     

    Third-year ace Angge Poyos echoed her teammate, stressing the importance of patience and teamwork. “Mental toughness [yung kailangan], and yung patience din namin sa isa’t isa at sa sarili. Pag nahahabol [kami] talagang nati-test na kami. So siguro yung pasensya at tyaga na ginagawa namin every training. Sana ma-apply namin,” she said.

     

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    The Golden Tigresses’ struggles to maintain leads are not new. In a recent loss to La Salle, they squandered an eight-point advantage in a crucial set, underscoring why Jurado and Poyos continue to emphasize mental sharpness as the season approaches its climax.

     

    Despite the challenges, Jurado acknowledged the effort and grit of UE and Cepada. “Very proud of her, kasi nakasama ko nga siya nung high school and now that we’re like separate school na, nag-excel siya. Siya talaga yung nag-lead and nag-excel sa nire-represent niyang school,” Jurado said. “Kita ko din talaga yung grit niya to win and yung pagiging desidido niya ang manalo ng set na yun. So, kudos din talaga.”

     

    Cepada paced the Lady Warriors with 17 points, seven digs, and two receptions, but her efforts were not enough to halt UST’s momentum. For the Golden Tigresses, Poyos led with 17 points, nine digs, and six receptions, while Jurado contributed 11 points and nine receptions, providing veteran leadership on both offense and defense.

     

    As the UAAP Season 88 race heats up, UST will rely on mental toughness and cohesion to navigate the remaining matches. With only the undefeated DLSU Lady Spikers guaranteed in the Final Four, every set, every rally, and every point will matter as the Golden Tigresses continue their pursuit of a postseason berth.

     

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  • TNT turns to Kelly Williams as veteran returns to Tropang 5G lineup 

    TNT turns to Kelly Williams as veteran returns to Tropang 5G lineup 

    TNT’s latest roster move says a lot about where the team believes it can gain an edge this conference.

     

    With size becoming an even bigger part of its identity, the Tropang 5G brought back veteran big man Kelly Williams to their active 15-man roster ahead of Tuesday’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup matchup against Meralco, a move that further reinforces the frontcourt-heavy direction the team has started to lean into.

     

    Williams takes the place of Jio Jalalon, who was moved to the Unrestricted Free Agent list with rights to salary, as TNT continues to fine-tune its rotation while building momentum in the early stretch of the conference.

     

    On paper, it is a simple personnel swap.

     

    But in context, it also reflects how TNT is shaping itself around matchups, physicality, and depth — particularly with the towering presence of 7-foot-3 import Bol Bol already altering the look of its frontline.

     

    By activating the 6-foot-7 Williams, TNT adds another experienced and dependable interior piece to support that structure, giving the Tropang 5G more flexibility in how they manage minutes, size, and defensive cover against bigger opponents.

     

    For Williams, the activation marks his first appearance this conference after last seeing action in Game 6 of TNT’s Philippine Cup Finals series against San Miguel.

     

    The veteran had previously been placed under the UFAWR2S list while he was still in the United States, a procedural move that allowed TNT to create room for the arrival of mid-season recruit Justin Chua.

     

    That arrangement, however, was never expected to signal a real separation.

     

    As has been the case with other TNT players temporarily placed under the same list, Williams and the franchise reportedly maintain a gentleman’s agreement that he would not entertain other offers and would remain aligned with the team once circumstances allowed for his return.

     

    Now back in the country after arriving from the US last week, Williams re-enters a TNT squad that appears to be gradually finding its rhythm after an uneven start.

     

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    The Tropang 5G dropped their conference opener against Rain or Shine, but have since responded with back-to-back wins over San Miguel and NLEX, restoring some early momentum heading into a matchup that could further solidify their footing in the standings.

     

    That recent run has come while TNT continues to re-establish balance in its roster following the return of long-time captain Jayson Castro, who is back in action after missing an entire season due to a patellar tendon tear.

     

    Castro’s return has naturally shifted the backcourt equation, and that likely played a role in Jalalon’s limited involvement this conference.

     

    In the two games he suited up for TNT, the veteran guard averaged just seven minutes per outing, suggesting that consistent playing time may have been harder to come by in a guard rotation that has once again become more crowded.

     

    Williams’ addition, by contrast, gives TNT something it appears more eager to prioritize at this point of the conference: veteran size, defensive stability, and another proven body capable of helping anchor the paint.

     

    That could become particularly useful as the team continues to explore how best to maximize Bol Bol’s presence while maintaining balance across both ends of the floor.

     

    Against Meralco, the move may not immediately dominate the box score.

     

    But it could reveal more about the kind of team TNT wants to become this conference — one that is not just talented, but built to overwhelm with length, experience, and lineup versatility.

    And with Kelly Williams back in uniform, that vision just got a little bigger.

     

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  • Philippine powerlifters flex growing depth with 36-medal haul in China tilt 

    Philippine powerlifters flex growing depth with 36-medal haul in China tilt 

    The Philippines did not just come home from Hainan with medals. It came home with a stronger case that powerlifting is quietly becoming one of the country’s most productive emerging sports on the international stage.

     

    At the 2026 East/Southeast Asia Subregional Championships held from March 26 to 30 in China, the Filipino team turned in a commanding all-around performance, collecting 36 medals, three special awards, and two national records in a campaign that highlighted not just individual strength, but the growing depth of the program.

     

    What stood out most was the consistency.

     

    According to the Powerlifting Association of the Philippines (PAP), every Filipino delegate managed to finish on the podium during the five-day competition — a rare kind of across-the-board success that says just as much about the system behind the team as it does about the athletes themselves.

     

    “Every delegate was able to bring home a medal for the country. We hope this sets the tone for our international calendar this year,” said PAP president and head of delegation Filippo Scarlata, noting that the next competition will be the Asian Juniors Championships from May 10 to 15.

     

    That clean sweep helped the national team finish with 22 gold medals, 10 silvers, and four bronzes, as the Philippines stacked podium finishes across multiple divisions and categories.

    The medalists included Adrian Perillo, James de Luna, Juan Teodoro Zabala, Jose Virgil Perez, Ryant Relos, Emilion Florendo, Audrick Khong Hun, John Sorima, Rayven Villasotes, Anya Pinzon, Jomara Chan, and Clara Buenconsejo.

     

    But beyond the medal count, the meet also revealed how many different ways the Filipinos made their mark.

     

    Relos, Chan, and Pinzon each established new national and individual lift records, while the Philippine squad also secured Best Team honors in both the Men’s Open and Men’s Masters I divisions — a sign that the country was not simply winning isolated events, but performing at a high level across an entire team structure.

     

    Perez added to that haul by earning Best Lifter honors, while Zabala, competing internationally for the first time, still managed to finish third in the Best Lifter rankings.

     

    That result gave Zabala one of the more memorable storylines of the Philippine campaign, especially given the mental hurdle that came with stepping onto an international platform for the first time.

     

    “My first attempt in the squat was the most challenging,not physically, but mentally, because it was my first time representing the Philippines internationally,” he said.

     

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    That quote captures something important about the sport that often gets lost behind the numbers.

     

    Powerlifting is built on measurable strength, but performances like these also demand control, confidence, and composure under pressure — especially in a setting where every lift is magnified and every successful attempt contributes not just to personal totals, but to national standing.

    The Philippines showed that kind of poise throughout the meet.

     

    In the Men’s Open division, the Filipinos finished on top with 40 points, comfortably ahead of Thailand’s 31, in a field that also included Vietnam, China, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, and Malaysia.

     

    The Men’s Masters I race was even tighter, but the Philippines still found a way through. The team ended level with Malaysia on 24 points before claiming the top spot via higher good lift scores, finishing with 155.91 to edge out the competition.

     

    That ability to win both clearly and narrowly may be one of the most encouraging takeaways for PAP moving forward.

     

    This was not just a team carried by one or two headline names. It was a delegation that showed range — from first-time internationals to award winners, from record breakers to veterans capable of helping secure team titles.

     

    That matters as the calendar begins to get busier.

     

    Locally, PAP is set to hold the Luzon Regionals from May 26 to 31, the Mindanao Regionals from June 13 to 14, and the Visayas Regionals from September 19 to 20. The Equipped Nationals are scheduled for August 8 to 9, while the National Equipped Bench Press Championships will be held on April 12 at Robinsons Otis.

     

    Internationally, the stakes only rise from here.

     

    The Asian Sub-Juniors and Juniors Classic and Equipped Championships, along with the University Cup, are set from May 10 to 15 in Hainan, while the World Classic and Equipped Bench Press Championships will follow from May 23 to 31 in Warsaw, Poland. The World Classic Open Powerlifting Championships are also scheduled from June 13 to 21 in Druskininkai, Lithuania.

    For a team coming off a sweep-heavy performance in China, those upcoming meets now feel less like distant targets and more like real opportunities to keep momentum going.

     

    And for athletes like Zabala, who are only beginning to experience the international level, the result in Hainan may end up being more than just a successful debut — it could be the start of something much bigger.

     

    He also took the chance to point out a distinction often misunderstood outside the sport, noting that powerlifting is made up of the squat, bench press, and deadlift, while weightlifting consists of the snatch and the clean and jerk.

     

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  • Creamline looks to avoid upset against Akari in crucial semis bout 

    Creamline looks to avoid upset against Akari in crucial semis bout 

    Creamline heads into its biggest test of the conference not as the hunter, but as the favorite trying to avoid disaster. In a do-or-die clash against Akari, the Cool Smashers will need to lean on both experience and composure to keep their semifinals hopes alive.

     

    That urgency comes from one important truth: Akari is no longer an underdog just happy to be in the fight. The Chargers have already shown they can beat Creamline, and that earlier result now gives this rematch a far more dangerous edge for the league powerhouse.

     

    Akari turned back the then red-hot Cool Smashers in four sets, 25-21, 26-24, 17-25, 25-21, handing Creamline one of its most telling losses of the conference. The victory snapped Creamline’s five-game winning streak while stretching Akari’s own run to four straight wins.

     

    More than the result itself, it was the manner of the win that stood out. Akari looked composed, connected, and confident against a team that usually thrives in pressure-heavy situations, proving that its rise this conference is no longer something that can be dismissed as temporary.

     

    That win also marked a turning point for the Chargers after a rough 0-3 start to the tournament. Under head coach Tina Salak, Akari slowly found its identity, and the triumph over Creamline became the clearest sign yet that the team had grown into a legitimate contender.

     

    The Chargers got that breakthrough behind a balanced and steady performance from their core. Ivy Lacsina led the way with 20 points and 17 receptions, while Eli Soyud added 15 markers to help fuel the offense.

     

    Grethcel Soltones also played a key role with 14 points and 12 receptions, giving Akari another reliable attacking option. Mars Alba orchestrated the offense with 18 excellent sets, while Justine Jazareno anchored the floor with 22 digs in a complete team effort.

     

    That kind of all-around showing is exactly what makes this rematch so uncomfortable for Creamline. This is not a team relying on one player to get hot — Akari has enough pieces clicking together to put real pressure on even the most established squads in the league.

     

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    Still, if there is one thing working in Creamline’s favor, it is familiarity with nights like this. The Cool Smashers have built their reputation on surviving pressure, and their championship pedigree remains one of the biggest reasons they are still viewed as a team capable of responding when the stakes are highest.

     

    Creamline is now trying to secure what would be a record 20th PVL semifinals appearance, a number that reflects just how often the franchise has found ways to extend its season. In matches where momentum can swing quickly, that kind of postseason experience can become a major advantage.

     

    But experience alone will not be enough if Creamline produces another uneven outing. The last time these teams met, only Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos reached double figures for the Cool Smashers with 16 and 10 points, respectively, in what became a rare off night for the perennial title contender.

     

    That lack of offensive rhythm opened the door for Akari to stay in control, and Creamline cannot afford to let that happen again. Against a team already carrying confidence from a previous win, any prolonged dip in execution could quickly turn into another costly stumble.

     

    For Akari, the challenge now is different from the first time around. Pulling off a statement win is one thing; repeating it in a sudden-death scenario is another, especially when every set carries the weight of either prolonging a season or ending it on the spot.

     

    That is where this match becomes less about pure skill and more about composure. The team that handles the pressure better — the one that stays steady when the score tightens and the momentum begins to shift — will likely be the one still standing at the end of the night.

     

    Creamline is trying to protect its place among the league’s elite and avoid the kind of upset that can redefine a conference. Akari, on the other hand, has the chance to prove that its earlier breakthrough was not a one-time result, but a sign of something much bigger.

     

    Now, with a semifinals berth hanging in the balance, both teams meet again with far more than just a win on the line. One will move a step closer to the Final Four, while the other will be left to wonder how quickly a promising run slipped away.

     

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