Adamson completes second round sweep in UAAP softball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Softball Standings

*AdU 7–1
*UP 6–2
UST 5–3
DLSU 2–6
Ateneo 0–8

* – Finals

Finals-bound Adamson University pulled through past De La Salle University, 3–1, to complete a second-round sweep of the UAAP Season 88 Softball Tournament on the final day of eliminations Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The Lady Falcons secured the top seed for their fourth straight championship showdown against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, who earlier defeated the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Softbelles, 5–3, to claim the other finals ticket. Adamson finished the eliminations with a 7–1 win-loss record, relying on a masterclass in defense to take the victory.

“Maganda ‘yung naging response nila. Nakita ko naman ‘yung improvement nila — ‘yung mindset and approach nila, may mga changes. And at the same time, may mga nag-step up na rin. Importante ‘yan kasi ‘tong championship, medyo mahirap-hirap,” said head coach Ana Santiago, as her squad officially entered their 11th straight UAAP Finals appearance.

“Alam naman natin ‘yang UP; may hunger na rin ’yan eh. Kami naman, siyempre, kailangan naming ma-defend ‘yung title namin. It’s everybody’s ball game, hindi natin alam kung sino [mananalo]. Pero ang ano ko lang sa mga bata, ilaban muna nila ‘yung game and don’t think about the outcome,” the legendary mentor added.

Adamson started strong on offense, scoring one run in each of the first three innings. Neomay Mahinay finished with two hits and scored two of those runs.

The fourth-year standout hit a lead-off single to left field in the first inning before coming home on another hit to the same side from captain Mae Langga. Mahinay then drove in the Lady Falcons’ third run with a massive triple from Mea Tubongbanua in the third inning.

Earlier, last year’s Rookie of the Year Jhaycel Roldan doubled the advantage when her double to center field was converted into a run off a hit from MJ Libaton.

Mahinay ended the game with three of Adamson’s eight hits to lead the offense, while Langga, Mahinay, and Libaton each recorded one hit and one RBI.

With offense slowing down in later innings, Adamson leaned on its defense to secure the win, powered by its top-tier pitching staff.

Season 85 MVP Glory Alonzo started the strong defensive effort with a two-hitter shutout over three innings. April Minanga and Maryjoy Alpitche combined for a four-hitter, allowing just one run in relief.

Heading into a familiar matchup against UP in the Finals, Santiago wants her team to continue building on the improvements she saw in their lone loss against the same squad.

“Huwag nilang i-pressure ‘yung sarili nila. I told them to play freely; so, whatever it is, ang importante is ibigay nila lahat ‘yung meron sila,” Santiago, who also coaches the Blu Girls, shared.

The Lady Batters came alive in the fifth inning with two consecutive hits from April Gonzales and Julianne Moral. Cassandra Inot cut the deficit to two after driving in Gonzales, but Czarina Eder and Tiff Labargan could not extend the rally as Adamson’s defense closed the frame with two quick outs.

La Salle finished in fourth place for the third consecutive season.
TEAMS    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    R    H    E
AdU    1    1    1    0    0    0    0    3    8    1
DLSU    0    0    0    0    1    0    0    1    6    1

SBP announces Pat Aquino's departure from Gilas Women coaching duties

Gilas Women

A new era has dawned in Philippine basketball, as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announces on Saturday that it will conduct a search for a new senior women's national team head coach.

After more than a decade of serving as the mentor for Gilas Pilipinas Women, Patrick Aquino is moving into a new role with the federation, with the focus centered towards talent identification and grassroots development on the girls’ side, along with Program Director Norman Black.

“The SBP thanks coach Patrick Aquino for everything that he has done for the program and for all his efforts in the development of women’s basketball in the country,” said SBP President Ricky Vargas. “But now it’s time to move forward and do more for Gilas Pilipinas Women and the entire women’s basketball community in the country.”

He adds, "The landscape of women’s basketball is changing as we’re seeing Filipina talent sprouting from all over the world. The talent of our Filipina players is also being recognized as doors are opening for them all over the world. We need to harness all of this into our team. This is a crucial period where we really need to invest in the growth of our women’s program as we look forward to hosting the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in 2027."

In concluding his statement, Vargas shares, "The SBP believes that our Filipina basketball players are good enough not just to be on the same court as these world-class teams, but good enough to beat them. This is why the federation is committed to investing more in our women’s program, and it will start with our search for a new Gilas Pilipinas Women head coach."

It was under the auspices of Aquino that Gilas Women made its historic ascent to its current heights. The Philippines claimed its first three gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games for women's basketball, including the latest edition in the just-concluded edition last year in Thailand. At the same time, Gilas Women and Gilas Youth have secured and retained their spots in Division A at the continental level.

With the search underway, the SBP will leave no stone unturned to find Aquino's successor. According to Executive Director Erika Dy, "We’re going to have a thorough process to determine who will lead Gilas Pilipinas Women moving forward. We don’t have clear prospects yet, but the search begins now."

She adds, “We’re not limiting ourselves to looking for local coaches, as our plan is really to land the best option possible. If that means hiring from abroad, that’s what we will do.”

The Philippines is fresh from their participation in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Lyon, where they finished with a 1-4 record, losing their matches against France, Germany, Nigeria and Korea Republic, before wrapping up their campaign with a victory against Colombia.

Even with their elimination from participation in next year's World Cup in Germnay next year, the country still has an active calendar ahead, with their upcoming stints this August for the FIBA Women's Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament and the Asian Games in Japan this September.

Kieffer Alas selected as the first four-time NBTC All-Star

Kieffer Alas

Ateneo-commit Kieffer Alas will be playing his last game in the Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM on Saturday.

Since 2023, the former Gilas Pilipinas Youth mainstay and UAAP boys' basketball MVP has been a fixture in the annual showcase of the top young talent in the Philippines, but he now takes the next step in his promising career, committing to the Blue Eagles starting Season 89.

Alas moves up to the next level as the first and only four-time NBTC All-Star - one-upping Kai Sotto who was hailed as one of the best under-19 players thrice when he was still a Blue Eaglet.

"Thank you very much to NBTC. It will forever be an honor to have had the chance to play here for the last three years," said the 6-foot-2 guard, who was also the youngest player to be named NBTC All-Star as a 16 year old.

Unlike years past, Alas had to wait a little longer to seal his spot, as he was not part of the 2026 NBTC 24 due to his stint in the U.S. playing for Utah Prep.

The now-18-year-old, though, dropped 30 points in his second game in this year's National Finals for Phenom NZ Blue Fire in their 87-78 triumph over Urbana Studios x San Beda.

That effectively saved his seat on Team Heart captained by NBTC 24 No. 1 player Cabs Cabonilas (FEU-Diliman), alongside another Baby Tamaraw in Marc Burgos, Jay-M Leal (Ateneo), Kirk Cañete (UST), Bruce Tubongbanua (UPIS), Mark Esperanza (San Sebastian), Justin Cargo (Letran), Ray Ladica (Arellano), Lian Basa (SHS-Ateneo), Jhon Lord Cruz (North Luzon), Duke Solon (Mindanao), and Zedrick Castillo (South Luzon).

Their other additions are Arellano's Aaron Manansala, Fil-Nation Select LA's Joaquin Tovera, and Fil-Nation Select USA's Blaze Johnson.

Alas will play against former De La Salle Zobel teammate and second-ranked NBTC 24 player Maco Dabao, NCAA juniors MVP Sean Franco (Arellano), Mot Matias and Shaun Lucido (NUNS), Jarl Artango (Adamson), Noah Banal (Ateneo), Nathan Egea (Letran), Andrei Ugaddan (San Beda), Josef Calo-oy (LSGH), Kelly Coronel (EAC), Henry Suico (SHS-Ateneo), and J Lord Pepito (Visayas).

Team Hustle will be reinforced by UST's Joaqui Ludovice, Off-Campus Residences x Toyomoto's Rene Baterbonia, Fil-Nation Select USA's Quali Giran, and D'Generals x Dynamix Creative's Ruzzel Del Poso.

Side events before the All-Star Game tipping off at 5 p.m. will also feature the Skills Challenge with Ludovice, Suico, Christian Bustillo, Ahmed Aduan, Mark Clarence Piana, Jhillian Palis, Riley Santa Juana, and Ezekiel Emnace; the Shooting Stars with Team Manila (Lorenz Aben Cinco, Adiam Larosa, Benedict Gaytos, Gian Gamala), Team Global (Lawrence Orvile Mandalano, Keith Solis, John Lee Torres, Khyle Justin Capanzana), Team North Luzon (Jairus Armendez, Rion Cyryll Burgos, Mark Den Cruz, Mark Khelvin Macalinao), Team South Luzon (Jayber Stephen Castillo, Tristan James Catucod, Godwin Virrey, Mike Laurence Barrot); Team Visayas (Luke Brent Dy, Krstc Da Silva, Jim Corpuz, Aldwin Calumpang Yso); and Team Mindanao (Joseph Dumdum, Van Ian Monteza, Rhysus Rafael Bajenting, John Rhey Mark Calumba); And the Three-Point Shootout with Del Poso, Miekho Natinga, Froilan Reyes, Justine Dave Batibot, John Rex Villanueva, Jobert John Pastias, Matt Jerrick Cayetano, Ethan Reytomas, and Trey Pinkard.

Bullpups force decider in UAAP HS Boys Basketball Finals

c/o UAAP

Game on Monday at the Blue Eagle Gym
3 p.m. - FEU-D vs NUNS

Shaun Lucido refused to let National University Nazareth School go down without a fight.

The 6-foot, Grade 11 guard dropped 25 points, leading the Bullpups to an 80-59 win over the Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws and forcing a winner-take-all match in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament on Thursday at the Blue Eagle Gym.

Lucido, the inaugural MVP of the Junior High School tournament back in UAAP Season 86 (2024), got off to a scorching start, scoring eight points in the first 10 minutes.

By halftime, he had already poured in 17 points on five triples, helping the Bullpups take a lead that reached as high as 45-29.

“Sobrang gutom na gutom kami kasi matagal na po talaga naming pinagtratrabahuan ito,” said Lucido, an 18-year-old native of Legazpi City, Albay. “Tatlong sunod na finals appearances na kami, natalo kami sa unang dalawa.

“Talagang motivation namin is bigyan si coach (Kevin de Castro) ng championship at para rin kay Sir Fulton (Sy, former team manager).”

The decider is set on Holy Monday at the same Katipunan venue.

In the second half, the rest of the Bullpups followed Lucido’s lead, firing on all cylinders to keep FEU-D at bay.

Malian big man Moussa Diakite, the division’s Rookie of the Year, delivered a thunderous jam to give NUNS a 77-57 lead with 2:09 remaining. In a tribute to NU great Danny Ildefonso, Diakite celebrated with a “raise the roof” gesture, thrilling half of the 2,105 fans in attendance.

Diakite finished with 10 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks. Kurl Figueroa added 10 points and seven rebounds, Corian Cabantog contributed nine points and eight boards, while Mot Matias orchestrated the offense with 10 assists and five points.

“Actually, coming into this game, sabi ko sa mga players ko, naubusan ako ng motivation sa inyo, si Lord na bahala mag-motivate sa inyo,” said De Castro, who suffered Game 3 heartbreaks against Adamson in Season 86 and UST last year. “So, very thankful ako, and credit sa coaching staff na meron ako. Talagang grabe yung inputs nila at the same time yung mga players.”

Cabs Cabonilas, the reigning MVP of the division who posted 19 points, 16 rebounds, and two blocks in FEU-D’s 77-73 Game 1 win last Sunday, added 18 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in Game 2.

Kean Esperanza, who overcame a first-half injury, was the other Baby Tamaraw in double figures with 13 points.

Assan Gaye and Sam Hall, who scored 12 points each in Game 1, were limited to just three and one point, respectively.

The Scores:

NUNS 80 - Lucido 25, Diakite 10, Figueroa 10, Cabantog 9, Cartel 8, Natinga 6, Matias M. 5, Juan 4, Matias R. 3, Bouzina 0, Celiz 0, Timbang 0, Tulabut 0.

FEU-D 59 - Cabonilas 18, Esperanza 13, Burgos 8, Cagurungan 4, Cariño 4, Sohm 4, Gaye 3, Enriquez 2, Hall 1, Santos J. 1, Santos 1, Rañeses 0, Alagaban 0, Dagcutan 0, Dulin 0.

Quarterscores: 18-14, 45-31, 63-51, 80-59.

Top Flight Sports Canada earns Division 2 spot in NBTC National Finals classification phase

c/o NBTC

Top Flight Sports Canada kickstarted its Division 2 reclamation bid in resounding fashion, waylaying Batang Europa Scandinavia, 99-48, in the classification round of the 2026 Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM Supermalls on Tuesday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Robyn Florendo flourished with 20 points and four rebounds, Jemuel Castro added 13 points, and Malcolm Tyler nabbed a double-double of 12 points and 11 boards in the blowout to put behind the Fil-Canadian's losses in the first two days.

The day which divided the house into Divisions 2 and 3 also saw a few blowouts.

De La Salle Zobel bounced back with the most lopsided victory of the season after a 77-point blowout win against Gladiators Germany, 108-31, at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Maco Dabao, NBTC's no. 2-ranked high school player, had a solid outing of 21 points, five rebounds, and four assists to steer the Junior Archers to Division 2.

Sequioa Hotels Camp NZ also drowned Maharlika Malta by 65 points, 137-72, behind Aidan Macasero's 25 points.

Roderick Cambarijan also exploded for 20 points in Magis Eagles Cebu Landmasters' 107-66 rout of Canada Central Hoops Nation.

And Urbana Studios x San Beda Red Cubs got their groove back with an 84-76 win over Loverz Gadgets Zambo Sur after Adiam Larosa's 30 points from eight triples.

With all 48 teams already being grouped into the three divisions, the Philippine national 19-under championship shifts into high gear with the Supreme 16 as the knockout rounds begin on Wednesday at SM Mall of Asia Arena, Ninoy Aquino Stadium, and Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Here are the schedules for Wednesday's games :

SM Mall of Asia Arena
8:00am - Sequoia Hotels Camp NZ vs Playtown Exclusive
9:30am - RSY Group of Companies vs Oasis Ballers Eastern Samar
11:00am - DLSZ Junior Archers vs Mapua Red Robins
12:30pm - Magis Eagles Cebu Landmasters vs Urbana Studios x San Beda
2:00pm - North Luzon D'Generals vs Arceegee - St. Clare
3:30pm - Fil-Am Nation USA vs Homegrown Australia
5:00pm - Letran Squires vs FilNation LA
6:30pm - Off-Campus Residences x Toyomoto vs D'Generals x Dynamix

Ninoy Aquino Stadium
8:00am - AG Sports Apparel Laguna vs Top Flight Sports Canada
9:30am - Crossover Canada vs Bayanihan Elite UK
11:00am - Tumakbo USA vs Marlins Bulacan
12:30pm - MIC Australia Scope Med vs For The Win
2:00pm - Yes Mariveles vs USJR Jaguars
3:30pm - Phenom NZ Blue Fire vs UE Junior Warriors
5:00pm - Batangas Mustangs vs Arellano Braves
6:30pm - Batang Tiaong RJ MEA vs UST Tiger Cubs x D'Generals

Rizal Memorial Coliseum
8:00am - Proudly Pinoy Italy vs CCDC Admirals
9:30am - Western Sydney BA vs Batang Europa Scandinavia
11:00am - BBA Australia vs AUBA Perth
12:30pm - Don Bosco Greywolves vs Fil-Euro NextGen Belgium
2:00pm - Fil-Euro Nation UK vs GM Botor x Troops Hoops
3:30pm - Loverz Gadgets Zambo Sur vs Canada Central Hoops Nation
5:00pm - Gladiators Germany vs Liceo de Cagayan U Titans
6:30pm - Canterbury Ballers Club vs Maharlika Malta

UP batters Ateneo, sets up weekend duel vs UST

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Softball Standings
*AdU 6–1
UST 5–2
UP 5–2
x - DLSU 2–5
x - Ateneo 0-8

* - Finals
x - Eliminated

Games on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium
9 a.m. - UST vs UP
11 a.m. - DLSU vs AdU

University of the Philippines set up a clash for the last UAAP Season 88 Softball Finals berth against University of Santo Tomas after dismantling Ateneo de Manila University, 16-1, in just four innings on the penultimate day of eliminations, Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The Fighting Maroons will take on the Tiger Softbelles on Saturday at 9 a.m. in their last elimination round assignment, with the winner advancing to face reigning 12-time champions Adamson University Lady Falcons in the championship series.

Adamson had earlier secured its 11th consecutive Finals appearance by defeating UST, 3-0. The Lady Falcons captured the first two titles of their long reign via 10-0 sweeps in the elimination rounds.

UP, aiming for a fourth straight Finals appearance, unleashed a barrage of big hits in the second inning and never looked back. Fourth-year standout Danica Aquino highlighted the team’s dominance with an inside-the-park home run.

Jaja Pascual could have recorded the Maroons’ first official home run of the season in the same inning, but it was nullified after she passed preceding runner Sathia Romero-Salas on the way to second base. The two RBIs still counted, as Drel Gonzales and Romero-Salas crossed home plate to extend the lead to four.

After an hour-long discussion regarding Pascual’s play, Aquino responded with a line drive down the right-field line for a solo home run — the senior left fielder’s only hit of the game.

“Nasa padulo na tayo ng tournament, so ang pinaghahandaan rin talaga namin ay ‘yung last game against UST. Ito kasi ang ginamit din namin as preparation para do’n sa last game. So, hopefully, lahat mag-deliver do’n sa last game,” said head coach Ron Pagkaliwagan.

“Big lesson sa ‘min talaga ‘yung mga mistakes namin nung nakaraang laro namin against Adamson. Ready naman sila; it’s part of the game, eh, may nagkakamali. Hopefully, maka-recover lang. Ika nga, you learn from your mistakes, and it’s part of the game,” added the fifth-year mentor.

Generose Torremocha and Laica Atlas each contributed for two innings, combining for one hit and two RBIs apiece as the sixth batter of the Maroons’ lineup. Pascual still finished with three RBIs from a single and a sacrifice hit.

Diane Pasco earned the win despite allowing a lone earned run in the second inning for Ateneo on four hits. Joy Laurente closed the game, holding the Blue Eagles scoreless on a single hit in the final two innings.

Pagkaliwagan emphasized that the key to winning the crucial playoff against UST lies in execution.

“Gusto ko lang makita ‘yung talagang laro ng taga-UP na lahat ibinibigay. And sa tingin ko naman lahat ‘to magde-deliver this coming Saturday, kasi talaga namang nag-prepare kami for this game,” he said.

The Blue Eagles made one last push in the second inning, breaking through Pasco’s defense with two hits and a run. Jeanne Yap hit a slow grounder to the middle for a triple and later scored on a single from Marvelous Romano.

Katipunan-based Ateneo added three more hits, including one from graduating senior Rizellejoy Bulatao, but UP’s defense ultimately held firm for the win. Bulatao and Ashlee Tuprio rounded the bases one final time for the Blue Eagles.

Ateneo, which has yet to register a win since Season 85, closed the season with an 0-8 record — marking its 16th straight defeat.

TEAMS   1    2    3    4    5    6    7    R    H    E
UP           3    5    1    1    6    x    x    16    11    3
Ateneo    0    1    0    0    0    x    x    1    5    4

Alas stalwarts anchor NU triumph over FEU

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Standings
FEU 8-1
NU 7-2
UST 5-3
Ateneo 4-4
DLSU 4-4
UP 3-6
AdU 2-6
UE 1-8

Games on Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum
9 a.m. - UST vs DLSU (Men)
11 a.m. - AdU vs Ateneo (Men)
1 p.m. - UST vs DLSU (Women)
3 p.m. - AdU vs Ateneo (Women)

Alas Pilipinas members Leo Ordiales and Michaelo Buddin took matters into their own hands to ensure a traditional Final Four format in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament.

Six-peat-seeking National University delivered a statement 28-26, 17-25, 24-26, 25-11, 15-8 victory, handing Far Eastern University its first loss of the season on Sunday in front of a roaring crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bulldogs improved to 7-2, closing the gap on the Tamaraws, who dropped to 8-1 but remained in first place—now just one game ahead of NU.

Buddin and Ordiales powered NU’s comeback, dominating the final two sets to overturn FEU’s 2-1 set lead.

“Good game talaga. Both sides naman sobrang ganda ng pinakita,” said NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin. “Pagdating sa dulo, natiyaga and ‘yung pasensya ni Buddin lumabas, naging maganda ‘yung resulta ng game.”

Buddin scored 14 of his 25 points in the last two sets, while Ordiales delivered 13 of his career-high 30 points in that same stretch.

With the fifth set tied at 7-all, Buddin and Ordiales took control.

Buddin ignited NU’s finishing run with a checked ball, before setter Greg Ancheta raised the energy with a solid block on Amet Bituin. Buddin followed it up with three straight points, then Ordiales took over, firing three of his own to cap off a dominant 8-1 closing run for NU, sealing the win in two hours and three minutes.

“’Yung decision-making namin, sobrang dami naming iniisip, parang nawawala kami sa sistema. Nung fourth and fifth set, ibinalik lang namin, sinunod lang namin ulit ‘yung sistema, and maganda naman ‘yung result,” said Ordiales.

Ordiales finished with 24-of-48 attacks, three blocks, and three service aces, along with six digs.

Buddin added 19-of-33 attacks, three blocks, and three aces, along with eight excellent receptions, while Jade Disquitado also shone with 12 points, 33-of-59 excellent receptions, and seven digs.

Jimwell Gapultos contributed 12 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs, while Ancheta orchestrated the offense with 34 excellent sets and added three blocks.

NU looks to sustain its momentum on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion against Ateneo de Manila University.

Mikko Espartero led FEU with 22 points on 18 attacks and four blocks, along with 21 excellent receptions.

Dryx Saavedra added 18 points but cooled off after scoring nine in the opening set, while Lirick Mendoza was limited to 10 points, all coming in the first three frames.

FEU aims to bounce back next Sunday against University of Santo Tomas on its home court.