Emirates NBA Cup a hit in the Asia-Pacific region

Jordan Clarkson vs Dylan Harper

Fresh from the conclusion of the Emirates NBA Cup, where the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 124-113, last December 17 (Manila time), at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the NBA shares that its in-season tournament generated major mileage in the Asia-Pacific region.

This season's edition of the Emirates NBA Cup produced its highest-ever total for engagements, impressions, and views on its various social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube) since introducing the tournament in 2023:

4.8 million engagements (four times increase from last season)

119 million impressions (doubled from last season)

52.9 million video views (seven times increase from last season).

Of course, the Philippines and its love and appetite for basketball and the NBA drove the spike, reaffirming the league's view of the country as a vital hub for league's storytelling and engagement.

Based on contest posted at the NBA Philippines' social media channels on Facebook, TikTok, and X, Filipinos produced 4.2 million engagement (88% of total), 106 million impressions (89% of total), and 45.3 million views (86% of total)

With the matchup featuring two players with Filipino roots in Jordan Clarkson and Dylan Harper, the NBA Cup Final naturally had a local relevance to it.

NBA Philippines' reel that featured the 2021 Sixth Man of the Year winner generated 4.6 million impressions and reached 100% of NBA Philippines' followers.

Meanwhile, the reel that featured both Clarkson and Harper, the second overall pick in this year's NBA Draft generated 390 thousand impressions.

Clarkson in the win finished with fifteen points, including three triples, while adding a couple of rebounds, a steal and a block. Harper, on the other hand, led the Spurs in scoring with twenty-one markers, including five triples, as well as grabbed seven boards.

BOOTCAMP now set to sell 2025-26 Filipinas kits

c/o Philippine Football Federation

With the afterglow of becoming the first Philippine team to secure a Southeast Asian Games football gold medal, adidas announced this week that fans now can already purchase the 2025-26 Filipinas kits at BOOTCAMP.

As a result of this latest achievement for the sport in the country, adidas is ensuring fans worldwide will be able to celebrate the moment and show their support towards them.

These home and away kits feature bold design elements that reflect national pride, continuing the Filipinas’ legacy on the global stage, as they head towards the AFC Women's Asian Cup in a few months.

Fans can either do two things:

Aside from the adidas football store at MOA Sky, you can check out the Metro Manila branch of BOOTCAMP at the ground floor of West Gallery Place, inside BGC. For provincial customers, the branches in Bacolod and Cebu will have these kits starting January.

Check out BOOTCAMP.com.ph and order online, with fans both here and abroad able to purchase their kits without issue.

SportsPlus enters into SEA Games digital coverage, highlighting athlete efforts in biennal competition

SportsPlus with Women's 1500m Bronze medalist Susan Ramadan

SportsPlus has launched its most extensive Southeast Asian Games digital coverage to date, deploying an on-ground content team in Bangkok and rolling out real-time medal updates, athlete features, and behind-the-scenes coverage for the 33rd SEA Games. As the Official Gaming Partner of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), SportsPlus aims to bring Filipino audiences closer to Team Philippines’ campaign with faster, richer, and more accessible content across its platforms.

As part of the expanded initiative, SportsPlus is producing daily highlight reels, medal round recaps, athlete spotlights, and quick-turn content directly from competition venues. The effort strengthens the company’s role in amplifying Filipino athletes’ presence online and increasing visibility for lesser-covered sports.

“This year, we wanted to go beyond traditional updates and create coverage that truly captures the heart of our athletes,” said James da Costa, Head of Partnerships at SportsPlus. “Thanks to our partnership with the POC, we’re able to be here in Bangkok documenting real-time results, sharing athlete features, and capturing moments that we can bring straight to our social media platforms. This expanded content push helps us shine a light on more athletes while keeping Filipinos engaged and proud throughout the SEA Games.”

The enhanced SEA Games push follows SportsPlus’ recent support for the Asian Youth Games and forms part of a long-term roadmap leading into the upcoming Asian Games and the Olympics. As the POC’s Official Gaming Partner, SportsPlus continues to invest in initiatives that spotlight athletes and widen the reach of Philippine sports storytelling.

The POC has emphasized the importance of stronger digital engagement around sports, especially among younger audiences. SportsPlus’ multi-platform content strategy aligns with this mission by offering fans easier access to updates, human-interest stories, and real-time results throughout the 33rd SEA Games.

Through dynamic on-site coverage, SportsPlus hopes to increase appreciation for national athletes and inspire the next generation to pursue excellence in sports.

Daily highlights, medal trackers, and athlete-focused content are available on the official SportsPlus Facebook page.

UAAP youth fencing standouts lead Philippine contingent at Foil Junior World Cup

The Philippines at the FIE Foil Junior World Cup in Bangkok (photo shared by Ishoot Isports Phi Image / Waylon Galvez)

With an eye towards Southeast Asian Games, two Filipino fencers are set to use an upcoming international stint to boost their preparations.

UAAP champions Sophia Catantan and Louis Shoemaker lead the Philippine contingent in the 2025 edition of the Bangkok FIE Foil Junior World Cup, which will take place at the Diamond Hall of the Zeer Ransit Shopping Mall in Don Mueang, Bangkok, Thailand from December 13-15.

The duo will then proceed to the SEA Games, with the fencing competition kicking off the next day at the Fashion Island Mall. Both fencers are currently expected to participate on the team portion of the competition.

For Catantan, it is a chance to make amends after being bounced out after pool play at this exact same event last year. She shares to Waylon Galvez, "We hope to make the most as we compete again in the World Cup before we head to the SEA Games. Both tournaments are equally important for us, that’s why we hope to do well in the Junior World Cup and in the SEA Games."

Shoemaker acknowledges the challenge that looms and adds, "We hope to do better. We hope to improve not only our skills but also our respective placings.." Like his fellow student-athlete from Recto, the former UAAP HS Boys MVP also did not move past pool play last time out, albeit in 2023.

Saturday will see the men take to the piste, with Shoemaker being joined by fellow Red Warrior James Limuel Lim, Marcus Antonio Manuel of the University of Asia and the Pacific, and Dean Myers of Haverford University in Pennsylvania. These three comprised the Philippine men's contingent a year ago, with Myers seeking to improve from 54th place finish, while Lim and Manuel plan on bouncing back from first round exits.

Comprising the nine-man squad are Jethro Chan (Homeschool of Asia Pacific) and Derek Perez (Ateneo), Australia-based Jeremy David Ong (School of Isolated and Distance Education), and US-based Nathan Palma (Olentangy HS, OH) and Jacob Le (Huntington Beach HS, CA).

The next day will feature the women, led by Catantan and seven others. Joining her in the field are fellow UE fencers Yuna Canlas and Willa Galvez, as well as multiple UAAP high school medalist Miyake Capina. The La Salle-Zobel standout is seeking to improve from her 87th place finish and first round exit last year.

Also making a return from last year are the trio of Jodie Tan, Victoria Ebdane (Homeschool Global), and Jada Divinagracia (MIIS) as they seek to make it into the knockout rounds this time around. Hagia Sophia del Castillo from Poveda completes the field.

Team competition will cap off action on Monday, with the quartet of Le, Lim, Manuel, and Myers for the men and Capina, Divinagracia, Ebdane, and Tan for the women. 

Joining the Filipino delegation are national team veterans and coaches Bing Lozada, Michael Nicanor, and Justine Tinio.

In addition, US-based fencer of Filipino ancestry Gabrielle Grace Gebala is also set to participate, with the Silicon Valley Fencing Center standout also looking to improve on her second round exit last year.

UE at cusp of clinching UAAP boys' volleyball title

c/o UAAP

Games Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym
2 p.m. – UE vs NUNS (Boys)
4 p.m. – NUNS vs FEU-D (Girls)

UNIVERSITY of the East displayed tremendous composure despite losing a four-point lead in the fifth set to outlast National University Nazareth School, 25-22, 21-25, 25-18, 23-25, 15-13, moving closer to ending an 11-year title drought in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys' Volleyball Tournament, Thursday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

It can be recalled that the Junior Warriors were the ones who handed the Bullpups their first loss in the elimination round, taking a 25-23, 25-18, 25-22 sweep last October 26 that snapped NUNS’s seven-game winning streak.

The Bullpups, in contrast, needed five sets to beat the Junior Warriors in their first encounter, 20-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-22, 15-8, on September 28.

Clarence Gianan pushed the Junior Warriors to a 13-9 lead, but the Bullpups responded with four straight points capped by a Mikhael Abut service ace to tie the match at 13-13.

Playing its third straight five-setter dating back to the final day of eliminations, UE reached match point on a Jordino Perales ace, and NUNS doused any hopes of a lifeline after Al-raquib Dais’ spike went out of bounds.

Both teams needed the full two games to reach the Final Four after losing their semis openers that disarmed their twice-to-beat advantages.

NUNS fell to University of Santo Tomas, while UE was stunned by Far Eastern University-Diliman in the opening games.

The Bullpups recovered against the Junior Golden Spikers, 25–22, 25–19, 23–25, 26–24, and the Junior Warriors outlasted the Tamaraws, 21-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-19, 15-9, last December 8 to forge a title clash.

Having endured consecutive marathon matches, the Junior Warriors have become tougher, with their eyes set on a 15th title and their first since completing an 11-peat in UAAP Season 77 (2014).

"Pinalalakas ko yung loob nila," said second-year UE coach Herbert Dizon.

Paul Roque led the Junior Warriors with a match-best 22 kills, Emmanuel Marcelino contributed 15 points and 24 receptions, while Gianan and Miguel Catanghal had 11 points each. Mharl Dullete added 30 excellent sets.

"Yung game namin, nag-contribute lahat. May mga time na naba-blangko na mga kasama ko pero gumagawa kami, humahanap kami ng paraan na maka-score at maka-contribute, individually and as a team," said Gianan.

For the Bullpups, Ragusta had 18 points, including two kills during their rally from a 9-13 deficit. Dais contributed eight blocks for a 13-point outing, while Christian Mangahoy also tallied 13 points.

UE goes for the jugular in Game 2 at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the same Katipunan venue.

NCAA Men's Basketball Finals set for GTV broadcast

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is poised for an adrenaline-pumping season finale as San Beda University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran collide for the championship in the NCAA Season 101 Men’s Basketball Finals — their first since Season 95. Catch the much-anticipated face-off live on GTV this Wednesday, December 10 at 2 p.m., straight from the Araneta Coliseum. 

The San Beda Red Lions, holding the longest Final Four streak in the NCAA and marking their 18th straight playoff appearance in Season 101, are looking to reclaim the title this season. Their journey has been marked by dominant performances, fueled by Yukien Andrada, Janti Miller, and  Bryan Sajonia, under the strategic guidance of Coach Yuri Escueta.

Also a mainstay in championship contention with 20 NCAA titles to their name, the Letran Knights are more than ready to hoist the trophy once again.  Headed by Coach Allen Ricardo, and led by the fearless play of Titing Manalili, Kevin Santos, and Jimboy Estrada, the Knights are not wasting any opportunity to prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with in the league.

"The San Beda Red Lions and Letran Knights – widely regarded as league powerhouses – are back in the championship, and this is definitely a must watch showdown for all the NCAA fans. This rivalry transcends basketball; it's a battle for pride and history. We invite all students, alumni, and sports enthusiasts to tune in and witness this epic chapter unfold in the NCAA's legacy," expressed NCAA Season 101 Management Committee Chairman Melchor Divina.

"GMA Network, the league's official broadcast partner, is committed to delivering a top-tier viewing experience for the much-awaited championship series in the NCAA Season 101 Basketball Tournament. GMA Synergy is proud to bring the intensity of the San Beda vs. Letran championship series to millions of Filipinos live on GTV as this match-up is exactly what fans have been waiting for,” said Officer-in-Charge, Regional TV Department and Concurrent Head, Central Office Operations and Synergy Marivic Araneta.

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Finals will be anchored by Synergy Sports host Martin Javier. Joining him is veteran professional basketball player Beau Belga. 

Meanwhile, witness the action in the NCAA Season 101 Juniors Finals as the Arellano Braves and the Letran Squires vie for the championship trophy on December 10 (Game 1), December 13 (Game 2), and December 16 (Game 3, if necessary), airing live on Heart of Asia at 11 a.m.

Don’t miss the action on the NCAA Season 101 Men’s Basketball Finals airing live on GTV at 2 p.m. – Game 1 on December 10, Game 2 on December 13, and Game 3 on December 16 (if necessary).

Catch the livestream on the NCAA Philippines website (www.gmanetwork.com/ncaa), NCAA Philippines Facebook page and YouTube channel, and GMA Sports' social media accounts. Global Pinoys can catch all the action via the international channel GMA News TV. 

Visit NCAA Philippines’ official website www.ncaa.com.ph and follow @ncaaphilippines, @gmasynergy, and @gmasportsph on social media.

Pingol, Okebata lead individual awardees in women's and U16 basketball

c/o UAAP

In her final year with National University, Ann Pingol made sure to leave her mark by capturing the biggest individual accolade in collegiate basketball.

The 5-foot-7 graduating winger was officially crowned the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Most Valuable Player on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Pingol, 24, who is also set to join Gilas Women for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, became just the third Lady Bulldog to win the league's highest individual plum after Afril Bernardino (UAAP Seasons 77–79, 2014–16) and Jack Animam (Season 80, 2017).

Built on two triple-double performances, the younger sister of former Adamson and NU standout Kaye Pingol tallied 93.571 statistical points — 2.142 SPs ahead of dethroned MVP Kacey Dela Rosa of Ateneo.

"Siguro, malaking confidence booster siya para sa akin. Nung first [year] ko pa lang sa UAAP, hindi ko naman ito ina-aim 'eh kasi kumbaga, I just play my game and kung ano lang flow ng system namin. Na-surprise lang ako na 'yon yung naging outcome," Pingol said.

She averaged 14.29 points, 8.93 rebounds, 5.14 assists, 3.57 steals, and 1.07 blocks per game in the Lady Bulldogs' 12-2 elimination round campaign.

In the junior high school boys’ division, Goodluck Okebata became the first University of the East Red Warrior in 21 years to win a regular season MVP award.

The last Red Warrior to claim the top individual honor was Julius Porlaje back in the UAAP Season 67 Junior Basketball Tournament in 2004.

Okebata, a 15-year-old Lambunao, Iloilo native standing at 6-foot-4, amassed 96.214 SPs off averages of 19.71 points, 13.43 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.29 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game in UE's fifth-place, 8-6 finish in Season 88. He edged out University of Santo Tomas’ Rowie Cabañero by just 0.571 SPs.

"Itong MVP na ito, it's not only for me. It's for my kuyas and sa mga coach ko rin na nagtiwala sa akin. Para rin ito sa mga magulang ko na nagtitiwala sa akin. Hindi lang sa akin itong MVP na ito, kung hindi para sa kanilang lahat ito," Okebata said.

Cabañero, a 5-foot-6 guard from Mahaplag, Leyte who also recorded two triple-double outings in the eliminations, was still named the Rookie of the Year in the 16-and-under division.

Joining Pingol and Dela Rosa in the women’s Elite Team are UST’s Kent Pastrana (86.643 SPs) and NU’s Kristine Cayabyab (73.571) and Angel Surada (71.714).

Meanwhile, the junior high school boys’ Elite Team is composed of Okebata, Cabañero, FEU-Diliman’s Dwyne Enriquez (89.286), NU-Nazareth School’s Moussa Diakite (85.143), and FEU-D’s Prince Cariño (84.769).

Ateneo’s Erica De Luna emerged as the women’s Rookie of the Year after finishing 25th in the SP race with 47.214, posting averages of 7.5 points, 4.43 rebounds, 2.57 assists, and 1.79 steals in her freshman campaign.

Also awarded their third-place trophies were Ateneo (collegiate women's) and UST (junior high school boys').

The Blue Eagles finished the elimination round as the third seed with an 8-6 record before defeating Adamson in the stepladder quarterfinal, 66-56.

Ateneo fell to NU in the semis, 79-84.

Meanwhile, the Junior Tiger Cubs were the second seed with a 10-4 slate but lost to FEU-D in the semifinal, 75-82.