Familiar names atop Criterium portion of PhilCycling Road Nationals

PhilCycling National Championships

NATIONAL athletes Ronald Oranza and Jude Gabriel Francisco and Filipino-American Mary Joyce Monton dominated the Criterium races to kick start action in the PhilCycling National Championships for Road 2026 on Monday in Tagaytay City.

Oranza topped the Men Elite category, Francisco ruled the Men Under-23 and Monton, racing out of Los Angeles, was the best in Women Elite of the championships organized by the PhilCycling, headed by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

Edson Corbadora and Ronnilan Quita completed the Men’s Elite podium of the event raced over a 2.2-km circuit that started and finished at Tagaytay City’s Praying Hands Momument, with Marvin Mandac and Mark Alex Baruelo finishing 1-2 in the Under-23 race.

National team mainstays Maritoni Krog and Phoebe Salazar wound up behind Monton in the race presented by Standard Insurance, MVP Sports Foundation and the Philippine Sports Commission and supported by Tagaytay City Mayor Brent Tolentino and the Tagaytay CT Velodrome.

Rayven Joy Valdez, Althea Campana and Angeline Elvira reigned supreme in Women’s Under-23 of the race also backed by Excellent Noodles and 7-Eleven Philippines.

The Junior races saw CJ Cabreros, Kylle Flores and Piolo Calimlim completing the Men’s podium and Maria Louisse Criselle Alejado, Althea Nicole Coronado and Eloiza Pajarito winning the Women’s contest.

Among the other winners in the Youth categories were: Men (12-13)— Mark Terrence Orcino, Ren Axcel Pecson and Johnzoe Canasa; (Women 14-15) Allaeza Mae Gulmatico, Alessandra Nicole Paras and Princess Jaydee Pancho; and Men (14-15) Jannshen Sta. Juana, Jyohan Toledo and Louie Jerome Murillo.

Still to be contested are the Individual Time Trial and Individual Road Race events starting Tuesday until Friday.

UAAP set for softball kickoff

Will it be lucky No. 13 for Adamson University?

Adamson University kicks off its quest for a record-setting 13th UAAP Softball title on Tuesday, as Season 88 opens at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila. The Lady Falcons, aiming for a historic 13-peat, face a season of high expectations and tough competition.

Despite losing four key players from last season—captain Remelie Herrero, Alaiza Talisik, Aliza Pitchon, and MJ Maguad—Adamson still boasts a formidable roster.

With pitchers Glory Alonzo, last season’s Finals MVP, and April Minanga leading the way, the reigning champions remain the team to beat.

For Lady Falcons head coach Ana Santiago, the pressure is undeniable, but she believes her players are ready to rise to the challenge.

"Sabi ko nga sa mga players ko, itong season na 'to hindi magiging madali para sa amin. And every year naman may pressure talaga eh, kailangan talaga parati is kung paano iha-handle 'yang pressure especially after apat na key players 'yung nawala sa 'min," said Santiago, the concurrent head coach of the RP Blu Girls.

After an opening-day bye, the Lady Falcons will begin their campaign on Saturday against University of Santo Tomas at 9 a.m., in a tournament held in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.

UST, meanwhile, will launch its redemption bid with a rematch of last year’s third-place playoff against De La Salle University on Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Runners-up University of the Philippines, chasing their first title in three seasons, will rely on reigning MVP Nickole Dela Cruz, alongside Jaja Pascual and KC Valino, when they face Ateneo de Manila University at 11 a.m.

Returning as tournament commissioner for the first time since Season 81 (2018), Jun Veloso expects fierce competition this year despite Adamson being the favorite.

"Adamson will be there, I would have to agree with that. Pero tama rin na 'yung evolution ng players, medyo maganda na rin ang recruitment ng mga schools. Plus, mas maganda, mas higher 'yung competition," said Veloso, former operations manager of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines.

Southridge completes HS Baseball finals sweep, becomes first guest school to hoist a UAAP title

c/o UAAP

PAREF Southridge School made UAAP history, Monday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Admirals became the first-ever guest team to win a UAAP title, claiming the Season 88 High School Baseball Tournament with an 11-1 victory in Game 2 of the Finals against the De La Salle Zobel Junior Green Batters.

It was a dream run for Southridge, which was on the brink of elimination with three games left in the season. The Admirals won all three before ousting National University Nazareth School in a playoff, 6-3.

Southridge head coach Bocc Bernardo emphasized that confidence would be key to winning the championship, and the team used last Saturday’s 15-2 victory in the series opener to fuel their come-from-behind win, though they remained cautiously optimistic.

"The important thing I told them from the last game: there was nothing yet to celebrate. Just to make it short, I told them, the hardest game to win is the close-out game," said Bernardo, a former Southridge standout and catcher for Ateneo de Manila University during its UAAP Season 75 championship run.

"Whatever we did last Saturday will not make us win the game on Monday. It's another game, it's another story to unfold, so we have to play hard. We were able to execute the gameplay that we needed to do."

Down a run after the first three innings, the Admirals found their rhythm in the fourth and never looked back, capturing the first-ever championship by a guest team in the league—and Southridge’s first in any sport.

A three-run rally in the sixth inning extended their lead to 5-3, proving decisive in the final result. Luis Chavez drove in Joaquin Salvador, who earlier hit a double to left field, before scoring himself on an Alessandro Villarosa hit to right field.

All this offensive composure stemmed from the steady performance of starting pitcher and eventual Finals MVP Amiel Belgar.

Belgar, who also pitched a complete game in the series opener, delivered another no-relief effort, allowing just four hits and a solitary run from the Junior Green Batters.

"It's not the switch, but it's about the stability of Amiel on the mound. I think we had three errors that could have helped La Salle—actually, it was Tapia and Veloso who were hitting—of course, kaming mga coaches had the confidence to give it to Amiel. He asked for it, he asked for this game. I was actually weary because I know he's tired, and his teammates were like, 'Coach, we are more confident on defense if Amiel is on the mound.' I heard them, and Amiel was able to prove himself," Bernardo said.

With their ace on point, the Admirals’ batters found their stride, tallying 10 hits in the contest. Chavez led the charge with two hits that produced two RBIs, while Villarosa, also a graduating senior, had three hits and one RBI, scoring Chavez.

Joaquin Salvador and Matt Genota combined for three hits, helping Southridge reach this historic milestone.

The Junior Green Batters initially took the lead with a run in the third inning, capitalizing on a rare walk off Belgar to Carlos Zulueta. A series of errors allowed the run, but it remained the only blemish on Southridge’s otherwise dominant defense.

DLSZ, the league’s most decorated team with four titles, managed only four hits, with Juancho Gatmaitan accounting for two. Laurence Valeros (ERA 4.849), the season’s Best Pitcher, entered in the sixth inning but could not contain the Admirals’ rally.

Southridge also celebrated JC Basañes as Best Hitter (.441 batting average) and Genota for Most RBIs with 11. The Junior Green Batters’ Aljun Tapia earned Most Home Runs with one.

National University Nazareth School finished third, led by John Denrick Plaza, the Season’s Most Valuable Player, while defending champion University of Santo Tomas ended fourth, with Van Joshua Ibabao taking Most Stolen Bases (16).

TEAMS    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    R    H    E
DLSZ    0    0    1    0    0    0    0    0    x    1    4    13
SOUTHRIDGE    0    0    0    1    1    3    1    5    x    11    7    4

Tagaytay to host PhilCycling Road Nationals

Mark Arvin España Armendez atop the podium during the 2023 Batang Pinoy Nationals in Tagaytay City in 2022

THE PhilCycling National Championships for Road 2026 kicks off in Tagaytay City on Monday with a Masters category now part of the program and the Men Junior category being named after a young and promising rider from Pangasinan who lost his life last January.

Gone too soon was Mark Arvin España Armendez, who was a two-time Batang Pinoy gold medalist in road (Vigan 2022 and Tagaytay City 2023), as well as in the National Championships last year in Tagaytay.

The 18-year old cycling prospect passed away last January 22 while fishing using an improvised electric devise in a swamp behind their home in Barangay Palina East in Urdaneta City.

Competitions in the event, presented by Standard Insurance and the MVP Sports Foundation will be in Men and Women Criterium, Individual Time Trial and Individual Road Race in the Youth/Junior (12-13, 14-15 and 16-17-18), Under-23 and Elite.

There will be seven age groups in the Masters races of the event, which has the traditional support of the Tagaytay City LGU, led by Mayor Brent Tolentino. Winners will secure endorsements from the PhilCycling to the Asian Cycling Confederatiion Road Championships and all other UCI-sanctioned races.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, also head of the PhilCycling, hailed a big turnout of more than 300 riders in both genders, especially in the youth category.
“This is grassroots development at work,” Tolentino said.

The Nationals are in consonance with Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick “Pató” Gregorio’s emphasis on grassroots development.

Adamson fends off UE for a bounce back win in UAAP Season 88 Women's Volleyball

c/o UAAP

 

Games Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena
9 a.m. - Ateneo vs UP (Men)
11 a.m. - UST vs DLSU (Men)
1 p.m. - Ateneo vs UP (Women)
3 p.m. - UST vs DLSU (Women)

Adamson University shrugged off a third-set slip against the University of the East to secure a 25-15, 25-18, 21-25, 25-18 bounce-back win in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

The Lady Warriors built a 9-5 lead in the third set thanks to strong starts from Khy Cepada and Bea Zamudio, but Abby Segui, Frances Mordi, and Lana Barrera answered for the Lady Falcons with a 10-2 run, giving UE a 15-11 lead.

Adamson, however, allowed UE to come back from 13-17 down, committing five straight errors that tied the set at 18-all. Cepada, Zamudio, Van Bangayan, Eljane Nogueras, and Shania Olmoguez then carried the Lady Warriors to a 25-21 win, forcing a fourth set.

The Lady Falcons regained their composure in the fourth as Shaina Nitura entered the court earlier than in the third set, where she had come in at 18-all.

“Very important win kasi ‘yung mga susunod na laban namin mabibigat na rin na schools so we needed this win kahit na nagkulang kami nung third set, regroup ulit at nakuha namin ‘yung panalo,” said Adamson head coach JP Yude after the one-hour, 45-minute match.

The Lady Falcons improved to 2-1, while the Lady Warriors remained winless in three games.

Nitura finished with 19 points on 19-of-35 spikes, alongside 13 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions, helping Adamson dominate in spiking (52-37), blocking (12-3), and service (8-4).

“Ngayon talaga wini-work on namin ‘yung chemistry namin na mabuo plus ‘yung errors talagang nagha-highlight sa amin. We’re gonna go back to training and trabahuhing mabawasan or better hindi magkaerror sa simpleng baga,” said Nitura, as Adamson committed 32 errors, nine more than UE.

After scoring just nine points combined in the first two sets, Nitura seemed on track for a UAAP career-low, but she extended her double-digit scoring streak in the third set as a substitute and added eight kills in the fourth.

Frances Mordi contributed 19 points, nine receptions, and seven digs, while middle blockers Eloi Dote and Lhouiz Tuddao added eight and seven points, respectively. Playmaker Fhei Sagaysay tallied 15 excellent sets along with 10 points on five aces, four attacks, and one block.

Adamson will aim for a second straight win on March 1 against Far Eastern University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, while UE will try to end a 17-game slide next Saturday against University of Santo Tomas at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.

For the Lady Warriors, Zamudio led with 14 points, 13 digs, and nine receptions, while Cepada and Bangayan added 11 points each. Angge Reyes contributed 16 digs and 11 receptions.

Postseason cast for UAAP HS Beach Volleyball formalized

It’s the same cast in the girls’ division of the UAAP high school beach volleyball tournament.

Adamson University, National University Nazareth School, and Far Eastern University-Diliman secured victories on Friday to join the University of Santo Tomas in the semifinals at Sands SM By The Bay.

The Baby Falcons’ Maegan Pineda and Ella Gonzalvo defeated UP Integrated School’s Anya Capus and Niña Abad, 21-9, 21-5, and De La Salle-Zobel’s Aislinn Alemaña and Tessa Bonafe, 21-11, 21-10, improving their record to 5-1.

Back-to-back title-seeking Bullpups also rose to 5-1 as Faith Mangyao and Alaiza Candelario toppled University of the East’s Janella Mangahis and Nicole Agustin, 21-13, 21-8.

The Baby Tamaraws claimed the last Final Four spot, as Franz Premaylon and Alexa Amana defeated DLSZ’s Alemaña and Bonafe, 21-16, 21-12. Premaylon and Claire Bongo later sealed their place by sweeping Ateneo’s Louise Atienza and Ainsly Santiago, 21-13, 21-11.

The Fighting Maroons and the Junior Lady Spikers bowed out of contention, finishing with identical 2-5 records.

University of Santo Tomas moved closer to a perfect seven-match sweep after Cheng Dadang and Angelica Del Mar overpowered UPIS’ Capus and Abad, 21-7, 21-9. UST will aim for a flawless 7-0 campaign against NUNS at 7 a.m. Saturday.

On the boys’ side, the race for the final two semifinals berths remains wide open.

Adamson secured a playoff spot with a 4-2 record after Brice Malinao and James Bernabe edged UPIS’ Marco Bamba and Prince Jimenez, 21-17, 12-21, 15-6, and then overcame UE’s Mharl Dullete and Emman Marcelino, 25-23, 21-16.

FEU-D’s James Coronel and Kenneth Maliwanag stayed in contention by defeating DLSZ’s Luis Papa and Brett Urriquia, 21-11, 21-14, and UPIS’ Bamba and Jimenez, 21-15, 17-21, 15-12.

The Baby Tamaraws are now tied with the Junior Warriors at 3-3, just one game behind the Baby Falcons.

Friday’s 10:45 a.m. match between Adamson and FEU-D, followed by a 2:45 p.m. clash between UE and Ateneo, will determine the three teams’ Final Four fates.

Defending champion UST and NUNS will battle for the No. 1 ranking at 10 a.m.

JP Apidian and Karl Escobal gave the Tiger Sands a 6-0 record after dominating Ateneo’s Xavier Castillo and Miguel Avendano, 21-4, 21-8.

The Bullpups also extended their unbeaten streak to six matches as Ronnie Millan and Kian Tan defeated DLSZ’s Papa and Arguelles, 21-13, 21-13.

Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons and the Junior Green Spikers fell to 1-5.

Top NBA players, teams remain best-selling merchandise sellers in the Philippines

As of January 15

Superstars and big-ticket teams remain the top-selling merchandise sellers in the Philippines, based on the data the NBA shares heading into January 15.

The Lakers remain the top dog in the team merchandise sales, with its top player, Luka Dončić, being the top jersey seller, ahead of the new generation of ballers like Victor Wembanyama (2nd) and Anthony Edwards (3rd). Teammate LeBron James remains in the top five in fourth, with Steph Curry completing the quintet.

Even though they are currently sidelined due to injuries, the trio of Ja Morant (6th), Jayson Tatum (8th), and Kyrie Irving (10th) remain popular in the archipelago as top-ten jersey sellers, with Nikola Jokić (7th) and Jalen Brunson (9th) also present.

Traditional big market teams still rule the roost with regards to merchandise, with the Chicago Bulls in second place behind the Lakers. Completing the top five are the Golden State Warriors, the Boston Celtics, and the New York Knicks. 

Fans can still express their support towards their favorite team domestically by checking out the official NBA Stores located at SM Megamall, the SM Mall of Asia, and the GH Mall, as well as online via nbastore.com.ph.