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  • Nikita Shulchenko holds firm on final climb to clinch 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon title

    Nikita Shulchenko holds firm on final climb to clinch 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon title

    The 2026 MPTC Tour of Luzon ended with a climb to Camp John Hay, but the overall result had already been largely shaped long before the final ascent began. 

     

    Russian rider Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE Cycle arrived at Stage 14 carrying a commanding 3:50 lead in the general classification, a buffer built since he first claimed the yellow jersey back in Stage 3—and one that ultimately proved unbreakable.

     

    Stage 14 itself belonged to Antoine Huby of 7-Eleven, who crossed the line in 4:26:42 after launching a late surge on the brutal Loakan Road climb. 


    Huby briefly threatened to rewrite the script when he broke away in the final kilometers and trimmed Shulchenko’s advantage, but the deficit entering the day was simply too wide to erase.

     

    Shulchenko responded with controlled resilience rather than panic, finishing second in the stage just behind Huby to secure the overall victory with a total time of 41:11:10. 

     

    The LCW UAE rider earned P1 million together with the title, relying on a cautious approach throughout the 173.9-kilometer finale from Lingayen to Baguio that focused on conserving energy rather than taking risks, allowing him to keep the yellow jersey securely until the finish. 

     

    Behind the leading duel, Filipino rider Ronnilan Quita delivered a strong performance, finishing third on the stage with a +00:02:58 gap, highlighting a competitive push from the local contingent in one of the race’s most demanding legs.

     

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    Huby, who finished second overall at 1:34 behind Shulchenko, remained reflective after his final-stage win, capturing both the intensity and exhaustion of the race’s closing battle.

     

    “I’m happy to win the last stage, but I’m just tired to win the yellow jersey. I’m sure it was possible, but I know that I was tired to go faster. I did my best,” Huby said. 

     

    Further down the standings, Shulchenko’s teammate Yousef Ibraheim Alrefai finished 6:45 back, while MPT Drivehub’s Nash Lim emerged as the top Filipino overall at fourth place, 9:13 behind.

     

    In the team classification, 7-Eleven secured the title and the P2 million cash prize with a total time of 162:25:49, while Go For Gold and LCW UAE trailed by 18:27 and 19:39 respectively, highlighting 7-Eleven’s control throughout the 14-stage race. 

     

    The depth of the field was evident in the tightly packed top 10, featuring consistent performances from 7-Eleven, Malaysian National Team, Seoul City Team, and Go for Gold riders.

     

    Shulchenko’s steady defense of yellow secured him the individual crown, while 7-Eleven’s collective strength earned them the team classification title with a cumulative time of 162:25:49, reinforcing their dominance across the 14-stage war of endurance that stretched from Batangas to the Cordilleras.

     

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  • Alex Eala gets harsh doubles reality check as she bows out of Italian Open 

    Alex Eala gets harsh doubles reality check as she bows out of Italian Open 

    For Alex Eala, the doubles draw at the Italian Open offered a glimpse of just how unforgiving elite-level partnership tennis can be.

     

    Teaming up with American Hailey Baptiste in Rome, Eala found herself staring across the net at perhaps the toughest possible assignment: world-class doubles specialists Taylor Townsend and Kateřina Siniaková.

     

    The result was a straight-sets defeat, 6-2, 6-1, but the scoreline only told part of the story.

     

    From the opening game, Townsend and Siniaková immediately showed why they sit at the top of the doubles world. What started as a tightly contested hold quickly turned into complete control as the decorated pair dictated rallies with sharp angles, aggressive net play, and seamless communication.

     

    Eala and Baptiste tried to stay within reach early in the first set, but the pressure never truly eased.

     

    Townsend and Siniaková steadily pulled away behind precise serving and relentless court coverage, eventually building a 5-2 advantage. Even when Eala and Baptiste threatened in the final game of the opener by taking a 30-0 lead, the veteran duo calmly erased the danger with four straight points to seal the set.

     

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    Any hopes of a momentum swing disappeared quickly in the second.

     

    The experienced tandem stormed to a 4-0 lead, repeatedly forcing rushed returns and punishing short balls at the net. Eala and Baptiste managed to avoid the shutout by getting on the board late, but Townsend and Siniaková never loosened their grip before wrapping up the match in dominant fashion.

     

    The defeat came against a partnership that has practically turned the WTA doubles circuit into its playground.

     

    Townsend, currently ranked world No. 2 in doubles, previously held the No. 1 ranking and owns 15 career doubles titles. Siniaková, meanwhile, sits atop the doubles world rankings and has collected 36 career titles, cementing herself as one of the greatest doubles specialists of her generation.

     

    Together, the two have been nearly untouchable this season, winning titles in Madrid, Miami, and Indian Wells, while also capturing major trophies in recent years.

     

    For Eala, the early exit may sting, but sharing the court against one of the sport’s most polished doubles pairings also served as another valuable step in her continuing education against the world’s elite.

     

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  • “It’s a long process, but my relationship with clay is getting better”: Alex Eala gains confidence on clay despite Italian Open exit 

    “It’s a long process, but my relationship with clay is getting better”: Alex Eala gains confidence on clay despite Italian Open exit 

    Alex Eala may have exited the singles draw of the Italian Open, but the tournament still marked another important step in what she describes as her evolving relationship with clay.


    Facing world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in Rome, the 20-year-old Filipina showed flashes of the aggressive and fearless style that has steadily elevated her game on the WTA Tour. 

     

    Although Eala absorbed a 4-6, 3-6 defeat against the reigning Grand Slam champion, the match offered more than just a scoreline—it gave her another measuring stick against one of the world’s elite players on one of tennis’ most demanding surfaces.

     

    “I’m happy with my performance. I was able to reach a good level of tennis. I don’t think it was an easy win for her. Of course, there are still things to work on and learn from this match, but I think I’m on the right track,” Eala said.

     

    Against Rybakina’s powerful serve and baseline game, Eala tried to match aggression with aggression. She stayed committed to dictating rallies whenever opportunities appeared, a mindset that reflected her growing confidence on clay despite still adjusting to the slower surface.

     

    Eala said she moved well throughout the match and capitalized on her opportunities, adding that she was pleased with her improvement on clay compared to last year and satisfied with both her recent performances and the work she has put in with her team off the court.

     

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    For the Filipina standout, one of the biggest lessons from the encounter came from experiencing the difference between competing well and consistently winning points against the sport’s top-tier players.

     

    She said the match was highly competitive but acknowledged that her opponent’s ability to earn more free points, combined with greater experience as a Grand Slam champion, played a major role in the outcome.

     

    The encouraging signs in Rome extended beyond the result itself. Eala played three matches on clay during the tournament, gaining valuable repetitions ahead of Roland Garros, which begins in just two weeks. More importantly, she leaves Italy believing that her comfort level on the surface is steadily improving.

     

    “It’s a long process, but my relationship with clay is getting better. This was a good week and I hope there will be many more good weeks. I’m really positive about my progress,” she said.

     

    Although her singles campaign has ended, Eala’s Italian Open journey is not over yet.

     

    She will continue competing in doubles alongside Hailey Baptiste after the pair earned a late entry into the tournament as alternates. The duo is set to face second seeds Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova in another major test against established doubles specialists.

     

    Eala expressed her happiness after getting into the tournament as alternates, saying they were initially left out of the main draw and only received confirmation that day, allowing them to extend their stay in Rome and continue competing at a high level.

     

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  • Philippines eyes breakthrough on three emerging top medal aspirant in Karate One Youth League 

    Philippines eyes breakthrough on three emerging top medal aspirant in Karate One Youth League 

    The Karate One Youth League opens on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and it will be on the Philippines’ emerging generation of karate talents eager to prove they belong on the world stage.


    Backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Manila leg of the prestigious international tournament arrives at a time when karate continues to expand globally under its new motto “The World is Our Dojo,” a theme that reflects the sport’s rapidly growing reach.

     

    According to the Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation, Inc. president, the federation now counts 200 member nations worldwide — a testament to karate’s increasing popularity and competitiveness across continents.

     

    For the host country, much of the attention will center on three young athletes seen as the country’s strongest representatives, Sebastian Neil Mañalac, Zian Alexander Sing, and Aeleyah Magrata.

     

    Among them, Mañalac enters the four-day competition carrying the most decorated international experience and achievements.

     

    The 17-year-old Filipino standout has steadily built his reputation against elite foreign opponents, highlighted by his gold and bronze medal finishes in the 22nd Asian Cadet, Junior and Under-21 Karate Championships at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City in 2024. 

     

    Those results elevated him to No. 8 in the World Karate Federation rankings for his age-group category.

     

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    Long before earning global ranking points, Mañalac had already shown signs of becoming one of the country’s brightest karate prospects. He captured another gold and bronze medal during the 1st Asian Karate Federation Youth Tournament and Training Camp in Wuhan, China two years ago.

     

    His growth continued earlier this year when the Lourdes School of Mandaluyong graduate advanced through two matches in the junior kumite men’s -68-kilogram division during the Karate One Youth League leg in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates last February — valuable experience he now brings into the Manila tournament.

     

    While Mañalac’s international achievements stand out, Sing has quietly assembled a strong body of work of his own.

     

    The 17-year-old ruled the junior men’s 61kg division of the 4th Shureido International Karate Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia last year, reinforcing his status as one of the country’s most promising kumite competitors.

     

    He also sustained his momentum domestically, dominating his weight class in both the 6th Manuel Veguillas Philippine International Open Karate Championship in 2025 and the recent National Championships in Tagaytay City.

     

    Magrata, meanwhile, offers versatility that could make her a dangerous contender in Manila. Equally comfortable in kumite and kata, the young Filipina will compete in the juniors women’s -66kg kumite category armed with momentum from several strong performances over the past year.

     

    She won the juniors female intermediate kata division and earned silver in the cadets female +61kg kumite class during the 2025 Batang Pinoy National Games in General Santos City. Magrata also emerged as Karate Pilipinas’ grand winner in the juniors female kumite -66kg division last year.

     

    “All three young karatekas have been training very hard and I wouldn’t be surprised if they figure prominently in the battle for gold in their respective age-group categories. There may be others, but for now, Mañalac, Sing, and Magrata are our brightest hopes for the Karate One Youth League Manila leg,” karate chief Ricky Lim said.

     

    With the tournament finally arriving on home soil, the country’s rising karate stars now face an opportunity larger than rankings or medals — the chance to show that the Philippines can develop athletes capable of consistently challenging the world’s best.

     

    “All three young karatekas have been training very hard and I wouldn’t be surprised if they figure prominently in the battle for gold in their respective age-group categories. There may be others, but for now, Mañalac, Sing, and Magrata are our brightest hopes for the Karate One Youth League Manila leg,” karate chief Ricky Lim said.

     

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  • Alex Eala pushes world No. 2 to the limit before Italian Open exit 

    Alex Eala pushes world No. 2 to the limit before Italian Open exit 

    Alex Eala may have fallen short against world No. 2 Elena Rybakina on Sunday, but the Filipina left the Italian Open proving she could stand toe-to-toe with one of the sport’s most dominant forces.

     

    On the clay courts of Foro Italico, Eala produced one of her sharpest performances of the season before eventually bowing to the former Wimbledon champion, 6-4, 6-3, in the tournament’s third round.

     

    Rybakina entered the matchup as one of the hottest players on tour this year, fresh off title runs at the Australian Open and the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, while also carrying one of the highest win rates on the WTA circuit.

     

    Still, Eala refused to be overwhelmed by the moment. The opening set turned into a high-level exchange between two aggressive baseliners willing to attack every short ball. Eala struck 13 winners in the set — her highest output in a single set this season — while consistently challenging Rybakina in extended rallies.

     

    But against an elite server and shot-maker like Rybakina, small openings quickly became decisive.

     

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    The Kazakh star secured the lone break of the opening frame in the third game and protected it behind a barrage of powerful groundstrokes and well-placed serves to take the set after 52 minutes.

     

    Eala answered with even more fight in the second set. After getting broken in the opening game, the Filipina world No. 42 immediately broke back and briefly grabbed a 2-1 lead, forcing Rybakina to raise her level once more.

     

    That response eventually came midway through the set as Rybakina reeled off three consecutive games to regain full control of the match.

     

    Eala still managed one final push, trimming the deficit to 4-3, but the world No. 2 calmly closed the door by winning the last two games to finish the contest in one hour and 33 minutes.

     

    Rybakina’s serve remained a major weapon throughout, producing six aces compared to Eala’s one while repeatedly putting pressure on the Filipina’s return games.

     

    Despite the defeat, the performance continued Eala’s encouraging rise against top-tier competition and offered another sign that her all-court game is steadily translating on clay ahead of the season’s next major tournaments.

     

    Eala now shifts her focus to the Internationaux de Strasbourg in France from May 17 to 23, which is expected to serve as her final tune-up before the French Open.

     

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  • Alex Eala climbs to a career-best No. 88 in WTA doubles, rises to No. 42 in singles 

    Alex Eala climbs to a career-best No. 88 in WTA doubles, rises to No. 42 in singles 

    For Alex Eala, the latest WTA rankings update is another quiet but meaningful signal that her game is trending in the right direction. 


    The 20-year-old Filipina has climbed to No. 42 in singles while also reaching a career-high No. 88 in doubles, positioning herself firmly among the tour’s rising names as the clay season intensifies.

     

    Her two-spot jump in singles brings her within striking distance of the top 40, a familiar territory she continues to chase as she navigates one of the most demanding stretches of the season.

     

    Eala’s rise comes on the heels of a second-round finish at the Madrid Open, where she bowed to world No. 21 Elise Mertens. Despite the loss, she walked away with 120 ranking points, bringing her total to 888—proof that even short runs can carry weight in a tightly contested field.

     

    While her singles campaign continues to take shape, her doubles surge has been just as telling.

     

    In just two weeks, Eala leaped from No. 101 to No. 88, surpassing her previous career-best of No. 99. Teaming up with Turkish partner Zeynep Sonmez in Madrid.

     

    The duo advanced to the second round before exiting in the Round of 16 against eventual champions Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend.

     

    Now, her attention shifts to Rome, where the stakes and expectations are higher. The Italian Open, scheduled from May 5 to 17, presents both a challenge and an opportunity. 

     

    Last year, Eala’s campaign ended early with a first-round loss to Marta Kostyuk. This time, she arrives with more experience, improved ranking, and a growing belief that she belongs deeper in the draw.

     

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    At the 2026 Italian Open in Rome, Eala enters a stacked WTA 1000 field featuring many of the world’s top-ranked players, making it one of the most competitive stops ahead of the French Open. 

     

    For Eala, it represents more than just another draw—it’s a measuring ground against elite opposition and a chance to surpass her previous first-round exit. 

     

    With her improved ranking securing her direct entry into the main draw, she is expected to face higher-ranked competition early, giving her an immediate opportunity to test her progress and potentially deliver a breakthrough performance on one of tennis’ biggest pre-Grand Slam stages.

     

    Her performance in Rome will also shape her immediate schedule. A deep run could rule her out of the 6th Pharma Ladies Open in Parma (May 11–16), while also influencing her chances of entering the 40th Strasbourg Grand Prix (May 17–23)—two key tournaments that serve as stepping stones toward Roland Garros.

     

    Earlier this year, she already tested herself at the Australian Open, gaining valuable experience that now feeds into her clay-court campaign.

     

    As the clay swing unfolds, Eala’s steady climb suggests she is no longer just gaining experience—she’s positioning herself to contend.

     

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  • LCW UAE Cycle gets a second straight stage win in MPTC Tour of Luzon

    LCW UAE Cycle gets a second straight stage win in MPTC Tour of Luzon

    Ivan Anisimov of the LCW UAE Cycle surged at just the right moment to claim his second consecutive stage victory, narrowly beating Ryan Tugawin of Excellent Noodlers by a mere 0.022 of a second in the Stage 5 of the MPTC Tour of Luzon. 


    Both riders were clocked in a tightly contested bunch finish, with Anisimov posting 2:47:26.9 across the 126.7-kilometer largely flat route.

     

    What looked like another routine sprint finish quickly turned into one of the closest endings of the tour so far, underscoring the growing intensity as the race approached its halfway mark.

     

    While Anisimov delivered the finishing blow, the stage itself was shaped by early aggressors. Rustom Lim, El Joshua Carino, and Cpl. Mark Julius Bordeos dictated the tempo during the sprint sections, ensuring the pace never dipped. 

     

    Tugawin, despite falling just short at the line, made his presence felt by dominating the King of the Mountain segment—showing versatility in both climbing and sprinting.

     

    Carino, however, carved out his own spotlight. His efforts in securing the second sprint and finishing runner-up in the mountain climb earned him the most combative rider honors and the red jersey—a testament to his all-around performance and relentless approach.

     

    The overall race picture remains firmly in LCW UAE Cycle’s control. Nikita Shulchenko continues to wear the yellow jersey for the third straight day, maintaining his lead in the general classification with a cumulative time of 13:46:45. 

     

    Anisimov’s back-to-back triumphs have also propelled him to the top of the points classification, where he now dons the green jersey with 32 points—further solidifying the team’s dominance.

     

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    Elsewhere, consistency defines the rest of the jersey holders. Joo Dae Yeong of Gapyeong Cycling Team keeps the polka dot jersey, while Yousef Alrefai retains the white jersey, adding yet another layer of control for LCW in multiple classifications.

     

    In the team standings, Go for Gold Philippines continues to lead the overall general classification with a combined time of 56:15:28. 

     

    Their advantage, however, remains razor-thin—just 11 seconds ahead of 7Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines, with Standard Insurance Philippines still within striking distance in third place.

     

    Notably, all 81 riders remain in contention after Stage 5, setting the stage for what lies ahead as Stage 6 on May 4 promises to test endurance like never before. Covering a grueling 228.8 kilometers from Tuguegarao City to Pagudpud, it stands as the longest leg of this year’s tour.

     

     

    The route offers three sprint zones across the plains of Cagayan before culminating in a decisive King of the Mountain climb at the Ilocos Norte Welcome Arch.

     

    With riders expected to roll out at 8:00 am and cross the finish line at the Pagudpud Town Hall by early afternoon, the stage could redefine the standings—or reinforce the dominance already taking shape.

     

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  • Alex Eala returns to reset as Italian Open looms 

    Alex Eala returns to reset as Italian Open looms 

    For Alex Eala, the road through the clay season has not gone as planned—but instead of chasing results, she has chosen to return to something more important: reset and preparation.

     

    Fresh off a difficult stretch marked by early exits in three consecutive tournaments, Eala is back on familiar ground at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. The setting is one she knows well, not just as a training base, but as a place where her game has been built over the years.

     

    In a brief glimpse shared online, Eala was seen back on the clay courts, working through drills and regrouping with her team. The academy captured the moment simply: “She’s home.”

     

    That return carries more weight than it seems.

     

    At No. 44 in the WTA rankings, Eala finds herself in a crucial stretch of her young career—close enough to the top tier to compete in major tournaments, but still searching for consistency against elite-level competition. Her recent struggles on clay highlight that gap, but also point to the adjustments needed as she continues to grow on one of tennis’ most demanding surfaces.

     

    Rather than pushing through another event, Eala made the decision to withdraw from the WTA 125 Catalonia Open, opting instead to recalibrate ahead of a bigger test.

     

    That test comes next week at the Italian Open.

     

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    The Rome tournament presents a significant challenge, with a stacked field featuring some of the sport’s biggest names, including Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and defending champion Jasmine Paolini.

     

    It’s the kind of stage that doesn’t allow much room for error—but also one that offers opportunity.

     

    For Eala, the focus now shifts from results to readiness. The return to Mallorca signals a pause, not a step back—a chance to fine-tune her game, regain confidence, and approach the next tournament with a clearer mindset.

     

    Because in a long season, especially on clay, sometimes the most important move isn’t forward, it’s going back to where the work begins.

     

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  • Team Philippines wraps up 6th Asian Beach Games with historic 5th place finish 

    Team Philippines wraps up 6th Asian Beach Games with historic 5th place finish 

    From the lower half of the standings to the top five, Team Philippines delivered a breakthrough performance at the Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China.

     

    The Filipinos wrapped up their campaign on Thursday with a total haul of three gold, four silver, and two bronze medals—good for fifth overall in the medal standings. It marked a massive leap from their 17th-place finish in the previous edition, underscoring a steady rise in the country’s beach sports program on the continental stage.

     

    Host nation China dominated the competition, finishing atop the medal tally with an overwhelming 24 gold, 18 silver, and 13 bronze medals, but the Philippines’ climb told its own compelling story.

     

    Leading the charge were standout performers across multiple disciplines.

     

    In beach wrestling, Jason Balabal emerged as one of the country’s gold medalists, showcasing strength and control against a stacked field. The country also struck gold in beach kurash, with Anastacio Castro delivering a dominant run to the top of the podium.

     

    On the water, young talent Dhenver Castillo made waves with a silver medal finish in the boys’ foil windsurfing event, highlighting the Philippines’ growing presence in sailing sports.

     

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    The women’s 3×3 basketball team also made history, capturing silver after a strong run that included a sweep of pool play and victories in the knockout rounds before falling to a taller Chinese squad in the final. It surpassed their previous best finish of bronze in the 2012 edition.

     

    Across other events, the Philippines added more podium finishes through consistent performances in beach athletics and combat sports, rounding out a balanced medal spread that reflected improvements in both individual and team disciplines.

     

    Beyond the medal count, the significance lies in the jump.

     

    From 17th place in the last Asian Beach Games to fifth this year, the Philippines didn’t just improve—it reestablished itself as a rising contender in beach sports across Asia.

     

    And with a mix of seasoned competitors and emerging athletes leading the charge, the result in Sanya could very well be a sign of even bigger breakthroughs to come. 

     

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  • John Forones breaks Philippine speed climbing record at the 2026 Asian Beach Games 

    John Forones breaks Philippine speed climbing record at the 2026 Asian Beach Games 

    Team Philippines continues to enjoy a strong and encouraging campaign in the 2026 Asian Beach Games, maintaining its position among the top-performing nations as competition progresses. With a current tally of eight medals—three golds, three silvers, and two bronzes—the Philippines remains fourth in the overall standings, a notable achievement given the relatively small size of its delegation and the high level of competition across multiple disciplines.

     

    The country’s momentum carried into Wednesday, April 29, as Philippine athletes continued to make their mark in niche but fast-growing events. One of the standout performances came from sports climbing, where John Forones delivered a breakthrough result in the men’s individual speed climbing qualifying round. Forones stopped the clock at an impressive 6.08 seconds, setting a new Philippine national record in the process.

     

    The previous mark of 7.5 seconds was held by teammate Juan Miguel Azupardo, which was established during the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. Forones’ new record represents a significant leap forward for the sport in the country, highlighting the rapid development of Filipino climbers on the international stage.

     

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    Despite his record-setting run, Forones finished 28th overall in the qualifying round, reflecting the steep learning curve in a highly competitive field dominated by more experienced international climbers. Still, the 19-year-old remains optimistic about his trajectory and the future of the sport in the Philippines.

     

    “I definitely worked hard for it. Same with my teammates. I think climbing as a whole, speed climbing in particular, since it’s my initial sport, it’s up for me here to do my best. It doesn’t get any light in the Philippines. I’m excited for the future and what I can bring to the country,” Forones said in a media interaction.

     

    In the relay event, Forones teamed up with Azupardo, but the duo could only manage a 17th-place finish after clocking 15.47 seconds. While the result fell short of podium contention, the pair’s participation continues to build valuable international exposure for a developing program still finding its footing in competitive speed climbing.

    Beyond his athletic progress, Forones’ journey into the sport adds a human layer to his rise. The 19-year-old is currently studying at De La Salle University and only recently joined the national team in 2025, when speed climbing was formally introduced in the Philippines.

     

    He shared how his path into the sport began unexpectedly during childhood.

     

    “I had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when I was a child like when I was eight years old so I had to take therapy. So, one day, we were walking at the SM By The Bay and there was a wall climbing event.

     

    “We got intrigued and inquired about if there is a similar event in Cavite where we were living at that time. That’s where it started. I had a knack for it. For speed climbing, I only got to the national team last year because speed climbing was only introduced last year in the Philippines,” he explained.

     

    His rapid rise underscores how quickly the discipline is evolving locally, especially as more structured training programs and international exposure opportunities become available for young Filipino climbers.

     

    Head coach John Aquino praised the athletes’ commitment and the progress they have made in a short period of time, emphasizing that Forones’ record is a direct product of disciplined preparation and sacrifice.

     

    “We saw their hard work. We had three boot camps in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. We were able to put up our own speed wall through the support of the Pilipinas Climbing (PCI) and the POC, and we were able to break a national record. Well deserved. He worked so hard for it. You can see the bruises on his hands and knees. Literally – blood, sweat, and tears,” Aquino stated.

     

    As the Asian Beach Games continue, Team Philippines’ performances in emerging sports like speed climbing highlight both present competitiveness and long-term potential. While medal standings remain the immediate focus, the deeper story lies in the development of athletes like Forones—young competitors gaining experience on the international stage and steadily raising the standard of Philippine sport climbing for years to come.

     

     

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