Sports PH News | JS DEV Site

Tag: UAAP Season 88

  • Angel Canino and La Salle championship core to run it back for Season 89 

    Angel Canino and La Salle championship core to run it back for Season 89 

    Just days after completing one of the most dominant championship runs in recent UAAP history, De La Salle University made it clear that its reign may only be getting started.

     

    The Lady Spikers’ championship core led by Angel Canino has officially decided to return for one final season, keeping intact the same group that steamrolled through UAAP Season 88 without losing a single match.

     

    During a courtesy call with La Salle president Bro. Bernie Oca, FSC at Henry Sy Sr. Hall on Tuesday, team captain Shevana Laput confirmed that “Batch 122” would stay together for Season 89.

     

    “As for we wish to continue this legacy, we want to stay for one more year,” said Laput during the gathering attended by campus journalists.

     

    Joining Laput in the announcement were fellow cornerstone players Canino, Amie Provido, and Lyka De Leon — effectively preserving the heart of the squad that reclaimed the UAAP women’s volleyball crown.

     

    Their return instantly transforms La Salle into the early favorite to repeat next season.

     

    More importantly, it gives “Batch 122” one last opportunity to further strengthen what is already shaping up to be one of the defining eras in Lady Spikers history.

     

    The group first captured a championship as rookies in Season 85 before completing a redemption-driven return to the top this year, sweeping the eliminations and dismantling defending champion National University in back-to-back straight-set victories in the Finals.

     

     

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

    For many observers, signs of the players’ return were already quietly unfolding during La Salle’s traditional “Archer’s Stance” celebration after winning the championship at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    Normally reserved for departing seniors, the symbolic center spot remained empty — a subtle hint that no farewell was coming just yet.

     

    Even then, the players stayed careful about publicly confirming their plans.

     

    Three days later, the mystery was officially gone.

     

    The returning core also brings back nearly every major individual award won by La Salle this season.

     

    Laput, who famously entered collegiate volleyball without prior competitive experience, capped her remarkable rise by winning Finals MVP honors after averaging 15.5 points in the title series, highlighted by a 20-point performance in the clincher.

     

    Canino continued her dominance on the wing by earning her third Best Outside Spiker award, while Provido secured a second straight Best Middle Blocker recognition.

     

    Laput likewise captured her second consecutive Best Opposite Spiker plum, while De Leon previously established herself as one of the league’s top floor defenders after winning Best Libero honors in Season 87.

     

    Now fully intact and armed with another year of chemistry, experience, and championship confidence, La Salle’s title-winning machine is preparing for one more run — and perhaps an even bigger legacy.

     

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

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

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

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

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

     

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

     

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

     

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

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

     

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

     

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

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

     

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

     

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

     

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

     

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

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

     

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

     

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

     

    “Hindi, hindi talaga,” she said.

     

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

     

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

     

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

     

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

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

     

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

     

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

     

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

     

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

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

  • UST advances to next round of UAAP Final Four step-ladder upsetting higher-ranked Adamson 

    UST advances to next round of UAAP Final Four step-ladder upsetting higher-ranked Adamson 

    For weeks, the University of Santo Tomas lived in Adamson’s shadow. When it mattered most, the Golden Tigresses stepped out of it.

     

    UST delivered its most complete performance of the season, dismantling the very team that had owned them in the eliminations, sweeping Adamson University, 25-16, 25-18, 25-19, to keep its UAAP Season 88 title hopes alive in the stepladder phase at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    The result wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. After getting swept twice by the Lady Falcons in the eliminations, UST came into the knockout match with a different look: sharper, more connected, and far more relentless. 

     

    The Golden Tigresses dictated the tempo early and never allowed Adamson to settle into the same rhythm that once gave them control of the matchup.

     

    “Credit sa players namin. Grabe ‘yung effort na ginawa. Actually, hindi naman todo-todo ‘yung training pero mas inaral lang kung ano ‘yung tamang galaw, mas nagkaroon ng communication, saka ‘yung effort na mag-all-out sa game,” said UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos.

     

    That attention to detail showed up where it mattered most—defense, composure, and timely runs.  

     

    UST turned tight stretches into breakaway moments, flipping slim deficits into commanding leads in both the second and third sets. 

     

    The Golden Tigresses’ ability to string together unanswered points exposed Adamson’s cracks, particularly as their top scorers struggled to find efficiency.

     

    At the heart of it all was captain-libero Detdet Pepito, who orchestrated UST’s defensive stand with precision and poise.

     

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

    “Although hindi namin inexpect na ganito kabilis ‘yung laro, sobrang happy lang talaga dahil tiniyaga talaga ng lahat, especially coaches and teammates ko. Sobrang saya lang, hindi ko pa rin alam kung totoo ba ito dahil kagabi, nakatulog na ko kakadasal kay Lord paulit-ulit na sana ibigay ito sa amin,” she shared.

     

    UST’s offense followed suit, with Angge Poyos leading the charge and a steady stream of contributions coming from Regina Jurado, Jonna Perdido, and Avril Bron. Every rotation brought a new answer, every rally a renewed push.

     

    For Adamson, the loss marked a frustrating end to what had been a breakthrough season. After returning to the Final Four for the first time in three years, the Lady Falcons found themselves unable to replicate their earlier mastery over UST, settling for fourth place despite a promising core that remains intact.

     

    Meanwhile, the Golden Tigresses move forward with momentum—and belief.

     

    This marks their second straight do-or-die victory after surviving Far Eastern University in a playoff just days prior. Now, they face their toughest test yet: a showdown with second-seeded National University, a team that swept them in the eliminations, with a Finals berth on the line.

     

    Standing at the end of the road is unbeaten La Salle, waiting after a dominant 14-0 campaign.

     

    But if UST has proven anything in this stepladder run, it’s that the past doesn’t guarantee the future.

     

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

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

  • Shaina Nitura makes UAAP history as Adamson’s first MVP while Josh Ybañez seals men’s three-peat MVP run 

    Shaina Nitura makes UAAP history as Adamson’s first MVP while Josh Ybañez seals men’s three-peat MVP run 

    Shaina Nitura did not just headline a breakthrough season for Adamson University—she rewrote the program’s history.


    In a campaign defined by consistency and two-way dominance, Adamson’s outside hitter is set to become the Lady Falcons’ first-ever Most Valuable Player in UAAP Collegiate Women’s Volleyball history, capping a season where she led from the front and lifted Adamson back into the Final Four spot.

     

    Nitura once again paced the league in scoring for the second straight year, finishing Season 88 with 284 points built on 248 attacks, 24 blocks, and 12 aces. 

     

    Her production went beyond offense, as she emerged as one of the most complete players on the floor—ranking third in spiking efficiency at 38.15 percent, fourth in receptions at 44.48 percent, and eighth in digging with 2.11 digs per set.

     

    That all-around impact translated into separation in the MVP race. Nitura finished with a league-best 98.511 statistical points (SP), comfortably ahead of teammate Frances Mordi, who ended with 82.766 SP. The margin highlighted not just volume, but control of the game on both ends of the court.

     

    Her dominance also extends to the awards podium, where she is set to claim her first Best Outside Spiker recognition with 303 ranking points (RP), alongside De La Salle University’s Angel Canino, who earned the other slot with 272 RP. 

     

    Adamson, meanwhile, continues its postseason push, waiting in the stepladder quarterfinals for the winner of the University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University matchup which will be held on Saturday, April 24 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    While Nitura’s rise signals a new era for Adamson, the men’s side saw a familiar name return to the top.

     

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

    Josh Ybañez reclaimed his place as the UAAP’s most dominant force, capturing his third Most Valuable Player award in the Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament. 

     

    The UST senior roared back in Season 88 to lead the league with 90.192 SP, becoming the first men’s volleyball player in UST history to complete a three-MVP haul.

     

    Ybañez’s numbers reflected a player back at full command of the game. He ranked fourth in spiking efficiency at 45.19 percent, second in aces with 0.35 per set, and second in receptions at 65.68 percent, all while finishing as the league’s second-leading scorer with 278 points from 244 spikes, 16 blocks, and 18 aces.

     

    He is also set to secure his third Best Outside Spiker award after finishing with 329 RP, reinforcing his all-around impact on both ends of the floor. 

     

    National University’s Michaelo Buddin earned the other outside hitter spot with 269 RP after leading the league in aces at 0.48 per set and ranking eighth in spiking at 41.27 percent.

     

    Ybañez and his squad are still vying for the second seed in the Final Four and will face NU after both teams finished tied at a 10-4 win-loss record in the men’s division playoffs for the No. 2 spot. 

     

    In a season defined by comebacks, breakthroughs, and sustained excellence, Nitura and Ybañez stood at opposite programs but shared the same outcome—proof that dominance in UAAP volleyball still belongs to those who can carry it across every facet of the game.

     

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

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

  • UAAP Final Four race goes down to the wire as Adamson, FEU, and UST battle for last two spots 

    UAAP Final Four race goes down to the wire as Adamson, FEU, and UST battle for last two spots 

    Clarity has finally arrived at the top—but chaos still reigns below. With the elimination of the UP Fighting Maroons, the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball Final Four race has been trimmed to three teams fighting for the last two slots.

     

    Already through are the DLSU Lady Spikers and the defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs, leaving the rest to sort things out in the final stretch of the elimination round.

     

    The Adamson Lady Falcons, UST Golden Tigresses, and FEU Lady Tamaraws now find themselves locked in a race where every match carries weight and every result could shift the standings.

     

    Adamson holds the clearest path among the contenders. At 8-5, the Lady Falcons are in a “win and you’re in” scenario heading into their final game against FEU, a direct showdown that could settle the race outright.

     

    A victory would lift Adamson to 9-5 and secure its first Final Four appearance since Season 85. But with that simplicity comes pressure, knowing one slip could open the door for the chasing pack.

     

    FEU, meanwhile, faces a more delicate situation at 7-5. The Lady Tamaraws must navigate two final games with different stakes—first against Adamson, then against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

     

    If FEU wins both, it advances outright. But a split could drag them into playoff scenarios, while two losses would leave their fate dependent on other results, highlighting just how thin the margin for error has become.

     

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

    UST finds itself in a similarly precarious spot, also holding a 7-5 record but facing arguably the toughest road. The Golden Tigresses must take care of business against UP before facing NU in their final assignment.

     

    Two wins would secure their place in the semifinals, but anything less could push them into a playoff—or potentially out of contention depending on how the other results unfold.

     

    While the race for the remaining spots intensifies, the battle at the top presents its own stakes. La Salle and NU are set for a crucial meeting that will determine the format of the semifinals.

     

    A win by NU ensures a traditional Final Four, while a La Salle victory would trigger a stepladder format and grant the Lady Spikers a direct ticket to the Finals.

     

    As the elimination round winds down, the picture is clear in one sense and wide open in another. Two teams are already in, but the final composition of the Final Four remains undecided.

     

    With only a handful of games left, the race has shifted from chasing wins to managing pressure—where every point could ultimately decide who moves forward and who gets left behind.

     

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

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

  • La Salle one win away from season sweep and outright finals berth after straight-sets rout of UE 

    La Salle one win away from season sweep and outright finals berth after straight-sets rout of UE 

    The De La Salle Lady Spikers continued their methodical march through UAAP Season 88, dismantling the UE Lady Warriors in straight sets, 25-20, 25-18, 25-15, on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

     

    It wasn’t just another win. It was another step toward something far more significant.

     

    At 13-0, La Salle now stands on the brink of completing an elimination-round sweep—a feat the program hasn’t achieved since Season 76. More importantly, finishing the job would mean an outright ticket to the Finals and a stepladder advantage, bypassing the chaos of the semifinals altogether.

     

    But inside the team, the message remains grounded. “Siguro, hindi naman mawawala yung pressure pagdating sa amin. Siyempre, nandoon yung pressure na kailangang manalo, pero lagi namang pinapaalala ni coach na score at number lang ’yan,” said assistant coach Gian de Jesus.

     

    “Kailangan mag-focus pa rin sa kung ano yung nasa harapan mo, which is yung NU ngayon, at one game at a time lang. Sana, hopefully, maganda pa rin yung mapakita namin na game against NU.”

    That next step is anything but simple. Waiting for them is the defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs—a familiar rival and the final hurdle between La Salle and a perfect elimination round. Their upcoming showdown carries more than just playoff implications; it’s a preview of what could be a championship collision.

     

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


    Against UE, however, La Salle showed why it has remained untouched this season. The match turned decisively in the third set. Locked at 4-all, the Lady Spikers flipped the switch, unleashing a scoring run that turned the frame into a runaway. Shane Reterta ignited the surge with three straight attacks, setting the tone for a finish that never wavered.

     

    From there, execution took over. Angel Canino led the balanced attack with 12 points while anchoring the floor defense with 10 excellent digs and seven receptions. At the net, Lilay del Castillo and Amie Provido controlled the middle, combining for blocks and quick hits that kept UE from finding rhythm.

     

    Even the second unit delivered. Bench players like Mikee Santos, Ella de Guzman, and Mikole Reyes made the most of their minutes, reflecting the depth that has become one of La Salle’s biggest strengths.

     

    For UE, the story continues to be a search for answers. The loss dropped the Lady Warriors to 0-13, extending a losing streak that now spans 27 matches. Despite the numbers, there were still efforts worth noting, with Khy Cepada leading the way and support coming from Bangayan and Angge Reyes.

     

    But the gap remains clear. As La Salle sharpens itself for a defining clash, UE is left trying to salvage something from a difficult campaign, with another opportunity looming against Ateneo.

     

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

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

  • NU Bulldogs star players Lams Lamina and Buds Buddin dominate UAAP week, securing Player of the Week honors

    NU Bulldogs star players Lams Lamina and Buds Buddin dominate UAAP week, securing Player of the Week honors

    National University’s volleyball program is on a roll as Michaelo “Buds” Buddin and Camilla “Lams” Lamina earn Player of the Week accolades following standout performances that kept both Bulldogs squads on the rise.


    The Philippine Sports Commission has recognized the two NU standout players as Players of the Week for the period of March 25 to April 5.

     

    For the Lady Bulldogs, Lamina orchestrated the offense with poise, posting 20 excellent sets and three points in her first full game back, helping NU sweep the Adamson Lady Falcons 25-20, 25-21, 25-21. 

     

    Her leadership on the court has been crucial in maintaining NU’s hold on the No. 2 spot with an 8-3 record. 

     

    Despite limited minutes earlier in the season due to rotation with younger setter Abe Pono, Lamina’s return proves the value of experience and versatility in the squad.

     

    “Ako naman kasi, always ready naman ako kahit anong mangyari. And of course, yung mindset ko talaga is to stay focused. Kung anuman ang ibigay sa akin na role, gagawin ko talaga para sa team,” the senior setter said.

     

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

    Meanwhile, Buddin led the men’s team through a pair of crucial wins, racking up 19 points against Ateneo before contributing 26 points in a grueling five-set match against Adamson, cementing NU’s spot in the Final Four with a 9-2 record. 

     

    His performances exemplify the Bulldogs’ consistent excellence and their drive to pursue a sixth consecutive UAAP title.

     

    What makes this week particularly notable is how both NU teams relied on the balance between veteran leadership and emerging talent. 

     

    “Since high school pa lang, na-witness ko na paano tinatrabaho. Lahat, detailed talaga. Lahat talaga, since day one talaga, ang sistema is nagbubunga talaga. Lahat ng coaches, players, talagang makikita mo na tinatrabaho lahat para magtuloy-tuloy kung ano ang pinapangarap ng bawat isa sa amin at kung ano ang goal ng bawat isa sa amin,” Buddin said.

     

    Lamina’s return and Buddin’s all-around dominance underscore the depth of the Bulldogs’ rosters, proving that NU’s volleyball program is cultivating a new generation of stars without losing the edge that keeps them title contenders.

     

    Looking ahead, both teams will take on UE at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on April 12—NU men at 9:00 AM and women at 11:00 AM, where their continued synergy between experience and youth could be the deciding factor in the pursuit of postseason glory.

     

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

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

  • UST skipper Detdet Pepito urges Golden Tigresses to rediscover its heart as Final Four race tightens

    UST skipper Detdet Pepito urges Golden Tigresses to rediscover its heart as Final Four race tightens

    For all the talent, depth, and optimism that surrounded University of Santo Tomas entering UAAP Season 88, the Golden Tigresses have reached the stretch of the season still searching for the one thing they thought they already had figured out—who they are when the pressure rises.

     

    Ten games into the women’s volleyball tournament, UST remains alive in the Final Four race, but not in the way many expected. Instead of firmly planting itself among the top contenders, the Golden Tigresses head into the Holy Week break clinging to position, caught in a three-way tie for third to fifth place with Adamson and FEU at 6-4.

     

    That standing alone does not tell the full story. UST did not enter the season as a team simply hoping to stay in the semifinal conversation. It entered believing this was its clearest path to a title in years.

     

    The pieces were all there. The core remained intact, key players Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula returned healthy, and the team added promising young frontcourt help in high school standouts Avril Bron and Lianne Penuliar. On paper, it looked like the kind of lineup built not just to compete, but to seriously threaten the traditional powers.

     

    And yet, through 10 games, UST has looked less like a finished contender and more like a team still trying to convince itself that it belongs where it once expected to be.

     

    That internal battle was perhaps most painfully exposed in its showdown against unbeaten De La Salle last March 25. The Golden Tigresses had the defending standard-bearers where they wanted them, with the match tied at one set apiece and UST surging to a commanding 20-12 lead in the third. It felt like the moment the Tigresses had been waiting for—the chance to make a statement, perhaps even reshape the season.

     

    Instead, it became a collapse that still lingers. La Salle stormed all the way back to steal the third set, 25-23, before rolling through the fourth to complete a 25-12, 18-25, 25-23, 25-14 victory. What could have been UST’s defining breakthrough instead became another reminder of how fragile the team can still look when momentum shifts.

     

    To its credit, UST did not let that loss spiral into another stumble. The Golden Tigresses responded with a four-set win over FEU, 25-17, 25-17, 18-25, 25-17, at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday, a result that kept them afloat and forced the crowded tie in the middle of the standings. But even that bounce-back win felt less like a full reset and more like a team buying itself time.

     

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

    For captain Detdet Pepito, the issue now goes beyond tactics or rotations. For her, what UST still needs to recover is something deeper.

     

    “I think ‘yung puso. Kasi nakita natin na ‘yung puso ng La Salle nung time na yun, until now parang hindi pa rin kami makapaniwala na nahabol kami up 20-12,” said Pepito, pointing to the emotional edge she believes remains missing from their game.

     

    “Kailangan pang mas mahalin ‘yung ginagawa, kailangan mas laliman pa ‘yung reason kung bakit kami naglalaro.”

     

    That kind of reflection says a lot about where UST currently stands. This is not a team lacking in talent or skill. If anything, that may be what makes its uneven campaign more frustrating. The Golden Tigresses have shown flashes of how dangerous they can be when everything clicks, but they have not yet shown they can sustain that level long enough to truly separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

     

    And in a season where De La Salle University has looked untouchable at 10-0, the rest of the field has been left fighting for position, consistency, and belief.

     

    Pepito, however, is not ready to let her team lose sight of its own ceiling.“Sinasabi ko sa kanila kung gaano kami kalakas as individuals and as a team. Doon lang po talaga kami lagi tumitingin kasi iniiwasan naming tingnan kung gaano kalakas yung kalaban kasi di ba doon kami minsan natatalo na namamangha kami kung anong kaya ng kalaban pero hindi namin alam kung hanggang saan din yung kaya naming gawin,” said the two-time UAAP Best Libero.

     

    “Sana mas madala pa po namin yung ganoong mindset na UST pa rin kami, hindi pa rin kami dapat basta-basta nagpapatalo.”

     

    That may now be UST’s biggest challenge over its final four elimination games—not simply winning enough to reach the Final Four, but finally playing with the identity of a team that believes it belongs there.

     

    The path remains open. The Golden Tigresses still have games left against University of the East, Adamson University, University of the Philippines, and National University. Those matches will likely decide whether UST’s season becomes the breakthrough many predicted—or a year defined by what it could never quite hold together.

     

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

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

  • UST’s Angge Poyos, Josh Ybañez take early control of UAAP Season 88 MVP race after Round 1

    UST’s Angge Poyos, Josh Ybañez take early control of UAAP Season 88 MVP race after Round 1

    As the first round of the UAAP Season 88 volleyball tournament wraps up, the race for individual supremacy has begun to take shape—and the early spotlight belongs to the University of Santo Tomas’ star players.


    Both divisions currently feature Thomasian standouts at the forefront of the Most Valuable Player conversation. For the women’s side, Angge Poyos has emerged as the early statistical leader, while on the men’s side, two-time MVP Josh Ybañez is once again positioning himself as the player to beat.

     

    Poyos, who already made waves earlier in her collegiate career by claiming the Rookie of the Year honors in Season 86, is building on that promise with a dominant start to the season. 

     

    The UST Golden Tigresses star finished the first round with 156.22 statistical points, giving her a comfortable 9.322-point cushion over her closest challenger.

     

    Trailing her is Shaina Nitura of the Adamson Lady Falcons with 147.200 statistical points, while Angel Canino of the De La Salle Lady Spikers sits in third with 142.800. Rounding out the top five are Adamson’s Nigerian standout Frances Mordi with 139.200 and Gerzel Petallo of the FEU Lady Tamaraws with 137.500.

     

    Beyond the numbers, Poyos has been a major catalyst for UST’s campaign. The third-year outside hitter has scored 111 points through seven games—coming from 95 spikes, 12 blocks, and four service aces which helped the Golden Tigresses secure four victories in the opening round. UST currently sits tied for third place alongside Adamson and FEU in the standings.

     

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

    Efficiency has also been one of Poyos’ defining strengths this season. She leads the entire women’s tournament in spiking efficiency with a 39.92 percent success rate, underscoring her role as the primary offensive engine of the Golden Tigresses.

     

    On the men’s side, Ybañez is once again proving why he has already captured two MVP trophies. The UST Golden Spikers captain topped the men’s statistical race after Round 1 with 158.000 statistical points, placing him firmly on course for what could be a third MVP award.

     

    The national team standout tallied 121 total points through seven matches built on 110 spikes, seven service aces, and four blocks to rank third in the league in scoring. His offensive efficiency remains impressive, posting a 41.98 percent spiking success rate and averaging 0.28 service aces per set.

     

    However, Ybañez’s impact extends beyond offense. His defensive contributions have been equally vital, ranking second in the league with a 62.14 percent efficiency rate.

     

    The Golden Spikers ended the first round with a 5–2 record, tied for second place with National University. Their strong position in the standings reflects the consistent production from their leader on both ends of the floor.

     

    Still, the MVP race in the men’s division remains far from settled. The NU tandem of Michaelo Buddin and Leo Ordiales are close behind with 153.750 and 152.083 statistical points, respectively. Meanwhile, the undefeated FEU Tamaraws are also represented in the race through Dryx Saavedra (127.083) and Mikko Espartero (124.583), who complete the top five.

     

    With the first half of the tournament complete, attention now shifts to the crucial second round where the standings and the MVP race could dramatically change. The next phase of the competition begins Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where UE Red Warriors face FEU Tamaraws and NU Bulldogs take on the UP Fighting Maroons.

     

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

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

  • Alas Pilipinas to UAAP: La Salle’s Angel Canino and UST’s Joshua Ybanez named UAAP Players of the Week for Week 2

    Alas Pilipinas to UAAP: La Salle’s Angel Canino and UST’s Joshua Ybanez named UAAP Players of the Week for Week 2

    From carrying the Philippine flag to carrying their schools, Angel Canino and Joshua Ybanez proved that the transition from Alas Pilipinas back to collegiate play comes with no adjustment period.

     

    In Week 2 of the UAAP Season 88 volleyball tournament, the two national team standouts delivered performances that bridged international discipline with campus intensity, steering De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas to unbeaten weeks and earning UAAP Players of the Week honors.

     

    For Canino, the spotlight did not arrive by demand — it arrived by necessity. With La Salle missing key firepower due to illness, the Alas Pilipinas winger leaned on composure rather than volume. She first helped dismantle a previously unbeaten University of the Philippines squad in straight sets, combining timely scoring with steady floor coverage. 

     

    Days later, when archrival Ateneo de Manila University managed to snatch La Salle’s first set of the season, Canino responded with a 21-point, 11-reception double-double to restore order and keep the Lady Spikers unblemished.

     

    Yet her mindset remained rooted in collective responsibility.

     

    “Hindi ko siya iniisip na ittake ko lahat ng responsibility kasi madami kaming senior eh, and madami ding mga bata na willing to step up so magaan din para sa akin kasi alam ko talaga when it comes to playing, hindi lang ako dapat ang maasahan,” she said after their win over Ateneo.

     

    “Lahat kami naasahan sa loob kaya walang dagdag na pressure. Lahat naman pinaghirapan namin. So lagi namin talagang pinagkakatiwalaan kung anong pinagtatraining namin.

     

    Napakaganda naman talaga ng resulta, at mapupuri mo talaga yung mga bata,” she added.

     

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

    On the men’s side, Ybanez’s return from national team duties came with a sharpened edge.

    After reinforcing his defensive instincts during the offseason as libero for Alas Men, the UST star has become even more dynamic as an opposite hitter. 

     

    In a five-set thriller against Ateneo, he exploded for 29 points while adding 19 excellent receptions — a rare blend of offensive ferocity and backline reliability. 

     

    He followed that up with another double-double effort in a straight-sets victory over University of the East, lifting UST to three straight wins and a 3–1 slate.

     

    But like his fellow Alas Pilipinas Women colleague, Ybanez sees the bigger picture beyond weekly accolades.

     

    “If there’s something that needs to change, we work on it. Kasi we tend to go back sa mga old habits namin. Mas mapapatibay talaga yung team kapag kaming mga seniors yung maging role model ng mga bata — the consistency and the hard work,” Ybanez said.

     

    From international courts to the UAAP spotlight, Canino and Ybanez have set the tone early in Season 88. The medals and weekly citations may differ, but the message is consistent: when national team pillars return home, they raise the standard with them.

     

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

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