Philippines advance in #WAC2026

c/o the AFC

With a little bit of luck, the Philippines earned one of the remaining two spots in the AFC Women's Asian Cup knockout rounds after the completion of pool play.

Results from the Group C games saw Japan defeat Vietnam, 4-0, and Chinese-Taipei dispatch India, 3-1.

The latter match allows Chinese-Taipei to claim second place, with the former dropping Vietnam as a result of goal difference, as their -4 ends up inferior to the Philippines' -2.

Chinese-Taipei and the Philippines join already qualified sides Korea Republic, Australia, China, DPR Korea, Uzbekistan, and Japan as the last eight teams in the field.

As one of the two third-place teams, the Filipinas, backed by both the Philippine Football Federation and the Philippine Sports Commission, will be facing Japan on March 15 at Stadium Australia in Sydney. 

In addition, these same teams will also comprise the field for the upcoming Olympic Qualifying Tournament for two automatic spots in the Olympic Football Tournament set to take place in Los Angeles 2028.

Filipinas await fate in remaining #WAC2026 pool play matches

Mallie Ramirez battles for possession with Itefeh Imani (c/o AFC)

The waiting stage officially begins today for the Philippines, as pool play for the 2026 edition of Asian Football Confederation Women's Asian Cup hits its penultimate day.

Slotted in Pool B, Uzbekistan and Bangladesh face off at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on Monday afternoon, with each side seeking a victory that would boost their hopes in making the knockout rounds as among the two best third-place teams. Both squads lost their matches against China and DPR Korea, setting the stage for this fixture.

Fresh from their 2-0 victory over Iran this past Sunday in what amounted to a virtual elimination game, the Philippines is now awaiting its fate with its -2 goal difference alongside its three points in three matches.

Head coach Marc Torcaso says, "We are praying and hoping that a few goals is enough for us to make it out of the group."

One more set of matches are set to be played on Tuesday, with Chinese-Taipei, Vietnam, and India still have postseason aspirations.

Japan, who has already qualified, is facing Vietnam, while Chinese-Taipei tangles with India.

Sean Franco commits to the University of the Philippines

c/o NCAA

The University of the Philippines lands a key commitment for its upcoming collegiate campaign, as Arellano University high school standout Sean Franco is set to join the program, as announced by the Office for Athletics and Sports Development.

The nineteen-year-old was named as the NCAA Season 101 Juniors Basketball Most Valuable Player, leading the Braves with an near-double-double average of 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, while also being named as the last two seasons as its NCAA Juniors Defensive Player of the Year.

With Franco in tow, Arellano managed to carve their way into the finals this past season, losing to eventual champion Letran.

According to head coach Goldwin Monteverde, "Makakatulong agad sa’tin si Sean kasi nakita naman natin how he led yung Arellano in his last year. Kahit natalo sila sa finals, he didn’t stop working."

The 6'2" wing will be immediately eligible as a true freshman starting this coming season and is set to have a full five-year eligibility.

Franco is the latest a bumper crop of players the Fighting Maroons will have for this year, led by former UAAP Rookie of the Year Veejay Pre and former NCAA Finals MVP James Payosing, among others, as they seek to collectively replace the quintet of Gerry Abadiano, Harold Alarcon, Janjan Felicilda, Terrence Fortea, and Reyland Torres in their quest for a third title this decade, and a sixth straight finals berth.

NU remains undefeated in UAAP Season 88 Baseball

c/o UAAP

Games on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium

7 a.m. – AdU vs DLSU
* NU vs UST
* UP vs Ateneo
(* – Rule of succession)

NATIONAL University cruised to its third straight win and retained the solo lead in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Baseball Tournament following a 13–5 romp over Adamson University, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The defending back-to-back champions remained the only undefeated team in the field at 3–0.

Rivals De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University are disputing the solo second spot, both holding a 1–1 win-loss record as of this writing.

Just as NU dominated its first two assignments, it was the Bulldogs’ defense that powered yet another victory.

After allowing one run in the top of the second inning, NU’s defense silenced the Soaring Falcons for the next four innings, holding them scoreless despite hits from Kean Matanguihan and Laurence Mercado, as pitcher Hilario Espina III stood firm.

The third-year hurler finished with just that lone Adamson run over six innings, allowing four hits and striking out two batters.

With their signature defense in full effect, NU’s offense eventually took over, extending the lead to 11–1 by the seventh inning, threatening to end the game early.

“These are mature players; so, tini-treat ko sila as mature people. Alam ko naman na mafi-figure out nila ‘yung game. Sabi ko nga sa kanila sa huddle, even though humahabol ‘yung Adamson, gusto kong maranasan nila ‘yon,” said head coach Romar Landicho, expressing his trust in his wards despite the late Adamson run.

“Kasi hindi naman lahat ng game madali. So, kailangan rin naming ma-experience ‘yung gano’ng situtation para at least masanay sila,” the champion mentor added.

Aaron Detoito once again led the offense, finishing with two hits and three RBIs in this statement win. Kevin Maulit had another multiple-RBI outing, ending with two RBIs after his double to the right-field line in the sixth inning, which all but sealed the result.

The Bulldogs will face the UST Golden Sox next, with the contest scheduled for Sunday’s second game.

Adamson, however, refused to go down quietly, mounting a late surge in the seventh inning with four runs on five hits against R-Kenshin Clamor and Gio Gorpido.

Ivan Jonson came off the bench to deliver a two-RBI double to start the rally, while fellow substitute Zerge Madarimot added another RBI, scoring Leonel Matanguihan to cut the deficit to 11–5.

Madarimot later crossed the plate on a play involving James Nisnisan, but that was all the Soaring Falcons could muster, going scoreless in the final two innings.

Adamson will try to bounce back against the DLSU Green Batters on Sunday’s opening game at 7 a.m.

Teams    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    R    H    E
AdU    0    1    0    0    0    0    4    0    0    5    10    3
NU    0    3    0    3    0    5    2    0    x    13    10    2

UP snaps losing skid in UAAP Baseball, crushes UST

c/o UAAP

Games on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium

7 a.m. – AdU vs DLSU
* NU vs UST
* UP vs Ateneo
(* – Rule of succession)

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines snapped a four-game skid dating back to last year with a dominant 24–7, six-inning rout of University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

After a heavy loss to defending champions National University Bulldogs, the Fighting Maroons finally broke through the win column for the first time since April 13, 2025, and evened their tournament record with UST at 1–1. The tournament is held in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.

Following a rough start—allowing four runs in the first inning—UP exploded for 10 runs in the second and never looked back, securing their breakthrough victory.

Back-to-back hits from VJ Mangahas and John Mark Natawan signaled the Fighting Maroons’ offensive surge.

Two consecutive walks issued by UST reliever Prince Harry Geronimo loaded the bases, setting up the first run.

Further hits from Aaron Nicha and Eman Javier, coupled with two additional UST fielding errors, turned that initial run into a six-run advantage, putting UP ahead 10–4.

“Yung first two games talaga is talagang top teams eh, pero nakita ‘yung kaya ng mga bata. Ito na, kaunting pep talk, kaunting changes sa batting lineup, kaya ito, medyo maganda na ‘yung naging result. Ang importante rito, nagiging matured na, pero mga bata talaga ‘tong players natin. Pero nakita mo na may potential talaga; kailangan lang nila ng teamwork. Darating tayo dyan,” said Iking Jimenez, now in his second year as head coach.

UP didn’t stop at a four-run cushion.

The Fighting Maroons added 14 more runs over the next four innings, putting the game well out of reach. Javier finished with three hits and six RBIs, while Nicha also recorded three hits and drove in five runs. LM Basañes contributed three hits, two of which came in the latter innings.

Daniel Badrina relieved rookie Bokie Claro and stabilized the Fighting Maroons’ defense, limiting UST to just two more runs after taking the mound. The third-year pitcher struck out five batters in his stint.

UP will aim for back-to-back wins when they face Ateneo de Manila University in the third and final game of the series on Sunday.

“Ando’n na ‘yung teamwork; tulung-tulong lang talaga. Yung pitchers na nakita niyo naman, si Badrina, ang ganda ng pinukol. Yung pitcher natin na rookie, si Claro, first batter na strikeout niya, pero nawala sa focus. So, kaunting adjustment pa, usap pa sa mga rookies,” added Jimenez.

UST got off to a dream start with four runs in the opening inning, capitalizing on rookie Claro’s nerves in his UAAP debut. A single from Marvin Trillana put additional pressure on UP’s defense, which eventually allowed three more runs off a Ybbrahim Degollacion hit.

No Thomasian batter had more than one hit, with Trillana the lone contributor of runs, driving in three.

Four UST pitchers tried to halt the Fighting Maroons’ offense, but their efforts fell short, with Cedrick Marquez taking the brunt of the scoring after allowing 14 runs.

The Golden Sox will aim to bounce back against the Bulldogs in Sunday’s second game, following the opener between Adamson University Soaring Falcons and De La Salle University Green Batters at 7 a.m.

TEAMS    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    R    H    E
UP    0    10    4    1    5    4    x    x    x    24    15    3
UST    4    2    0    0    0    1    x    x    x    7    5    12

UST takes early lead as UAAP Women's Tennis commences second round play

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women's Tennis Standings
UST 4-1
UP 3-1
NU 3-2
DLSU 2-3
Ateneo 0-5

Men's Ties on Wednesday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court
7:30 a.m. - UP vs. UE
7:30 a.m. - Ateneo vs. UST
7:30 a.m. - AdU vs. DLSU

Defending champion University of Santo Tomas opened the second round of eliminations in commanding fashion, toppling Ateneo de Manila University, 4-1, to take the lead in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Tennis Tournament on Sunday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.

With the victory, the Female Tennisters improved to 4-1, sharing first place with the Fighting Maroons, who trail one tie due to a bye.

Judy Padilla and Princess Nichole Dela Rita clinched the tie with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 win over Zaina Omar and Eloh Castolo in first doubles, marking their fourth consecutive victory.

“‘Yung start ng NU [tie], doon na nagkasunod-sunod ‘yung wins namin. And yung performance ng mga teammates ko, nag-improve naman and wala rin silang sinayang and pinrove din nila na kaya namin,” said Dela Rita.

“Defending champion man kami, malakas talaga pressure [sa amin], lalo na ‘yung mga ibang teams na gusto ring makuha [‘yung title]. Same page lang naman kami, same goal na sana makuha namin ngayon. Basta puso lang naman and walang sasayangin na points and games. Lumalaban naman kaming lahat.”

Last season's co-MVP Kaye Emana stormed through first singles with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Angela Buyante, giving UST the early momentum. Mica Emana then carried that energy to second singles, overcoming Casey Padilla 6-3, 6-2, putting the tie firmly in the Lady Tennisters’ hands.

UST pair Justine Maneja and Christine Gulagula held steady in second doubles, pulling through with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Althea Martirez and Chelsea Roque. Althea Ong later battled back from a set down, turning away Kaye Mustaza, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-2, to secure Ateneo’s lone point.

Meanwhile, National University bounced back against first-round tormentor De La Salle University, carving out a 3-2 victory to notch back-to-back wins and climb to solo third with a 3-2 record in the tournament.

Adeline Abadia and Rovie Baulete weathered the pressure in second doubles, outlasting Annika Diwa and Guysie Garrido, 7-5, 4-6, 10-6, to give the Lady Bulldogs the overall victory.

NU's Elsie Abarquez opened the tie in commanding fashion, not yielding a game in a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Bea Gomez in first singles.

Lady Tennister Maikee Vicencio countered in second singles, handling AJ Acabo 6-2, 6-2, to pull DLSU back on even footing.

Juliana Carvajal and Kolin Cornell swung the advantage back to the Lady Bulldogs with a 6-1, 6-3 triumph over Amor Idjao and Chelsea Bernaldez in first doubles.

Still, Lady Tennister Angeline Alcala refused to let the tie slip away, overcoming JM Carcueva 6-3, 6-3 in third singles to push the tie to a rubber.

The Lady Tennisters slipped to 2-3 in fourth place, while the Blue Eagles continue to search for their first win in the five-team event.

PSC chair Pato Gregorio named guest of honor at SAC Awards

PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio is the guest of honor and keynote speaker of the 40th SAC-SMB Cebu Sports Awards on March 8 at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio will grace the 40th Sportswriters Association of Cebu-San Miguel Brewery (SAC-SMB) Cebu Sports Awards as guest of honor and keynote speaker of the milestone event slated on March 8 at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center.

It's a sweet homecoming of sorts for Gregorio, who lived in Cebu for six years from 2000 to 2006 as General Manager of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino and as chairman of the Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau promoting the province as a sports tourism destination.

An established businessman, hotelier, and sports executive, the 58-year-old Gregorio is the 13th chairperson of the PSC, a government agency responsible for the country's sports development.

Before reaching the top echelon of leadership in Philippine sports, Gregorio has held various positions and major roles, including as president of the Philippine Rowing Association where Filipino rowers qualified for the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics.

Additionally, Gregorio once served as secretary-general of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP), chairman of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) during the league's 2014–2015 season, and member of the Executive Board of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Furthermore, he helped in sports marketing initiatives with Smart Communications and led DuckWorld PH, a sports management firm that relaunched the "Tour of Luzon" cycling event.

After being appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as PSC chairman in July 2025, Gregorio's administration focused on athlete welfare, strengthening sports facilities, professionalizing sports governance, and boosting sports tourism.

He was later appointed to head the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee under Administrative Order 38 signed by President Marcos, integrating sports with tourism promotion.

Under his watch, the Philippines hosted and made bids for major international sports events, including volleyball, gymnastics, surfing, futsal and tennis competitions.

Just a few weeks ago, Gregorio was honored as "Executive of the Year" by the Philippine Sportswriters 
Association (PSA) for his early achievements as PSC chief.

Gregorio's presence will surely add glitz to the forthcoming SAC Awards, especially in inspiring the outstanding Cebuano athletes to strive even further in pursuit of excellence in their respective fields.