UAAP hands one-match suspension to Louie Alas

c/o UAAP Media Team

Louie Alas, head coach of Ateneo de Manila University, has been handed a one-game suspension following the accumulation of three infractions in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Alas will serve his suspension on Saturday, October 10, when the Blue Eagles face the Far Eastern University Tamaraws at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Two of the three infractions occurred during Ateneo’s game against De La Salle University on Wednesday. At the 3:42 mark of the fourth quarter, following a foul call, Ateneo assistant coach Kerby Raymundo was observed verbally taunting DLSU’s Vhoris Marasigan from the bench. Coach Alas was subsequently assessed a direct technical foul for unsportsmanlike behavior, which was later changed to a bench technical foul.

Also at the 3:42 mark of the fourth quarter, Alas was observed engaging in physical misconduct involving opposing players. He forcefully attempted to pull an opposing player to his feet before making further physical contact by nudging another player with his elbow. Although the incident was not seen by the game officials on the floor, the Commissioner’s Office reviewed the incident and subsequently assessed the physical misconduct as a disqualifying foul under the UAAP House Rules and applicable FIBA regulations.

Alas’ first infraction occurred on September 19, during Ateneo’s game against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons. During the game, assistant coach Kerby Raymundo was assessed a technical foul for improper bench decorum, which is charged to Coach Alas.

Ateneo de Manila University can appeal the decision.

Hoop Collective makes successful visit to Manila

Windy. Banned. Hoop Collective. Manila.

The NBA on Disney+ 2026–27 season starts here! Disney+ Philippines brought The Plus Side of Basketball closer to Filipino fans by welcoming ESPN NBA insiders Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon to Manila on October 5 for the Manila stop of The Hoop Collective World Tour. The special event celebrated the start of the new NBA season on Disney+ and gave fans the chance to connect with the voices behind the game through a live podcast recording and special fan experiences.

Hosted by Windhorst, The Hoop Collective podcast features candid conversations, expert analysis, and insider perspectives on the NBA’s biggest stories.

The highlight of the event was a live recording of The Hoop Collective, featuring Philippine basketball icon Jimmy Alapag as special guest. The former Gilas Pilipinas team captain, PBA MVP, and current head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors has also previously served as the player development coach for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Windhorst, MacMahon, and Alapag engaged in an in-depth conversation on Filipinos’ love for basketball, their experiences in the NBA, and the upcoming NBA season on Disney+.

Prior to the live podcast recording, Windhorst led a sports journalism masterclass for student journalists from key universities across the Philippines. The session covered sports reporting, game analysis, and storytelling, offering participants insights into how journalists prepare for games and bring the stories behind the action to audiences.

“When I came to Manila in 2023, I was energized by the passion of Filipino basketball fans and how much they understood the nuances of the game. As soon as I left, I said I wanted to come back and engage with the fans. The fact that Disney+ is where you get the NBA in the Philippines, it’s such a great opportunity for us to come together and promote it,” Windhorst shared. “I’m glad we could bring The Hoop Collective to Manila and be part of that experience as the new NBA season gets underway.”

You can watch the episode below.

The Hoop Collective in Manila marks the start of Disney+ Philippines’ “The Plus Side” campaign, bringing fans closer to the NBA as the new season approaches. The 2026–27 NBA season officially tips off on October 22, when fans in the Philippines can stream the NBA on Disney+.

The October 22 NBA Tip-Off on Disney+ opens with a double-header featuring the Minnesota Timberwolves VS Miami Heat at 7:30 AM, followed by the Golden State Warriors VS Los Angeles Lakers marquee game at 10:00 AM. The hardcourt action continues on October 23 with Cleveland Cavaliers VS Philadelphia 76ers at 7:00 AM and Denver Nuggets VS Oklahoma City Thunder at 9:30 AM.

Alongside live games, Disney+ Philippines’ ESPN coverage and analysis include Inside the NBA, NBA Today, and NBA Countdown, providing more ways to follow the players, teams, and stories shaping the season.

The NBA Tip-Off and all the other NBA on Disney+ games will be available on the new Disney+ app. Download the new app on App Store and Play Store starting October 7. For the full NBA on Disney+ game schedule and updates, visit www.disney.ph/NBA and follow Disney+ Philippines on social media.

FEU completes first round sweep in UAAP Women's Football

c/o UAAP Media

UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women's Football Standings
FEU 15 (+12)
DLSU 12 (+6)
ATENEO 9 (+2)
UP 6 (0)
UST 3 (-1)
NU 0 (-19)

Men's Matches Thursday at the UP Football Stadium
2 p.m. – UP vs UST
4:30 p.m. – UE vs DLSU
7 p.m. – AdU vs Ateneo

Far Eastern University has claimed all three points in each of its last 17 matches, and that impressive run continued on a fateful Wednesday night.

Jelani Pabuaya ended a spell of missed chances and broke through for a 1-0 victory over De La Salle University, completing FEU’s sweep of the first round of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

The third-year forward finally found the breakthrough with just a minute left in regulation, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to score the game-winner and deny the Lady Booters a share of the spoils.

The result kept FEU atop the standings with a perfect 15 points and a plus-12 goal difference, putting the reigning five-peat champions in prime position to secure one of the coveted Final Four spots. The Lady Tamaraws are three points clear of La Salle, which has 12 points after four wins and this defeat.

"I'm very happy and contented with the result of the game kasi it's not just about the quality of the game, but the concentration of the players," said Coach Let Dimzon.

"As I mentioned to them kanina, kailangan lang nila maging, ano... 'yung objective namin ngayon is to be target-locked. And then they were able to do that, and 'yung tasking with individuals. So they were able to hold those important players ng La Salle, and that's why, ayun na, naging maayos 'yung attacking namin and defending."

Pabuaya and UAAP Season 88 Golden Boot winner Judie Arevalo spearheaded the attack for the reigning four-peat champions, particularly in the second half. However, their attempts either went wide or straight into the hands of La Salle goalkeeper Jessica Pido.

Despite completing a first-round sweep, Dimzon wants to see more creativity and determination from her wards when they get opportunities in front of goal in the second round.

"'Yung character nila, attitude nila in front,” said Dimzon. “Kaya as much as possible, like 'yung mga set pieces, mga trouble situations, so lahat ng mga plays in front of the box or inside the box. So I think 'yun lang—'yung kailangan, 'yung eagerness to receive it, eagerness to score.”

“So I think 'yun lang 'yung nagkukulang sa amin, kasi as I mentioned to them, kailangan laging meron kayong striking mentality na every time you have the chances in front or inside the box, you have to take the opportunity na ma-convert nila into scores," the former national team mentor added.

On the other hand, the Lady Booters had several opportunities to breach the Lady Tamaraws’ defense, with their biggest chance coming in added time.

Dani Tanjangco tried to equalize as the clock wound down, but her effort was eventually cleared by the Lady Tamaraws, who held on to secure all three points.

The match began with a minute of silence in memory of the late DLSU and national team goalkeeper Frances Santos Roces, who passed away on September 22.

Adamson maintains number on UST

c/o UAAP Media

Adamson University continued to have the number of the University of Santo Tomas, taking a dominant 85-57 win in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Soaring Falcons collected their third straight win against the Growling Tigers after sweeping their elimination-round head-to-head meetings last season, taking 69-59 and 97-96 victories.

Adamson joined the party atop the standings at 2-1, alongside four other teams, while pushing UST down to solo sixth at 2-2.

“The players did their part. We gave them a game plan and they followed it accordingly. I think that’s the only way we could have a chance in the UAAP. If we really follow it and defend those other teams because if we don’t do our part defensively, any given day they will all score 90, 100,” said Soaring Falcons head coach Nash Racela.

Adamson controlled the pace from the get-go, preventing UST from gaining any momentum as its three-point shooting also failed to click throughout the game.

The Growling Tigers shot a woeful 2-for-24 from beyond the arc, while the Soaring Falcons converted 11 of their 33 attempts.

Adamson also wreaked havoc on the defensive end, forcing UST into 20 turnovers that it converted into 21 points.

Mathew Montebon bounced back from a dismal four-point outing against Ateneo de Manila University in their previous game, as the fourth-year guard finished with 21 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals in 23 minutes and 19 seconds.

Matty Erolon also came through with 17 points, while Earl Medina broke out with 11 points on 3-for-4 shooting from deep.

Nigerian big man Collins Akowe paced the Growling Tigers in the loss with 19 points and 15 rebounds, but he finished with a team-worst minus-25 in his 34 minutes and 38 seconds on the floor.

Amiel Acido added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Mark Llemit was limited to just two points on 1-for-6 shooting after exploding for 22 points in UST’s win over the University of the East last Wednesday.

Adamson will look to continue its winning ways on Wednesday when it faces another top team in National University at 2:30 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

UST, meanwhile, will also take on NU next Saturday at 3 p.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

The Scores:

AdU 85 — Montebon 21, Erolon 17, Medina 11, Tumaneng 6, Torres 5, Jonah 5, Fransman 4, Anabo 4, Edding 3, Mangaron 3, Demisana 3, Perez 3, Cruz-Dumont 0, Cañete 0, Pacquiao 0.

UST 57 — Akowe 19, Acido 11, Buenaflor 9, Sevilla 5, Jumawan 4, Danting 3, Alao 2, Llemit 2, Esteban 2, Porter 0, Chio 0, Bucsit 0, Manding 0, Cañete 0.

Quarterscores: 19-12, 36-23, 54-39, 85-57.

Ateneo-La Salle headlines UAAP Men's Football tripleheader

 

Matches Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium
2 p.m. — UE vs FEU
4:30 p.m. — AdU vs UST
7 p.m.  — Ateneo vs DLSU

Archrivals Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University headline the opening day of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament today (Sunday) at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

The season opener, which was delayed to accommodate the Philippine Men’s Under-23 National Team’s campaign in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, sees Ateneo and La Salle cap the first triple-header of the season at 7 p.m.

Before that, University of the East and Season 88 finalist Far Eastern University kick off the tournament at 2 p.m., followed by Adamson University and University of Santo Tomas at 4:30 p.m.

All six teams are chasing University of the Philippines’ crown, with the defending champions beginning their bid for a successful title defense against UST next Thursday at 2 p.m. on their home pitch.

For the Dov Cariño-led Blue Eagles, returning to the Final Four is imperative after missing out on the semifinals in Season 88. Beginning their campaign with a victory over the Green Booters would be an ideal start to that quest.

“Our goal this season is to compete at the highest level and put ourselves in a position to reach the Final Four and, hopefully, compete for the championship,” said Ateneo coach JP Merida. “We know it won’t be easy, so our focus is to take it one game at a time, and continue improving throughout the season.”

“La Salle is a strong team, and we know it’s going to be a challenging first game. But for us, we’re not looking too far ahead. We’re focused on our preparation. We’re excited to start the season and give our best against them.”

La Salle, meanwhile, will look to not only maintain its Final Four presence but also take the next step, bannered by the likes of striker John Gaverza, goalkeeper Edcel Lauron, and defender Bacchus Ekberg.

After ending a two-year wait to return to the semifinals, the Green Booters are aiming to reach the finals for the first time since Season 81 and capture their first championship since Season 60, while remaining grounded throughout the journey.

“Our target is to compete at the highest level and improve from what we achieved last season,” said Green Booters coach Richard Leyble. “We want to take it game by game, stay consistent throughout the season, and put ourselves in a position to compete for the championship. But our main focus is always on the process — developing the players and performing as a team.”

Moreover, a win over Ateneo on opening day could only whet La Salle’s appetite for further success.

“It’s a good challenge for us,” said Leyble. “Ateneo is always a competitive team, so facing them in our first game will immediately test our preparation and mentality. For us, it’s not about looking too far ahead. We will respect our opponent, focus on our game plan, and make sure that we are ready to compete from the first whistle.”

Another team with legitimate championship aspirations is UST, which was eliminated by FEU in the deciding game of their Final Four clash last season.

Led by holdovers such as Chris Valderama, Rodrigo Mariñas, and Jarred Regis, the Golden Booters are looking to turn last year’s heartbreak into motivation as they chase glory in Season 89.

UST last reached the finals in Season 80 and is seeking to reclaim the crown it last won in Season 69. The Golden Booters are eager to make a strong start at the expense of the Soaring Falcons.

“Last season in semis second leg, fell short kami at yung mga players, di rin nila ma-accept kung ano yung kulang namin in semis last season,” said UST coach Marjo Allado. “In pre-season, na-discuss namin yung mga concerns last UAAP kung bakit we fell short in the second leg, and now all players are ready na for Season 89. Focus sa goal na maging consistent at makuha yung championship.”

To annex the Season 89 crown, however, all teams will have to go through defending champion UP, which looks formidable once again.

With holdovers such as Fonzy Gonzalez and Josh Meriño, who were part of the Asian Games squad alongside Ateneo midfielder Cariño, the Fighting Maroons are looking sharp heading into the new season.

Coach Popoy Clarino, who led UP to the Season 86 and 88 championships, is also eager to get started as he looks to add another title to his growing legacy as the Fighting Maroons mentor.

“We have to be ready every game,” said Clarino. “Based on the schedule, recovery and rest is crucial in this stage. We just need to be able to maximize each and every player on the roster. On the coaching side, the staff will need to work diligently on making sure we can prepare the team the best possible way depending on who our opponents are. We cannot wait to start UAAP Season 89!”

Bright future seen for Alas Pilipinas Beach

c/o POC/PSC Media

The future is bright for Alas Pilipinas women’s beach volleyball after collegiate players Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara brought the Philippines to the Asian Games podium for the first time.

Progella and Pagara turned heartbreak into history, rallying from a semifinal loss to capture a historic Asian Games bronze medal—they fought back to stun China’s Cao Shuting and Dong Jie, 13-21, 23-21, 15-13, on Friday at Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

Alas Pilipinas beach volley coach, Brazilian Joao Luciano Kioday, relished the rise of Philippine beach volleyball, with the pair from University of Santo Tomas proving that the program is in good hands after giving the country its best Asian Games finish in beach volleyball since the sport was introduced at the 1994 Hiroshima Games.

“I think results are always a reference, right? So I think we've improved a lot with the beach volleyball that we deserve a spot on the mix, right? I know Philippine is a country very passionate for the indoor volleyball,” Kioday said.

“A lot of things going on about the indoor volleyball that I think they deserve it what they have it. But don't forget beach volleyball also deserve it,” Kioday added.

“This is for the PSC, POC, PNVF. So we do have a lot of possibilities. I always told them when I have a chance,” he said. “The potential we can have it, so I think this is the time we take the flow and use this medal in a good way, not just for one team, but for the whole program.”

Asian Volleyball Confederation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara congratulated the Pagara and Progella and the whole beach volleyball program under Kioday.

“It’s all about training, training and training and competition .. exposure,” Suzara said.

“The beach volleyball athletes has had plenty of competitions ahead of the games and they reaped the fruits of their hard work here.”

Kioday seeks to ride the momentum from an Asian Games medal breakthrough from Pagara and Progella, following Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons’ gold medal run in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games last December.

The Brazilian hopes for more international exposure for Pagara and Progella as full time beach volleyball players.

“We just want the opportunity, right? Opportunity to take Khy and Sofia, to make them a professional beach volleyball, to make them have hope to be in the Olympic one time, to be the best teams in the world because they have a talent, they have potential for this. And that's what I really hope,” he said.

Pagara agreed with Kioday.

“Sa meeting po, sabi po ni Coach Kioday sa amin, parang ang bata pa po namin sa nangyayari po sa amin ngayon,” Pagara said. “Sa amin po, meron ng experience pero hindi po kagaya sa kanila na sobrang haba po talaga ng experience nila.”

“Sobrang nakaka-overwhelm po yung nangyari. Hindi po namin expect na ganito yung nangyari pero tinarabaho po namin kung ano po talaga yung deserve namin kasi pinaghirapan po namin. So, sobrang nakaka-tuwa, nakakataba ng puso po,” she added.

Progella and Pagara’s historic run came after a near-perfect campaign.

They swept their three Pool G matches, won their round-of-16 and quarterfinal matches, and then pulled off an upset of top-seeded Japanese pair of Non and Ren Matsumoto to reach the semifinals.

Their only defeat came against Thailand’s Taravadee Naraphonapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee, who ended their gold-medal bid with a 23-21, 21-18 win in Thursday’s semifinal.

“Para sa akin yung natutunan ko dito sa liga na ito ay maging pasensya sa sarili at tiwala talaga na kaya po kasi nandun na po yung skills po,” said Pagara.

Yape named as Team Philippines flag bearer for Asiad Closing Ceremony

Taekwondo gold medalist Jeus Gabriel Derick Yape will bear the flag for a proud Team Philippines during the parade of athletes in Sunday’s closing ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games.

“He’s deserving for that honor,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino on the eve Saturday of the closing ceremony set for 5 p.m. (Manila time) also at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium, where the hosts opened the games two weeks ago.

“It will be a recognition not only for Jeus but also for taekwondo, which finally won its first Asian Games gold medal since 1994, when the sport became a medal event in the games,” Tolentino added.

Yape topped the mixed virtual taekwondo—an open gender event that combines the combat sports with virtual reality and motion-tracking technology—last Friday to highlight a best-ever 1-3-1 gold-silver-bronze haul by the Filipino jins.

He also clinched bronze in men’s individual poomsae.

Also joining the closing ceremony are silver medalist Juliana Mykhail Candelaria, ⁠Tachiana Keizha Mangin and Kurt Barbosa of taekwondo and ⁠Carlo Paalam of boxing.

Paris Olympics boxing bronze medalist Aira Villegas and weightlifting world junior champion Albert Ian de los Santos were the flag bearers during the September 19 opening ceremony.