Sports PH News | JS DEV Site

Author: Andre Sotelo

  • PVL stars set for Volleyball All-Star showcase in Candon

    PVL stars set for Volleyball All-Star showcase in Candon

    The country’s biggest volleyball stars are preparing for a night that will celebrate the sport’s growing popularity and the players who continue to elevate it.

     

     

    On May 1, the Volleyball All-Star Showcase will bring together the top talents from the Premier Volleyball League and Spikers’ Turf at the Candon City Arena, creating a rare stage where the sport’s elite gather not for standings, but for spectacle.

     

    The event highlights both the women’s and men’s professional leagues, with the PVL All-Star Game pitting Team Heart against Team Hustle, while the Spikers’ Turf All-Star Game features Team Power battling Team Passion.

     

    Each team will be composed of 14 players drawn from across the leagues, blending the sport’s most recognizable names with the season’s statistical standouts.

     

    Fans will play a direct role in shaping the All-Star starting lineups through a public voting process. Supporters can select seven starters per team — two outside hitters, one opposite hitter, two middle blockers, one setter, and one libero — from a pool of candidates identified through statistical rankings and position.

     

    Voting officially opened Sunday, March 15 and will run until April 11 through the league’s website at https://pvl.ph/allstar.

     

    The final starting units will reflect a combination of fan support and coaching input, though coaches will not be permitted to vote for players from their own teams, a safeguard designed to balance popularity with competitive fairness.

     

    Beyond the fan-voted starters, the remaining seven roster spots per team will be determined through a broader selection process involving head coaches, players, team managers, and several league bodies, including the PVL Control Committee, referee and technical committee, broadcast panel and production staff, as well as members of the PVL and Press Corps.

     

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    Coaching assignments for the All-Star squads will also reward teams performing well in the current season. The head coaches will come from the top two teams at the end of the preliminary rounds of the ongoing Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference and the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference, with those coaches selecting their own assistants for the event.

     

    To keep the games competitive while giving every player time on the court, the showcase will follow special lineup rules.

     

    The fan-selected starters will begin the match and remain on the floor until the 16th point of the opening set. The reserve players will then take over to start the second set, ensuring the full roster gets involved early.

     

    In the third set, the starters will return and play until the eighth point before coaches are allowed to make open substitutions, giving all 14 players an opportunity to contribute.

     

    Beyond the All-Star matches themselves, the showcase will also feature several skill competitions designed to highlight individual talents across the rosters. Among the featured events are the Setter Challenge, Digging Challenge, and Serving Challenge, with participants drawn from the selected All-Stars.

     

    Together, the festivities promise a full day dedicated to volleyball’s finest — a gathering of the players who continue to drive the sport’s momentum across the Philippines.

     

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  • Filipinas fall to Japan in AFC Women’s Cup, face crucial World Cup play-in

    Filipinas fall to Japan in AFC Women’s Cup, face crucial World Cup play-in

    The road to the next World Cup grew steeper for the Filipinas after a quarterfinal setback to a powerhouse opponent, but their campaign is far from over.

     

    The Philippines women’s national football team absorbed a 7–0 defeat against the Japan women’s national football team in the quarterfinals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on Sunday at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

     

    The result denied the Filipinas an outright ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, but the team still has two remaining paths to reach the tournament in Brazil.

     

    For nearly an entire half, the Filipinas managed to frustrate Japan’s relentless attack. Reserve goalkeeper Nina Meollo delivered a string of saves that kept the match scoreless deep into the opening period.

     

    Japan eventually broke through just before halftime when Mina Tanaka found the net in the 45th minute, giving the Asian giants the lead and shifting the momentum firmly in their favor.

     

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    After the break, Japan’s depth and precision began to overwhelm the Filipinas. Toko Koga struck twice early in the second half to stretch the advantage to 2–0, igniting a scoring surge that effectively sealed the contest.

     

    More goals followed as Remina Chiba scored in the 65th minute, Manaka Matsukubo added another two minutes later, and late finishes from Momoko Tanikawa in the 86th minute and Riko Ueki in stoppage time completed the rout.

     

    With the victory, Japan advanced to the semifinals and secured a direct berth to the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

     

    The Filipinas, meanwhile, must quickly regroup as their qualifying hopes now hinge on a crucial play-in match against Uzbekistan women’s national football team on Thursday.

     

    The stakes are clear: the winner of the clash claims one of the final automatic World Cup spots allotted to Asia/Oceania. The losing side will still have a lifeline but must navigate the inter-confederation playoffs for one last chance to reach Brazil.

     

    The Filipinas could also receive a boost in goal for the pivotal encounter, with first-choice goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel expected to return after being rested in the quarterfinal match.

     

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  • Phoenix stays perfect; NLEX rallies past Magnolia to remain unbeaten

    Phoenix stays perfect; NLEX rallies past Magnolia to remain unbeaten

    Two teams continued their early surge in the Philippine Basketball Association Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday as the Phoenix Fuel Masters and NLEX Road Warriors remained spotless following contrasting victories at the Ynares Center II in Montalban.

     

    Phoenix delivered the more dominant showing of the night, dismantling the Titan Ultra, 109-76, to stretch its winning start under coach Charles Tiu to two games.

     

    Unlike their tense opening win over Magnolia Hotshots just two days earlier, the Fuel Masters wasted little time asserting control. Phoenix raced to a 33-17 advantage in the opening period and never allowed Titan Ultra to seriously threaten afterward.

     

    The win also marked the franchise’s first 2-0 start in five years, dating back to the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup when former import Paul Harris powered the team.

     

    Phoenix once again relied on a balanced attack. Ricci Rivero led the charge with 18 points and nine rebounds, while also adding four assists and two steals.

     

    Import James Dickey III nearly produced a monster double-double with 17 points and 17 rebounds to go with six assists, four steals, and four blocks.

     

    Ken Tuffin added 17 points highlighted by three triples, while Evan Nelle contributed 14 points and eight assists.

     

    Bench contributions from Bryan Santos, who scored 13 points, helped Phoenix maintain control throughout the second half.

     

    Titan Ultra briefly showed signs of life in the third quarter, trimming the gap to 69-62 after a basket from Michael Gilmore with just over two minutes remaining in the period.

     

    But Phoenix quickly restored order. Kai Ballungay and Santos sparked a key response before Nelle buried a four-pointer early in the fourth to ignite a decisive 16-2 run that stretched the lead to 89-66 and effectively sealed the rout.

     

    Gilmore finished with 27 points and 29 rebounds for Titan Ultra but struggled with 10 turnovers.

     

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    Later in the evening, NLEX produced a late surge of its own, completing a comeback to beat Magnolia, 112-105.

     

    The Road Warriors once again leaned on clutch execution down the stretch. After delivering the game-winning shot in their previous win against Blackwater Bossing, Robert Bolick turned playmaker this time.

     

    Bolick found Deschon Winston in the corner for a three-pointer that pushed the lead to 111-103 with 47.3 seconds left, effectively putting the game out of reach.

     

    Seven Road Warriors finished in double figures in a balanced offensive display.

     

    Import Cady Lalanne led the way with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks, while Bolick, Winston, and JB Bahio added 14 points each, while rookie playmaker LJ Gonzales earned Player of the Game honors after tallying 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.

     

    Kevin Alas also scored 13 points, including a key four-pointer midway through the fourth that helped create breathing room for NLEX.

     

    Magnolia, meanwhile, dropped to 0-2 despite a strong offensive showing as import Nuni Omot led the Hotshots with 32 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Jerom Lastimosa added 23 points on efficient shooting, while Rome Dela Rosa and Zav Lucero chipped in 17 and 16 points, respectively.

     

    Magnolia appeared in control earlier after building a 56-43 lead late in the second quarter but struggled to contain NLEX’s surge in the second half.

     

    Both Phoenix and NLEX now share the early lead in the standings with identical 2-0 records alongside Terrafirma Dyip.

     

    Magnolia will try to avoid a deeper hole when it faces Blackwater next Sunday, while NLEX braces for a marquee matchup against the TNT Tropang 5G.

     

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  • Mikey Williams focuses on Converge, not TNT reunion

    Mikey Williams focuses on Converge, not TNT reunion

    Mikey Williams marked his long-awaited return to the PBA by suiting up for the Converge FiberXers, helping his new team rally past the Macau Black Knights, 102-94, in the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup opener at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

     

    Despite limited minutes in his first game in nearly three years, Williams made his presence felt. Entering in the fourth quarter, he contributed three key assists as Converge closed the game with a decisive 14-0 run to seal the victory.

     

    The former Finals MVP, who won multiple championships with TNT Tropang 5G, is aware that fans are already buzzing about a potential showdown against his old team. Yet, Williams remains grounded and focused on the immediate challenge.

     

    “I’m not really focused on that right now,” he said when asked about facing TNT. “We have a game in front of us on Saturday, so we’re just taking everything one game at a time.”

     

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    Instead of looking ahead to potential storybook reunions, Williams’ priority is finding his rhythm with Converge, a team he joined just days before the season opener. He praised the existing core, which includes guards Alec Stockton and Juan Gomez de Liaño, big men Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar, and import Kylor Kelley.

     

    “They already have a great foundation from the guards to the bigs,” he said. “I’m just trying to assert myself where I see fit.”

     

    For Williams, the return to the PBA was more than just another game—it was a personal milestone. “Time after time, not being able to do what I love to do—that’s the hardest thing to deal with,” he reflected. “So I was just happy to touch the floor again.”

     

    As the FiberXers prepare for their next outing, Williams’ measured approach signals a veteran mindset: one game at a time, building chemistry, and letting future matchups unfold naturally.

     

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  • Player of the Game Justine Jazareno sees Akari confidence rising after Creamline upset

    Player of the Game Justine Jazareno sees Akari confidence rising after Creamline upset

    Momentum may finally be starting to build for the Akari Power Chargers.


    After pulling off a statement win over the Creamline Cool Smashers, Akari’s players believe the team’s confidence and chemistry are beginning to take shape in the 9th Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

     

    The Power Chargers stunned the Cool Smashers in four sets, 25-21, 26-24, 17-25, 25-21, Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, snapping Creamline’s five-match winning streak and tightening the race in the standings.

     

    At the center of the victory was libero Justine Jazareno, who turned in a defensive masterclass with 22 excellent digs to frustrate Creamline’s attackers and keep Akari alive in long rallies.

     

    But for Jazareno, the bigger takeaway from the win wasn’t just the numbers—it was the gradual growth she sees within the team.

     

    “Yung kumpiyansa ng team nag bbuild up pa, so every training pinag-tatrabaho namin and mabuild connection namin,” she said.

     

    The win lifted Akari to a 4-3 record, giving the Power Chargers their fourth straight victory since starting the conference with four-straight losses and keeping them in contention for a stronger position heading into the next phase of the tournament.

     

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    Offensively, Ivy Lacsina paced Akari with 20 points built on 18 attacks and an ace, providing the scoring punch whenever the team needed a spark.

     

    Christine Joy Soyud added 15 points, while veteran wing spiker Grethcel Soltones chipped in 14 to give the Chargers multiple scoring options.

     

    Middle blockers Celine Domingo and Mereophe Sharma also provided timely support with seven points apiece.

     

    Despite the breakthrough win against one of the league’s powerhouse teams, Jazareno emphasized that the Chargers are far from satisfied.

     

    With another tough opponent looming, she said the team must quickly refocus.

     

    “Back to the drawing board ulit, di madali kalaban ang Galeries, we have to work hard,” Jazareno said, referring to their upcoming clash with the Galeries Tower Highrisers.

     

    For Akari, the win over Creamline may have delivered a confidence boost, but the Chargers know the real challenge is sustaining that progress as the conference intensifies.

     

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  • Tony Mitchell feels ‘at home’ in PBA return despite Macau loss

    Tony Mitchell feels ‘at home’ in PBA return despite Macau loss

    For Tony Mitchell, stepping back onto a Philippine Basketball Association court felt less like a comeback and more like returning to familiar ground.

     

    Mitchell made his latest PBA appearance with the Macau Black Knights in their debut outing in the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup. While the result didn’t go their way—a 102-94 loss to the Converge FiberXers at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium—the veteran forward still relished the chance to once again play in front of Filipino basketball fans.

     

    Mitchell delivered a double-double performance with 18 points and 10 rebounds, helping Macau stay within striking distance for most of the contest before Converge seized control late in the fourth quarter.

     

    A decisive 14-0 surge by the FiberXers, sparked by guard Alec Stockton, ultimately created the separation that sealed the win.

     

    Still, the game carried deeper meaning for Mitchell beyond the numbers on the scoreboard.

     

    “It was exciting, man. For me, the Philippines is home,” Mitchell said. “In reality, it really is home for me. I love the culture, I love the people.”

     

    The former NBA forward has built a unique bond with the local basketball scene through the years, one that extends far beyond his time in the professional league.

     

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    “I have people here that I call family—from PBA, Tondo,” he added.

     

    During his time away from the PBA, Mitchell remained a familiar presence in community leagues and regional tournaments across the country. He spent the past few years playing in various competitions, including the popular grassroots circuit known as Ligang Labas.

     

    Those experiences, he said, helped strengthen his connection with the Philippines and its passionate basketball culture.

     

    “Shoutout to everybody in the Ligang Labas.”

     

    Now back on the PBA stage, Mitchell hopes to help the Black Knights carve out their place in a conference stacked with established franchises and towering imports.

     

    “For me this is a lifetime experience and I’m just happy and glad to be back,” Mitchell said.

     

    As Macau continues its first campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup, Mitchell and the Black Knights will try to translate that sense of belonging into their first win in the tournament.

     

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  • Magnolia, Phoenix seek fresh start in Commissioner’s Cup; Blackwater, NLEX clash in early test

    Magnolia, Phoenix seek fresh start in Commissioner’s Cup; Blackwater, NLEX clash in early test

    Two teams looking to rewrite their recent fortunes collide when the Magnolia Hotshots and the Phoenix Fuel Masters open their campaigns in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

     

    Magnolia enters the 7:30 p.m. main game eager to bounce back after falling short of the semifinals in the Philippine Cup. The Hotshots finished sixth in the eliminations before being eliminated by the TNT Tropang 5G, 118-109, in the quarterfinals—marking a disappointing end to their first conference under head coach LA Tenorio.

     

    Meanwhile, Phoenix hopes to quickly move past a difficult All-Filipino campaign where the Fuel Masters finished 10th with a 3-8 record.

     

    Both squads will lean heavily on their imports in the early going. Magnolia is banking on the inside presence of Terrell Brown-Soares, a 6-foot-10 big man known for his rim protection and rebounding, along with a perimeter touch that has impressed in stints across Europe.

     

    The Fuel Masters counter with their own interior anchor in James Dickey, another 6-foot-10 veteran who has built a strong international résumé with stops in Germany, Israel, and Indonesia after a decorated college career at UNC Greensboro. Dickey left the Spartans as the school’s all-time leader in rebounds with 1,060 while ranking second in blocks with 222.

     

    Phoenix is also ushering in a new era with Charles Tiu making his debut as a PBA head coach. Tiu, who previously won championships in the NCAA and the Jones Cup, will look to guide a roster featuring familiar names such as Jason Perkins, Kai Ballungay, Tyler Tio, Ken Tuffin, Ricci Rivero, and Evan Nelle.

     

     

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    Also joining the team is rookie Will Gozum, the eighth overall pick in the Season 50 draft and a former cornerstone player under Tiu during their championship run with St. Benilde.

     

    Earlier in the evening, the Blackwater Bossing and the NLEX Road Warriors square off in the 5:15 p.m. curtain raiser.

     

    Blackwater will lean on high-scoring guard Sedrick Barefield, who averaged 19.2 points per game in the previous conference to finish among the league’s top scorers.

     

    Across the floor, NLEX will turn to its floor general Robert Bolick, who led the league in assists last conference while also serving as the Road Warriors’ offensive engine. Bolick has repeatedly shown his ability to take over games, including a 20-point outing that powered NLEX to a win over Blackwater in a previous meeting.

     

    Supporting Bolick are key contributors such as Kevin Alas and JB Bahio, whose balanced production has helped NLEX maintain a competitive edge in recent matchups against the Bossing.

     

    With both games marking the start of new campaigns, the opening night matchups offer four teams a chance to quickly set the tone for what promises to be a tightly contested Commissioner’s Cup.

     

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  • Gilas Women fall to Germany, remain winless in World Cup qualifiers

    Gilas Women fall to Germany, remain winless in World Cup qualifiers

    The Philippines women’s national basketball team suffered its second straight setback in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament after falling to Germany women’s national basketball team, 113-80, in Group A action.

     

    Germany took control early and maintained its offensive rhythm throughout the contest, putting the Filipinas on the defensive for most of the game. The European squad steadily built separation behind its balanced attack, eventually pulling away to secure the convincing victory.

     

    Despite the loss, several Gilas players turned in notable performances on offense. Sumayah Sugapong led the Philippines with 21 points, continuing to provide scoring for the national team.

     

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    Gilas women mainstay Afril Bernardino added 13 points, while playmaker Janine Pontejos contributed 11 markers to round out the double-digit scorers for Gilas.

     

    The defeat dropped the Philippines to a 0-2 record in Group A as the team continues its bid to compete against some of the world’s strongest basketball programs.

     

    Gilas Pilipinas Women will now turn their focus to their next assignment against Nigeria women’s national basketball team on Saturday at 9 p.m. Philippine time, hoping to bounce back and keep their qualifying hopes alive.

     

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  • Brooke Van Sickle proud of Nxled’s resilience after Chameleons snap skid in PVL

    Brooke Van Sickle proud of Nxled’s resilience after Chameleons snap skid in PVL

    The relief inside the Premier Volleyball League court was unmistakable for the Nxled Chameleons—not just because they won, but because of everything they endured before getting there.

     

    After a frustrating stretch that saw the team drop four straight matches, Nxled finally rediscovered its rhythm on Thursday night, rallying past the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in four sets, 20-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-19, to keep its chances of securing an outright qualifying-round berth in the 2026 conference alive.

     

    For team captain Brooke Van Sickle, the victory represented more than just a mark in the standings—it was proof that the Chameleons’ belief in each other never wavered even during the toughest stretch of their campaign.

     

    “Yeah, I mean, the four-straight loss, I mean, it wasn’t, you know, it wasn’t, you know, happy times,” said the three-time PVL MVP, who led the charge with 20 points while also contributing 10 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.

     

    “But we’re able to stick together. And I’m really proud of all the girls. It’s not just me, but I feel like as a team, cohesively, we all, like, understand what we need to do and what we need to get done,” she added.

     

    The skid could have easily fractured the team’s confidence, but instead it forced the Chameleons to lean on each other even more. Van Sickle believes that stretch ultimately strengthened the group rather than breaking it.

     

     

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    “And we continue to push each other in the gym and stay together. I think that’s something super important for teams, like, going through losing streaks, is to be able to stay together,” said Van Sickle.

     

    “Because going through tough times, it’s easy to be able to point fingers or be able just to be like, oh, well, it’s not going our way, and kind of just, like, roll over. But we’re really glad with this team that no matter what, we always come out and we’re like, okay, new day, let’s go. Let’s keep a positive attitude. Let’s keep trying to improve, like, work,” she added.

     

    The adversity also tested Van Sickle in her role as team captain. Yet rather than carrying the burden alone, she saw something even more encouraging—players throughout the roster stepping up to hold themselves accountable.

     

    “So it makes my job a lot easier. But I think everyone is leading themselves very well and everyone’s helping out. So it’s not just like, you know, specifically like only a couple of people. It’s like, I think, cohesively all together,” said Van Sickle.

     

    For Nxled, the win may only be one step in a long conference campaign. But after weeks of frustration, it was also a reminder that the Chameleons’ greatest strength might not be their talent—but the way they stay together when things start going wrong.

     

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  • Alex Eala returns to Miami with belief after Indian Wells breakthrough

    Alex Eala returns to Miami with belief after Indian Wells breakthrough

    For Alex Eala, the journey through the biggest stages of women’s tennis is starting to feel less like an introduction and more like a confirmation.

     

    The 20-year-old Filipina leaves the Indian Wells Open with mixed emotions—pride in what she accomplished and frustration over how it ended.

     

    Her campaign at the tournament, often called tennis’ unofficial “fifth major,” concluded in the fourth round after a loss to the red-hot Linda Noskova, the world No. 14 who has been one of the most dangerous players on tour this season.

     

    Still, Eala refused to let the defeat overshadow what the week represented.

     

    “I’m in the fourth round of Indian Wells,” Eala said of her impressive debut in the event. “I’m really happy about that. It’s still something I’m really proud of.”

     

    The result marks another important step in a career that has accelerated dramatically over the past year.

     

    When Eala arrived at the Miami Open last season, she was still trying to carve out her place on the Women’s Tennis Association Tour, hovering around No. 140 in the world rankings.

     

    A year later, the landscape looks entirely different.

     

    Following her recent results, Eala has surged into the world’s top 30, climbing to No. 28 in the live rankings and No. 32 in the official list—evidence of a steady rise built on both victories and lessons learned along the way.

     

    “I’ve grown a lot,” Eala reflected. “I’ve had so many good matches, so many tough losses, so much experience since then.”

     

    For the young Filipina, those ups and downs have become the foundation of her development.

     

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    “It’s a learning experience. Down the line, I believe it will have a positive impact on my progression as a player.”

     

    Now the tour takes her back to Miami—the very place where much of her momentum first began.

    Yet Eala isn’t allowing expectations to dictate what happens next.

     

    “I can’t speak for the future,” she said. “I don’t know if I’ll win the tournament or lose in the first round.”

     

    In a sport where fortunes can shift quickly, she understands that unpredictability better than most.

     

    But amid the uncertainty, one thing has become clear to her.

     

    “I know that I belong here,” Eala said.

     

    The rankings may fluctuate, the draws may change, and the results may vary from tournament to tournament.

     

    What has changed most is Eala’s conviction that she is no longer simply chasing a place among the sport’s elite—she has arrived.

     

    “I’m here,” she said. “And I’m here to stay.”

     

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