Emana earns wild card into Philippine Women’s Open qualifying

Kaye Ann Emana (third from left) earned a wild card slot to the Philippine Women's Open qualifying round after beating Elizabeth Abarquez (second from left) in the finals of the PHILTA qualifying meet at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center last Thursday night. Flanking them are PHILTA Executive Director Tonette Mendoza (left) and PHILTA board member and former national team standout Dyan Castillejo (right).

Displaying both skill and stamina, UAAP Season 87 Tennis MVP Kaye Ann Emana of UST outplayed varsity rival Elizabeth Abarquez of NU 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 last Wednesday night at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center to book a ticket to the qualifying draw of the Philippine Women’s Open. 

Mixing her shots well throughout the match,  Emana reasserted her mastery over the frustrated Abarquez with another straight-set triumph, reprising their clash in the UAAP women’s tennis tournament finals last year. 

Even more impressive was the fact that the bespectacled netter was just an hour away from completing a 6-4, 6-4 conquest of top seed Tiffany Nocos in the semifinals after their match was suspended the previous night  following the first set due to heavy rain. 

When play resumed late yesterday afternoon, Emana showed grit in rallying from a 1-4 second-set deficit to win the next five games and set up a showdown with Abarquez for the coveted wild card ticket in the qualifying meet organized by the Philippine Tennis Association and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

“Thankful po ako and excited to get the wild card (for the Philippine Women’s Open qualifying draw). At kinakabahan din po kasi first time kong makakalaban ang mga mas magagaling na player doon sa qualifying round,” she said. 

She credited her strong mindset in recovering from a 0-2 deficit in the first set against Abarquez to force the tie-breaker after they wound up deadlocked at 6-all after 12 games. 

“Up and down ang laro ko po sa first set kaya nag-take advantage na lang po ako ng mukhang na-frustrate na siya, lalo sa tiebreaker when I took a 3-0 lead,” Emana said of the turning point in the match. 

Gaining confidence with each shot in the second set, the player  was in complete control, surging to an imposing 5-1 lead against her demoralized foe on the way to sealing her slot in the qualifying round of the Philippine Women’s Open.

Abarquez acknowledged that she was flustered by her foe’s deceptive and unpredictable switching of shots that disrupted her game, leading to her downfall.

“Deceptive po ang mga shots niya (Emana). Akala ko malayo tapos malapit sa net babagsak yung bola. Hindi ako makaporma talaga,” rued the Cebuana player, who recalled that it was virtually the same result she had against her rival when they tangled in last UAAP women’s tennis finals. 

Both players noted the marked improvement of the playing conditions on the resurfaced hard courts with more than a week to go before the start of the country’s first WTA 125 tournament sanctioned by the Women’s Tennis Association.     

PHILTA official and co-PWO tournament director Dyan Castillejo advised Abarquez to keep practicing in case the wildcard opportunity opens up. The qualifying draw will be staged Jan. 24 to 25 before the main draw kicks off on Jan. 26.

Philippines ready to host inaugural WTA 125 event in the country

"WTA 125 Manila. We are ready!" 

This was the assurance given yesterday by organizers regarding preparations for the Philippine Women's Open, the country's first Women's Tennis Association tournament,  set from Jan. 26 to 31 at the newly-refurbished Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. 

"We are glad with the partnership of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Tennnis Association. The PSC is the enabler of events," noted Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick "Pato" Gregorio said during the press conference yesterday at the Lanson Place in Pasay City two weeks before the event begins. 

"You go there (the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center) and see hundreds of workers working into the wee hours of the morning. We have not only mobilized the PSC group but also the City of Manila and the DPWH. It is a beautiful transformation," he said of the upgrading of the entire Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for the meet.  

"So we have no second thoughts in giving financial support for this project and to NSAs that realize and understand the vision of the Philippine Sports Commission," the PSC chief stressed. 

"The fact that we are already using the courts for a qualifying tournament among our top local players for the Philippine Women's Open means that it (the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center) is almost ready," said PHILTA secretary general John Rey Tiangco at the same briefing.   

"We are confident that with the PSC beside us that we will be able to finish on time." 

Tiangco, also the Navotas City Mayor and  a former age group standout and national player, said that hosting  the inaugural Philippine Women's Open was a big deal for Philippine tennis development. 

"Malaking bagay po ito.  This is not just a one-time event, an investment for Philippine tennis. We are building a whole new ecosystem that will allow our local players to compete against world-class opponents," he said. 

The PHILTA secured a three-year  agreement with the Women's Tennis Association to stage the WTA 125 tournament, according to Tiangco. 

Meanwhile, tickets are now available for the competition, according to PHILTA executive director Tonette Mendoza,  with the price pegged at P200 each  and free seating for the qualifying round  matches from Jan. 24 to  25. 

In the main draw from the round of 32 to the quarterfinals frrom Jan. 26 to 29, ticket prices will be at P1,000, with free seating, Mendoza said. 

On the other hand,  tickets for singles semifinals and doubles finals on Jan. 30  will cost P1,500 for the standard pass and P2,000 for the premium pass, which will also be the ticket prices for the championship match on the last day on Jan. 31, she said.

UAAP revives HS Baseball tournament, adds PAREF-Southridge

c/o UAAP

Games today at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium
8 a.m. - DLSZ vs UST
11 a.m. - Southridge vs Ateneo

High school baseball is set to make its return to the UAAP after a six-year hiatus.

Last staged in Season 82 (2019), the UAAP High School Baseball Tournament comes back bigger this year with the inclusion of guest team PAREF-Southridge School.

The Admirals’ entry turns the competition into a five-team field, joining defending champion University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle Zobel, and National University Nazareth School.

The Junior Golden Sox will open their long-awaited title defense—seven years in the making— today (Wednesday) at the historic Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium, facing the Junior Green Batters in the opening game.

First pitch is set at 8 a.m.

“We are very much eager to defend the title. Kami ang kauna-unahang UAAP champion at kahuli-hulihang champion kaya we want to be the champion again sa pagbabalik ng UAAP high school baseball,” said UST head coach and local legend Jeff Santiago.

In Season 82, the Junior Golden Sox, then bannered by John Regalado and Justine Rosales—both of whom went on to make their mark at the collegiate level—defeated Ateneo, led by Season MVP Matt San Juan, in three games in the Finals.

Although the high school tournament has been held since Season 74 (2011), it only became a regular sport in Season 80 (2017). UST ruled the diamond in that inaugural run.

Southridge will make its tournament debut at 11 a.m. against Ateneo.

Admirals head coach Bocc Bernardo, who previously handled Ateneo’s collegiate team, where he remains as an assistant to Blue Eagles head coach Pepe Jose, is determined to make the most of the opportunity now that his high school squad has a platform to showcase its talent.

“Actually, it’s something that all high school players are looking forward to. Yung mga pending na naghihintay sa college kasi walang paglalaruan, ngayon nakabalik na. Everyone has been looking forward to this. It’s going to be a very competitive tournament. Very happy ako na nagawan ng paraan and happy ako nakasama yung Southridge,” shared Bernardo.

Southridge will lean on ace pitcher Joaquin Salvador, supported by a pitching staff that includes JC Basañes and Amiel Belga, along with slugger Matt Gelota.

Ateneo, meanwhile, will be led by Grade 12 ace pitcher Lorenzo de Guzman, catcher Nicolas Sevilla, infielder Santiago Afuang, and former Xavier School standout Tres Saguisag.

This marks the third UAAP event Southridge has joined, following high school boys’ football in Season 87, where they reached the Final Four, and high school boys’ swimming in Season 88.

“Well, we all know that our baseball team can compete. Marami sa alumnus ng Southridge is nakukuha sa college like Ateneo. I think, this year we will aim for the top two and work from there,” said the confident Bernardo, a former champion catcher for Ateneo.

National University Nazareth School will begin its campaign on Saturday at 8 a.m. against UST.

Games will be played every Wednesday and Saturday.

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.