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.

PSC receives Manny Pacquiao memorabilia for its Museum

Pacquiao to the President (c/o PSC)

A few items that were part of Manny Pacquiao's historic career are set to be donated to the Philippine Sports Museum.

The handover took place on Tuesday at the facility, located within the Philippine Sports Commission's complex in Pasig City, with Pacquiao himself turning them over to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

First Lady Liz Araneta-Marcos, PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, and Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo also graced the proceedings. Also present are the PSC's Commissioners in Bong Coo, Fritz Gaston, and Walter Torres, as well as its Executive Director, Atty. Guillermo Iroy.

These artifacts from Pacquiao's Hall of Fame career are added to the permanent collection of the Museum, as it reaffirms its commitment to safeguard the athletic legacy of the Philippines and celebrate the Filipino's sporting achievements, inspiring the current and future generations of citizens and athletes.

Among the items headed to the PSM are the fight trunks from his title fights against Miguel Cotto in 2009 (where he claimed his seventh world title in a seventh different weight division), and Antonio Margarito in 2010 (where he became the first and only fighter to win world titles in eight separate weight classes). He also is sending a championship belt from the World Boxing Council, which is a globally recognized emblem of excellence that not only represents victory but also a legacy defined by resilience, courage, and reinvention.

In receiving these items, Gregorio shares, "We commit Manny Pacquiao's legacy to national memory to inspire and ignite future champions. Your sweat. Your tears. Your blood. Your life. We can never thank you enough."

He adds, "The legend of Manny Pacquiao put the Philippines on the world map. He made the world look at us with awe and respect. This is our narrative as a nation: a story of grit, sacrifice and courage--violent but truthful and, in the end, triumphant."

And in line with Marcos receiving these artifacts himself directly from Pacquiao, Gregorio concludes, "When the President recognizes and memorializes an athlete, he places sports at the center of nation-building--this appeals to the heart and nobility of athletes across the nation."

Recognized globally as the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, Pacquiao captured world titles across multiple weight classes, redefining the boundaries of the sport while elevating Philippine pride on the international stage.

These memorabilia represent more than milestones in a boxing career — they embody moments when Filipino determination, discipline, and excellence resonated across the world.

The ceremonial handover further affirms the Museum’s role as a custodian of collective and cultural memory — transforming extraordinary individual triumphs into enduring sources of national pride and inspiration.

Francisco anchors UP shutout against Ateneo in softball opener

c/o UAAP

Martine Francisco fueled a massive opening-inning outburst as the University of the Philippines set its redemption bid in motion with an 11-0, four-inning rout of Ateneo de Manila University on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The fourth-year first baseman delivered two hits and drove in two runs in the first frame, jumpstarting the Fighting Maroons’ campaign to end three straight bridesmaid finishes.

Francisco opened the scoring with a single to center field that brought home Jaja Pascual. She then followed it up with a double to left field in her second at-bat of the same inning, allowing team captain Nickole dela Cruz to score as UP seized full control early.

Rookie Sathia Romero-Salas, a product of Imagine Learning Excellence Academy, provided the biggest spark of the game. She led off for UP with a triple to center field, igniting the offense as the Season 85 to 87 runners-up never looked back despite going quiet in the next two innings.

The right fielder later stretched the lead to seven runs in the opening frame with a sacrifice fly to right field that plated Reuel Caoagdan.

"First game, may mga kaunting ano 'yan, nine-nerbyos, pero na-pack up naman nila. Maganda naman 'yung hitting kaya masaya ako do'n sa start namin sa offense. Sa pitching, ok rin naman; gano'n din sa defense," said UP head coach Ron Pagkaliwagan.

"As a rookie maganda, kasi unang palo (ni Sathia), triple agad. So, expected naman namin 'yon, kasi kung anong pinapakita nila sa training, hopefully, lumabas naman sa laro."

Pagkaliwagan now hopes to keep UP in top form as the team prepares for its showdown against De La Salle University next Tuesday at 11 a.m. The Lady Batters previously absorbed a 2-1 loss to the University of Santo Tomas Softbelles after taking a one-run lead in the third inning.

"Kailangan naming paghandaan 'yung La Salle. Magaling rin 'yung team ng La Salle; although, lahat naman ng team may laro, so, kailangan namin silang paghandaan, one game at a time lang," said the fourth-year mentor.

"Basta lumabas kung ano 'yung ginagawa nila sa training, lumabas lang during the game, happy na ako do'n."

In the circle, KC Valino and Joy Laurente combined to shut down Ateneo across four innings.

Valino nearly kept a perfect slate if not for UP’s lone error — a fielding miscue by shortstop Aila Subaldo that allowed Katrice Ditchon to reach first base. The senior ace still struck out six of the seven batters she faced.

Laurente, meanwhile, retired three Blue Eagles in her UAAP debut, capping the game with a strikeout of Andrea Daquigan.

Marvelous Romano absorbed the loss for Ateneo after surrendering 11 runs on nine hits before Ditchon came in to record the final three outs in the third inning.

The Blue Eagles will look to snap their nine-game losing streak dating back to Season 86 (2024) when they face the same DLSU squad on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Team    1    2    3    4    5    6    7    R    H    E
Ateneo    0    0    0    x    x    x    x    0    0    1
UP    1    1    0    0    x    x    x    11    9    1

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.