Three newcomers build optimism heading into Filoil Preseason

NEW beginnings start at the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.

And it's much the truth for three of collegiate basketball's newest shot-callers as they kickstart their preparations for their mother leagues in the 19th staging of the famed preseason league.

Chito Victolero, Jamike Jarin, and Tony Tan are all seeking to get their programs off and running as they get a first hand look at the competition they're about to brace for.

Victolero is actually returning to his alma mater Mapua after previously calling the shots from 2009 to 2012.

Times, though have changed, from Victolero's resume now adding a PBA champion coach to his name when he steered Magnolia to the Governors' Cup crown back in 2018, to the Cardinals reeling from a season where they got dethroned.

Without main man Clint Escamis, Mapua will now rely on holdovers MC Cuenco, Cyrus Nitura, Ivan Lazarte, and Yam Concepcion.

Jarin, on the other hand, is also making a comeback to the collegiate scene with Lyceum of the Philippines U.

His task, however, is shaping up to be an enormous one as the Pirates hope to rekindle the level of success he's had in the past, most notably when he led San Beda to the NCAA title in 2016.

And LPU means business in achieving that, with Mclaude Guadana returning to the team as he joins homegrown guards Matt Rubico and Greg Cunanan in this year's campaign.

Tony Tan, meanwhile, will be San Sebastian's fourth coach in as many years, with the once proud program hoping that this finally will be the right reboot for the team.

The Fil-Canadian coach is coming in with a lot of promise, one that is badly needed by the Golden Stags which have been in the league's cellar for the past three years.

San Sebastian is banking on new blood led by rookie Carlo Ynot and holdovers Polo Gabat and Christian Ricio for this rebuild as it hopes to erase the bitter memories of last year's winless run in the preseason.

B.League postseason slate and statistical awardees finalized

Considered as one of the top leagues in Asia, the B,LEAGUE is officially set to commence its postseason on Thursday, with the eight teams advancing into the quarterfinals of the Resona Group B.LEAGUE Championship 2025-26.

The top two teams of each conference advance, securing homecourt advantage as incentive. Meanwhile, the four teams with the next best regular record earned the remaining four berths as wildcards.

Matches are set to take place between May 7-11.

In just their fifth year in existence, Nagasaki Velca secured the top seed with a 47-13 record, thanks to their aggressive, fast-paced style of play. They will face off against Alvark Tokyo, the Emperor's Cup champions who dealt with injuries all throughout the campaign.

Serving as the second seeds are the defending champions Utsunomiya Brex, slated to face a Nagoya Diamond Dolphins side that struggled at the conclusion of the regular season.

Earning the third seed are Seahorses Mikawa, who nipped Ryukyu Golden Kings by a single game to earn homecourt advantage.

Capping the quartet of matchups is Chiba Jets and Gunma Crane Thunders. Both teams finished with 42-18 records, but the latter lost its two regular season meetings, thus seeding the fourth seed and homecourt advantage. This matchup also features the only two Filipinos to make it into the postseason in Quentin Milora-Brown for Chiba and AJ Edu for Gunma.

The winners of the quarterfinal series will advance into the best-of-three semifinals, which will take place on May 15-19, with the two finalists heading to Yokohama for the best-of-three finals the week afterwards.

In addition, the league officially revealed its first set of awardees, which are based from the statistics at the conclusion of the regular season.

Former NBA lottery selection Jarrett Culver of Sendai is the Resona Group B.LEAGUE 2025-26 scoring leader with his 26.5 ppg for the 89ers.

DJ Newbill of Utsunomiya is the assist king with 6.4 assists for the Brex, while Nagoya's Sean O'Mara is the rebounding leader with 10.4 for the Fighting Eagles.

Retaining the steals crown is Aaron Henry for the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins with 1.9 swipes, while David Nwaba is your swat king with 1.3 blocks.

The two awards rewarding marksmanship belong to Hyunjung Lee of Nagasaki Velca with his 47.9% shooting from beyond the arc, and Nathan Boothe and his 94.3% from the charity stripe for the 89ers.

As for the remainder of the awardees, they will be officially named on the B.LEAGUE AWARD SHOW 2025–26 slated to take place on May 29th and will be broadcast on the league's official YouTube page.

Naga set for NBTC South Luzon Regional hosting in 2027 as part of Bicol's tweaks

c/o NBTC

NAGA is stepping up to the plate as the hosts for the 2027 NBTC South Luzon Regional Championship, with the hopes of revitalizing grassroots basketball in the Bicol Region.

“I think it's about time we have this program for the Bicol Region,” said NBTC program director Eric Altamirano during the launch on Friday at Buffalo's Wings N Things MAAX. “I’m delighted to have this leadership for Region 5. Launching a program is completely different from sustaining it and the challenge is not just how we start but how we continue and sustain it."

Longtime commissioner Allan Augusto is leading the Bicol Basketball Training Center as its area head and will be supported by program partners Pablo Roel and Tyrone Paul Weber.

“Masakit kasi sa part naming mga sports league sa Region 5 na pagdating sa South Luzon [Regional Championship], hindi na tayo manalo. Paano tayo makakarating ng National Finals at ano ba yung lunas sa problema? Nakita natin na kailangan magkaroon sa sustainability ng program," said Augusto.

Working with them are local commissioners Roland Jarque for Albay, John Salvador and Al Francis Requinta of Camarines Sur, Fidel Vegim of Catanduanes, Agustin Polo of Sorsogon, and Hurley Cleofe of Masbate, as well as consultant Bob De Vera, media partner Joe Osabal, technical head  Johannes Guerrero, assistant technical head Nobert Hayag, and technical consultant Emman Faraon as consultants.

Naga College Foundation was the last Bicolano team to reach the National Finals back in 2024, with the Tigers proudly representing Albay.

Bicol Basketball Training Center is also hopeful to produce the next Justin Arana, a native of Daet, Camarines Norte, as the group laid out a year-long plan to keep the basketball community in the region vibrant in the leadup to the 17th season of the Philippine national 19-under championship next year.

FEU authors return trip to the UAAP Men's Volleyball Finals

c/o UAAP

Amet Bituin delivered when it mattered most as top-ranked Far Eastern University survived a thrilling five-set escape against fourth-seeded Ateneo de Manila University, 25-23, 20-25, 16-25, 25-17, 15-12, to book its place in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Finals on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

After the Blue Eagles erased a 3-8 deficit in the fifth set to come within striking distance at 12-11, Bituin showed remarkable composure beyond his years. The 20-year-old outside hitter then came through with three consecutive crosscourt attacks that powered the Tamaraws to their second straight UAAP men’s volleyball finals appearance.

FEU will now await the winner between second-seeded National University and third-seeded University of Santo Tomas, with their match ongoing as of posting.

“Balikan natin yung whole duration ng match. Siguro masasabi ko na ito yung mae-expect sa semis, hindi ba?  Lagi natin sinasabi na this is the UAAP, at hindi napakadali manalo. Kung makikita naman natin yung adjustments ng bawat isa, masasabi ko na respetadong coach talaga si coach Vince [Mangulabnan],” Tamaraws head coach Eddieson Orcullo said.

After a dominant 25-17 win in the fourth set, FEU carried its momentum into the deciding frame, racing to an early 8-3 lead highlighted by a net touch error from Nigerian spiker Aimar Okeke and an off-the-block hit from Bituin.

Ateneo, however, refused to go down quietly, mounting a 6-2 run capped by back-to-back crosscourt hits from Okeke and a key block by Amil Pacinio on Bituin, cutting the deficit to just 12-11.

In the end, FEU held its ground, with Bituin once again stepping up by finishing the match with three straight crosscourt attacks to complete the comeback from a 1-2 set deficit.

The Blue Eagles were on the verge of forcing a rubber match after dominating the second and third sets, but FEU’s poise in the clutch proved decisive in sealing the reverse sweep.

“Kanina yung nasa isip ko lang nung last part na nung game, habang naglalaro kasi kanina, nagpa-pray ako sa utak ko na ‘Lord, bigyan niyo pa ako ng konting lakas para ma-push pa itong laro na ito, para ma-overcome itong laro na ito, at para makuha namin yung laro na ito,'" said Bituin, who finished with 12 points on 11 attacks and one block, alongside 10 excellent receptions and five excellent digs in the two-hour, two-minute marathon.

"Nagtiwala lang din ako sa mga teammate ko kanina at sa mga coaches, kung ano yung binibigay na instructions, sunod lang kami."

Dryx Saavedra led FEU with 14 points and three excellent digs, while Lirick Mendoza added 13 points built on 10 attacks and three blocks. Mikko Espartero contributed 11 points, 15 excellent receptions, and three excellent digs.

Team captain Ariel Cacao orchestrated the offense with 26 excellent sets, while Vennie Ceballos anchored the defense with 21 excellent receptions and 14 excellent digs.

FEU’s only loss of the season came against the Bulldogs in the second round, while the 25-time champions also swept the Golden Spikers in their elimination round meetings.

Meanwhile, in their first Final Four appearance since a bronze-medal finish in Season 81, the Blue Eagles settled for fourth place. Ateneo will also move forward without Season 85 Best Libero Lance de Castro and middle blocker Brian Castro heading into Season 89.

Okeke led Ateneo with 24 points on 22 attacks and two blocks, along with six excellent receptions and five excellent digs, while Ken Batas followed with 15 points on 11 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, plus 15 excellent receptions.

Jian Salarzon posted 12 points and 19 excellent receptions, while Rodge Alejos added nine points on six attacks and three blocks.

In their final game for Ateneo, Castro contributed seven points, while De Castro finished with 20 excellent receptions and six excellent digs.

Ateneo, La Salle remain undefeated in UAAP 3x3 Men's Basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Collegiate 3x3 Standings

Men’s 

Ateneo 3-0
DLSU 3-0
ADU 2-1
UP 2-1
FEU 1-2
NU 1-2
UE 0-3
UST 0-3

Women’s

UST 3-0
ADU 2-1
Ateneo 2-1
FEU 2-1
DLSU 1-2
NU 1-2
UE 1-2
UP 0-3

Defending UAAP Collegiate Men’s 3x3 champion De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University remained the only unbeaten teams after three games on Tuesday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.

The Green Archers routed the National University Bulldogs, 21-13, behind Luis Pablo, who led the charge with eight points and five rebounds. Doy Dungo and Jcee Macalalag added six and five points, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles cruised past the winless University of the East Red Warriors, 21-14, to share the lead with their archrivals in the tournament supported by Wilson Philippines and Ayala Malls and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Andrew Bongo scored eight points, Shawn Tuano had seven, while Kyle Gamber chipped in five for Ateneo.

“We’re just trying to make the school proud. Too many years, even in 5-on-5, not even a Final Four placement,” said Tuano. “We’re just here, trying to bring something home and just trying to make the school proud.

“We have one goal in mind: bring home that gold. We want to bring that championship back to Ateneo; we will try to do that,” he added, noting that the last time Ateneo won the 3x3 crown was in UAAP Season 81, when the sport was still a demonstration event.

In other men’s games, Miguel Yñiguez and Noah Pacquiao delivered game-winners to lift University of the Philippines and Adamson University to a share of third place with identical 2-1 records.

For the second straight game, Yñiguez knocked down a game-winning deuce, lifting the Fighting Maroons past the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in overtime, 20-18. He finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds, while LA Andres added eight points.

On the other hand, Pacquiao drained a corner deuce — his 10th point of the game — at the buzzer to carry the Soaring Falcons to a 20-18 win over the still winless University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.

FEU and NU slipped to 1-2 heading into Day 3 on Thursday.

Meanwhile, in the women’s division, the battle of unbeatens between the Growling Tigresses and the Lady Tamaraws turned into a lopsided affair, with UST cruising to a 13-2 win for its third straight victory.

Kent Pastrana led the way with five points and nine rebounds, Brigette Santos added four points, while Coi Danganan chipped in three in the rout.

“So lucky to be playing with her in her last tournament here in the UAAP,” said Fil-Australian rookie Erinn Mcalary on being able to team up with Pastrana before she moves on to the next chapter of her career. “It’s more motivation for us to play well in this tournament and hopefully win this to send her off properly.”

The loss dropped the Lady Tamaraws into a tie for second with the Blue Eagles, who defeated the Fighting Maroons, 14-8, and the Lady Falcons, who edged the Lady Archers, 19-17.

Kacey dela Rosa and Kai Oani scored all of Ateneo’s points with eight and six, respectively.

Elaine Etang poured in nine points in Adamson’s win, while Cheska Apag added six.

Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs notched their first win of the tournament despite fielding just three players, defeating the Lady Warriors, 19-16.

Aloha Betanio and Samantha Medina finished with eight and seven points, respectively, while Bonie Solis added four.

Tiger Cubs snap Baby Tams 24-game streak in UAAP U19 Boys 3x3 Basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 High School 3x3 Basketball Standings

19U Boys’
UST 3-0
NUNS 2-1
FEU-D 2-1
DLSZ 2-1
UE 1-2
ADU 1-2
UPIS 1-2
Ateneo 0-3

16u Boys’
FEU-D 3-0
UST 2-1
Ateneo 2-1
DLSZ 2-1
ADU 1-2
UE 1-2
NUNS 1-2
UPIS 0-3

University of Santo Tomas took solo lead in the UAAP Season 88 19-and-under 3x3 basketball tournament after pulling off two thrilling wins on Tuesday at Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.

The Tiger Cubs ended the 24-game winning streak of defending champions FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws with a 21-18 victory to open their day, before following it up with a 21-16 win over the DLSZ Junior Archers. With those results, UST remained the only unbeaten team in the tournament, which is supported by Wilson Philippines and Ayala Malls and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Kirk Cañete led the charge against FEU-D, going a perfect 4-of-4 from the field, including 2-of-2 from beyond the arc, finishing with 10 points, while Joaqui Ludovice added seven.

Ludovice then took over against DLSZ, finishing with nine points, while Jettlee Melano and Cañete chipped in five points apiece.

“Happy po kami as a team kasi nagtulong-tulungan kami. Lahat ito, pinaghandaan kami,” said Ludovice, the 5-foot-9 guard who is in Grade 11 but will age out of the league’s high school competitions in UAAP Season 89. “Pero hindi pa kami ganoon kasaya kasi hindi pa namin naabot yung pinaka goal namin, which is yung championship. Happy kami pero hindi pa kami kuntento.”

For Ludovice, winning the 3x3 tournament would be a perfect cap to their high school run after finishing sixth in the 5-on-5 competition last March.

“Sineseryoso namin ito kasi ito yung comeback namin from 5-on-5. UAAP pa rin ito at parehong championship pa rin ang pinaglalabanan dito,” said Joaqui, the younger brother of former San Beda Red Lion Yvan Ludovice.

The middle of the standings remains tightly packed, with FEU-D, National University Nazareth School, and De La Salle-Zobel all holding 2-1 records.

Cabs Cabonilas powered FEU-D with 11 points and 11 rebounds in a 21-13 bounce-back win over Ateneo.

Meanwhile, University of the Philippines Integrated School leaned on the duo of Jhustin Hallare and Bruce Tubongbanua, who both scored nine points, in a 22-20 stunner over NUNS. However, NUNS responded later in the day with a 21-11 rout of Adamson.

Niño Ferrer then scored a deuce in overtime to lift DLSZ to a 20-18 win over Ateneo, helping the Junior Archers rebound.

Adamson, UE, and UPIS are all at 1-2, while Ateneo remains winless in the division.

In the 16-and-under division, defending champion Ateneo—coming off a 21-17 win over UE earlier in the day—saw its 10-game winning streak snapped after FEU-Diliman pulled off a 21-15 victory.

Prince Cariño dominated the match, finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds.

The Baby Tamaraws also cruised in their first game of the day, defeating Adamson 21-13 behind nine points from Dwayne Enriquez and seven from Cariño to move to 3-0 in the division.

Ateneo, UST, and DLSZ are all at 2-1, while Adamson, UE, and NUNS sit at 1-2. UPIS remains winless.

The Junior Tiger Cubs also went 2-0 for the day, scoring wins over NUNS (21-16) and UPIS (21-13).

Miguel Jubilado and CJ Tabbuga scored eight and seven points, respectively, against the Bullpups, while Tabbuga added nine points and Dave Regala contributed seven points and nine rebounds against the Fighting Maroons.

DLSZ, which started the day with a 21-20 escape over UPIS, suffered a 19-15 upset loss to NUNS—the Bullpups’ first win of the tournament.

Junior Archers head trainer Joshua Webb said his squad needs to experience both highs and lows to grow in the competition.

“Just a few tweaks and adjustments here and there, but that’s going to come. 3x3 is a different animal from 5-on-5, and it’s our job to teach them that,” said Webb, a DLSZ legend and former Philippine-ranked 3x3 player during his stint with Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3.

The Junior Warriors finally broke through with their first win, edging the Adamson Baby Falcons 19-17 in overtime as James Mesa nailed the game-winning deuce.

The tournament will resume on Thursday, with the high school girls’ competition also set to begin on the same day.

Opening Ceremonies to mark start of 2026 edition of MPTC Tour of Luzon

 

The revival of the race of the summer continues as the 2026 edition of the MPTC Tour of Luzon gets kickstarted with the Opening Ceremonies and Team Presentations on Tuesday at CaSoBe in Calatagan, Batangas.

Dubbed as "A Heritage in Motion," 91 riders split into thirteen teams are set to display their shiny jerseys as an appetizer for the grueling road ahead, featuring fourteen stages traversing the biggest island in the Philippines.

Set to address them in the ceremony, which starts at 5pm, are Philippines Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio, and the tour's Chief Organizer and CEO Arrey Perez, which will also feature a message from Philippine Olympic Committee president and concurrently the head of PhilCycling, the national sports association for cycling, Abraham Tolentino, as well as opening remarks from NLEX Corporation president and general manager Luis Reñon.

In addition, gracing the event are Mediaquest Holdings Inc President and CEO Ricky Vargas, who also is a member of the Board of Directors for the tour's Organizing Committee, as well as Games and Amusements Board chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera, Calatagan Mayor Rico Puno and Cardinal Santos Medical Center president and CEO Raul Pagdanganan.

Also among the distinguished guests are noted cycling enthusiast and MMDA General Nicolas Torre III, who was one of the participants in Sunday's Heritage Race for cycling executives, and the family of the late cycling patron Albert Lina.

Aside for the messages, the ceremony will feature the handover of the MPTC Tour of Luzon Perpetual Trophy from inaugural champion MPTC DriveHub back to the organizers. In order to keep this trophy, they will need to win this upcoming edition and the next one after that.

Concluding the events on Tuesday will be a fireworks display on the shore off Balayan Bay.

Race proper begins on Wednesday with a festive and booming Grand Departure starting at 9am, with Stage 1 set to conclude at Tagaytay City. It is the lone stage in Southern Luzon with the start of Stage 2 taking place in Clark. In a tour first, it will feature a couple of Hors Category climbs, with one on the tenth stage from Candon City, Ilocos Sur to Bessang Pass in Cervantes, Ilocos Norte, as well as on the final stage from Lingayen Pangasinan to John Hay Hotels in Baguio City.

Returning to defend his individual crown and leading the foreign contingent in the tour is Joo Dae Young of Gapyeong Cycling Team, one of two Korean teams participating.

The rest of the foreign legion are comprised of Seoul Cycling Team, LCW UAE Cycle, CCN Factory Racing (Hong Kong), Ponti Wijaya Racing Team (Indonesia), and the Malaysian National Team.

Aside from the defending champions MPTC DriveHub, representing the Philippines are known continental players 7-Eleven CLIQQ Roadbike Philippines and Go For Gold Philippines, as well as Standard Insurance Philippines, DReyna Orion Cement Pro Cycling Team, Excellent Noodles, and Pangasinan Cycling Team.

The MPTC Tour of Luzon is co-presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, and supported by the MVP Group of Companies and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), while also aligned with the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NSTIAC). 

Details about the race are in the official website tourofluzoncycling.com and its corresponding Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/tourofluzoncycling.