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.

Palawan Group of Companies commits to support UP Women's Volleyball

Kianne Olango and Joan Monares with the PalawayPay app

The Palawan Group of Companies expands its support within the University of the Philippines athletics program, adding the university's women's volleyball team as another vehicle towards advancing youth development and sports excellence via its digital wallet platform PalawanPay. 

In establishing this new collaboration, PGC reinforces its long-standing position that athletics serve as a powerful force for nation-building as it shapes and molds the Filipino youth, one of their key pillars for its Corporate Social Responsibility.

Such a partnership allows PGC to deliver practical resources addressing the team's daily needs, athlete welfare, and long-term sustainability, allowing the management and coaching staff to focus on training and wholistic player development to foster their growth both on and off the court, as they represent UP with pride, honor, and excellence in competition.

In making this announcement, Chief Marketing Officer Bernard V. Kaibigan shares, "As a UP alumnus and a volleyball enthusiast, I am proud that PalawanPay will continue supporting the team for many seasons to come. UP has always represented the best of Filipino talent: intelligence paired with integrity, excellence grounded in service. The UP Women’s Volleyball Team embodies this spirit. You ladies are  strong, determined, disciplined, and you deserve to be supported and celebrated."

From the team's perspective, they are very much appreciative of their trust and support as a valued sponsor and steadfast partner. They note that "Three years ago, we started this program with a simple but powerful vision: ‘To grow, to compete, and to win.’ It’s something sustainable for our student-athletes. Today, that mission continues to come to life because of partners like you who believe in developing talent, character, and excellence."

PGC has been supportive of the University of the Philippines' athletics program since 2019, led by its founders Bobby and Angelita Castro, whose children are all alumni of the institution. 

Initially bolstering the men's basketball program and seeing it grow into its current status as one of the best collegiate teams in the country, they have since expanded their support into swimming and judo, with the former already netting a UAAP championship in the women's division last November.

In addition to providing resources, guidance, and encouragement to these programs, they have also been a key partner whenever UP holds certain celebrations, like their Champions' Thanksgiving Dinner.

In ensuring that student-athletes have the tools, guidance, and encouragement necessary they need to thrive, this new wrinkle in the partnership between PalawanPay and UP fosters a culture of excellence, perseverance, and leadership that shapes athletes into role models both on and off the field.

Philippine Fencing Association set to host 1st Leg of Senior Rankings

c/o the Philippine Fencing Association

With minor club-related competitions having kicked off fencing in the Philippines for 2026, the Philippine Fencing Association ratchets things up with the commencement of its rankings tournaments.

The Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City will serve as the host venue for the first leg of its senior tournaments, which will take place this Saturday and Sunday, February 14-15. Previous legs last year had taken place in a variety of venues, from the Quantum Skyview at Gateway Mall 2, to the Alabang Town Center, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, and capping off at the Ormoc Superdome in Leyte last June.

Saturday will feature Men's Epee in the morning, followed by Women's Foil and Men's Sabre in the afternoon. Sunday will then have Women's Epee, Men's Foil, and Women's Sabre. 

Being the first major senior-level event of the year, it is expected to set the competitive tone for fencers across the country aiming to climb the national rankings and secure momentum early in the season, with the subsequent legs coming in the next few weeks and months. Over three hundred have expressed their intention to participate this weekend.

The PFA views these legs as an opportunity to identify new talent to add onto its pool of candidates, as well as serve as a gauge to check on its current ones, led by SEA Games individual silver medalist Noelito Jose and bronze medalists Nathaniel Perez, Janna Catantan, Eunice Daniel Villanueva, and CJ Concepcion. Also, the NSA is set to participate in international competitions all year long, with a few already involved in recent tournaments abroad.

In fact, all locally-based fencers who went to Thailand for the SEA Games are expected to play this weekend, with US-based Sam Catantan and Charmaine Andres not in the current field.

With the upcoming UAAP season coming in a few weeks, the tournament is set to serve as a preview of some of the best student-athletes to take the stage. Participants from all five regular member schools are represented, including all six individual gold medalists from last season, aside from the potential addition of guest school PAREF-Southridge and their cadre of student-athletes making their league debut.

Action on the piste will also feature outstanding youth standouts in cadet and junior levels, a few of whom will be headed to Jakarta for the Asian Cadet and Junior Championships next week. Some of these fencers got their preparations underway with their participation in recent age-level tournaments hosted by a few clubs in the run-up to the first leg, whilst others visited camps abroad to gain much-needed experience and reps, as they prepare for the PFA's opening leg of the Cadet and Junior Tournaments next month.

In addition, the outstanding fencers from last year's rankings in all categories are slated to be honored on both days, with the men taking their turn on Saturday and the women the next day. 

With the start of the senior ranking season, the competition not only energizes athletes but also invigorates local clubs, coaches, and supporters. Activities from both the PFA and the different clubs/schools provide continuous competitive opportunities across age groups, ensuring that the sport’s development pipeline remains active and robust.

For seasoned athletes, this event is a chance to reaffirm their dominance, and for younger competitors moving up the ranks, it is a proving ground—a moment to challenge the veterans and announce their arrival.

Spectators and supporters can expect two days of high‑level fencing filled with strategy, speed, and determination as the Philippine fencing season officially kicks off in Quezon City.

Disney+ set to broadcast the 2026 Ruffles® NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in the Philippines

A powerhouse lineup of stars from the worlds of music, film, TV, and sports, including Disney, Marvel, MLB, NFL, and more, will hit the hardwood at the 2026 Ruffles® NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, as the NBA today unveiled the official rosters for the annual showcase. The game tips off Saturday, February 14, at 8:00 a.m. (Philippine Time) from the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif., streaming live and on replay exclusively on Disney+.

Blending pop culture and basketball, the Celebrity Game remains one of All-Star Weekend’s most anticipated entertainment events.

Player rosters for the 2026 Ruffles® NBA All-Star Celebrity Game will include: actor, writer and producer Keegan-Michael Key, multi-platinum rapper and Indian entertainment icon Badshah, multi-platinum producer and DJ Mustard, multi-platinum rapper GloRilla, NBA legend and champion Jeremy Lin,  ABC’s “The Bachelorette” and Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul, “Love Island” standout Nicolas Vansteenberghe, ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania, Los Angeles-native and All-Pro NFL wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, six-time NFL Pro Bowler and Los Angeles Chargers star Keenan Allen, Brazilian soccer legend and two-time FIFA World Cup champion Cafu,  creator and co-founder of Dude Perfect Cody Jones, social media creator and basketball personality Jenna Bandy, singer-songwriter and viral hitmaker Adrien Nuñez, 7-foot-6 former NBA player Tacko Fall, Phoenix Suns Chairman and Governor Mat Ishbia and Charlotte Hornets Co-Chairman and Governor Rick Schnall.

Emmy-winning actor and reigning Ruffles® NBA All-Star Celebrity Game MVP Rome Flynn, Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday” actor Simu Liu and seven-time Olympic medalist sprinter Andre De Grasse will return for their second Celebrity Games, while Chinese actor and singer Dylan Wang and NBA legend and champion Jason “White Chocolate” Williams return for their third.

Key, Flynn, Wang, Charania, Bandy, Schnall, Fall, Lin, Glorilla, Cafu, and St. Brown will be coached by two-time NBA MVP and NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo along with his brothers Thanasis and Alex Antetokounmpo, and by former MVP, four-time World Series Champion and Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts.

Liu, Jones, Badshah, de Grasse, Paul, Ishbia, Williams, Vansteenberghe, Mustard, Nunez, and Allen will be coached by world-renowned NBA shooting coach Lethal Shooter, Emmy®-winning actor and comedian Anthony Anderson and one of the NBA’s top player development trainers Chris Brickley.

Fans will be able to see and hear Monica McNutt as the host for this event, and will conduct interviews with the participants and other event attendees, while Mark Jones and Richard Jefferson are set to call the action.

In addition, this year’s Celebrity Game will also feature a special halftime performance by five-member K-pop group CORTIS, marking the first-ever halftime Celebrity Game performance by a K-pop artist.  CORTIS was recently named part of the NBA’s “Friends of the NBA” program, the league’s official network of celebrities and influencers across Asia.

The 2026 Ruffles® NBA All-Star Celebrity Game streams exclusively on Disney+, bringing together basketball, celebrity culture and live entertainment.

For the full NBA on Disney+ game schedule and updates, visit www.disney.ph/NBA.

Adamson ends Ateneo undefeated run in UAAP HS Basketball

c/o UAAP

Games on Sunday at the Adamson Gym

8 a.m. - Ateneo vs UPIS (Boys)
10 a.m. - FEU-D vs AdU (Boys)
12 p.m. - UE vs DLSZ (Boys)
2 p.m. - UST vs NUNS (Boys)
4 p.m. - UST vs NUNS (Girls)

Jarl Artango and Chrys Gomez came through in the clutch as Adamson University stunned erstwhile-unbeaten Ateneo de Manila University, 77-73, to notch its third win in the UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament on Thursday morning at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

Gomez sank a timely midrange jumper that pushed the Baby Falcons’ lead to 76-70 with 2:09 remaining, setting the stage for consecutive turnovers by the Blue Eagles. Artango then sealed the upset with a dagger free throw at the three-second mark.

Meanwhile, Cabs Cabonilas put on a dominant display, tallying 21 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks as Far Eastern University-Diliman cruised to its fourth straight win with a 79-61 dismantling of De La Salle Zobel.

The contrasting victories leave FEU-D sharing first place with Ateneo, both holding 5-1 records, while Adamson returned to the win column emphatically, improving to 3-3 in their penultimate first-round outing.

“The game plan today was to limit their import, kaya lang 27-27 pa rin ‘eh. Ang back-up plan lang namin was to try to limit their other players, we were able to do it naman. Offensively, sabi ko lang attack, attack, attack palagi,” Adamson head coach Mike Fermin said.

“This win comes with maturity talaga. We’re just pounding them and instilling in them na dapat every game or every training, you treat this like your last. Ang lagi lang namin iniisip, wala kami sa top four ngayon. ‘Yon nag-ffuel sa amin to be better,” he added.

Ateneo had clawed back from a 53-39 deficit to trail 61-58 heading into the fourth quarter. But the Baby Falcons opened the payoff period with a decisive 10-4 run — capped by a floater and two free throws from Artango — to restore a 71-62 lead with 6:13 left.

The Blue Eagles stayed within striking distance, as Jude Eriobu’s free throw, a Jay-M Leal layup, and a Noah Banal triple cut the gap to 76-73 with 2:12 left. Adamson, however, leaned on its defensive identity in the endgame to deny Ateneo any further comeback.

After Banal and Leal missed separate three-point attempts, Artango stole the ball from Ziv Espinas, and Noah Bautista followed with a pickpocket against Banal, keeping the pressure on. Ateneo resorted to fouling, with Artango sinking his first free throw before intentionally missing the second to prevent the Blue Eagles from gaining another clear shot from beyond the arc.

Artango finished with 24 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Gomez contributed 13 points, five steals, two rebounds, and one assist. Bautista added 10 points, five rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and one steal, with Mac Jenodia and Fran Flores chipping in eight points each in the hard-fought victory.

For Ateneo, Eriobu led the way with 27 points, 27 rebounds, four blocks, and one steal, followed by Banal with 11 points, six rebounds, and one assist. Espinas added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Leal contributed nine points, five assists, four rebounds, one steal, and one block.

In the earlier game, De La Salle Zobel had erased an early 27-10 deficit to trail 41-33 at halftime, but FEU-D responded with a dominant third quarter. JB Cagurungan opened the second half with eight straight points before Cabonilas, Marc Burgos, and Khean Esperanza led a 22-4 run to stretch the Baby Tamaraws’ lead to 63-37.

That third-quarter surge proved decisive. A five-point spurt from Cabonilas, including a triple and putback, along with a Cagurungan three-pointer and Esperanza layup, kept the Junior Archers down 73-57 with 3:01 remaining.

“They made a run, pero I think we did our job defensively. Medyo nawalan lang ng discipline because we had a lead. Medyo nawalan kami ng discipline on shot attempts and selection. Nung third quarter, binalikan namin ‘yon na we have a good lead, kaya we cannot keep on shooting,” FEU-D head coach Mike Reyes said.

Burgos finished with 11 points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block, while Cagurungan added 11 points on three triples, with five rebounds and one block. Esperanza contributed 10 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals, while Pat Sohm rounded out FEU-D’s balanced attack with six points and three rebounds.

For DLSZ, Maco Dabao was limited to 16 points on 6-of-21 shooting but added six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block. Nigerian center Yusuf Mikailu delivered a double-double with 11 points, 16 rebounds, five blocks, and one steal.

The Scores:

First Game:

FEU-D (79) - Cabonilas 21, Burgos 11, Cagurungan 11, Esperanza 10, Sohm 6, Raneses 4, Hall 4, Carino 4, Gaye 4, Alagaban 4, D. Santos 2, J. Santos 0, Enriquez 0, Dagcutan 0.

DLSZ (61) - Dabao 16, Mikailu 11, Favis 7, Arejola 5, Borrero 5, Ferrer 5, Atienza 4, Llamas 4, Luna 3, A. Alpapara 1, O. Alpapara 0, Reyes 0, Tan 0, Dimayuga 0.

Quarterscores: 21-10, 41-33, 63-41, 79-61.

Second Game:

AdU (77) - Artango 24, Gomez 13, Bautista 10, Jenodia 8, Flores 8, Frogoso 6, Iledan 4, Babad 3, Garcia 1.

Ateneo (73) - Eriobu 27, Banal 11, Espinas 11, Leal 9, Madrangca 5, Gatmaitan 4, Kaw 4, Kallos 2, Lacsamana 0, Reyes 0, Jazul 0.

Quarterscores: 22-26, 47-36, 61-58, 77-73.

La Salle-Zobel throttles Ateneo for solo third spot in UAAP Girls Basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Girls Basketball Tournament Standings
NUNS 2-0
UST 2-0
DLSZ 1-2
Ateneo 0-3

Games on Thursday at the Filoil Centre
9 a.m. -  FEU-D vs DLSZ (Boys)
11 a.m. - AdU vs Ateneo (Boys)
1 p.m. - NUNS vs UE (Boys)
3 p.m. - UST vs UPIS (Boys)

De La Salle Zobel reasserted its dominance over rival Ateneo de Manila University, 101-21, closing the first round of the UAAP Season 88 Girls’ Basketball Tournament on a high note Sunday afternoon at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

Eager to bounce back from a two-game skid against University of Santo Tomas and National University Nazareth School, the Junior Lady Archers relied on the combined efforts of Apyang Dulay, Sofia Martinez, and Bing Padigos for a commanding 50-10 first-half performance that set the tone for the rest of the game.

Dulay finished with 18 points, nine steals, four rebounds, and one assist, while Martinez added 15 points, seven steals, five rebounds, and three assists, helping the Junior Lady Archers claim sole possession of third place in the four-team field and improve their record to 1-2.

“I think this is a big step for us dahil yung confidence ng mga bata, bumalik. Nung previous games kasi namin, 30 or 50 points yung lamang ng kalaban. Mas masarap maglaro pag ganitong version na ng La Salle yung lumalabas sa amin,” DLSZ head coach Louie Fernandez said.

The Junior Lady Archers, who have won all their encounters with the Blue Eagles since the inception of high school basketball in 2019, wasted no time dictating the tempo. They opened with a dominant 26-4 first quarter, and consecutive baskets by Ima Navarro and Ching Ching Gales closed the second quarter, giving DLSZ a commanding 50-10 halftime lead.

The story continued in the third quarter as a midrange jumper by Martinez, a Gales inside basket, and two consecutive Dulay layups extended DLSZ’s lead to 73-15 heading into the final period—an advantage Ateneo could not overcome.

Padigos contributed 14 points, seven rebounds, five steals, two assists, and one block, while Navarro added 13 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, and one assist.

Gales finished with 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting, eight rebounds, six steals, and one assist, while Ice Gerona came one point shy of a double-double with nine points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

For Ateneo, Tyler Templo scored 14 of the Blue Eagles’ 21 points, along with five rebounds, four steals, and one block, as the team continues to search for its first-ever UAAP girls’ basketball win since the division was inaugurated in Season 82.

The Scores:

DLSZ (101) - Dulay 18, Martinez 15, Padigos 14, Navarro 13, Gales 10, Gerona 9, Winrar 8, Sanares 6, Contreras 4, Ogario 2, Cuaresma 2, Roque 0.  

Ateneo (21) - Templo 14, Ablang 4, Doque 2, Gozum 1, Molina 0, Ebao 0, Palmiery 0, Dalanon 0, Mariano 0, Vejerano 0, Trillo 0, Madamba 0.

Quarterscores: 26-6, 50-10, 73-15, 101-21.

Ateneo winning streak in HS Basketball extended to five

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Boys’ Basketball Tournament Standings
Ateneo 5-0
FEU-D 4-1
NUNS 3-2
DLSZ 3-2
UE 2-3
AdU 2-3
UST 1-4
UPIS 0-5

Boys Games on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre
9 a.m. -  FEU-D vs DLSZ
11 a.m. - AdU vs Ateneo
1 p.m. - NUNS vs UE
3 p.m. - UST vs UPIS

Jude Eriobu finished what Ziv Espinas started as Ateneo de Manila University extended the woes of defending champion University of Santo Tomas with a 100-88 victory to remain unbeaten through five games in the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament, Sunday afternoon at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

Espinas ignited the Blue Eagles’ spirited comeback late in the third quarter, before Eriobu took over down the stretch, scoring eight of Ateneo’s final 17 points to stretch their perfect run to five wins and hand the Tiger Cubs a fourth loss in five outings.

Meanwhile, Cabs Cabonilas and Pat Sohm powered Far Eastern University-Diliman to its third straight victory, leaning on a dominant fourth quarter to secure a 96-73 triumph over the University of the East.

With the contrasting results, Ateneo remained on top of the eight-team standings, still a game ahead of FEU-D, which improved to 4-1. UST stayed in seventh place with a 1-4 slate, while UE slipped to a share of sixth with Adamson University at 2-3.

“It was the players who really won the game today. As much as we prepared for this game, and I know we’re prepared, it was the players -- they really wanted to win,” Blue Eagles head coach Bacon Austria said. “Not to brag or anything, we knew what we really wanted to do, it was a matter of executing it down the stretch.”

A floater by LJ Lapastora gave UST an 80-72 cushion with 1:35 remaining in the third quarter, but Espinas sparked Ateneo’s decisive 16-2 run with nine points, turning the tide and giving the Blue Eagles a 78-72 lead with over seven minutes left.

The Tiger Cubs refused to fold as Jetlee Melano knocked down two free throws and Charles Esteban scored on a layup to cut the deficit to 83-81 with 5:41 remaining. However, EK Kaw drilled a timely triple before Eriobu showed nerves of steel in the closing minutes.

The 17-year-old Nigerian center scored eight straight points to restore a 92-86 cushion with 1:25 left, before Banal calmly converted four free throws to seal Ateneo’s hard-fought, come-from-behind win.

Eriobu finished with a dominant double-double of 28 points and 21 rebounds, along with one block and one assist. Banal added 25 points, three assists, two steals, and two rebounds, while Jay-M Leal chipped in 17 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.

Espinas narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds, to go with two assists and one block.

JC Canapi led UST with 24 points, three steals, one rebound, and one assist, while Wacky Ludovice contributed 15 points, three assists, two rebounds, one steal, and one block. Esteban tallied 13 points, four steals, three rebounds, and one assist, while Kirk Cañete added 12 points, six assists, four rebounds, and one steal.

In the other game, after Gab delos Reyes and Jolo Pascual hit back-to-back triples to knot the game at 61-all, graduating forward Marc Burgos scored six straight points before Sohm finished a layup to give the Baby Tamaraws a 69-61 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Louie Bual opened the final period with a triple to keep the Junior Warriors within five, 69-64, but that was as close as UE would get. FEU-D responded with a decisive 15-2 run—capped by two Prince Cariño free throws and a Sohm layup—to build an 86-66 advantage with 5:03 remaining.

“Nagawa nung players yung adjustments that we had to do on defense [noong fourth quarter], kaya 12 points lang sila. Mainly, it was their transition attack that we stopped, they had their shots, but luckily, nag-miss sila,” Baby Tamaraws head coach Mike Reyes said.

Cabonilas led FEU-D with 22 points on 6-of-12 shooting, along with 14 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one block. Burgos added 12 points, seven rebounds, and one assist.

Sohm finished with eight points, five rebounds, three steals, and one block, while Khean Esperanza, Nigerian center Assan Gaye, Adi Alagaban, and Dwyne Enriquez each scored eight points in the win.

For UE, Mhico Abellar paced the Junior Warriors with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Delos Reyes added 11 points, two assists, and one rebound.

Ethan Aguas was limited to seven points on four shot attempts, along with five rebounds and one block, while Sizco Roquid continued to struggle, finishing with two points on 1-of-7 shooting, two turnovers, two rebounds, and one assist.

The Scores:

Third Game:

FEU-D (96) - Cabonilas 22, Burgos 12, Esperanza 8, Gaye 8, Sohm 8, Alagaban 8, Enriquez 8, Cagurungan 7, Dagcutan 5, Hall 4, Carino 4, Raneses 2, J. Santos 0, Dulin 0, D. Santos 0.

UE (73) - Abellar 12, Delos Reyes 11, Bual 9, Pascual 8, Aguas 7, Lorenzo 5, Edoukou 5, Oraa 5, Braga 4, Diaz 3, Roquid 2, Timbol 2, Orca 0, Panganiban 0, Copada 0.

Quarterscores: 32-28, 50-46, 69-61, 96-73.

Fourth Game:

Ateneo (100) - Eriobu 28, Banal 25, Leal 17, Madrangca 9, Espinas 9, Kaw 6, Kallos 6, Gatmaitan 2, Lacsamana 2.

UST (88) - Canapi 24, Ludovice 15, Esteban 13, Canete 12, Melano 11, Lapastora 5, Ajani 4, Bathan 2, Pulongbarit 2, Vidanes 0, Sta. Maria 0, Candare 0.

Quarterscores: 24-17, 41-47, 66-70, 100-88.