Denzil Sison-Walker named as inaugural NCAA Season 102 Player of the Week

c/o NCAA Philippines

Unlike their dreadful start a season prior, Colegio de San Juan de Letran took less time to find their rhythm in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball, with new face Denzil Sison-Walker taking the lion’s share of the credit.

Walker proved himself a force to be reckoned with in just two games, averaging 23.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks to earn the Collegiate Press Corps’ NCAA Player of the Week award for September 12 to 18.

Walker’s debut for the Knights came at the expense of University of Perpetual Help, whom they eliminated in the men’s basketball semifinals just last year. There, the 6-foot-4 forward logged 21 points, two steals, and a block in roughly 18 minutes of action as a starter in their 84-77 win.

While his output would undoubtedly have been higher had he not fouled out midway through the fourth quarter, Walker’s impact was hard to deny as he mostly kept the squad afloat with nine points in the second half.

Facing the struggling San Sebastian College next, Walker went bucket-for-bucket against fellow combo guard Chad Gammad as the Knights laid a 99-62 smackdown on the Golden Stags on Friday.

While the Knights had varying inefficient shooting performances, the Filipino-American forward’s hot hands remained on, as he dropped 25 points, three rebounds, and two blocks on 4-of-7 shooting from long range.

“For me, okay ‘yong pag-step up ni Denzil,” coach Allen Ricardo said. “Alam ni Denzil ‘yong sistema. He knows how to deliver at the right time.”

Though against considerably less-proficient opponents, Walker’s consistent and efficient performances in Group B were more than enough to catapult the Knights to an early 2-0 record.

Walker narrowly bested College of Saint Benilde’s Matt Jucom and Jhomel Ancheta, and Jose Rizal University’s Lawrence Mangubat for the weekly citation.

NCAA Season 102 commences with star-studded ensemble and renewed rivalries

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c/o NCAA

The opening of the NCAA Season 102 will see more than just an action-packed doubleheader. 

On Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena, two rematches from last year’s men’s basketball semifinals raise the curtain starting with a grudge match between the College of St. Benilde and San Beda at 3 pm.

The Red Lions had to defeat an Allen Liwag-led Blazers last season before eventually winning the Season 101 title at the expense of Letran in the Finals.

Benilde, however, will not have the reigning MVP present for the first game as he is dealing with an undisclosed injury.

Letran and Perpetual Help play closer for opening day at 5 pm with another semis rematch.

Backed by Rookie and Freshman of the Year Titing Manalili, the Knights take on a young and gritty Altas squad led by Mark Gojo Cruz.

Before the anticipated clashes however, the league will be graced by prominent figures that helped shape the upcoming iteration of the country’s Grand Old League.

Sports patron and Mediaquest Holdings’ Chairman of the Board Manny V. Pangilinan will be one of the guest speakers and dignitaries for the opening of this year’s NCAA.

Pangilinan, also a San Beda alumnus, will be present at the awards segment of the opening to address the new broadcasting partnership between the league and TV5.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Patrick “Pato” Gregorio will also be in attendance to give the collegiate athletes a pep talk before the much-awaited sporting events.

Also expected to show up on opening day is Manila Vice Mayor Hon. Angela Lei “Chi” Atienza.

Atienza will usher Manila’s new community outreach program with the league called, “NCAA Cares.” 

The program will be built on Community Athletics, Recreation, Education and Sportsmanship (CARES) to extend the league’s values beyond the arena and into the community.

Max Verstappen takes on a hundred in Disney+ event

One of the world greatest drivers takes on a different challenge.

Four-time Formula 1® World Champion Max Verstappen attempts to overtake 100 drivers, live on Disney+ Philippines, in a first-of-its-kind motorsports race, created by Red Bull and will take place at 12am on September 17.

Called "Max vs 100," 101 karts will line up at the grid in Silverstone in one of the biggest go-kart races ever undertaken. Among the hundred challengers will be Max's fellow Red Bull athletes and gaming talent, social media creators, streamers, media personalities and surprise guests from around the world, as they attempt to keep the lead on Verstappen, offering a new racing format that blends elite competition with entertainment and innovation.

It is a format Max is familiar with, as it helped him to where he is now on the racing landscape, starting from the back, and fighting through the field.
 
Set to call the action on this special race is triple BAFTA-winning British comedian Mo Gilligan, bringing his trademark wit and energy to the event, as part of a wider presenting team who will provide expert race analysis and commentary throughout the challenge.

The 100 competitors facing off against Verstappen will come from every corner of sport and culture. Red Bull athletes from wildly different disciplines – ultrarunner Arda Saatçi, basketball shooting phenomenon Chris "Lethal Shooter" Matthews and freestyle mountain biker Matt Jones – share the grid with Red Bull streamers TheGrefg, Caedrel and TheDonato, plus content creators, personalities and everyday fans invited from around the world. All 100 are there to answer a question every racing fan has asked: could you beat Max Verstappen if the odds were stacked in your favour?
 
For Verstappen, the challenge is also a return to where it all began. Before the Formula 1 World Championships and the records came karting, where he developed the instincts and race craft that shaped his career.
 
Max Verstappen said: “In go-karts you learn all the basics: starts, defending, overtaking. Of course, I spent a long period of my life go-karting, so it’s always nice to return. It’s about understanding the grip of the go-kart. I’ve done so many years in go-karting that you quite naturally get back into things.”
 
Sean Doyle, Vice President, Unscripted, Disney+ EMEA, said: "The moment we heard the idea for 'Max vs 100', we knew it was something really special. Taking one of the greatest racing drivers in the world and asking him to overtake 100 drivers is the kind of challenge you can't help but want to see play out. Working with Red Bull, we've created a live event that's ambitious, entertaining and genuinely unpredictable. It’s another exciting step as we continue to expand our live and sports entertainment offering on Disney+, and we can't wait to bring the excitement of live motorsport to a new generation of fans." 
 
Mo Gilligan said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be teaming up with Disney on this hugely ambitious project. Max Verstappen, 100 drivers and one massive race – this show is going to be truly spectacular. It’s fast, unpredictable and, above all, a lot of fun. Somehow, I’ve got the best seat in the house, and I can’t wait to take everyone watching on Disney+ along for the ride.”
 
The circuit at Silverstone has been purpose-built for the occasion by Race Director and French racing driver David Terrien, a renowned kart designer and youth karting world champion, making it possible for 101 karts to race simultaneously for the first time.
 
The race will deliver a fresh take on motorsport coverage, bringing fans closer to the action with game-inspired graphics and cinematic drone footage. Produced by Whisper, the award‑winning, global production company behind some of the world’s most ambitious sports and entertainment storytelling, the broadcast will integrate live race data and on-screen insights will be displayed on screen ensuring fans can follow every stage of the race as it unfolds. In a unique twist, Verstappen will be able to communicate directly with his competitors during the race, offering fans an unparalleled insight into the conversations that help shape the race as it unfolds.

ROYU Electrical boosts Mapua Men’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball

ROYU x MAPUA

Mapua University secured a key partnership for the upcoming 102nd season of the NCAA Philippines and beyond.

ROYU Electrical, the premier electrical brand under Firefly Electric and Lighting Corporation (FELCO), will be boosting a couple of the university's teams: Men's Basketball and Women's Volleyball.

In entering into this partnership, ROYU Electrical's core standard of dependable innovation unites with Mapua's legacy of engineering excellence. For the former, it allows them access into the campus life, as well as future potential graduates for recruitment, by way of interactive student activations, digital content collaborations, official collegiate merchandising, and presence at university career fairs. For students, it would secure them direct exposure towards dependable industry tools while preparing for professional practice.

To mark the moment, a ceremonial signing took place with institutional leadership from both sides to commemorate the shared milestone. Representing FELCO were Marketing Director Erik Riola and ROYU Electrical Category Manager Eva Dy. For Mapua, President and CEO Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Raul Victor B. Tan, and Athletics Director Melchor Divina were present, together with MAPUA’s head coaches and team captains.

Riola shares, "This partnership is not just about putting a logo on a jersey. At its heart, it is about people, performance, and the pursuit of excellence. That is something ROYU and MAPUA University understand very well," He adds, "Being a partner of choice also means going beyond selling products. It means being present in the communities we serve, supporting institutions that shape the future, and investing in Filipinos who can make a difference."

From the university's end, Dr. Maestrecampo adds, "We’re very excited about what’s happening to the team and to the community, and we thank ROYU for inspiring all of them through this kind of support. We’re very much willing to expand this partnership and explore opportunities for collaboration in the future."

ROYU Electrical has slowly but surely expanded its portfolio across the Philippine market, introducing switches and outlets in 2002, breakers in 2004, building wires in 2013, enclosures in 2017, and pipes in 2024. This partnership with Mapua will certainly boost such efforts.

Fencing set for resumption at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex

c/o PFA

The Philippine Fencing Association is set to resume its ranking tournaments on Sunday after weather conditions have forced postponements the last few days.

Slated to take place later today is the second day of the second leg for the MiniMe and Veterans division, with the first day being washed out as a result of rainy conditions on Saturday.

Action has been moved to the nearby Ninoy Aquino Stadium with twelve divisions on tap, starting at 9am.

Around two hundred fencers are set to take part, including a few who made waves internationally, like Philip Linus Sytengco and Jannes Kwong, as well as likes of Rafa Catayong, and the Ramirez siblings, Tomas and Renata.

The PFA also announced earlier this week, that the final leg of the Cadet and Junior divisions, previously scheduled last week, has been rescheduled for September 19-20 at Rizal Memorial. Standouts from the recently-concluded SEAFF are expected to compete in this tournament.

San Beda ready for NCAA title defense

c/o NCAA

SAN BEDA’s title defense in the upcoming NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament started off rocky in the offseason but that didn’t dampen coach Yuri Escueta’s belief in the Red Lions.

Following the tournament’s press conference at the Mall of Asia Arena on Monday, Escueta bared that the Red Lions faced multiple challenges after Season 101, including a hit in the defending champions’ lineup.

Still, Escueta is “satisfied” with how the squad has been responding despite losing all of his starters from last year.

“As a coach, satisfied ako sa preparations namin and the tournaments we’ve joined sa Filoil, Asiabasket. Those are tournaments where we prepared ourselves,” he said.

“‘Yong offseason namin medyo challenging. ‘Di pa nagsstart ‘yong title defense namin na-injure na agad ‘yong starting point guard ko (Nygel Gonzales). Good thing lang na na-address namin early ‘yon kasi we had time to play [in the] offseason without him.”

Gonzales suffered an ACL injury during the offseason, Janti Miller switched ships from Mendiola to Taft with La Salle and Bryan Sajonia, Joe Celzo and Yukien Andrada are all in the PBA.

On paper, San Beda is looking at a tough path en route to back-to-back titles.

Aside from their own roster woes, the NCAA’s landscape has changed dramatically over the past couple of months.

Lyceum and Mapua got some shots in their arms following the appointments of former PBA coaches Jamike Jarin and Chito Victolero, who were both in attendance during Monday’s preceding.

There’s also the rejuvenated Letran Knights who will be bolstered by Titing Manalili, last year’s Rookie and Freshman of the Year awardee.

There will also be no shortage of dark horses for Season 102 with Jose Rizal University leading the pack under coach Nani Epondulan. The Heavy Bombers barely missed last year’s semifinals with a 6-7 card.

Even with a harsh landscape awaiting the defending kings of the NCAA, Escueta remained positive about his squad’s back-to-back title dreams.

“Everyone’s very positive. Me, as a coach, I’m confident sa team ko but we know it’s going to be a challenge because all the teams got stronger.”

The NCAA Season 102 basketball games will air live and free on Cignal platforms via the ONE Sports Youtube Channel and the CignalPlay app. 

Select games will also air on Mondays and Thursdays on the RPTV Channel. A dedicated channel to NCAA Content will also be launched in NCAA NXT channel 264 HD on Cignal prior to the opening.

Tatler Philippines set to bring Alex Eala home for a historic exhibition

Tatler Group CEO & Chairman Michel Lamunière alongside Tatler Philippines Managing Director Irene Francisco

Whilst Alexandra Eala is busy in Flushing Meadows for the US Open, she is slated to make a historic homecoming at the end of the year.

This coming December 8, the Filipina will be the centerpiece of a special event on December 8 at the Philippine Arena. Called Alex Eala Live: Game. Set. Celebrate, it is an opportunity for Filipino fans to watch her play in what might be the biggest celebration of tennis in the country, with organizers seeking to set a new attendance record for a tennis match.

The current record is at 51,954 when Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal faced off in Cape Town, South Africa back in 2020.

In making the announcement, Tatler Group Chairman and CEO Michel Lamunière shares, "We want to create the biggest tennis celebration the Philippines has ever seen." He adds, "We chose the Philippine Arena because we want as many Filipinos as possible to experience Alex’s homecoming together. And if more than 52,000 of us come together, the Philippines could make tennis history. But the record is not the reason for this event. Alex is."

To break this feat, Eala will be facing off in an exhibition against Janice Tjen, currently ranked 36th in the world, and a matchup between two of Southeast Asia's biggest talents.

She shares about this event, "Every time I play abroad, I carry the Philippines with me. To come home and play in front of our fans will be incredibly special. I want this to be a day where we celebrate our love for tennis, our culture and the young players who will take the sport forward. And if all of us come together, maybe we can make a little history too."

For most Filipino fans, the closest that they would be able to watch Alex play is either watching her on screens or traveling to where she is competing. AEL:GSC addresses this by having her come here, which is a rare opportunity given her busy schedule, which currently includes the WTA's Asian swing and the upcoming Asian Games, which she has committed to play in singles and doubles in a quest for a medal for the Philippines.

At the same time, the event hopes to inspire more Filipinos to take up the sport after seeing world-class tennis up close, something last seen on a global level here with the WTA125 Philippine Open, which is set to return early next year. 

Tatler Philippines Managing Director Irene Francisco shares, "Tatler Philippines has celebrated exceptional Filipino talent and achievement for more than two decades. Alex has given Filipinos so many reasons to be proud. Bringing her home gives us the opportunity to celebrate her achievements with the people who have supported her journey, while inspiring young Filipinos who may one day follow in her footsteps."

Complementing the Eala-Tjen exhibition are additional activations are to be set in place, including live entertainment, fan experiences, and tennis matches involving celebrities and rising Filipino tennisters.

Organizers are seeking to make this event as accessible as possible. Tickets will be priced for as low as PhP 600, allowing for Filipinos of all ages the chance to experience top-tier tennis LIVE.

Pre-Sale registration has already started until September 6 via TicketWorld, with Pre-Sale purchases starting at noon on September 7 until September 13 for those who avail of the opportunity.

General sales will then commence on September 14.