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.

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.

Philippines to host third edition of the Asia-Pacific Padel Cup

The Philippines in the APPC 2025

Continental padel action is set to come to the Philippines, with the third edition of The Asia-Pacific Padel Cup taking place on June 25-28 at Play Padel McKinley in Taguig.

Hosted by Padel Pilipinas, the recognized national sports association for padel in the country, the APPC will bring together ten teams from seven countries, as they compete both in Professional and Amateur levels.

Unlike conventional padel competitions, whether in the Asia-Pacific Padel Tour or elsewhere, the APPC runs on collective results from all three categories: male, female, and mixed. All matches will have corresponding points that will register in the overall team standings, turning each rally into something that matters beyond the ongoing scoreboard.

The Philippines is the defending champion of the competition, emerging as winners last year in Kuala Lumpur. To mount a successful title defense this year, Padel Pilipinas will need to fend off four teams in both Professional and Amateur levels:

Professional Category
●    Padel Society Korea (South Korea)
●    PadThai Padel Thailand Team (Thailand)
●    Ace Padel India Team (India)
●    Prescott Development Team (Pakistan)

Amateur Category
●    göpadel (Chinese-Taipei)
●    Wolves Korea (South Korea)
●    The Racquet Garden Brunei Padel Team (Brunei)
●    Prescott Development Team (Pakistan)

In the case of Chinese-Taipei and Brunei, both countries are making their APPC debut, highlighting the continued rapid growth of padel across Asia. Meanwhile, both South Korea and Pakistan make their return trips to the competition after debuting last year.

Action will take place at the Taguig facility of Play Padel, which is the biggest padel facility in the country, located at Chateau Road corner Lombard Street in McKinley West. For those who are unable to watch in person, the matches will be streamed, with details to be confirmed on the APPC's official social media channels.

UAAP bars Ateneo coaches, sets July 15 deadline for Ateneo's investigation

The UAAP released this statement on Friday afternoon. 

The Board of Trustees of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines has approved the recommendation of the Board of Managing Directors to bar from the UAAP all the coaching staff of the Ateneo de Manila University who were present during the June 8 incident in Dipaculao, Aurora, pending the outcome of the investigations of the concerned government agencies, Ateneo’s independent fact-finding inquiry, and the League’s own investigation. As such, they are prohibited from participating in any UAAP-related activities, in any capacity, effective immediately and while these investigations are being conducted.

This preemptive measure, adopted even prior to the UAAP season, is intended to preserve the integrity of the ongoing inquiry and to ensure full transparency and due process as facts surrounding the incident are being carefully examined.

In addition, the UAAP has set July 15, 2026 as the deadline for the submission of the official findings of Ateneo de Manila University regarding the incident.

Amidst differing and clashing perceptions on this tragic incident, the UAAP, as a collegial body, is committed to adhere to its own governing rules and processes where the acts of a Member-University and personalities involved will be thoroughly evaluated by the other member schools before passing judgment. The UAAP reiterates that accountability shall be determined based on the results of a thorough and impartial investigation and its fidelity to its own rules and regulations. All those found responsible for any wrongdoing shall be held fully accountable under league regulations.

Above all, the UAAP extends its deepest sympathies to the bereaved parties and calls for justice, truth, and dignity for those who lost their lives in the incident. Their memories will be honored with the commitment to further protect our student-athletes so that such tragedy will never happen again.

JRU stuns San Beda in Filoil Preseason matchup of unbeatens

c/o Filoil Preseason

Games Thursday
11 a.m. - EAC vs. Benilde
1 p.m. - San Sebastian vs. Perpetual
3 p.m. - NU vs. UST
5 p.m. - Gilas Youth vs. La Salle

JOSE Rizal University might have sent an early warning to the rest of the league.

The Heavy Bombers turned back erstwhile undefeated San Beda, 73-65, to move at solo first in the NCAA Group Wednesday in the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.

Chris Hubilla was in full control of the game for JRU with his 18 points and nine rebounds, while providing support were Allen Laurenaria's 15 points and nine boards and Lawrence Mangubat who had 14 points, four rebounds, and three steals.

But it was defense which did the trick, forcing San Beda to 20 turnovers and held high scoring Aldous Torculas to just five points on 2-for-7 shooting.

Sean Salvador was also instrumental for the Heavy Bombers late in the game, scoring seven of his 9 points in a crucial juncture in the fourth quarter to guide the Kalentong crew to their sixth straight victory in this tilt which has Hanes, Buffalo's Wings N Things, Wallem, BDO, Akari, Smart, Molten, Reyes Barbecue, Nature's Spring, Tela.com Athletics, Brothers Burger, and Don Benito's as sponsors.

RC Calimag was the lone Red Lion in double figures with his 21 points built from four three-pointers as they sunk to a 5-1 record.

Mapua also earned back-to-back wins after escaping Arellano in a thrilling 94-89 victory.

MC Cuenco sank the go-ahead dagger from the top of the arc with 58 seconds left to give the Cardinals a comfortable 92-86 lead before his assist to a Jaymark Lloren sealed the deal as they moved up to 3-1.

He finished with 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting from distance, while Yam Concepcion commandeered the paint with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.

Coach Chito Victolero, however, still feels in disbelief how his side pulled off the victory after Mapua committed 20 turnovers and gave up 42 free throws to Arellano.

"I don't know how we got the win, but yun nga, a win is a win," said the comebacking mentor after the Cardinals squandered a 15-point lead, 85-70, but still held on to the triumph.

It was a tough defeat for the winless Chiefs, which slid to a 0-6 slate, despite the return of T-Mc Ongotan who dropped 20 points and two assists.

The Scores:

First Game:
MAPUA 94 - Cuenco 17, Concepcion 12, Callangan 11, Pascual 10, Reyes 10, Diaz 8, Lazarte 8, Lloren 7, L. Nitura 5, Reyes 2, M. Nitura 2, Ryan 2, Igliane 0.
ARELLANO 89 - Ongotan 20, Valencia 18, Vinoya 14, Geronimo 9, Abiera 8, Borromeo 7, Manansala 4, Buenaventura 3, Camay 3, Ladica 3, Langit 0, Flores 0, Mendoza 0, Demetria 0, Barraca 0.
Quarters: 26-24, 52-44, 74-66, 94-89.

Second Game:
JRU 73 - Hubilla 18, Laurenaria 15, Mangubat 14, Salvador 9, Herrera 5, Eligado 4, Garupil 3, Duque 3, Garcia 2, Panapanaan 0, Masiglat 0.
SAN BEDA 65 - RC. Calimag 21, Etulle 9, Bonzalida 8, Marcelo 5, Torculas 5, Lina 5, Hawkins 4, Puno 3, Efron 3, Dabao 2, Jamora 0, Jalbuena 0, Ugaddan 0, Songcuya 0, Medroso 0.
Quarters: 15-21, 41-40, 56-51, 73-65.

2026 edition of the Collegiate Press Corps awards on tap

2025 Collegiate Press Corps

EVERY blood, sweat and tear shed during the previous season leads to this moment.

While championships are won on the court, legacy is built off of it – and the 2026 Collegiate Press Corps Awards (CPC) Night presented by Strong Group Athletics will be where Philippine collegiate sports' brightest stars cement theirs.

The awards night, which will put the finest student-athletes and personalities of UAAP Season 88 and NCAA Season 101 in the spotlight, will be held on June 29, 2026 at the Discovery Suites Manila in Ortigas, Pasig City.

The Collegiate Men’s and Women’s Basketball Players of the Year presented by Converge, which was voted and deliberated by the esteemed group of journalists from both national print and online media, will be among the highlights of the awards night.

Aside from this, the men’s and women’s basketball Mythical Five teams will also be revealed.

Presented by SGA anew, the men’s and women’s volleyball players from both the UAAP and the NCAA will likewise be feted in the season-ending event.

And for the second straight year, the Football Players of the Year for both UAAP and NCAA supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will be announced.

Of course, it will not only be the players who will be given their honors in the annual collegiate body ceremony supported by Go For Gold, D’Generals and Buffalos’ Wings ‘N Things.

The top UAAP and NCAA coaches of the year for basketball and volleyball brought by the San Miguel Corporation will be given well-deserved recognition as well for steering their respective teams to the top of the collegiate world.

The CPC will also hand a special citation to Ateneo de Manila University center Kacey dela Rosa for her impact not just for the Blue Eagles and the UAAP, but also for Gilas Pilipinas in international 5-on-5 and 3x3 basketball.

“Every year, new stars emerge and legends arrive to lord it over the famed collegiate courts and fields. And this year is no different with the CPC continuing its relentless drive to champion collegiate sports and recognize the student-athletes behind every championship and glory – once more and always,” said CPC president John Bryan Ulanday of The Philippine Star.