NU remains undefeated in UAAP Season 88 Baseball

c/o UAAP

Games on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium

7 a.m. – AdU vs DLSU
* NU vs UST
* UP vs Ateneo
(* – Rule of succession)

NATIONAL University cruised to its third straight win and retained the solo lead in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Baseball Tournament following a 13–5 romp over Adamson University, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The defending back-to-back champions remained the only undefeated team in the field at 3–0.

Rivals De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University are disputing the solo second spot, both holding a 1–1 win-loss record as of this writing.

Just as NU dominated its first two assignments, it was the Bulldogs’ defense that powered yet another victory.

After allowing one run in the top of the second inning, NU’s defense silenced the Soaring Falcons for the next four innings, holding them scoreless despite hits from Kean Matanguihan and Laurence Mercado, as pitcher Hilario Espina III stood firm.

The third-year hurler finished with just that lone Adamson run over six innings, allowing four hits and striking out two batters.

With their signature defense in full effect, NU’s offense eventually took over, extending the lead to 11–1 by the seventh inning, threatening to end the game early.

“These are mature players; so, tini-treat ko sila as mature people. Alam ko naman na mafi-figure out nila ‘yung game. Sabi ko nga sa kanila sa huddle, even though humahabol ‘yung Adamson, gusto kong maranasan nila ‘yon,” said head coach Romar Landicho, expressing his trust in his wards despite the late Adamson run.

“Kasi hindi naman lahat ng game madali. So, kailangan rin naming ma-experience ‘yung gano’ng situtation para at least masanay sila,” the champion mentor added.

Aaron Detoito once again led the offense, finishing with two hits and three RBIs in this statement win. Kevin Maulit had another multiple-RBI outing, ending with two RBIs after his double to the right-field line in the sixth inning, which all but sealed the result.

The Bulldogs will face the UST Golden Sox next, with the contest scheduled for Sunday’s second game.

Adamson, however, refused to go down quietly, mounting a late surge in the seventh inning with four runs on five hits against R-Kenshin Clamor and Gio Gorpido.

Ivan Jonson came off the bench to deliver a two-RBI double to start the rally, while fellow substitute Zerge Madarimot added another RBI, scoring Leonel Matanguihan to cut the deficit to 11–5.

Madarimot later crossed the plate on a play involving James Nisnisan, but that was all the Soaring Falcons could muster, going scoreless in the final two innings.

Adamson will try to bounce back against the DLSU Green Batters on Sunday’s opening game at 7 a.m.

Teams    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    R    H    E
AdU    0    1    0    0    0    0    4    0    0    5    10    3
NU    0    3    0    3    0    5    2    0    x    13    10    2

UP snaps losing skid in UAAP Baseball, crushes UST

c/o UAAP

Games on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium

7 a.m. – AdU vs DLSU
* NU vs UST
* UP vs Ateneo
(* – Rule of succession)

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines snapped a four-game skid dating back to last year with a dominant 24–7, six-inning rout of University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

After a heavy loss to defending champions National University Bulldogs, the Fighting Maroons finally broke through the win column for the first time since April 13, 2025, and evened their tournament record with UST at 1–1. The tournament is held in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.

Following a rough start—allowing four runs in the first inning—UP exploded for 10 runs in the second and never looked back, securing their breakthrough victory.

Back-to-back hits from VJ Mangahas and John Mark Natawan signaled the Fighting Maroons’ offensive surge.

Two consecutive walks issued by UST reliever Prince Harry Geronimo loaded the bases, setting up the first run.

Further hits from Aaron Nicha and Eman Javier, coupled with two additional UST fielding errors, turned that initial run into a six-run advantage, putting UP ahead 10–4.

“Yung first two games talaga is talagang top teams eh, pero nakita ‘yung kaya ng mga bata. Ito na, kaunting pep talk, kaunting changes sa batting lineup, kaya ito, medyo maganda na ‘yung naging result. Ang importante rito, nagiging matured na, pero mga bata talaga ‘tong players natin. Pero nakita mo na may potential talaga; kailangan lang nila ng teamwork. Darating tayo dyan,” said Iking Jimenez, now in his second year as head coach.

UP didn’t stop at a four-run cushion.

The Fighting Maroons added 14 more runs over the next four innings, putting the game well out of reach. Javier finished with three hits and six RBIs, while Nicha also recorded three hits and drove in five runs. LM Basañes contributed three hits, two of which came in the latter innings.

Daniel Badrina relieved rookie Bokie Claro and stabilized the Fighting Maroons’ defense, limiting UST to just two more runs after taking the mound. The third-year pitcher struck out five batters in his stint.

UP will aim for back-to-back wins when they face Ateneo de Manila University in the third and final game of the series on Sunday.

“Ando’n na ‘yung teamwork; tulung-tulong lang talaga. Yung pitchers na nakita niyo naman, si Badrina, ang ganda ng pinukol. Yung pitcher natin na rookie, si Claro, first batter na strikeout niya, pero nawala sa focus. So, kaunting adjustment pa, usap pa sa mga rookies,” added Jimenez.

UST got off to a dream start with four runs in the opening inning, capitalizing on rookie Claro’s nerves in his UAAP debut. A single from Marvin Trillana put additional pressure on UP’s defense, which eventually allowed three more runs off a Ybbrahim Degollacion hit.

No Thomasian batter had more than one hit, with Trillana the lone contributor of runs, driving in three.

Four UST pitchers tried to halt the Fighting Maroons’ offense, but their efforts fell short, with Cedrick Marquez taking the brunt of the scoring after allowing 14 runs.

The Golden Sox will aim to bounce back against the Bulldogs in Sunday’s second game, following the opener between Adamson University Soaring Falcons and De La Salle University Green Batters at 7 a.m.

TEAMS    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    R    H    E
UP    0    10    4    1    5    4    x    x    x    24    15    3
UST    4    2    0    0    0    1    x    x    x    7    5    12

UST takes early lead as UAAP Women's Tennis commences second round play

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women's Tennis Standings
UST 4-1
UP 3-1
NU 3-2
DLSU 2-3
Ateneo 0-5

Men's Ties on Wednesday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court
7:30 a.m. - UP vs. UE
7:30 a.m. - Ateneo vs. UST
7:30 a.m. - AdU vs. DLSU

Defending champion University of Santo Tomas opened the second round of eliminations in commanding fashion, toppling Ateneo de Manila University, 4-1, to take the lead in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Tennis Tournament on Sunday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.

With the victory, the Female Tennisters improved to 4-1, sharing first place with the Fighting Maroons, who trail one tie due to a bye.

Judy Padilla and Princess Nichole Dela Rita clinched the tie with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 win over Zaina Omar and Eloh Castolo in first doubles, marking their fourth consecutive victory.

“‘Yung start ng NU [tie], doon na nagkasunod-sunod ‘yung wins namin. And yung performance ng mga teammates ko, nag-improve naman and wala rin silang sinayang and pinrove din nila na kaya namin,” said Dela Rita.

“Defending champion man kami, malakas talaga pressure [sa amin], lalo na ‘yung mga ibang teams na gusto ring makuha [‘yung title]. Same page lang naman kami, same goal na sana makuha namin ngayon. Basta puso lang naman and walang sasayangin na points and games. Lumalaban naman kaming lahat.”

Last season's co-MVP Kaye Emana stormed through first singles with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Angela Buyante, giving UST the early momentum. Mica Emana then carried that energy to second singles, overcoming Casey Padilla 6-3, 6-2, putting the tie firmly in the Lady Tennisters’ hands.

UST pair Justine Maneja and Christine Gulagula held steady in second doubles, pulling through with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Althea Martirez and Chelsea Roque. Althea Ong later battled back from a set down, turning away Kaye Mustaza, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-2, to secure Ateneo’s lone point.

Meanwhile, National University bounced back against first-round tormentor De La Salle University, carving out a 3-2 victory to notch back-to-back wins and climb to solo third with a 3-2 record in the tournament.

Adeline Abadia and Rovie Baulete weathered the pressure in second doubles, outlasting Annika Diwa and Guysie Garrido, 7-5, 4-6, 10-6, to give the Lady Bulldogs the overall victory.

NU's Elsie Abarquez opened the tie in commanding fashion, not yielding a game in a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Bea Gomez in first singles.

Lady Tennister Maikee Vicencio countered in second singles, handling AJ Acabo 6-2, 6-2, to pull DLSU back on even footing.

Juliana Carvajal and Kolin Cornell swung the advantage back to the Lady Bulldogs with a 6-1, 6-3 triumph over Amor Idjao and Chelsea Bernaldez in first doubles.

Still, Lady Tennister Angeline Alcala refused to let the tie slip away, overcoming JM Carcueva 6-3, 6-3 in third singles to push the tie to a rubber.

The Lady Tennisters slipped to 2-3 in fourth place, while the Blue Eagles continue to search for their first win in the five-team event.

PSC chair Pato Gregorio named guest of honor at SAC Awards

PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio is the guest of honor and keynote speaker of the 40th SAC-SMB Cebu Sports Awards on March 8 at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio will grace the 40th Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Brewery (SAC-SMB) Cebu Sports Awards as guest of honor and keynote speaker of the milestone event slated on March 8 at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center.

It's a sweet homecoming of sorts for Gregorio, who lived in Cebu for six years from 2000 to 2006 as General Manager of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino and as chairman of the Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau promoting the province as a sports tourism destination.

An established businessman, hotelier, and sports executive, the 58-year-old Gregorio is the 13th chairperson of the PSC, a government agency responsible for the country's sports development.

Before reaching the top echelon of leadership in Philippine sports, Gregorio has held various positions and major roles, including as president of the Philippine Rowing Association where Filipino rowers qualified for the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics.

Additionally, Gregorio once served as secretary-general of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP), chairman of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) during the league's 2014–2015 season, and member of the Executive Board of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Furthermore, he helped in sports marketing initiatives with Smart Communications and led DuckWorld PH, a sports management firm that relaunched the "Tour of Luzon" cycling event.

After being appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as PSC chairman in July 2025, Gregorio's administration focused on athlete welfare, strengthening sports facilities, professionalizing sports governance, and boosting sports tourism.

He was later appointed to head the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee under Administrative Order 38 signed by President Marcos, integrating sports with tourism promotion.

Under his watch, the Philippines hosted and made bids for major international sports events, including volleyball, gymnastics, surfing, futsal and tennis competitions.

Just a few weeks ago, Gregorio was honored as "Executive of the Year" by the Philippine Sportswriters 
Association (PSA) for his early achievements as PSC chief.

Gregorio's presence will surely add glitz to the forthcoming SAC Awards, especially in inspiring the outstanding Cebuano athletes to strive even further in pursuit of excellence in their respective fields.

PSC receives Manny Pacquiao memorabilia for its Museum

Pacquiao to the President (c/o PSC)

A few items that were part of Manny Pacquiao's historic career are set to be donated to the Philippine Sports Museum.

The handover took place on Tuesday at the facility, located within the Philippine Sports Commission's complex in Pasig City, with Pacquiao himself turning them over to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

First Lady Liz Araneta-Marcos, PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, and Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo also graced the proceedings. Also present are the PSC's Commissioners in Bong Coo, Fritz Gaston, and Walter Torres, as well as its Executive Director, Atty. Guillermo Iroy.

These artifacts from Pacquiao's Hall of Fame career are added to the permanent collection of the Museum, as it reaffirms its commitment to safeguard the athletic legacy of the Philippines and celebrate the Filipino's sporting achievements, inspiring the current and future generations of citizens and athletes.

Among the items headed to the PSM are the fight trunks from his title fights against Miguel Cotto in 2009 (where he claimed his seventh world title in a seventh different weight division), and Antonio Margarito in 2010 (where he became the first and only fighter to win world titles in eight separate weight classes). He also is sending a championship belt from the World Boxing Council, which is a globally recognized emblem of excellence that not only represents victory but also a legacy defined by resilience, courage, and reinvention.

In receiving these items, Gregorio shares, "We commit Manny Pacquiao's legacy to national memory to inspire and ignite future champions. Your sweat. Your tears. Your blood. Your life. We can never thank you enough."

He adds, "The legend of Manny Pacquiao put the Philippines on the world map. He made the world look at us with awe and respect. This is our narrative as a nation: a story of grit, sacrifice and courage--violent but truthful and, in the end, triumphant."

And in line with Marcos receiving these artifacts himself directly from Pacquiao, Gregorio concludes, "When the President recognizes and memorializes an athlete, he places sports at the center of nation-building--this appeals to the heart and nobility of athletes across the nation."

Recognized globally as the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, Pacquiao captured world titles across multiple weight classes, redefining the boundaries of the sport while elevating Philippine pride on the international stage.

These memorabilia represent more than milestones in a boxing career — they embody moments when Filipino determination, discipline, and excellence resonated across the world.

The ceremonial handover further affirms the Museum’s role as a custodian of collective and cultural memory — transforming extraordinary individual triumphs into enduring sources of national pride and inspiration.

Francisco anchors UP shutout against Ateneo in softball opener

c/o UAAP

Martine Francisco fueled a massive opening-inning outburst as the University of the Philippines set its redemption bid in motion with an 11-0, four-inning rout of Ateneo de Manila University on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The fourth-year first baseman delivered two hits and drove in two runs in the first frame, jumpstarting the Fighting Maroons’ campaign to end three straight bridesmaid finishes.

Francisco opened the scoring with a single to center field that brought home Jaja Pascual. She then followed it up with a double to left field in her second at-bat of the same inning, allowing team captain Nickole dela Cruz to score as UP seized full control early.

Rookie Sathia Romero-Salas, a product of Imagine Learning Excellence Academy, provided the biggest spark of the game. She led off for UP with a triple to center field, igniting the offense as the Season 85 to 87 runners-up never looked back despite going quiet in the next two innings.

The right fielder later stretched the lead to seven runs in the opening frame with a sacrifice fly to right field that plated Reuel Caoagdan.

"First game, may mga kaunting ano 'yan, nine-nerbyos, pero na-pack up naman nila. Maganda naman 'yung hitting kaya masaya ako do'n sa start namin sa offense. Sa pitching, ok rin naman; gano'n din sa defense," said UP head coach Ron Pagkaliwagan.

"As a rookie maganda, kasi unang palo (ni Sathia), triple agad. So, expected naman namin 'yon, kasi kung anong pinapakita nila sa training, hopefully, lumabas naman sa laro."

Pagkaliwagan now hopes to keep UP in top form as the team prepares for its showdown against De La Salle University next Tuesday at 11 a.m. The Lady Batters previously absorbed a 2-1 loss to the University of Santo Tomas Softbelles after taking a one-run lead in the third inning.

"Kailangan naming paghandaan 'yung La Salle. Magaling rin 'yung team ng La Salle; although, lahat naman ng team may laro, so, kailangan namin silang paghandaan, one game at a time lang," said the fourth-year mentor.

"Basta lumabas kung ano 'yung ginagawa nila sa training, lumabas lang during the game, happy na ako do'n."

In the circle, KC Valino and Joy Laurente combined to shut down Ateneo across four innings.

Valino nearly kept a perfect slate if not for UP’s lone error — a fielding miscue by shortstop Aila Subaldo that allowed Katrice Ditchon to reach first base. The senior ace still struck out six of the seven batters she faced.

Laurente, meanwhile, retired three Blue Eagles in her UAAP debut, capping the game with a strikeout of Andrea Daquigan.

Marvelous Romano absorbed the loss for Ateneo after surrendering 11 runs on nine hits before Ditchon came in to record the final three outs in the third inning.

The Blue Eagles will look to snap their nine-game losing streak dating back to Season 86 (2024) when they face the same DLSU squad on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Team    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    R    H    E
Ateneo    0    0    0    x    x    x    x    0    0    1
UP    1    1    0    0    x    x    x    11    9    1

Familiar names atop Criterium portion of PhilCycling Road Nationals

PhilCycling National Championships

NATIONAL athletes Ronald Oranza and Jude Gabriel Francisco and Filipino-American Mary Joyce Monton dominated the Criterium races to kick start action in the PhilCycling National Championships for Road 2026 on Monday in Tagaytay City.

Oranza topped the Men Elite category, Francisco ruled the Men Under-23 and Monton, racing out of Los Angeles, was the best in Women Elite of the championships organized by the PhilCycling, headed by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

Edson Corbadora and Ronnilan Quita completed the Men’s Elite podium of the event raced over a 2.2-km circuit that started and finished at Tagaytay City’s Praying Hands Momument, with Marvin Mandac and Mark Alex Baruelo finishing 1-2 in the Under-23 race.

National team mainstays Maritoni Krog and Phoebe Salazar wound up behind Monton in the race presented by Standard Insurance, MVP Sports Foundation and the Philippine Sports Commission and supported by Tagaytay City Mayor Brent Tolentino and the Tagaytay CT Velodrome.

Rayven Joy Valdez, Althea Campana and Angeline Elvira reigned supreme in Women’s Under-23 of the race also backed by Excellent Noodles and 7-Eleven Philippines.

The Junior races saw CJ Cabreros, Kylle Flores and Piolo Calimlim completing the Men’s podium and Maria Louisse Criselle Alejado, Althea Nicole Coronado and Eloiza Pajarito winning the Women’s contest.

Among the other winners in the Youth categories were: Men (12-13)— Mark Terrence Orcino, Ren Axcel Pecson and Johnzoe Canasa; (Women 14-15) Allaeza Mae Gulmatico, Alessandra Nicole Paras and Princess Jaydee Pancho; and Men (14-15) Jannshen Sta. Juana, Jyohan Toledo and Louie Jerome Murillo.

Still to be contested are the Individual Time Trial and Individual Road Race events starting Tuesday until Friday.