PFA Open Senior Ranking Series resumes with third leg at Rizal Memorial

The Philippine National team at the Asian Fencing Championships last June

The Philippine Fencing Association’s senior ranking season returns to the strip this weekend as the third leg of the 2026 PFA Open Ranking Tournament takes place on July 4 and 5 at Rizal Memorial.
The two-day competition marks another important stop in the national ranking calendar, with fencers across foil, epee, and sabre expected to chase valuable points, podium finishes, and positioning in the race for year-end standings and national team consideration.

Second leg set the tone

The second leg last April 25 and 26, also held at Rizal Memorial, continued the Dr. Celso L. Dayrit Memorial Fencing Championships and drew around 250 competitors, underscoring the depth of the Open Division field. It followed a season opener that saw national team regulars, elite club fencers, and Modern Pentathlon standouts battle for early control across foil, epee, and sabre.

Nearly all of the early medalists returned for that April stop, while fencers fresh from UAAP, cadet and junior, and international campaigns added to the level of competition. That mix of proven names and rising challengers helped sharpen the ranking race heading into this weekend’s third leg.

Ranking points take center stage

Coming after the opening senior ranking leg at Amoranto Sports Complex in February and the second leg at Rizal Memorial in April, the third leg now gives competitors a timely opportunity to build on recent momentum, defend early gains, or make a decisive move up the leaderboard.

With the PFA calendar listing two more senior stops later in the year, including the fourth leg in September and the Philippine Open International in October, every direct elimination win this weekend could carry added weight in the broader ranking picture.

Storylines to watch

Among the key storylines will be how the early leaders respond under renewed pressure, particularly with the season now moving past its halfway point for the senior circuit. The third leg traditionally serves as a proving ground for contenders who have already built momentum, while also opening the door for emerging names from clubs and school-based programs to break through.

The event also provides another high-level test for fencers sharpening their form in a busy domestic calendar. Beyond individual medals, the weekend will be a gauge of consistency, depth, and tactical maturity as athletes navigate pool bouts and knockout rounds against familiar rivals and rising challengers.

Members of the national Team, fresh from their exploits in the Senior Asian Fencing Championships in New Delhi, are set to participate. All but two from that pool are set to compete, including Penn State standout Sam Catantan, and Sean Lauron, who was a late scratch in New Delhi and was not able to participate.

Also set to join in are members of the Modern Pentathlon pool, led by Princess Honey Arbilon.

Rizal Memorial back as fencing hub

Rizal Memorial continues to serve as a central venue for the PFA’s 2026 competitions, hosting multiple ranking legs across senior, junior, cadet, minime, veteran, and recreational divisions. Its return as host for the third senior leg reinforces its role as one of the key stages for the country’s competitive fencing scene.
For athletes, coaches, and clubs, the July 4-5 tournament is more than another weekend competition. It is a chance to measure progress, test adjustments made from previous legs, and build confidence heading into the final stretch of the senior ranking season.

Momentum up for grabs

As the national rankings tighten and the calendar moves deeper into the year, the third leg of the PFA Open Ranking Tournament is expected to deliver another competitive weekend of Philippine fencing. For the country’s top senior fencers and those hoping to join them, Rizal Memorial will once again be the place where form, focus, and ranking ambitions are put to the test.

NBA launches new Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA app

Jr. NBA app (c/o NBA)

In a move to further build on its grassroots development, the NBA recently launched the My Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA app, a unified global digital hub tailored for program participants, coaches, referees, parents, as well as competition managers and operators.

With the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program spanning across over 190 countries and territories worldwide, the app, which is available as a free download on both the App Store and Google Play, will be its primary digital destination and one-stop-shop.

Organizers will find the key tools and resources needed to oversee a Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA program on the app, including competition management, registration and data features, live game streaming, and integrated communication capabilities. In addition, it can support multiple languages, as well as handle geo-targeted content, and both app and web-based access.

The key features of the app include:

• Competition Management: Program operators can manage schedules, standings, results, brackets, box scores, play‑by‑play and multimedia galleries all in one place.
• Live Streaming: Coverage of Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA leagues and tournaments.
• Registration Hub: Simplified sign‑ups, waiver processing and participant tracking.
• Communication Tools: Direct updates for participants, parents, coaches, referees and organizers.
• Event Information: Centralized access to Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA events and activities, including program entry.

Considered as the NBA's global youth basketball program, the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA aims to teach fundamental skills and core values of the game, specifically teamwork, respect, determination, and community, at the grassroots level in an effort to help enrich the youth basketball experience for players, coaches, and parents. To do this, it updated its curriculum, now featuring a games-based approach, with over a hundred new activities across 48 practice plans, using small-sided games to boost player engagement and decision-making.

Third edition of Asia Pacific Padel Cup officially starts in Taguig

The Asia Pacific Padel Cup (APPC) 2026 officially opened today in Manila, marking the start of four days of competition featuring teams from across the Asia-Pacific region.

Now in its third edition, the tournament continues to showcase the rapid growth of padel throughout the region, bringing together top players from participating countries in a celebration of sport, friendship, and regional collaboration.

"APPC 2026 marks an important milestone in the continued growth of padel in the Asia-Pacific region," said Jeff Cheng, President of Padel Pilipinas. "As the defending champions, we enter this tournament with a deep sense of pride and responsibility — not just to compete, but to show the region what Filipino athletes are capable of when given the right support and opportunities."

"The Philippine Olympic Committee is proud to stand behind Padel Pilipinas as it hosts this prestigious regional competition," said Bambol Tolentino, President of the Philippine Olympic Committee. "Events like the Asia Pacific Padel Cup are a testament to how far padel has come in the region — and the Philippines, as defending champion, is proof of what is possible when a federation is built on the right foundations. We look forward to seeing the best of Asia-Pacific compete right here in Manila."

"The Philippines is quickly becoming a hub for emerging sports in the region, and hosting the Asia Pacific Padel Cup 2026 is a proud reflection of that momentum, as part of PSC's sports tourism campaign," said Pato Gregorio, Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission. "This tournament highlights not only the rapid growth of padel in the country, but also the dedication of our athletes who continue to raise the level of competition. We are proud to support this international event as it showcases world-class play, strengthens regional ties, and celebrates the passion and talent of athletes across Asia-Pacific. This occasion is a proud moment for our sporting community and reflects our continued commitment to developing sport at all levels. To grow the sport, we want our young athletes to watch world-class padel being played here in our country, so they can be inspired to pursue excellence and see what is possible on the international stage."

"Hosting the Asia Pacific Padel Cup for the first time in Manila is something we have worked toward since the very beginning," said Atty. Duane Santos, Secretary General of Padel Pilipinas. "This tournament is more than just a competition — it is a statement that the Philippines is ready to lead padel development in the region. We welcome every team, every athlete, and every fan who has made the journey here, and we are committed to delivering an experience worthy of this championship."

Athletes, coaches, officials, partners, and members of the padel community gathered for the opening of the event, which will run from June 25 to 28. Throughout the tournament, teams will compete for the APPC title while demonstrating the skill, passion, and sportsmanship that have become hallmarks of the competition.

The Philippines enters this year's tournament as the defending champion following its victory in 2025, while teams from across the region look to challenge for the title in what is expected to be the most competitive edition of the event to date.

Since its inception, the Asia Pacific Padel Cup has served as a platform for strengthening connections between padel communities across the region while contributing to the sport's continued development and visibility.

Competition begins immediately following the opening ceremonies, with matches taking place throughout the week and culminating in the championship finals on Sunday, June 28, 2026.

Fans and supporters are invited to witness high-level padel action as teams from across the Asia-Pacific region compete in Manila for the 2026 Asia Pacific Padel Cup title.

Vermosa Green Run remains supportive of Takbo Kabitenyo running community

Vermosa Green Run, the multi-level race that supports ecosystem conservation, animal welfare and sports development, has partnered anew with Takbo Kabitenyo, a Cavite-based running organization dedicated to developing aspiring track and field athletes from Cavite.

Vermosa recently turned over race kits to the organization to seal their partnership for the third straight year. Each Takbo Kabitenyo runner also received race day essentials from this year’s sponsors Merrell and Gatsby.

By supporting Takbo Kabitenyo, Vermosa aims to provide greater exposure and meaningful opportunities for promising Cavite athletes as they pursue their sporting aspirations to hopefully become national athletes. By championing young athletes, Vermosa underscofres its support for grassroots sports development.

Green Run 2026 will gun off at Ayala Vermosa Estates on June 28, providing runners of different fitness levels the opportunity to compete, hone their running skills and enjoy the camaraderie of other members of the running community. Proceeds from Green Run 2026 will benefit the Haribon Foundation, Takbo Kabitenyo, and Pawssion Project. The event is also backed by Oishi, Merrell, Pocari, Salonpas, Booster C, Fitbar, Gatsby, Milo, Apex, Topbreed, Dunsk Kuhner, Baby Boo, Chef Special, Entrée Gourmet Pet Treats, Saint Roche, The Gourmet Specialist, Zert, Wonderpaw.

For more information about The Green Run 2026 and to register, visit ayalaland.myruntime.com/register.

Denice Zamboanga Relinquishes ONE Atomweight MMA World Title, Welcomes Motherhood

c/o ONE Championship

Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga has relinquished the ONE Women's Atomweight MMA World Championship.

In a social media post on Tuesday, the first Filipina MMA World Champion announced her decision to vacate the throne after welcoming her first child with husband Fritz "Kid Tornado" Biagtan.

Out of respect for the division, she gave up the belt to allow contenders to pursue the title while she steps back to embrace motherhood.

“God has always had a beautiful plan for my life, and I trust His timing in everything. After much prayer and reflection, I have made the difficult decision to vacate my ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship,” Zamboanga wrote.

“This was not an easy choice, but I believe it is the right one for this season of my life and for the athletes in my division who continue to chase their dreams,” she added.

The 29-year-old Quezon City native has a 12-2 professional record, and is 7-2 in ONE Championship.

Zamboanga arrived at ONE in 2019 and quickly proved she belonged on the global stage. She rattled off three straight wins to open her promotional run, defeating Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan, Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi, and Watsapinya “Dream Girl” Kaewkhong.

The path forward then took a detour. Zamboanga suffered back-to-back defeats to South Korea's Ham Seo Hee at ONE: Empower in 2021 and ONE X in 2022, respectively. Refusing to let the setbacks define her, she rebuilt herself from the ground up, returning a sharper and more dangerous version of herself.

The bounce-back was immediate and convincing. Zamboanga strung together three consecutive victories over “MMA Sister” Lin Heqin, Julie Mezabarba, and Noelle “Lil' Monkey” Grandjean, earning her way back to the top of the atomweight division and into contention for gold.

With a long-awaited showdown against then-ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion and former teammate Stamp Fairtex derailed by the Thai’s knee injury, Zamboanga was given an opportunity to challenge for the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title.

At ONE Fight Night 27 in January 2025, Zamboanga met Ukraine's Alyona Rassohyna with a lifelong dream within reach. She ultimately stopped Rassohyna in the second round via TKO, earning the interim belt and a US$50,000 performance bonus in the process.

The monumental victory etched her name permanently in the Philippine MMA history books, a triumph earned through years of delays and heartbreak.

Four months later, Zamboanga was elevated to undisputed ONE Women's Atomweight MMA World Champion when Stamp suffered a setback in her knee rehabilitation in May 2025 and relinquished the lineal belt.

Zamboanga was slated to make her first World Title defense against Japan's Ayaka “Zombie” Miura at ONE 173 last November at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. Medical concerns, which have since come to light as her pregnancy, forced her withdrawal.

The Filipina, however, made it clear she is not retiring. Zamboanga is turning her full attention to the most meaningful journey of her life, vowing to return when the time is right.

"While I am stepping away from the title, I am not stepping away from the sport I love. Fighting has shaped who I am, and the warrior in me will always remain,” Zamboanga said.

"Right now, my heart and focus are devoted to the greatest blessing God has entrusted to me. This season is teaching me that there are victories beyond championship belts, and I am embracing every moment of it with gratitude. This is not the end of my story. It’s simply a new chapter," she concluded.

Kacey dela Rosa to be honored at Collegiate Press Corps Awards

ATENEO de Manila University's Kacey dela Rosa will receive a special citation at the Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night presented by Strong Group Athletics after delivering historic performances for Gilas Pilipinas in both 5-on-5 and 3x3 basketball.

A two-time UAAP MVP, Dela Rosa has already established herself as one of the best athletes to come out of Katipunan in recent years, and her greatness will be hailed at the annual awards night to be held at Discovery Suites Manila.

After helping Ateneo secure a bronze-medal finish in UAAP Season 88 in her fourth year with the Blue Eagles, she turned her attention to the international stage, representing the Philippines and making her mark in both formats of the game.

Dela Rosa, who was also named to the Collegiate Women's Basketball Mythical Team, will be honored alongside the top performers in basketball, volleyball, and football from the UAAP and NCAA during the Awards Night, which is also supported by Converge FiberX, San Miguel Corporation, the Philippine Sports Commission, Go For Gold, D'Generals, and Buffalo Wings 'N Things.

Last December, Dela Rosa was among the anchors of the Gilas Pilipinas Women's team that reclaimed the gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, where she manned the center position in the absence of long-time Gilas stalwart Jack Animam.

She then followed it up with another gutsy performance at the 2027 FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in France, where the Philippines notched its first win in an OQT against Colombia.

Dela Rosa was the team's leading scorer and rebounder in the tournament, averaging 15.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. She also normed 2.2 blocks per contest.

But perhaps Dela Rosa's biggest impact came in 3x3, where she played a key role in leading the Philippines to its best-ever result in a FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup after winning silver with Gilas in early April.

In five games en route to the runner-up finish, Dela Rosa posted averages of 6.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

They then followed it up with an inspiring performance in the World Cup qualifiers in Singapore, where the Gilas women sealed their second appearance in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup.

Dela Rosa most recently saw action in the World Cup in Warsaw, Poland, where she and teammates Afril Bernardino, Camille Clarin, and Mikka Cacho scored a big win over Italy for the country's first-ever victory in the Women's FIBA 3x3 World Cup.

Century Tuna launches "Superbod Life" Community

On its 20th anniversary, the Century Tuna Superbod legacy expands beyond the runway and into the real world. This milestone reinforces a fitness movement that continues to empower every Filipino to confidently unleash their "Superbod Era" in a supportive, no-judgment environment. Rather than shifting gears, this evolution brings to the forefront what Century Tuna has long championed: that being a Superbod is an accessible, daily lifestyle meant for everyone.

This vision recently ignited a massive advocacy with the launch of the first Superbod Era Strava Challenge, rallying over 58,000 Filipinos of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The overwhelming response to this digital challenge showed that Filipinos are more than ready to take part in the community Century Tuna has long been working to build—a welcoming online space where everyone, regardless of where they are on their fitness journey, can connect, support each other, and celebrate their progress together.

To kick off this initiative, Century Tuna held its first Superbod Life community run in partnership with Megaworld, demonstrating how a supportive community, both online and offline, can empower individuals at every stage of their Superbod path. Joining the run were Century Tuna Brand Ambassador Atasha Muhlach and Super Bowl Ambassador Emilio Daez, inviting Filipinos everywhere to be a part of this collective space and unleash their best fitness eras.

Welcome to Your Fitness Era: Join the Superbod Life Community

The Century Tuna Superbod Life Community is a dedicated safe space where members can get all-access to uncomplicated, top-tier advice on fitness and nutrition, real-life inspiration, and practical tips designed for everyone. Whether you are a starter taking Day 1 or a restarter ready to take your fitness journey one day at a time, this platform offers a 100% support, zero-pressure environment.

More than achieving a singular fitness goal, being a Superbod is a sustainable way of life. That is why the community is built around a holistic, easy-to-follow framework: Move Super, Fuel Super, and Live Super.

Through Move Super, members unlock real-life advice through Q&A sessions with fitness experts, practical workouts that make consistency achievable for any lifestyle, and exciting on-ground meet-ups where they can break a sweat and share encouragement with one another.

Fuel Super simplifies nutrition with easy-to-follow guidance like 5-minute meal ideas, clever snack swaps, and practical preparation tips that fit seamlessly into even the busiest schedules.

Meanwhile, Live Super focuses on sustainable wellness habits and overall well-being, proving that a healthy lifestyle is built in the small, everyday choices. More than anything, it is a space where you can experience true transformation simply by being surrounded by real people who are navigating the exact same journey right alongside you.

Built for Real People, Real Journeys

“We realized that many people, especially beginners, hesitate to start their fitness journeys because they often feel like getting into fitness is complicated—like it is something only a few can access and pull off,” shared Mr. Carlo Endaya, Vice President, General Manager, and Group Business Head of Century Pacific Food Inc. “The Superbod Life community was built to change that perspective. It is a safe space where members can learn and be inspired by peers going on the same journey and from experts who can guide them toward their health goals. At Century Tuna, we truly believe that everyone has the potential to reach their ‘Superbod Era’—they just need the right place to start.”

“This community is exactly what Filipinos need in their fitness journey, and I am blessed to be part of something this big,” shared Century Tuna Brand Ambassador Atasha Muhlach. “What makes Superbod Life so special is that inspiration doesn’t just come from brand ambassadors like us, but from the real-world stories, shared struggles, and genuine experiences of the everyday people you’ll meet in the community.”

Fueling the Long Run

As Century Tuna welcomes Filipinos into their "Superbod Era," the brand highlights proper nutrition as a vital pillar of fitness. Achieving one’s goals requires the right balance of protein, vitamins, and minerals, which is exactly what Century Tuna delivers in its products.

Those sprinting into their fitness journey can also find premium convenience with the latest ready-to-eat tuna and rice meal in a can, the Century Tuna Super Bowl, packed with protein, Vitamin B3, and Omega-3 DHA to fuel the body on the go.

“I finally have a nutritious meal I can take anywhere to my runs or gym sessions,” said actor and host Emilio Daez. “With the Century Tuna Super Bowl, it’s a ready-to-eat meal option that perfectly fits an on-the-go professional schedule. Bonus treat for many Filipinos is that you get all of this for only P29 per can.”

Century Tuna also recently announced the official on-ground casting call for Superbods 2026. Aspiring participants can pre-register at https://bit.ly/2026-superbods-pre-registration, or head on to Space at One Ayala, Makati City, on June 27–28, 2026, from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Join the Superbod Life Community by visiting https://www.facebook.com/groups/superbod.life. Watch out for exciting giveaways and events happening this month for the Superbod Life community! 
 
For more information on the upcoming Superbods competition, visit https://centurytuna.ph/ or watch out for updates on Century Tuna’s Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/centurytuna.