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Author: Andre Sotelo

  • Beau Belga staying put as Rain or Shine brings him back for 15th PBA Season 

    Beau Belga staying put as Rain or Shine brings him back for 15th PBA Season 

    In a league that never stops getting younger, Beau Belga is betting on familiarity — and Rain or Shine is welcoming it.

     

    The Elasto Painters secured a stabilizing piece on Monday after signing the 39-year-old big man to a one-year contract, ensuring that one of the franchise’s longest-tenured players will return for a 15th season in orange and red. The move comes at a critical juncture for the team, which is entering a transition period following the retirement of longtime captain Gabe Norwood at the close of the PBA Philippine Cup.

     

    Belga’s return is less about numbers and more about presence.

     

    After battling a severe case of vertigo last season, the former PCU Dolphins standout took on a limited role in the All-Filipino Conference, averaging 2.3 points and 2.5 rebounds off the bench behind younger bigs Keith Datu and Caelan Tiongson.

     

    But with Datu sidelined indefinitely due to a ruptured right patellar tendon, Belga’s value now extends beyond the box score.

     

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    His longevity with Rain or Shine is a stark contrast to his early PBA years. After brief and largely unremarkable stints with Purefoods, Burger King, and Meralco, Belga found stability when he joined the Elasto Painters in 2011 — a partnership that has since produced two championships and six Finals appearances.

     

    Even as his role has evolved, Belga remains one of the few remaining links to Rain or Shine’s most successful era, making his return a bridge between past identity and present necessity.

     

    The timing is deliberate. Rain or Shine’s Season 50 All-Filipino campaign ended earlier than expected, bowing out in the quarterfinals to Meralco despite holding a twice-to-beat advantage — a result that underscored the thin margin between contention and reset.

     

    Belga’s signing was formalized in the presence of team governor Atty. Mamerto Mondragon and team manager Jireh Ibanes, with the veteran big man accompanied by his representative Danny Espiritu, signaling the organization’s commitment to continuity amid change.

     

    At 39, Belga may no longer be the bruising interior force he once was, but for Rain or Shine — navigating injuries, leadership turnover, and unmet expectations — experience still carries weight. And for at least one more season, the Elasto Painters are choosing to lean on it.

     

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  • Philippines 3×3 wheelchair team roll into ASEAN Para Games semifinals

    Philippines 3×3 wheelchair team roll into ASEAN Para Games semifinals

    The Philippine men’s 3×3 wheelchair basketball team didn’t just win at the 13th ASEAN Para Games — it sent a statement.

     

    With composure, chemistry, and control, the Pilipinas Warriors secured an early spot in the semifinals after sweeping their first two games on Monday at Hall 1 of Terminal 21 Korat in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, showing that their campaign is built on more than just momentum.

     

    Anchored by team captain Kenneth Tapia alongside Alfie Cabañog, Jannil Cañete, and Fel Lander Dawal, the Filipinos wasted little time asserting themselves, dismantling Indonesia with a lopsided 20-3 win that effectively removed any doubt about their intentions in the tournament.

     

    Head coach Vernon Perea said the emphatic opening performance allowed the team to dictate how the rest of the day unfolded.

     

    “In the first match, we had Alfie and Kenneth running the game very smoothly so iniwan lang natin. We got the chance to finish it early kasi we’re expecting a close match against Malaysia,” Perea said. “Luckily, we came out as the winners.”

     

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    That preparation paid off in the Warriors’ second outing, where they fended off a tougher Malaysian side, 11-7, with Cabañog stepping up when it mattered most by scoring seven points in the win.

     

    With two victories secured, the Philippines turned its attention to a showdown with host Thailand at press time, a matchup that will decide the tournament’s top seed and potentially shape the road to the gold medal.

     

    While the men cruised with confidence, the mood on the women’s side was far more urgent.

     

    The Pilipinas Lady Warriors found themselves on the brink after absorbing back-to-back defeats — a 2-14 loss to Thailand followed by a narrow 5-8 setback against Laos — putting their medal hopes in jeopardy in a compact three-team field.

     

    National team coach Harry Solanoy acknowledged the challenge ahead, stressing that precision and urgency are now non-negotiable.

     

    “Ang kailangan, talunin namin ng by four points ang Laos kung matalo sila ng Thailand,” Solanoy said, noting that the tournament format leaves no room for error, with the bottom team walking away empty-handed and without a bronze medal.

     

    As the men push forward with confidence and the women fight to stay alive, the Philippines’ wheelchair basketball campaign at the ASEAN Para Games continues to reflect both the highs of dominance and the harsh realities of international competition — where every possession can redefine a season.

     

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  • Bryan Bagunas, Bella Belen named Mr. and Ms. Volleyball by SMC-PSA Awards 

    Bryan Bagunas, Bella Belen named Mr. and Ms. Volleyball by SMC-PSA Awards 

    Philippine volleyball takes center stage at the San Miguel Corporation–Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night as Bryan Bagunas and Bella Belen are set to be recognized as Mr. and Ms. Volleyball, underscoring a year where both stars carried the sport to new heights locally and internationally.

     

    Scheduled on February 16 at the Diamond Hotel Manila, the annual gala will once again gather the country’s sporting elite, with Bagunas and Belen joining a distinguished roll of honorees for 2025 led by Athletes of the Year Carlos Yulo and Alex Eala.

     

    The event is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Cignal, PVL, PBA, Akari, Rain or Shine, Capital1 Solar Energy, and Acrocity.

     

    For Bagunas, the award reflects a year defined by historic firsts. The 28-year-old opposite hitter from Balayan, Batangas was at the forefront of Alas Pilipinas’ breakthrough appearance in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, hosted by the Philippines for the first time. 

     

    That campaign included a landmark victory over world No. 21 Egypt — the national team’s first-ever win on the world stage — and a heart-stopping five-set loss to No. 14 Iran that showcased how close the Filipinos were to crashing the Final 16.

     

    Bagunas later anchored the squad to a bronze medal finish in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, cementing his role as the face of the men’s program.

     

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    On the women’s side, Belen’s recognition crowns a dominant closing chapter in her collegiate career. The 23-year-old outside hitter powered National University to back-to-back UAAP women’s volleyball championships, punctuating her final season with another MVP honor — her third overall. 

     

    NU later retired her iconic No. 4 jersey, making Belen the first athlete in school history to receive such a distinction, a testament to her lasting impact on the Lady Bulldogs’ dynasty.

     

    Belen’s influence extended beyond the UAAP. Selected first overall by Capital1 in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft, she also played a vital role for Alas Pilipinas in the AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup, where the national team claimed silver in Hanoi — its best finish in the tournament and an improvement from the bronze medal haul the year before.

     

    Together, Bagunas and Belen represent two parallel stories of leadership and progress — one pushing Philippine men’s volleyball onto the global map, the other redefining sustained excellence in the women’s game. 

     

    Their honors at the SMC-PSA Awards Night serve not just as personal milestones, but as markers of how far Philippine volleyball has come in a single, remarkable year.

     

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  • CJ Perez shatters multiple PBA records in unforgettable Game 6 explosion

    CJ Perez shatters multiple PBA records in unforgettable Game 6 explosion

    In a sport where momentum is a living, breathing thing, CJ Perez didn’t just seize it—he owned it.

    The San Miguel Beer guard didn’t wait for the game to warm up. 

     

    From the moment his first shots swished through the net, Perez seemed to realize he was about to produce something special. What followed was a performance that didn’t just win a semifinal series—it rewrote the record books.

     

    On Friday, January 16, Perez turned the opening quarter into a highlight reel, delivering a historic explosion that propelled the Beermen into the PBA Philippine Cup finals with a 101-88 Game 6 victory over Barangay Ginebra at the Araneta Coliseum.

     

    A three-time scoring champion, Perez went on a scoring rampage that began with 30 points in the first quarter alone. He shot a flawless 12-of-12 in that period and finished with a career-high 41 points, becoming the main reason San Miguel is headed for a rematch with TNT in the All-Filipino finals.

     

    But it wasn’t just the volume of his scoring that stood out—it was how quickly he turned the quarter into a milestone-making moment.

     

    Perez’s blazing start produced multiple PBA records, including:

    • Most points scored in an opening quarter (local or import) 
    • Most points scored in a playoff quarter 
    • Most field goals made in a quarter without a miss 

    Those feats were confirmed by league chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.

     

    Perez’s 30-point quarter also tied him with Bong Alvarez for second-most points scored in a quarter by a local, trailing only Allan Caidic’s legendary 39-point quarter from 1991.

     

    The comparison isn’t accidental—Perez’s scoring outburst felt like a flashback to his Terrafirma days, when he produced a career-high 39 points in a single game back in 2019.

     

    “It was the same feeling. It felt like I was not going to miss. I’m so happy to have this kind of game for San Miguel,” Perez said. 

     

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    His opening sequence was an unstoppable blend of aggression and precision. Perez began with three straight layups, then stepped back and nailed three consecutive triples, including a daring four-point attempt that sailed over RJ Abarrientos’ outstretched hand and sank cleanly.

     

    The quarter ended with Perez finishing the period with a double-pump layup over Norbert Torres—capping a stretch in which he outscored the entire Ginebra lineup. San Miguel surged to a 39-15 lead, a cushion that proved too large for the Gin Kings to erase.

     

    Perez might have scored even more had foul trouble not interrupted his rhythm. He picked up his fourth foul in the third quarter and spent much of the period on the bench, but coach Leo Austria still made it clear just how much he trusted his star.

     

    “If he did not get into foul trouble, I would have played him the entire game. That is how I trust my players,” Austria said. “If they’re playing well, they will stay inside.”

     

    Even with June Mar Fajardo limited to just four points due to shoulder issues, Perez made sure the Beermen’s engine kept running. Don Trollano provided a strong supporting role with 23 points, but Perez’s night was the defining story.

     

    For Ginebra, Scottie Thompson fought hard with 24 points and nine rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to stop Perez’s unforgettable opening quarter.

     

    Now, as San Miguel prepares for a second straight finals rematch with TNT beginning Wednesday, January 21, Perez is hoping the momentum from this historic night can carry over.

     

    “We were able to breathe a little, but it will be another stressful series for sure,” Perez said.

    And if the first quarter of Game 6 is any indication, the rest of the series could be a stage for Perez to produce even more unforgettable moments.

     

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  • NBA Roundup: Bulls roll, Rockets hold off Pelicans as Monday NBA action delivers statement wins

    NBA Roundup: Bulls roll, Rockets hold off Pelicans as Monday NBA action delivers statement wins

    Monday night action across the NBA featured dominant home performances, balanced scoring efforts, and a few surprising outcomes as several teams made early statements midway through the season.

     

    Bulls overwhelm Nets with fast start in Chicago

     

    The Chicago Bulls overwhelmed the Brooklyn Nets, 124–102, behind a strong all-around showing that set the tone early. Chicago raced to a 39-point first quarter and never looked back, controlling the tempo the rest of the way.

     

    Coby White led all scorers with 24 points, while Brooklyn struggled to recover despite Nic Claxton’s 12-point effort in a lopsided loss at the United Center.

     

    Rockets fend off Pelicans behind Smith Jr.’s big night

     

    In Houston, the Rockets edged the New Orleans Pelicans, 119–110, in a tightly contested matchup that saw the hosts answer every Pelicans run.

     

    Jabari Smith Jr. delivered a breakout performance with 32 points and eight rebounds, giving Houston the edge in key moments. New Orleans leaned on Zion Williamson’s 20-point, six-rebound night, but the Pelicans couldn’t keep pace late as the Rockets pulled away in the fourth.

     

    Hornets stun Nuggets in Denver

     

    One of the night’s biggest surprises came in Denver, where the Charlotte Hornets stunned the Nuggets, 110–87.

     

    Charlotte controlled the game from start to finish, holding Denver to just 34 first-half points. Brandon Miller paced the Hornets with 23 points, while the Nuggets struggled offensively, led by Jalen Pickett’s 12 points and seven assists in a rare off night for the home side.

     

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    Avdija shines as Blazers outlast Kings

     

    In Sacramento, the Portland Trail Blazers outlasted the Kings, 117–110, in a back-and-forth contest decided by execution down the stretch.

     

    Deni Avdija filled the stat sheet with 30 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, powering Portland to the road win. Sacramento stayed within striking distance behind Russell Westbrook’s 23 points, seven assists, and three steals, but couldn’t close the gap late.

     

    Ayton anchors Lakers’ second-half surge vs Raptors

     

    The night wrapped up in Los Angeles, where the Lakers pulled away in the second half to beat the Toronto Raptors, 110–93.

     

    After a tight opening half, the Lakers’ defense clamped down, limiting Toronto to just 13 points in the fourth quarter. Deandre Ayton anchored the win with 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Brandon Ingram tallied 19 points, six rebounds, and seven assists for the Raptors in the loss.

     

    LeBron James scored 24 points in the win notching 51,000 career points in the process. 

     

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  • Alex Eala exits Australian Open after three-set loss to Alycia Parks

    Alex Eala exits Australian Open after three-set loss to Alycia Parks

    Alex Eala’s Australian Open campaign opened with a statement—and ended with a hard lesson against one of the tour’s biggest servers.

     

    The Filipina ace stunned early by blanking Alycia Parks in the opening set, 6-0, before the American regrouped and leaned on her power game to pull away for a 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory in their Round of 64 clash at Melbourne Park.

     

    Eala looked fully in control at the outset, racing through the first set with authority. She converted three break points, dominated the return exchanges, and won 55.6 percent of return points compared to Parks’ 38.1. Even with Parks firing four aces to Eala’s one in the opening frame, it was the Filipina who led in total points won and dictated the tempo from the baseline.

     

    Momentum, however, swung sharply in the second set.

     

    Parks opened with a 2-0 lead and refused to let Eala settle. The Filipina nearly stole the third game, but Parks held firm to stretch the advantage to three games. Eala briefly stopped the bleeding by taking the fourth game, then rattled off points to narrow the gap to 3-2. 

     

    She eventually clawed her way back to level the set at 3-all, showing the grit that has defined her rise on tour.

     

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    That push proved to be Eala’s last surge.

     

    Parks reasserted control by breaking the tie and surging ahead 5-3, then closed the set 6-3 by winning three of the final games. The numbers reflected the shift—Parks claimed 29 total points in the second set to Eala’s 23, signaling the American’s growing command.

     

    The deciding set followed a similar pattern. Parks jumped out to a 4-2 lead, continuing to pressure Eala with pace and placement on serve. Two more games later, the match was over, with Parks sealing the third set, 6-2.

     

    Despite the loss, Eala finished with 83 total points won, but Parks’ serve proved decisive. The American piled up a 12–1 advantage in service aces, a gap that ultimately tilted the match in her favor as it wore on.

     

    For Eala, the early dominance in the first set showed she belongs on the sport’s biggest stage. For now, though, the Australian Open run ends in Melbourne—with the question remaining if she will participate in the upcoming WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open. 

     

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  • This Week’s Sports Fixtures: NBA, PBA Finals & Alex Eala’s Australian Open Schedule and WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open (January 20-26) 

    This Week’s Sports Fixtures: NBA, PBA Finals & Alex Eala’s Australian Open Schedule and WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open (January 20-26) 

    It’s a packed week for sports fans, with action spanning tennis, basketball, and marquee local events. Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala headlines the calendar with her Australian Open campaign before turning her focus to the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open, while the PBA Philippine Cup Finals tip off another chapter in one of the league’s fiercest rivalries. Meanwhile, the NBA calendar is stacked with daily matchups in Philippine time, featuring top contenders and must-watch clashes.

     

    Below is the complete, consolidated fixture list for the week.

     

    🎾 ALEX EALA – 2026 TENNIS SCHEDULE

     

    Australian Open

    Round of 64

    📅 Monday, January 19, 2026
     📍 Melbourne Park, Australia
     ⏰ TBA
     Alex Eala vs. Alycia Parks

     

    WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open

    Qualifying Draw

     

    📅 January 24–25, 2026
     📍 Philippines

    • January 24 (Saturday) – Qualifying Round 1
       • January 25 (Sunday) – Qualifying Final Round

    Main Draw

    📅 January 26–31, 2026
     📍 Philippines

    • January 26 (Monday) – Opening / First Round
       • January 27 (Tuesday) – First Round Continues
       • January 28 (Wednesday) – Second Round
       • January 29 (Thursday) – Quarterfinals
       • January 30 (Friday) – Semifinals
       • January 31 (Saturday) – Finals

    🏀 PBA PHILIPPINE CUP FINALS

    Best-of-7 Series


     TNT Tropang 5G vs. San Miguel Beer
     Series tied: 0–0

    Game 1

    📅 Wednesday, January 21, 2026
     📍 Ynares Center, Antipolo
     ⏰ 7:30 PM
     San Miguel Beer vs. TNT Tropang 5G

     

    Game 2

    📅 Friday, January 23, 2026
     📍 Ynares Center, Antipolo
     ⏰ 7:30 PM
     San Miguel Beer vs. TNT Tropang 5G

     

    Game 3

    📅 Sunday, January 25, 2026
     📍 SM Mall of Asia Arena
     ⏰ 7:30 PM
     San Miguel Beer vs. TNT Tropang 5G

     

     

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    🏀 NBA SCHEDULE (PHILIPPINE TIME)

    Tuesday, January 20, 2026

    • 2:00 AM – Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks (State Farm Arena)
       • 3:30 AM – Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (Rocket Arena)
       • 4:00 AM – LA Clippers vs. Washington Wizards (Capital One Arena)
       • 6:00 AM – Dallas Mavericks vs. New York Knicks (Madison Square Garden)
       • 6:00 AM – Utah Jazz vs. San Antonio Spurs (Frost Bank Center)
       • 8:00 AM – Indiana Pacers vs. Philadelphia 76ers (Xfinity Mobile Arena)
       • 8:30 AM – Phoenix Suns vs. Brooklyn Nets (Barclays Center)
       • 9:00 AM – Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons (Little Caesars Arena)
       • 11:00 AM – Miami Heat vs. Golden State Warriors (Chase Center)

    Wednesday, January 21, 2026

    • 8:00 AM – Phoenix Suns vs. Philadelphia 76ers (Xfinity Mobile Arena)
       • 9:00 AM – LA Clippers vs. Chicago Bulls (United Center)
       • 9:00 AM – San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets (Toyota Center)
       • 10:00 AM – Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Utah Jazz (Delta Center)
       • 11:00 AM – Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets (Ball Arena)
       • 11:00 AM – Toronto Raptors vs. Golden State Warriors (Chase Center)
       • 11:00 AM – Miami Heat vs. Sacramento Kings (Golden 1 Center)

    Thursday, January 22, 2026

    • 8:00 AM – Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets (Spectrum Center)
       • 8:30 AM – Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics (TD Garden)
       • 8:30 AM – Brooklyn Nets vs. New York Knicks (Madison Square Garden)
       • 9:00 AM – Atlanta Hawks vs. Memphis Grizzlies (FedExForum)
       • 9:00 AM – Detroit Pistons vs. New Orleans Pelicans (Smoothie King Center)
       • 10:30 AM – Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Milwaukee Bucks (Fiserv Forum)
       • 11:00 AM – Toronto Raptors vs. Sacramento Kings (Golden 1 Center)

    Friday, January 23, 2026

    • 8:00 AM – Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic (Kia Center)
       • 8:00 AM – Houston Rockets vs. Philadelphia 76ers (Xfinity Mobile Arena)
       • 8:00 AM – Denver Nuggets vs. Washington Wizards (Capital One Arena)
       • 8:30 AM – Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks (American Airlines Center)
       • 9:00 AM – Chicago Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Target Center)
       • 10:00 AM – San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz (Delta Center)
       • 11:00 AM – Los Angeles Lakers vs. LA Clippers (Intuit Dome)
       • 11:00 AM – Miami Heat vs. Portland Trail Blazers (Moda Center)

    Saturday, January 24, 2026

    • 8:00 AM – Houston Rockets vs. Detroit Pistons (Little Caesars Arena)
       • 8:30 AM – Phoenix Suns vs. Atlanta Hawks (State Farm Arena)
       • 8:30 AM – Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets (Barclays Center)
       • 8:30 AM – Sacramento Kings vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (Rocket Arena)
       • 9:00 AM – New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies (FedExForum)
       • 9:00 AM – Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Paycom Center)
       • 10:30 AM – Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks (Fiserv Forum)
       • 11:00 AM – Toronto Raptors vs. Portland Trail Blazers (Moda Center)

    Sunday, January 25, 2026

    • 4:00 AM – New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers (Xfinity Mobile Arena)
       • 6:30 AM – Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (Target Center)
       • 7:00 AM – Washington Wizards vs. Charlotte Hornets (Spectrum Center)
       • 8:00 AM – Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic (Kia Center)
       • 9:00 AM – Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls (United Center)
       • 9:30 AM – Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks (American Airlines Center)
       • 10:30 AM – Miami Heat vs. Utah Jazz (Delta Center)

    Monday, January 26, 2026

    • 4:00 AM – Sacramento Kings vs. Detroit Pistons (Little Caesars Arena)
       • 4:30 AM – Denver Nuggets vs. Memphis Grizzlies (FedExForum)
       • 8:00 AM – Dallas Mavericks vs. Milwaukee Bucks (Fiserv Forum)
       • 8:00 AM – Toronto Raptors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (Paycom Center)
       • 8:00 AM – New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs (Frost Bank Center)
       • 9:00 AM – Miami Heat vs. Phoenix Suns (Footprint Center)
       • 10:00 AM – Brooklyn Nets vs. LA Clippers (Intuit Dome)

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  • Team Philippines para squads hit the ground running as ASEAN Para Games action opens in Thailand

    Team Philippines para squads hit the ground running as ASEAN Para Games action opens in Thailand

    Before the lights officially come on at the 13th ASEAN Para Games, the Philippines is already stepping into competition mode.

     

    The national 3×3 wheelchair basketball teams and the cerebral palsy (CP) football squad are set to open the country’s campaign in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand on Monday, a full day ahead of the opening ceremony, signaling an early test of readiness for Team Pilipinas.

     

    Wheelchair basketball takes center stage first at Terminal 21 Korat, where the men’s team clashes with Indonesia at 11:30 a.m. (Manila time), followed closely by the women’s showdown against host Thailand at noon. Both matches will be played on the mall’s fourth floor, a unique venue that presents challenges beyond the usual X’s and O’s.

     

    For Pilipinas Warriors head coach Vernon Perea, success will hinge less on scripted plays and more on adaptability once the ball is in play.

     

    “We are always hoping but no matter how hard we train. It will all boil down to the breaks of the game, how fit we are and how sharp we are during the game,” Perea said.

     

     

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    Perea pointed to the playing surfaces as one of the immediate adjustments his squads must manage, with varying court textures expected to affect movement and control.

     

    “We are making adjustments. Court 2, medyo madulas tsaka Court 1, may mga rough surfaces. But lahat naman ng players maglalaro dyan so it will be the same for everybody.”

     

    Later in the day, attention shifts to the pitch as the men’s CP football team opens its tournament at 4 p.m. at the Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University Football Stadium, adding another front to the Philippines’ early push in the regional meet.

     

    While the opening ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, and the official competition begins Wednesday, these early fixtures offer Filipino para-athletes a chance to set the tone immediately—testing their preparation, composure, and ability to respond under unfamiliar conditions.

     

    For Team Pilipinas, the journey toward podium finishes begins not with ceremony, but with action. 

     

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  • San Miguel braces for fired-up TNT as old Finals rivalry takes center stage again

    San Miguel braces for fired-up TNT as old Finals rivalry takes center stage again

    History looms large as San Miguel Beer and TNT Tropang 5G find themselves back on a familiar collision course, with pride, payback, and unfinished business shaping the narrative of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals.

     

    Fresh off a convincing 101–88 closeout of Barangay Ginebra in Game 6 of the semifinals, the Beermen know the next challenge won’t simply be about talent or tactics. For head coach Leo Austria, the danger lies in the motivation TNT brings into yet another championship showdown.

     

    “I think they are thinking how to get back at us,” Austria said after the win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    That sense of looming retaliation is rooted in recent memory. Just a season ago, San Miguel denied TNT the Philippine Cup crown in six games, a defeat that also crushed the MVP Group flagship’s bid for a rare Grand Slam. It was a familiar wound for TNT, echoing a painful chapter from 2011 when a Petron Blaze-led San Miguel side — powered by Arwind Santos — once again spoiled the Tropang Texters’ championship dreams.

     

    Now, with both franchises once more standing at the sport’s biggest stage, the rivalry carries added emotional weight.

     

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    San Miguel earned the rematch by putting away the league’s most popular team, thanks largely to CJ Perez’s explosive 41-point outing — a career-high performance that underlined the Beermen’s ability to find firepower from unexpected places.

     

    Yet despite the momentum, Austria is far from complacent. The veteran coach is keenly aware of TNT’s championship pedigree and the confidence that comes from sustained success.

     

    “Alam naman natin how hard it is to defeat TNT, especially with their experience in the last three conferences. They were in the Finals,” he said.

     

    What gives Austria reassurance heading into the best-of-seven series, which tips off Wednesday, is the identity his team has quietly built. With June Mar Fajardo nursing shoulder concerns, the spotlight has shifted toward San Miguel’s supporting cast — and they have responded.

     

    Don Trollano, Jeron Teng, and Mo Tautua’a have all delivered timely contributions, turning depth into a defining advantage rather than a contingency plan.

     

    “That’s very important for any team. If you noticed every game namin, yung won games namin, iba’t iba ‘yung nagiging Best Player of the Game,” Austria explained.

     

    “That’s a sign na ang bench ay kailangang-kailangan. Talagang nagpe-perform sila eh, to the point na yung trust ko sa kanila, nae-enjoy nila,” he added.

     

    “It’s a sign for them to be confident and inspired sa ginagawa namin.”

     

    As the Finals stage is set once more, San Miguel prepares not just for TNT’s schemes, but for a rival fueled by memory and motivation. For fans, it’s another chapter in a rivalry defined by heartbreak, dominance, and the thin line separating revenge from repeat.

     

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  • Arvin Tolentino powers all-Filipino Team Asia to statement win at KBL All-Star Weekend

    Arvin Tolentino powers all-Filipino Team Asia to statement win at KBL All-Star Weekend

    What was billed as a lighthearted midseason showcase turned into a proud declaration of Filipino presence in Korea, as Arvin Tolentino led an all-Pinoy cast to victory during the KBL All-Star Weekend in Seoul. 

     

    Wearing the colors of Team Asia, Tolentino anchored the group with authority, steering them to an 82–79 win over Team Rookie at the Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium. 

     

    The Seoul SK Knights import delivered a commanding all-around performance, finishing with 19 points and 14 rebounds to emerge as the game’s Most Valuable Player.

     

    Rather than treating the exhibition as mere entertainment, Team Asia played with purpose, echoing a similar result achieved by Filipino reinforcements in Japan’s B.League earlier this season. 

     

    The message was clear: Filipino imports are no sideshow in Asian basketball — they are difference-makers.

     

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    Busan KCC Egis forward William Navarro was hot in the clutch with a game-high 22 points, while also contributing five assists and four rebounds. 

     

    He was ably supported by Kevin Quiambao of Goyang Sono Skygunners and Justin Gutang of Seoul Samsung Thunders, who chipped in 14 and 10 points, respectively, to keep Team Rookie at bay.

     

    Veteran trailblazer SJ Belangel, now suiting up for Daegu KOGAS Pegasus, stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals — a reminder of the all-around reliability that made him one of the first Filipinos to break through in the KBL.

     

    The night also marked a personal milestone for Jake Figueroa, who finally saw action in Korea just days after arriving. Playing alongside his fellow Filipinos, Figueroa made the most of his brief stint with three points, an assist, and a steal — a quiet but meaningful debut.

     

    Team Asia pulled off the win despite notable absences, with Carl Tamayo and Rhenz Abando sidelined due to undisclosed injuries. 

     

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