Kyrie Irving launches latest Anta innovations in Thailand

Kyrie Irving

Recently, Kyrie Irving traveled to the region for his 2024 China and Southeast Asia Tour, highlighted by "The Art of Movement" fashion show in Bangkok.

Said event marked the debut of the Anta Hélà lifestyle collection, a fusion of art, movement, basketball, and fashion, creating what is a unique athletic look that the Dallas Mavericks guard and concurrent Chief Creative Officer and Creative Director for Anta.

For "The Art of Movement," it featured outfits that were co-designed by Kyrie's sister Asia, The collection, which blended celebration with a fresh and magical style, mostly features a rich purple palette that pays homage not only to the "Artist on Court" colorway but also the royal elegance that symbolizes family, basketball, and design.

The event was split into three segments: the first one highlighted versatile, basketball-inspired designs that could be worn both on and off the court, celebrating the artistic evolution of Kyrie's iconic totem and the strength of Anta's spirit. The second one reflected Kyrie's design philosophy of family, celebrating the enduring legacy, unity, and connection passed through generations. with the last one showcasing bold, dynamic lines inspired by Kyrie's signature logo and values, symbolizing focus, agility, strength, and speed.

It also served as the launch for the Hélà TRIBE, Hélà STYLE, and the new Hélà STYLE SLOUX sneakers, as well as a the latest release of the KAI footwear line, the KAI 1 Speed, which is co-designed by Kyrie with his father, Drederick.

With Anta's Irving Hélà lifestyle collection, the line seeks to offer a modern, versatile aesthetic that echoes Kyrie's distinctive presence both on and off the court. It is inspired by how Irving's playing style illustrates a combination of power, agility, and precision.

As for the KAI 1 Speed, it is a reflection of the shared passion and dedication both father and son have to basketball, and is a symbol of the unwavering support Kyrie has received from his family.

In addition to the "The Art of Movement," Irving also went out to visit key landmarks across Thailand, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, to soak in the art and culture. He also went to the Central World shopping mall to meet his fans. The latter saw Thai artist Daboyway hold a performance, and was presented a customized pair of kicks from Ohm Cocktail.

Through their continued partnership with the KAI and Hélà product lines, Kyrie and Anta will continue to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation, as it seeks to redefine the future of basketball with a shared vision of growth, inspiration, and excellence

La Salle extends winning streak over UST

c/o UAAP

Games Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum

8 a.m. – UST vs UP (JHS)

9:45 a.m. – UE vs Ateneo (JHS)

11:30 a.m. – UST vs UP (Women)

1:30 p.m. – UE vs Ateneo (Women)

4:30 p.m. – UST vs UP (Men)

6:30 p.m. – UE vs Ateneo (Men)

De La Salle University showcased its dominance with a powerful fourth-quarter surge, routing University of Santo Tomas 88-67 to remain in solo second in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

This victory marks the Green Archers' 15th consecutive win over the Growling Tigers since Season 79, a streak that began with a decisive 100-62 victory on September 14, 2016.

Entering the final period with a nine-point lead, La Salle quickly extended its advantage with an explosive 8-0 run, pushing the score to 69-52 with 7:17 left on the clock.

Vhoris Marasigan’s three-pointer, CJ Austria’s layup, and another three-pointer from Alex Konov capped a game-high lead of 24 points at 88-64.

“I think the key for us this afternoon is that we really tried to outwork them. We know what they’re capable of, we know how well coached that team is, and sabi nga namin, our goal right now is to just outwork UST,” said Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson.

The rebounding battle spelled the difference between the two teams as the Green Archers grabbed 56 rebounds (35 defensive, 21 offensive) compared to the Growling Tigers’ season-low outing of 29 rebounds.

Mike Phillips led La Salle’s charge anew with 12 points, 18 rebounds, two assists, and one block. He dedicated the game to the Doleo Susalta, the team compound's security guard who one of his close friends who passed away recently.

Rookie Vhoris Marasigan, who Robinson described as a 'force to be reckoned with', had an efficient outing of 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field.

Raven Gonzales had his best outing of the season with 10 points, five rebounds, two steals, and a game-high plus-25 in 14 minutes and 20 seconds of action, while Kevin Quiambao and JC Macalalag also chipped in 10 points a piece.

“It breeds how one of the things that we really wanted to bring to life is how the ‘one more’ mentality; guys knowing that they will have their opportunity when it comes,” he added.

Looking ahead, La Salle is set to face the undefeated University of the Philippines in a highly anticipated finals rematch next Sunday, October 6, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

A victory for the Green Archers would create a two-way tie for first place in the standings.

In contrast, the loss leaves UST tied for fourth place with the University of the East, as both teams now hold 3-2 records.

Nic Cabanero paced the Growling Tigers in the losing effort with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Forth Padrigao posted a double-digit scoring output for the first time this season with 15 points to go along with five assists.

Malian foreign student athlete Mo Tounkara, who exited the game with less than seven minutes left after committing his fourth foul, was limited to five points and five rebounds, but was still able to contribute defensively with a pair of steals and blocks.

The Growling Tigers will look to bounce back against the Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, October 2, at the same Cubao venue.

The Scores:

DLSU (88) – Phillips 12, Marasigan 11, Quiambao 10, Gonzales 10, Macalalag 10, Agunanne 7, Austria 6, Gollena 6, Dungo 6, David 4, Abadam 3, Konov 3, Ramiro 0.

UST (67) – Cabañero 16, Padrigao 15, Acido 9, Manaytay 8, Tounkara 5, Llemit 5, Danting 5, Robinson 2, Lane 2, Calum 0, Estacio 0, Paranada 0, Mahmood 0, Crisostomo 0, Pangilinan 0, Laure 0.

Quarterscores: 19-18, 36-28, 61-50, 88-67

FEU, UST keep girls volleyball record unblemished

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Girls Volleyball Standings

FEU 4-0

UST 3-0

NUNS 2-1

AdU 2-1

DLSZ 1-3

UPIS 1-3

Ateneo 0-5

Games on Wednesday at Paco Arena

9 a.m. – UE vs. AdU (Boys)

11  a.m. – Ateneo vs. NUNS (Boys)

1  p.m. – UST vs. UP (Girls)

3  p.m. – NUNS vs. AdU (Girls)

FAR EASTERN University-Diliman and University of Santo Tomas extended their unbeaten streaks with commanding victories in the UAAP Season 87 High School Girls' Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at Paco Arena in Manila.

The Lady Baby Tamaraws dominated the Ateneo Blue Eagles, with a 25-12, 25-18, 25-11,  to go 4-0. 

Meanwhile, the Junior Tigresses, even without head coach Kungfu Reyes, cruised to a straight-sets win over the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Lady Spikers, 25-13, 25-18, 25-21, securing a 3-0 record. 

For the Baby Lady Tamaraws, Aleah Devosora powered the team with an impressive 15 points, including 10 attacks and five service aces. 

Team captain Raine Alonzo also delivered, contributing 10 points, with eight coming from attacks. 

The match lasted only 54 minutes as the Lady Baby Tamaraws overwhelmed Ateneo in every aspect of the game.

On the defensive side, Dennz Relox anchored the backline with 13 excellent digs, while Sheena Cafe orchestrated the offense with precision, tallying 14 excellent sets to guide her team to victory.

“Masaya kami kasi wala pang talo, 4-0 pero siyempre hindi pa tapos ‘yung first round. Meron pa kaming last two games. Medyo mabigat, Adamson tsaka UST. Kailangan lang namin ma-plantsa, kumbaga ‘yung mga error namin or ‘yung mga mali namin kailangan namin ma-correct,” said FEU-D head coach Joanne Bunag.

Bunag emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and improving their blocking and floor defense, especially against taller teams like Adamson and UST. 

“Lalo na ‘pag Adamson at UST medyo matatangkad sila, kailangan namin sumabay. Sinasabi ko nga sa player ko, hindi kasi natin kailangan magkampante kahit nasa top na kami, kami na ‘yung number one... ile-less lang namin ‘yung error namin tapos magiging maganda ‘yung laro,” the FEU legend added.

In UST’s match, Lianne Penuliar led the Junior Golden Tigresses with 10 points, including five attacks and four blocks. 

Her performance, along with Avril Bron's solid 10-point contribution, helped UST secure their third straight victory in a match that lasted an hour and 11 minutes.

On the side of the Junior Lady Spikers, Juliene Mindanao, Sabine Valdez, and Aislinn Alemaña each contributed six points. 

However, their efforts weren't enough to stop UST, and DLSZ dropped to a 1-3 record, tying with University of the Philippines Integrated School for fifth place in the standings.

Ateneo remained winless in five outings.

Ateneo overpowers FEU in women's basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Women’s Basketball Standings

NU 6-0 

UST 4-1

ADU 4-2

Ateneo 3-2

UP 2-3

UE 1-4

DLSU 1-5

FEU 1-5

Games Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum 

8 a.m. – UST vs UP (JHS)

9:45 a.m. – UE vs Ateneo (JHS)

11:30 a.m. – UST vs UP (Women)

1:30 p.m. – UE vs Ateneo (Women)

4:30 p.m. – UST vs UP (Men)

6:30 p.m. – UE vs Ateneo (Men)

ATENEO de Manila University capitalized on a shorthanded Far Eastern University side, securing a 69-53 wire-to-wire victory to remain in the top four of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Reigning UAAP MVP Kacey Dela Rosa was one of two Blue Eagles that tallied a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Nigerian student-athlete Sarah Makanjuola contributed 17 points and 17 rebounds.

The Lady Tamaraws, despite trailing by as many as 16 points, made a push with a 10-4 run early in the fourth quarter, cutting Ateneo’s lead to just eight, 52-44. However, the Blue Eagles quickly responded. 

A three-pointer from Gracie Batongbakal, a layup from Makanjoula, and a technical free throw by Kai Oani sparked a decisive 16-2 run, extending Ateneo’s lead to a game-high 22 points, 68-46, with less than 2:30 left on the clock.

This victory allowed Ateneo to secure solo fourth place in the standings with a 3-2 record, creating separation from their Katipunan rivals University of the Philippines, who sit at 2-3.

“We’re looking for some consistency and I expected us to be a little bit rocky in the first round… It’s a big adjustment for all of us, but I think our girls are responding well,” said Blue Eagles head coach La Mumar. “We’re an inside-out team and we feel that we can really build the team around these two girls (Dela Rosa and Makanjuola)… We’re gonna roll with that identity.”

Batongbakal chipped in nine points on an efficient 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, while Junize Calago posted a near-double-double outing of nine points and 10 rebounds. 

Ateneo aims to keep their momentum going as they face the University of the East on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the same venue in Cubao. 

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University’s struggles continued under head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy, as they dropped to a 1-5 record, sharing the bottom spot in the standings with De La Salle University.

The Lady Tamaraws played without Congolese import Josee Kaputu, sidelined with a torn ACL in her left knee, and top scorer Shane Salvani, who was serving a one-game suspension. 

Salvani, who had been averaging 14.25 points, 5.25 rebounds, 3.75 assists, and 1.25 steals through four games, was ejected in their previous game against La Salle after committing a disqualifying foul in the final seconds, where she was caught clotheslining Luisa dela Paz during FEU's 65-89 loss.

Yvette Villanueva, who averaged 2.4 points and 4.2 rebounds before the game, stepped up for the nine-woman Lady Tamaraws in the losing effort with 18 points and nine rebounds, while MJ Manguiat struggled with 10 points on an 18.2-percent shooting clip. 

The Lady Tamaraws will seek a breakthrough win when they face reigning champion University of Santo Tomas on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Scores:

Ateneo (69) – Dela Rosa 20, Makanjoula 17, Batongbakal 9, Calago 9, Villacruz 4, Oani 4, Cruza 3, Cancio 2, Fetalvero 1, Angala 0, Lopez 0, Eufemiano 0, Olivenza 0, Nieves 0, Salgado 0, Aquirre 0.

FEU (53) – Villanueva 18, Manguiat 10, Libor 8, Pasilang 5, Lopez 5, Ong 4, Dela Torre 3, Paras 0, Nagma 0, Gavaran 0.

Quarterscores: 18-7, 28-19, 48-34, 69-53

Strong fourth quarter ensures UST win in women's basketball

c/o UAAP

Games Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum

8 a.m. – UST vs UP (JHS)

9:45 a.m. – UE vs Ateneo (JHS)

11:30 a.m. – UST vs UP (Women)

1:30 p.m. – UE vs Ateneo (Women)

4:30 p.m. – UST vs UP (Men)

6:30 p.m. – UE vs Ateneo (Men)

A strong fourth quarter showing propelled University of Santo Tomas back to the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament winning column, overcoming De La Salle University, 76-68, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Leading by three through three quarters, the Growling Tigresses opened the payoff period with an 11-0 to slowly pull away with a comfortable 14-point lead, 67-53, with 8:20 left. 

A triple and layup by Karylle Sierba saw UST take a game-high 15 point cushion, 74-59, en route to strengthening its hold of solo second in the standings with a 4-1 record. 

“Nagadjust kasi ako come the fourth quarter because sabi ko it cannot be na dikit yung laban namin, so I needed to adjust, naglagay ako ng four guards tapos doon kami lumamang and pushed La Salle to many turnovers,” said Growling Tigresses head coach Haydee Ong. 

Both teams struggled to take care of the ball with UST committing 27 turnovers, but its defense forced La Salle to 38 turnovers while also stealing the ball 21 times. 

Kent Pastrana overcame a seven-point performance in UST’s first season loss to National U, leading the Growling Tigresses with 21 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks.

UST high product Sierba contributed significantly with 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Brigette Santos chipped in 12 points, five rebounds, and three steals on a team high plus-24 in 21 minutes of action. 

The Growling Tigresses will next face last season’s Final Four foe University of the Philippines on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the same Cubao venue.

Patricia Mendoza’s near 20-20 statline of 21 points and 18 rebounds went for naught as the Lady Archers’ struggles continued after dropping to a 1-5 card, good for last place in the eight-team collegiate league. 

Coming from a historic 34-point outing, San Juan was limited to 16 points on 4-of-14 shooting, including 2-of-10 from beyond the arc, while fourth-year forward Lee Sario also struggled with 13 points on a 25-percent shooting clip to go along with eight turnovers.

La Salle aims to bounce back when it clashes against the Fighting Maroons next Sunday, Oct. 6, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Scores:

UST (76) – Pastrana 21, Sierba 16, Santos 12, Maglupay 8, Soriano 6, Bron 5, Ambos 4, Relliquette 2, Tacatac 2, Dionisio 0, Serrano 0, N. Danganan 0, Pescador 0, Pineda 0.

DLSU (68) – Mendoza 21, San Juan 16, Sario 13, Santos 4, Delos Santos 4, Camba 4, Paraiso 2, Bacierto 2, Sunga 2, Dalisay 0, Rodriguez 0.

Quarterscores: 20-27, 36-37, 56-53, 76-68

UST extends boys volleyball streak to four

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Boys’ Volleyball Standings

UST 4-0

UE 3-1

NUNS 3-1 

FEU-D 2-2

AdU 2-2

DLSZ 2-2

UPIS 0-4

Ateneo 0-4

Games on Wednesday at the Paco Arena

9 a.m. – UE vs. AdU (Boys)

11 a.m. – Ateneo vs. NUNS (Boys)

1 p.m. – UST vs. UP (Girls)

3 p.m. – NUNS vs. AdU (Girls)

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas extended its perfect run to four matches with a commanding 25-10, 25-12, 25-15 victory over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

UST's Sean Cruz made his presence felt at the net, recording five blocks along with four attacks and an ace, in the match that lasted just over an hour. 

Paolo Medino also contributed 10 points, tallying seven kills and two aces. Jefferson Abalos efficiently orchestrated the Junior Golden Spikers' offense, finishing with 14 excellent sets.

UST head coach Clarence Esteban praised his team's effort, noting the momentum they carried from their four-set win over NUNS last Wednesday: “Maganda ‘yung movement ng players namin, nasa high spirit ‘yung mga galaw ng mga player ko so dala-dala nila ‘yung pagkapanalo namin doon sa last game namin. So high intense ‘yung ginagawa nila, less errors ‘yung ginagawa nila so maganda ‘yung outcome at naging resulta ng laro namin ngayon.

“Siguro doon sa areas of improvement siguro mas maging agile sila doon sa mga movement namin. So mas maging agresibo sana sila, less error ‘yung mangyari doon sa gagawin nila,” he added.

Jims Ducusin paced Adamson with eight points.

With this defeat, the Baby Falcons dropped to a 2-2 record, sharing fourth with the DLSZ Junior Green Spikers and the FEU-Diliman Baby Tams — the latter sweeping the Ateneo Blue Eagles earlier in the day, 25-8, 25-9, 25-15.

Brix Landicho guided the Baby Tams in the match that lasted for 52 minutes, tallying 13 excellent sets and five attacks. 

Team captain Zedrick Calimlim led the scoring for the Baby Tamaraws, notching 13 points, including 10 attacks and three aces. 

Duane Ladores also contributed to the win with six points from five kills.

Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles remained winless at 0-4.

Zobel nips UST in JHS basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Standings

UE 5-0

FEU-D 5-1

UST 3-2

Ateneo 3-2

DLSZ 3-3

NUNS 2-4

Adamson 1-5

UPIS 0-5

FAR EASTERN University-Diliman extended its winning streak to three games, overpowering Ateneo de Manila University with an 80-61 victory to remain in solo second in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With the victory, the Baby Tamaraws improved to 5-1, remaining a game behind the league-leading UE Junior Warriors.

Earlier, De La Salle-Zobel stunned the University of Santo Tomas, 83-80, to end its three-game losing streak.

For Baby Tamaraws head coach Muriel Garcia, the win came as a relief, given the challenges the team faced in the days leading up to the match.

“Actually, pinag-aaralan namin kahapon ni Coach Denok (Miranda) kung paano ikot ng tao kasi ang daming injuries sa amin,” Garcia said. “Ni-remind lang namin players namin na keep on playing, keep on playing, keep on playing, especially on defense (and) keep on pushing, keep on pushing the ball, and we finished the job.”

Mic Pingris, son of PBA legend Marc Pingris, stepped up for FEU-D, scoring a career-high 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting. 

Anton Lopez, a transferee from Diliman Preparatory School, also delivered an impressive all-around performance with 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and six steals while CP Miranda, the son of FEU head of basketball operations Denok, contributed 15 points and five assists.

The Baby Tamaraws’ defense was key to the win, as they limited Ateneo’s star guard Zane Kallos to just nine points on 2-of-14 shooting. 

Zane, the son of former San Sebastian head coach John Kallos, still managed 12 rebounds and six assists but struggled to find his rhythm.

On the other hand, the Junior Archers fought in a back-and-forth battle against the Tiger Cubs to return to the win column. 

Ram Luna, a product of De La Salle Lipa, hit the go-ahead jumper to give the Junior Archers an 80-79 lead with 1:02 left, completing a 19-9 run that erased a 10-point deficit early in the fourth quarter.

With 45.1 seconds remaining, UST’s Jhon Canapi was fouled by Vince Magan and managed to tie the game with a free throw. 

However, Luna responded with a lay-up, reclaiming the lead for La Salle with 24 seconds left. 

The Tiger Cubs fouled Melvin Tailan to stop the clock, and he made one free throw to push the lead to three. 

With only 6.2 seconds remaining, Canapi brought the ball down but was unable to get a shot off due to La Salle’s tight defense, sealing the win for the Junior Archers.

Tailan, a transferee from Blue Danube School, Inc., led DLSZ with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. 

Magan added 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Luna, who made the crucial baskets, finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.

“Medyo expected ko na magte-turnovers kami kasi is one of the younger (ones) here in the 16-under,” Junior Archers head coach Penny Laureaga said. 

“Lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila, once you turn the ball over, do something on defense. We need to make a stop. Move on tayo and then the next play is another chance for us to execute and do something to bounce back.”

The win brought DLSZ to 3-3, just half a game behind UST and Ateneo, who are tied for third with identical 3-2 records.

Five Tiger Cubs scored in double digits, with Dustin Bathan notching the first-ever triple-double in the division with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. 

Miguel Jubilado led the Tiger Cubs with 21 points, six assists, and four steals, while Andwele Cabañero added 15 points and nine rebounds. 

Theodore Lim and Canapi chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively. 

Despite their contributions, the trio of Cabañero, Canapi, and Bathan struggled with their shooting, combining for just 16-of-50 from the field.

In Ateneo’s loss to FEU-D, Sky Jazul led the Blue Eagles with 19 points, including 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc, while YJ Lacsamana added 11 points and eight rebounds. 

However, their efforts were not enough to overcome the Baby Tamaraws' dominance.

The Scores:

First Game 

DLSZ (83) – Tailan 25, Magan 21, Luna 19, Centeno 5, Maglipon 4, Apao 4, Tan 3, Llamas 2, I. Purugganan 0, Rivera 0, E. Purugganan 0.

UST (80) – Jubilado 21, Cabañero 15, Lim 14, Canapi 13, Bathan 12, Guinto 2, Villacarlos 2, Guerrero 1, Castro 0, Aguilar 0, Javier 0, Yu 0, Balague 0.

Quarterscores: 21-20, 42-42, 61-69, 83-80.

Second Game 

FEU-D (80) – Lopez 16, Miranda 15, Pingris 14, Santos 9, Cariño 7, Dulin 6, Pasinos 6, Enriquez 4, Lassiter 3, Pineda 0, Chavez 0, Barlan 0, Daa 0, Diaz 0.

Ateneo (61) – Jazul 19, Lacsamana 11, Kallos 9, Ngo 9, Juangco 6, Molina 4, Ylen 3, Bernarte 0, Valte 0, Pineda 0, Dela Rosa 0, Divinagracia 0, Ramos 0, Meresen 0, Fernandez 0.

Quarterscores: 27-13, 42-33, 59-43, 80-61.

Golden MV's Villar City Partners with All-Star Properties to Launch State-of-the-Art Sports Hub

as shared by Golden MV and All-Star Properties

Golden MV's Villar City is set to become a beacon for sports development in the Philippines as it partners with All-Star Properties to establish the Villar City Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility covering 30,000 square meters.

The Villar City Stadium will rise within Golden MV's Villar City— a 3,500-hectare megacity built on innovation, sustainability, and community, designed to become the next hub for business, leisure, and now, sports across the 15 cities it encompasses.

Present during the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing on Saturday at Brittany Hotel Villar City in Bacoor, Cavite were Villar Group Chairman Manny Villar and Director of Golden MV Holdings Paolo Villar, along with All-Star Properties Inc. Chairman Dan Palami, CEO Mel Macasaquit, and COO Misagh Bahadoran, a former Philippine Azkal. 

The Villar City Stadium aims to feature modern courts and fields for various sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, padel, pickleball, and badminton, among others.

This ambitious project addresses the long-standing issue of access to quality sports venues, offering local athletes and sports enthusiasts a world-class facility without the traffic hassles associated with traveling to the facilities in Manila.

Villar Group Chairman Manny Villar expressed his vision for the project, stating, “We envision a facility that will house everything that is all about sports. Our kababayans will now have the best option rather than enduring the traffic to go to other sports venues in Metro Manila just to compete or watch international sporting events. Moreover, they will also have the opportunity to experience the amenities and benefits of the most modern sports facility in the country.”

The collaboration with All-Star Properties is significant due to the extensive experience and expertise of its key figures, particularly Palami and Macasaquit.

Palami, often referred to as the godfather of Philippine football, is the man behind the success of the Azkals and the meteoric rise of football in the country. He is also a key figure in the return to prominence of the UP Men's Basketball team in the UAAP.

“Our aim is to always help and advance the interests of Philippine sports. Building a sports hub that features all the perks of a modern and state-of-the-art facility is a most welcome way to solve one of the perennial problems of sports development here in the country. The Stadium will not only be a venue but also the means to fast-track the development of several sports programs and projects in the country for many years to come," said Palami.

Meanwhile, Macasaquit is the founder of MelMac Sports, a leading sports marketing agency renowned for orchestrating successful campaigns for various national teams and prominent local and international brands.

Macasaquit expressed his gratitude for the trust shown by the Villar family.

“I am grateful to the Villars for their trust in our vision and empowering us in implementing the grand design for the Villar City Stadium. Together with the incredible team behind this project, all of whom are born winners, we hope to create a facility that will significantly contribute to the growth of Philippine sports," said Macasaquit.

DLSU secures back-to-back victories

c/o UAAP

ROOKIE Dani Tanjangco continued her scoring spree, notching two goals to power De La Salle University to the top of the UAAP Season 86 Women's Football Tournament standings with a 3-1 victory over University of the Philippines on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

The Lady Green Booters secured their second straight win, accumulating six points with a plus-4 goal differential, putting them in early command of the league.

Last season's runner-up displayed their attacking intent early and found the back of the net twice in the first half.

Tanjangco, the 18-year-old striker from De La Salle-Zobel, opened the scoring in the 17th minute, followed by Maria Layacan's goal in stoppage time, doubling the margin for the visitors.

The Kaya FC youth product added her second goal of the match -- third for the young season -- just a few minutes into the second half—a virtual nail in the coffin scored in the 53rd minute.

"As you can see, 'yung fitness ng players are picking up. The preparation for this one was short, and now they are getting their air going towards the second round. We're halfway done with the first round, so we're preparing now for Ateneo," said Lady Green Booters head coach Alvin Ocampo.

"We're taking this one game at a time. We made adjustments against UP, and now we'll make adjustments against Ateneo."

De La Salle will look to maintain their top spot when they face rivals Ateneo (0 points, minus-4) on October 19 at 4 p.m. at the same Diliman pitch.

UP attempted to break through De La Salle’s defense despite the deficit, with a good run from Martina Torres in the 56th minute resulting in a handball penalty. Hannah Muros converted the spot kick, pulling one back for the Fighting Maroons.

However, De La Salle's lead proved too much, with the 3-1 scoreline standing until the final whistle.

The Fighting Maroons (3 points, minus-1) will aim to bounce back in their next match against Far Eastern University (3 points, plus-3) on October 26 at 4 p.m.

FEU kicks off impressive title defense in UAAP women's football

c/o UAAP

Men's Matches on Thursday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium

2 p.m. - UE vs. FEU

4:30 p.m. - UP vs. ADU

7 p.m. - Ateneo vs DLSU

DEFENDING champion Far Eastern University dominated Ateneo de Manila University with a commanding 3-0 victory to open its three-peat bid on Saturday in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament at the UP Diliman Football Stadium. 

The Lady Tamaraws showcased their strength early on, with reigning MVP and FEU captain Inday Tolentin scoring a goal in the fifth minute, setting the tone for the match.

As the first half progressed, FEU continued to apply pressure. 

Just two minutes before the halftime whistle, Regine Rebosura doubled the Lady Tamaraws' lead, leaving Ateneo with a significant challenge ahead. 

This two-goal cushion proved crucial as the teams headed into the break.

The second half saw FEU maintain its dominance, and in the 75th minute, Sarah Tulabing scored an insurance goal, effectively sealing the victory for the Lady Tamaraws. 

"During the first half, masyadong tense, walang plays and sobrang laki ng spaces. Di ma-apply yung attack so nawawalan kami ng chances in front. Nagkaroon kami ng problem with the spaces. Duting the second half naka-adjust especially nung pinasok namin ung new players,” Lady Tamaraws head coach Let Dimzon noted

With this victory, FEU starts the tournament with three points and a goal difference of plus-3, joining La Salle (+2) and UP (+1) at the top of the table.

The Lady Tamaraws will look to continue their winning ways against the UST Lady Booters on October 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the same Diliman field.

Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles, who are coming off a defeat against UP, nearly found the net in the 70th minute with Angely Alferez but fell just short. 

Ateneo, still in search of its first win, will face archrival La Salle on October 19 at 4:00 p.m. at the same venue.

Dominant NUNS, UE highlight UAAP boys' volley

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 High School Volleyball Standings

Boys

UST 3-0

UE 3-1

NUNS 3-1 

DLSZ 2-2

AdU 2-1

FEU-D 1-2

Ateneo 0-3

UPIS 0-4

Girls

FEU 3-0

UST 2-0

NUNS 2-1

AdU 2-1

DLSZ 1-2

UPIS 1-3

Ateneo 0-4

Games on Sunday at the Paco Arena

9 a.m. – Ateneo vs. FEU-D (Boys)

11 a.m. – UST vs. AdU (Boys)

1 p.m. – FEU-D vs. Ateneo (Girls)

3 p.m. – UST vs. DLSZ (Girls)

NATIONAL University Nazareth School and University of the East dominated their respective opponents to stay tied for second in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at Paco Arena in Manila.

The Bullpups took just 68 minutes to defeat the De La Salle Zobel Junior Green Spikers, 25-13, 25-15, 25-19, while the Junior Warriors needed just 58 minutes to sweep the UP Integrated School Junior Fighting Maroons, 25-13, 25-15, 25-12, improving both teams to identical 3-1 records.

It was a solid bounce-back win for the defending champions Bullpups, who were coming off a four-set loss to the UST Junior Golden Spikers last Wednesday.

"Sabi ko sa kanila, everytime ngayon kahit nananalo tayo, kailangan push pa rin natin. Every point counts. Naging maganda naman 'yung bawi nila ngayon," said long-time NUNS head coach Edgar Barroga.

“Regrouping is not easy. Medyo ang nangyari lang versus UST is the attitude na matapos manalo sa first set nang easy, medyo alam mo na ‘yung mga ugali ng players ko, nagiging complacent ‘yung mga ‘yan kapag medyo nananalo. So ang problem is hindi na kami nakabawi kasi dumating na ‘yung kinakatakutan ko na kapag medyo dumidikit ang kalaban, nasisira na ‘yung playing attitude nila na maging matapang,” he added.

Team captain Miguel Egger led the Bullpups’ offense with an impressive 16 points, coming from 12 kills, three blocks, and an ace, while Xandrex Ragusta contributed 12 points, including 10 attacks.

Kalel Ronquillo also effectively orchestrated the team’s offense with 11 excellent sets.

On the other hand, Lance Babon shined for the Junior Warriors, tallying 12 points on six kills, five service aces, and one block, while Clarence Gianan added eight points, including five attacks and two blocks.

Marcus Dulay distributed 12 excellent sets to give UE its second straight win.

Mario Lopez was the lone bright spot for the 2-2 DLSZ squad, scoring 10 points.

Meanwhile, UPIS remained winless after four games.

In the girls’ division, defending champion Adamson University cruised past UPIS, 25-11, 25-14, 25-13, to claim its second consecutive victory and tie NUNS for third.

Sam Cantada, who played only in the first and final sets, led the Baby Falcons for the second straight game with 13 points, coming from seven kills, five aces, and one block.

Team captain Abby Segui added seven points, while Claire Gam anchored the defense with 10 excellent digs in the match that lasted just 54 minutes.

UPIS dropped to sixth place in the seven-team field, holding a 1-4 record.

UE remains undefeated, Adamson takes historic win in JHS basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Boys' Standings

UE 5-0

FEU-D 4-1

UST 3-1

Ateneo 3-1

DLSZ 2-3

NUNS 2-4

Adamson 1-6

UPIS 0-5

Games today at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum

8 a.m. – UST vs DLSZ (JHS)

9:45 a.m. – FEU-D vs Ateneo (JHS)

11:30 a.m. – UST vs DLSU (Women)

1:30 p.m. – FEU vs Ateneo (Women)

4:30 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Men)

6:30 p.m. – FEU vs Ateneo (Men)

UNIVERSITY of the East hurdled another contender, romping past inaugural champion National University Nazareth School in wire-to-wire fashion, 89-64, to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

It was another dominant win for the Junior Warriors, who went up to 5-0 to lead the field in this tournament that has been promoted to regular status this season.

UE coach Andrew Estrella praised his team's performance, emphasizing their commitment to the game plan, “Ginawa lang nila yung trabaho nila. What we did in practice and our game plan, they stuck to it.” 

A key factor in UE's success against NUNS was the balanced scoring with five Warriors reaching double digits. 

Tarlac native Jolo Pascual, who entered the game averaging 9.5 points, led the charge, contributing 21 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. 

Additionally, 14-year-old point guard Mav Mesina, a member of last season's team, recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists, while Neil Garcia added 12 points to the team's tally. 

Enrico Bungar and Gab Delos Reyes both scored 10 points, and Fil-Nigerian Goodluck Okebata not only scored seven points but also grabbed 10 rebounds, highlighting UE's depth.

“It’s a total team effort talaga,” Estrella remarked. “Not only with the players but from the management, coaching staff—everyone is working hard. Every practice, talagang inaalagaan ng mga PTs namin yung mga players ko. That’s it. We just work as a team. Feel ko that’s the key to our success.”

The Bullpups, who now sit at sixth place with a 3-4 record, were led by Nick Peña, who scored 22 points. Chester Tulabut contributed 14 points and five rebounds to the team's efforts. 

Meanwhile, Adamson University celebrated its first-ever victory in the division, securing an 85-70 win over University of the Philippines Integrated School. 

This win was particularly significant for former Soaring Falcon and current Baby Falcons coach Alex Barrera, who played at the collegiate level from Seasons 77 to 79. 

Despite the win, the 28-year-old mentor from Quezon province encouraged his players to focus on building momentum as they head into the second round. 

“Siguro ito na yung start,” said Barrera, who went 0-6 in his first foray as head coach last season. “Ire-remind ko lagi yung mga bata na ito na siguro yung mamulat kayo na winning culture.”

Edison Jordan, a transferee from Mary and Jesus School, led the Baby Falcons with a strong performance, scoring 19 points while adding six rebounds and three assists. 

Chrys Gomez also contributed 17 points, and both Craig Fongtong and Jhune Ondevilla added 10 points each, helping to solidify Barrera’s first-ever win as UAAP head coach.

Barrera reflected on his own experiences as a student-athlete, recalling the struggles of the team during his time under coach Kenneth Duremdes, who faced a challenging 1-13 record back in UAAP Season 77 (2014). 

“Kasi na-remind ko rin sa kanila, nung ako’y isang player, isa ako dun sa time ni Coach Kenneth na 1-13 record,” he recalled. “Back then, we had Jericho Cruz, Ryan Monteclaro, and Jansen Rios. Yan yung lagi kong hinuhugot sa kanila: kami nga nun di kami tumigil maniwala na kaya naming manalo. What more kayo na bata na kaya niyo sumunod.”

Despite their struggles, the Junior Fighting Maroons fought hard, with standout performances from Jhustin Hallare, who posted 32 points and 12 rebounds, and Bruce Tubongbanua, who chipped in with 23 points and 11 rebounds, although the Junior Fighting Maroons fell to 0-5 in the tournament.

The Scores

First Game

AdU 85 – E. Jordan 19, Gomez 17, Fongtong 10, Ondevilla 10, Damian 9, Iledan 8, Banate 6, Fransman 2, Azurias 2, Alcantara 1, Tiamzon 1, Ang 0, Tuazon 0, K. Jordan 0.

UPIS 70 – Hallare 32, Tubongbanua 23, Addatu 4, Gepitan 3, Poquiz 3, Cobico 2, Rosete 2, Lugatiman 1, Manguerra 0, Labao 0, Repane 0.

Quarterscores: 23-16, 46-36, 68-56, 85-70

Second Game

UE 89 – Pascual 21, Mesina 13, Garcia 12, Bungar 10, Delos Reyes 10, Okebata 7, Ferreros 6, Orca 6, Panganiban 2, Oraa 2, Dalosa 0.

NUNS 64 – N. Peña 22, Tulabut 14, Urea 7, Sabareza 6, Y. Peña 6, Tadeo 3, Khobuntin 2, Gutierrez 2, Vitug 1, Reroma 1, Toring 0.

Quarterscores: 18-9, 47-25, 72-46, 89-64

Philippines Football League set for 2024/2025 kickoff

c/o Matchday Media / Philippines Football League

MATCH SATURDAY

7:00 PM – Maharlika Taguig FC vs. Stallion Laguna FC

MATCHES SUNDAY

4:00 PM – Mendiola FC 1991 vs. Dynamic Herb Cebu FC

7:00 PM – Manila Digger FC vs. One Taguig FC

After months of anticipation, the Philippines Football League season 2024-2025 begins this weekend of 28 and 29 September 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Spots for the AFC Champions League Two and the ASEAN Club Championship, currently called the Shopee Cup, are on the line for this season, which will determine its champions through a double round robin and a Finals Series featuring the top four teams.

Defending champions Kaya FC-Iloilo seek to retain their title against nine other squads, two of which will be jumpstarting the season at 7pm Saturday night.

Maharlika FC finished in ninth place last season, and is set to reshuffle its deck with the departure of the likes of Lucas Del Rosario. MJ Libre is set to lead Anton del Rosario's community club alongside Jorrel Aristorenas and Marvin Angeles.

They will go up against Stallion Laguna, who wants another crack at the title and continental play after falling short of it last time out with a third-place finish. The Ernie Nierras-coached side always reloads, snapping up Kenshiro Daniels alongside a side that saw the emergence of Finn McDaniel.

On Sunday, the first game of the scheduled doubleheader features Hamed Hajimahdi and Mendiola FC against league runners-up Cebu FC. The Gentle Giants hope to do one better this time, with the likes of Zamoranho Ho-a-tham, Rintaro Hama, as well as recent national team callup JB Borlongan seeking to spark the offense.

Capping the action for the weekend is the matchup between Manila Digger and One Taguig. Both teams took advantage of the offseason to make major build-ups to their squads, with Giap Bongolan joining  the former fresh from helping the University of the Philippines reclaim the UAAP championship, while also relying on the steady presence of Jim Ashley Flores and Eric Giganto.

The latter, on the other hand, made headlines by securing the transfers of the likes of Daisuke Sato, Carlie de Murga, Oliver Bias, and Simen Lyngbo, among others, as they hope to break the stranglehold Kaya FC has in the league.

Tickets to these three matchups are available both at the venue and via TicketMax. It will also be streamed through the PFL's social media platforms with broadcast through the Premier Football channel on cable or via Blast TV.

UP seeks fifth straight in UAAP college basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Basketball Standings

Standings W L

Men

UP 4 0

DLSU 4 1

UST 3 1

AdU 3 2

UE 2 2

Ateneo 1 3

NU 1 4

FEU 0 5

Women

NU 5 0

UST 3 1

AdU 3 2

Ateneo 2 2

UP 2 2

UE 1 3

DLSU 1 4

FEU 1 4

JHS

UE 4 0

FEU-D 4 1

UST 3 1

Ateneo 3 1

NUNS 2 3

DLSZ 2 3

UPIS 0 4

ADU 0 5

Games today at the SM Mall of Asia Arena

8 a.m. – UPIS vs AdU (JHS)

9:45 a.m. – NUNS vs UE (JHS)

11:30 a.m. – UP vs AdU (Women)

1:30 p.m. – NU vs UE (Women)

4:30 p.m. – UP vs AdU (Men)

6:30 p.m. – NU vs UE (Men)

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines seeks to solidify its hold of the top spot against Adamson University today (Saturday) in the UAAP Season 87 collegiate men's basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Falcons need to figure out how to stop the Fighting Maroons' juggernaut in the 4:30 p.m. contest, as the Diliman-based dribblers have won all of their four games via double digits.

"Win, lose, win, lose, win...hopefully we break that against UP. We will just do our best," said coach Nash Racela as Adamson alternated victories and defeats after five matches.

University of the East shoots for a third straight win as it clashes with struggling National University at 6:30 p.m.

The Red Warriors are coming off a 75-71 reversal of De La Salle last Sunday, pinning the back-to-back title-seeking Green Archers their first loss of the season.

The Falcons are fresh from a 60-58 victory over the Bulldogs via Joshua Yerro's game-winning tip in last Wednesday, a springboard for them to perform well against the Fighting Maroons.

"I'm excited for the challenge. You know they are a good team and undefeated, but just like the UE-La Salle game, everything can happen. Hopefully, we can come out very best and hopefully, we can come out with a win," said Matt Montebon, who has been solid for Adamson this season.

For UP, it's always about improvement as Goldwin Monteverde is preaching.

"What's important for our team is everybody is on the same page and having the same goal. Obviously, that goal is putting ourselves in the best position to win," said Christian Luanzon, one of Monteverde's trusted assistant coaches.

"I'm not talking about the championship, but just taking it one game at a time, one quarter at a time, one possession at a time," he added.

Wello Lingolingo, who emerged as the new Red Warriors' main offensive option this season, knows the ingredients to sustain their rise from a disappointing 0-2 start.

"Stick to the system, stay composed, and keep working hard sa upcoming games na gaganapin," said Lingolingo.

Coach Jack Santiago loved the way his troops worked hard in the last two victories, which put UE in the conversation for the Final Four.

"I think the boys responded well, they accepted the challenge. Now at least alam na nila na kaya nilang maglaro, kaya nilang mag-perform and beating the No. 1 team," said Santiago.

"I'm so proud with the boys kasi walang nagkakanya-kanya. Nandoon pa rin kami, we stick together sa game plan namin," he added.

The Red Warriors are facing the Bulldogs squad mired in a three-game slide. After a lopsided 62- 87 defeat to UP, NU has narrowly lost to the University of Santo Tomas and Adamson.

In the women's division, NU seeks a sixth straight win against an inspired UE side which ended a 40-game losing streak the last time out at 1:30 p.m., right after Adamson and UP collide in their bid to remain within the top four range at 11:30 a.m.

Adamson nips NU at buzzer

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament Standings

UP 4-0

DLSU 4-1

UST 3-1

AdU 3-2

UE 2-2

Ateneo 1-3

NU 1-4

FEU 0-5

Games on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena

8 a.m. - UPIS vs ADU (JHS)

9:45 a.m. - NUNS vs UE (JHS)

11:30 a.m. - UP vs ADU (Women)

1:30 p.m. - NU vs UE (Women)

4:30 p.m. - UP vs ADU (Men)

6:30 p.m. - NU vs UE (Men)

Joshua Yerro converted the alley-oop buzzer-beater to lift Adamson University past National University, 60-58, in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Wednesday night. 

Jhon Calisay threw a perfect inbound pass to Yerro for the game-winning tip with 0.3 seconds remaining as the Falcons moved up to 3-2 in the standings. 

“It was Coach Gilbert Lao who drew that play so that’s the dynamics of our coaching staff. Actually, when we were playing defense, we were hoping that if ever they make a basket we still have time so Coach Gilbert (Lao) was already preparing for that,” said head coach Nash Racela, deflecting the credit to his trusted assistant. 

It was a big bounce-back win for Adamson after bowing to Ateneo, 51-60 last Saturday.

Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala, PJ Palacielo, and Reinhard Jumamoy connived for the Bulldogs to tie the game at 56 with 34.6 seconds remaining after falling behind 50-56 with 1:40 to go. 

Cedrick Manzano then answered back for the Soaring Falcons with a lay-in off a miss by Yerro with 3.3 seconds left. 

Manansala, however, had one more shot in him, driving down the lane off a sideline inbound to knot the game with 0.3 seconds remaining. 

Yerro, who finished with 11 points, five rebounds, and three steals, was amazed on the first buzzer beater of the season. 

“Of course, masaya kasi pumasok. Thank God, dahil sakanya kaya pumasok. Before palang, nagtime out, sabi ni Coach Gilbert na stay lang kami kasi baka magextra five minutes. Pero sabi ko kay Calisay, wala nang five minutes to. Tiwala ka lang, papasok to,” said Yerro the hero. 

Matthew Montebon top-scored for Adamson with 15 points on three triples, while AJ Fransman added eight points, six rebounds, and two steals. 

The Bulldogs’ misery continued, absorbing their third straight defeat that dropped them to 1-4 at seventh. 

Manansala led NU with 15 points and nine rebounds while Figueroa and Kenshin Padrones chalked up 11 and 10 points, respectively. 

Adamson will next face undefeated University of the Philippines on Saturday, 4:30 p.m., at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. 

NU will seek to end its skid on Saturday as well against University of the East at 6:30 p.m. 

The Scores:

AdU 60 – Montebon 15, Yerro 11, Fransman 8, Calisay 5, Manzano 5, Erolon 5, Ojarikre 4, Anabo 3, Mantua 2, Barasi 2, Ramos 0, Alexander 0, Ignacio 0.

NU 58 – Manansala 15, Figueroa 11, Padrones 10, Palacielo 8, Jumamoy 5, Enriquez 4, Santiago 3, Francisco 2, Yu 0, Garcia 0, Lim 0, Perciano 0, Tulabut 0, Parks 0, Dela Cruz 0.

Quarterscores: 18-13, 29-38, 43-43, 60-58.

San Juan sizzler tows La Salle over FEU in women's basketball

c/o UAAP

LUISA San Juan tied the UAAP event record for most three-pointers made in a single game, propelling De La Salle University to an 89-65 victory over Far Eastern University, marking their first win in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

San Juan made history in the women's division by sinking 10 triples, breaking the previous record held by former Lady Archer Khate Castillo, who hit eight three-pointers in a 67-60 loss to Adamson University on October 29, 2017.

In addition to setting a new women's division record, the third-year Filipino-British guard also tied the overall UAAP event record for most three-pointers in a game.

She now shares the honor with National University's Jeff Napa, who achieved the feat against Adamson in UAAP Season 65 on August 22, 2002, and University of the East's Allan Caidic, who accomplished the same in Season 48 back in 1985.

San Juan capped off her stellar performance with 34 points, matching the season-high set by Ateneo's Kacey dela Rosa in her game against University of the Philippines on September 8.

“I got my confidence from my teammates and my coaches. They believe in me, and the trust that they give me, ‘yun ang pinaka malaking bagay for me,” the 22-year-old said. “I don’t know the records, but I’m grateful. I wasn’t expecting that, I just do my role and I think it starts with kung ano pinapagawa samin ni Coach Cholo (Villanueva).”

More importantly, her historic performance resulted in the Lady Archers' breakthrough win for the season, at the expense of the also 1-4 Lady Tamaraws.

Despite seeing their 16-point lead trimmed to as low as four points in the fourth quarter, the trio of San Juan, Tricia Mendoza, and Kyla Sunga sparked a blistering 18-2 spurt to seal La Salle's first victory.

During that rally, San Juan knocked down the event-record tying three-pointer from the right wing with 12 seconds left, giving La Salle an 88-63 lead.

“We’re breaking records dito sa program of the Lady Archers, pero seriously, it’s a good win for us. The grit that I wanted to see from the girls, they showed it today,” said Lady Archers head coach Cholo Villanueva, who also coached Castillo back in UAAP Season 80, while praising his Lady Archers for bouncing back after a humbling 47-65 loss to UE that ended the Lady Warriors' 40-game losing streak just three days prior.

The Lady Tamaraws initially led the game early, 5-2, but a dominant 25-10 first-quarter performance by La Salle showed that it would be the San Juan and Lady Archers' show from there on out.

Supporting San Juan's record-setting night were Mendoza and Sunga, who both registered double-doubles. Mendoza contributed 16 points and 15 rebounds, while Sunga added 14 points and 15 boards.

La Salle will now look to build on this momentum and secure a second straight win when they face reigning champion University of Santo Tomas on Sunday at the Big Dome.

Meanwhile, MJ Manguiat led the Lady Tamaraws with 19 points on 35-percent shooting, while Shane Salvani chipped in 13 points.

FEU, now on a two-game skid, aims to bounce back when they take on Ateneo also on Saturday.

The Scores:

DLSU 89 – San Juan 34, Mendoza 16, Sunga 14, Sario 9, Paraiso 4, Dela Paz 3, Rodriguez 3, Santos 3, Barcierto 2, Camba 1, Delos Reyes 0, Villava-Cua 0.

FEU 65 – Manguiat 19, Salvani 13, Lopez 8, Dela Torre 7, Ong 7, Gavaran 5, Villanueva 2, Nagma 2, Paras 2, Pasilang 0, Libor 0.

Quarterscores: 25-10, 42-33, 60-52, 89-65.

UST stuns NUNS to extend boys volleyball run to three

UAAP Season 87 Boys' Volleyball Standings

UST 3-0

AdU 2-1

DLSZ 2-1

UE 2-1

NUNS 2-1

FEU-D 1-2

UPIS 0-3

Ateneo 0-3

Games on Saturday at the Paco Arena

9 a.m. – UP vs. UE (Boys)

11 a.m. – DLSZ vs. NUNS (Boys)

1 p.m. – AdU vs. UP (Girls)

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas extended its unbeaten run to three games after stunning defending champion National University-Nazareth School in four sets, 16-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-23, in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Despite taking the solo lead early on in the tournament, Junior Golden Spikers head coach Clarence Esteban emphasized the need for further improvement within the Junior Golden Spikers.

"So far kasi ‘yun pa rin, ‘yung system na gusto namin ma-instill pero kahit papano kanina nakita namin ‘yung adjustment ng mga bata na kung paano namin aatakihin ‘yung bola,” Esteban explained.

UST's path to victory was hard-fought.

After trailing by a point late in the fourth set, the Junior Golden Spikers leveled the score at 23-all thanks to a crucial block from Paolo Medino.

Gherick Luston then delivered a service ace, bringing UST to match point. Finally, Rainier Lorayes sealed the win with a powerful down-the-line attack, securing their third straight win.

“Medyo ang inaano ko lang dito is ‘yung maging resilient ba. ‘Pag bumababa na kami, kailangan maka-recover. Sana ma-overcome namin ‘yung mga ganun na error, ‘yung mga pangyayari sa amin sa loob ng court," added Esteban after the match that lasted for an hour and 46 minutes.

In orchestrating UST's offense, Jefferson Abalos shone with 13 excellent sets.

UST was led by John Paul Bautista and Season 86 MVP Joncriz Ayco, who each contributed 13 points, including 11 kills.

Libero Kalel Legaspi also made his presence felt with 15 excellent digs.

On the opposing side, Miguel Egger led the Bullpups with 13 points from eight kills and five blocks.

Despite Egger's efforts, NUNS fell to a 2-1 record, placing them in a four-way tie for second with Adamson, De La Salle-Zobel, and University of the East.

In the other match, Far Eastern University-Diliman earned its first win in three tries with a commanding straight-set victory over University of the Philippines Integrated School, 25-8, 25-12, 25-8.

The Baby Tamaraws were led by Zedrick Calimlim, who scored 11 points, including six attacks, four service aces, and a block in the game that lasted for 48 minutes.

Kenneth Maliwanag also contributed nine points, including four aces, as FEU-D improved to 1-2, moving up to sixth place in the standings.

UPIS remained winless at 0-3.

FEU-Diliman survives game Zobel effort in JHS basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Basketball Standings

UE 4-0

FEU-D 4-1

UST 3-1

Ateneo 3-1

NUNS 2-3

DLSZ 2-3

UPIS 0-4

ADU 0-5

Games on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena

8 a.m. - UPIS vs ADU (JHS)

9:45 a.m. - NUNS vs UE (JHS)

11:30 a.m. - UP vs ADU (Women)

1:30 p.m. - NU vs UE (Women)

4:30 p.m. - UP vs ADU (Men)

6:30 p.m. - NU vs UE (Men)

FAR EASTERN University-Diliman showed poise down the stretch, outlasting a hard-luck De La Salle-Zobel team, 78-72, to gain solo second in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at Adamson Gym.

The Baby Tamaraws, now on a two-game winning streak after falling to the UE Junior Warriors last week, engaged in a closely contested match with the Junior Archers, who were desperate to snap their frustrating losing streak.

After a tense battle that featured six deadlocks and nine lead changes, it was the Baby Tamaraws who exhibited composure when it mattered most.

With just 5:45 left and a narrow 68-67 lead, Lakay Pasinos took charge for the Baby Tams, igniting an 8-2 run that created separation from the Junior Archers and ultimately secured their fourth victory in five outings.

“Unang-una, grateful ako sa mga kasama kong coaches, lalong lalo na kay Coach Denok (Miranda, FEU Head of Basketball Ops). Gusto ko yung nireremind ako ng nireremind,” said Baby Tamaraws head coach Muriel Garcia.

“Sinabi namin sa mga bata na kung sanay kayo na blow-by ang laro, marunong din dapat kayo maglaro ng dikitan at crucial. Stick lang sa defense natin at tanggalin yung kumpyansa nila.”

Pasinos, a member of last season’s silver medal-winning Baby Tams team, delivered a stellar performance, posting a double-double with 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting and grabbing 12 rebounds while Prince Carino added 18 points.

Mark Dulin and Duke Santos also rose to the occasion, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively, as CP Miranda was limited due to a sprained right ankle sustained on Tuesday.

Heady floor general Anton Lopez played a vital role, dishing out 10 assists to glue things together for FEU-D.

“By Sunday ready na siya,” Garcia said regarding CP Miranda as they prepare to face Ateneo next.

For the Junior Archers, the duo of Melvin Tailan and Vince Magan shone brightly, each contributing 17 points, with Tailan also securing eight rebounds.

DLSZ suffered its third consecutive loss, falling to 2-3, tying with National University Nazareth School, which defeated Adamson 73-62 later in the day, at fifth.

Big man Josh Vitug excelled on both ends, scoring 16 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while limiting Adamson ace Craig Fongtong to just four points on 2-of-10 shooting from the field.

Lanky winger Chester Tulabut added a solid performance with 14 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, and a block, helping the Bullpups bounce back from a heartbreaking 83-84 loss to the UST Tiger Cubs last weekend.

The Baby Falcons, still searching for their first win of the season, were led by Edison Jordan, who recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds.

The Scores:

First Game

FEU-D 78 - Pasinos 21, Carino 18, Dulin 13, Santos 12, Lopez 5, Enriquez 4, Miranda 4, Lassiter 1, Pineda 0, Pingris 0, Victoria 0.

DLSZ 72 - Tailan 17, Magan 17, Luna 15, Apao 13, Tan 4, Centeno 3, Maglipon 3, Rivera 0, Purugganan I. 0, Llamas 0, Purugganan E. 0.

Quarterscores: 20-25, 42-42, 61-54, 78-72.

Second Game:

NUNS 73 - Vitug 16, Tulabut 14, Sabareza 12, Tadeo 10, Pena 7, Khobuntin 6, Pena 3, Reroma 2, Toring 2, Urea 1, Gutierrez 0, Maranan 0.

ADU 62 - Jordan KE 15, Iledan 14, Gomez 11, Damian 5, Fransman 5, Fongton 4, Ondevilla 4, Alcantara 4, Tuazon 0, Jordan KA 0, Azurias 0, Tiamzon 0, Ang 0.

Quarterscores: 19-10, 39-29, 60-44, 73-62.

La Salle seeks bounce back against FEU

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Basketball Standings

Men

UP 4 0

DLSU 3 1

UST 3 1

AdU 2 2

UE 2 2

Ateneo 1 3

NU 1 3

FEU 0 4

Women

NU 4 0

UST 3 1

AdU 3 1

Ateneo 2 2

UP 2 2

FEU 1 3

UE 1 3

DLSU 0 4

JHS

UE 4-0

UST 3-1

Ateneo 3-1

FEU-D 3-1

DLSZ 2-2

NUNS 1-3

ADU 0-4

UPIS 0-4

Games Wednesday

(Adamson Gym)

8 a.m. – DLSZ vs FEU-D (JHS)

9:45 a.m. – AdU vs NUNS (JHS)

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

11:30 a.m. – DLSU vs FEU (Women)

1:30 p.m. – AdU vs NU (Women)

4:30 p.m. – DLSU vs FEU (Men)

6:30 p.m. – AdU vs NU (Men)

DEFENDING champion De La Salle, coming off a stunning reversal to University of the East, seeks to rebound against Far Eastern University today (Wednesday) in the UAAP Season 87 collegiate men's basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

All eyes will be on the Green Archers on how they will respond to last Sunday's 71-75 setback to the Red Warriors in the 4:30 p.m. showdown with the Tamaraws.

Adamson University and National University hope to return to the win column at 6:30 p.m.

De La Salle's defeat, the first in four games, has allowed University of the Philippines to seize the solo lead with a 4-0 record. All four victories by the Fighting Maroons were in double-digit fashions.

It's going to be tough for FEU, especially with the Green Archers expecting to vent their ire on the Tamaraws.

The humbling setback to UE will serve as a wake-up call for De La Salle as it vies for a back-to-back title run for the first time since 1998-2001.

“We learn from those experiences. It’s gonna make us better,” said second year Green Archers head coach Topex Robinson.

“Blaming them is the worst thing we can do. Blaming each other, blaming the players—that’s not our approach. Life goes on for us. We have to focus on FEU on Wednesday, so you cannot cry over spilled milk anymore. It’s done and over with," he added.

Still without a win in four games under new coach Sean Chambers, FEU is trying to avoid its second 0-5 start in the last three seasons.

The Falcons and the Bulldogs are seeking to bounce back from their tough losses last weekend.

Adamson bowed to Ateneo, 51-60, which ended the Katipunan-based squad's three-game slide to open the season, the worst start in 11 years.

NU, which has lost two in a row, suffered a 64-67 defeat at the hands of University of Santo Tomas as life has been hard without Mali's Mo Diassana, who suffered a season-ending knee injury on opening weekend.

The Falcons are tied with the Red Warriors in fourth place at 2-2, while the Bulldogs are level with the Blue Eagles in sixth spot at 1-3.

In the women's division, unbeaten NU (4-0) braces for what vastly-improved Adamson (3-1) can offer in an interesting 1:30 p.m. duel, while FEU (1-3) and De La Salle (0-4) collide at 11:30 a.m.

Samsung serves as title sponsor for Manila Marathon and Cebu Half-Marathon

Galaxy Watch is set to be a title sponsor for a couple of upcoming races 

Samsung Philippines remains committed to helping Filipinos with their fitness capabilities by becoming the title sponsor for two notable running events in the next couple of months, both of which are carrying the AI-powered Galaxy Watch brand.

The first event is the Galaxy Watch Manila Marathon, which is scheduled to take place at the SM Mall of Asia Complex on October 6. Organized by RUNRIO and is in partnership with the Department of Tourism, the route will take its participants through iconic landmarks and vibrant neighborhoods, celebrating the metro's rich heritage and dynamic spirit.

The second event takes place on November 24, with the Galaxy Watch Cebu Half-Marathon. Starting and ending at the City di Mare by Filinvest, the highlight of this race sees its participants run alongside the scenic seascape of Cebu as they pass through the iconic Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), the longest and tallest bridge in the country.

In making the announcement, Samsung Electronics Philippines Head of Mobile Experience Blue Avelino shares, "Samsung aims to inspire users to improve their lifestyle with Galaxy AI being in our mobile and ecosystem devices, providing Filipinos with personalized insights to enhance their wellness routines. We're also excited to foster fitness communities, as seen in our Run Club launch and participation in the Manila Marathon and Cebu Half-Marathon, reflecting our commitment to the running community."

Samsung recently launched the Galaxy Watch Run Club in Makati, with the aim of helping aspiring runners learn the fundamentals of competitive running as well as aid in their race preparation and training. The six-session program aims to boost performance and camaraderie through training and fitness challenges, with the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Watch7 providing the advanced metrics.

Both devices have an advanced Dual Frequency GPS system in place to help users map out routes and track real-time positioning, as well as having apps to help track performance, like the Watch Ultra's Multi-Sports Tile, which tracks multi-course workouts for a triathlon, in all three aspects.

With its Titanium Grade 4 frame and 10ATM water resistance, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is considered a the ultimate fitness companion and with the Dynamic Lug System, it is perfect for those who go through extreme conditions, like deep-sea swimming or high-altitude cycling.

Cyclists will find the Functional Threshold Power handy, as it measures maximum cycling power in four minutes, using AI-powered metrics tailored to them. The Quick Button allows for instant workout starts, as well as function customization, or activating its Emergency Siren. The Ultra also has the longest battery life in the Galaxy Watch series,  lasting up to a hundred hours when in Power Saving mode or 48 hours in Exercise Power Saving mode.

Asides from running, the Galaxy Watch7 is tailored for everyday wellness, with the Workout Routine feature providing over a hundred workout tracking options and personalized fitness plans. It can also deliver comprehensive health insights, from real-time heart rate monitoring, tracking of ECG and Blood Pressure via the BioActive Sensor, to advanced sleep analysis, with the FDA-authorized Sleep Apnea feature.

In addition, users would be able to track advanced glycation end products through an AGEs Index, which can reflect one's overall biological aging process and thus provide an indication of metabolic health.

Incentives for Galaxy Run Club members include exclusive discounts on these items, as well as a potential discount or free slot at either race in Manila or Cebu.

Samsung Philippines is thrilled to help Filipinos break through their fitness limits as the official title sponsor of two of the country’s premier running events: the Galaxy Watch Manila Marathon and the Galaxy Watch Cebu Half-Marathon. This is the second time that Samsung and Runrio have banded together to nurture the growing running culture in the country, with the AI-powered Galaxy Watch as the fitting wellness partner of runners nationwide.

To help runners learn the fundamentals of competitive running and train for the races,  Samsung has also launched the Galaxy Watch Run Club, uniting aspiring racers with a kickoff event in Makati City. The six-session program aims to boost performance and camaraderie through training and fitness challenges, with their performances  advanced metrics from the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Watch7. 

Members of the Galaxy Run Club also get exclusive discounts on these devices, further enriching their training experience. The club is also expanding to Cebu - runners that complete three sessions earn 20% off their marathon registration, while those completing five sessions unlock exclusive merchandise or a free slot in the Manila or Cebu runs.

Interested runners can sign up through the official websites of the Manila Marathon and Cebu Half-Marathon.

UE, Zobel create logjam for third in UAAP boys' volley

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 High School Boys’ Volleyball Standings

UST 2-0

NUNS 2-0

AdU 2-1

DLSZ 2-1

UE 2-1

FEU-D 0-2

UPIS 0-2

Ateneo 0-3

Games on Wednesday at the Paco Arena

9 a.m. – NUNS vs. UST (Boys)

11 a.m. – UP vs. FEU-D (Boys)

1 p.m. – ADU vs. DLSZ (Girls)

3 p.m. – NU vs. Ateneo (Girls)

UNIVERSITY of the East and De La Salle-Zobel claimed victories on Sunday, sharing third place in the UAAP Season 87 High School Boys' Volleyball Tournament. 

The Junior Warriors, last season's second placers, fought hard to secure a 25-23, 25-16, 27-29, 25-12 win over the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws for their second straight win while the Junior Green Spikers cruised past the hapless UPIS Fighting Maroons, 25-16, 25-20, 25-17, to bounce back.

With these victories, both teams improved their records to 2-1, tying with the idle Adamson Baby Falcons in the standings.

In their first meeting since last season's Final Four, Lance Babon stood out for the Junior Warriors, contributing 14 points through 12 kills and two blocks. 

Marcus Dulay efficiently orchestrated their offense, delivering 22 excellent sets, while Justine Lopez anchored the Junior Warriors' defense with 15 digs.

“Actually pinaghandaan namin itong FEU kasi ‘yung talo namin sa UST, so very important itong laro namin with FEU para at least kahit papano, ma-secure namin ‘yung stand namin na makapasok pa rin kasi once matalo kami sa FEU, medyo mag-aalagwa ‘yung position namin,” said first-year Junior Warriors head coach Herbert Dizon after the match that lasted for an hour and 29 minutes.

After narrowly dropping the third set, the Junior Warriors responded, sprinting to a 15-6 lead fueled by an impressive 11-1 run, which included several attack errors from the Baby Tamaraws. 

UE maintained its lead, and as the set progressed, Lance Rafallo and Aaron Ancheta teamed up for a critical kill block that brought the Junior Warriors to match point. 

Ancheta sealed the victory with a powerful kill.

Despite the triumph, Dizon acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in their setting. 

“Sa setting talagang medyo may problema kami sa setter kasi ang setter namin ngayon is first-timer so with the concerns of offense naman, mayroon kami pero nahihirapan kami i-execute ‘yun because of our setter,” he explained.

On the other side of the court, Tyler Ramos led the Baby Tamaraws with 17 points, including 15 attacks and two blocks, despite the team's defeat. 

Meanwhile, Mario Roxas was instrumental for the Junior Spikers, scoring 13 points, comprised of 11 kills and two aces, while Alex Baligod and Kyle Aure contributed six points each in the match that lasted for an hour and six minutes.

Marcos Bamba paced the Junior Fighting Maroons with 11 points on nine attacks and two aces.

Both the Baby Tamaraws and the Fighting Maroons remain winless after two outings.

UE extends winning streak to four in JHS basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 87 Boys’ Basketball Standings

UE 4-0

UST 3-1

Ateneo 3-1

FEU-D 3-1

DLSZ 2-2 

NUNS 1-3

ADU 0-4

UPIS 0-4

Games on Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum

8 a.m. - DLSZ vs FEU-D (JHS)

9:45 a.m. - ADU vs NUNS (JHS)

11:30 a.m. - DLSU vs FEU (Women)

1:30 p.m. - ADU vs NU (Women)

4:30 p.m. - DLSU vs FEU (Men)

6:30 p.m. - ADU vs NU (Men)

UNIVERSITY of the East continued to set the pace in the UAAP Season 87 Junior High School Boys’ Basketball Tournament, cruising past suddenly-struggling De La Salle-Zobel, 85-63, on Sunday at the Adamson Gym.

The Junior Warriors maintained their spotless 4-0 record, establishing themselves as the team to beat in this new tournament that was recently a part of the league's regular event. 

UE previously dominated UST Tiger Cubs (69-51), UPIS Fighting Maroons (91-44), and FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws (82-74) in thisstreak.

Despite their latest victory, Junior Warriors 16U head coach Andrew Estrella remained cautious, urging his young Warriors to stay grounded and avoid overconfidence.

“Actually, again this is a confidence-booster for our team because Zobel is a good team. But, of course, palagi ko pinapaalala sa boys namin that we can’t be complacent,” Estrella, a trusted deputy of UE High School Basketball head coach Karl Santos, remarked. “Again, it’s one game at a time because any team in the UAAP can beat us if we’re not going to play consistently.”

The game’s momentum was set early by Gab Delos Reyes, a 6-foot-2 transferee from San Beda-Rizal, who scored eight of UE’s 30 points in the first quarter. 

Delos Reyes finished the game with 14 points on an efficient 7-of-8 shooting, along with eight rebounds and two blocks.

“Gab is a smart player. He just does his job. He just rebounds and lets the game come to him. He is a system player,” Estrella said of the emerging forward.

UE’s dominance peaked in the final quarter when they stretched their lead to 27 points, 76-49, effectively sealing their fourth win in as many games. 

Ethan Oraa, a key holdover from last season’s squad, led the scoring effort with 19 points, adding six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. 

Neil Garcia contributed with 13 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while young Filipino-Nigerian prospect Goodluck Okebata added eight points and 10 rebounds to round out the Junior Warriors’ strong performance.

Defensively, the Junior Warriors put on a masterclass, holding the Junior Archers to just 31 percent shooting from the field. 

Melvin Tailan managed 17 points on 7-of-19 shooting, while DLSZ’s high-scoring guard Vince Magan was held scoreless, missing all five of his attempts.

“We prepared for them. Si Melvin hindi namin gaano na-limit but si Magan, surprisingly, na-limit namin. But they are good players and I know they will bounce back,” Estrella acknowledged, as DLSZ dropped its second straight game, sliding to fifth place with a 2-2 record.

In an earlier game, the Baby Tamaraws secured their third consecutive victory, defeating the Fighting Maroons, 85-63. 

The Tamaraws had a balanced scoring effort with five players reaching double figures, led by CP Miranda’s 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. 

Kierdy Victoria (12 points), Denden Enriquez (11 points), Prince Carino (10 points), and Anton Lopez (10 points) also made key contributions in the win, helping FEU-D join Ateneo and UST in a three-way tie for second place with identical 3-1 records.

Meanwhile, UPIS, which dropped to 0-4 along with Adamson, was once again powered by the duo of Jhustin Hallare and Bruce Tubongbanua. 

Hallare posted a day-high 25 points, while Tubongbanua, who also plays for UPIS’s 19-and-under team, recorded a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double.

The Scores:

First Game:

FEU-D 85 - Miranda 13, Victoria 12, Enriquez 11, Carino 10, Lopez 10, Dulin 9, Pineda 8, Pasinos 4, Santos 4, Pingris 2, Lassiter 1, Diaz 1, Adriano 0, Barlan 0, Daa 0.

UPIS 63 - Hallare 25, Tubongbanua 21, Addatu 8, Cobico 7, Rosete 2, Lugatiman 0, Gepitan 0, Baldovino 0, Labao 0, Repane 0.

Quarterscores: 26-19, 49-37, 71-54, 85-63.

Second Game:

UE 80 - Oraa 19, Delos Reyes 14, Garcia 13, Okebata 8, Mesina 8, Pascual 7, Ferreros 6, Panganiban 3, Bungar 2, Dalosa 0, Orca 0.

DLSZ 59 - Tailan 17, Luna 14, Apao 10, Tan 8, Centeno 4, Purugganan E. 3, Rivera 2, Maglipon 1, Magan 0, Llamas 0, Purugganan I. 0, Fuentes 0, Mindanao 0.

Quarterscores: 30-16, 52-35, 65-47, 80-59.

Ateneo secures first triumph UAAP men's basketball

c/o UAAP

ATENEO de Manila University avoided falling into its worst start in the Final Four era, escaping gutsy Adamson University, 60-51, to earn its first win in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles finally barged into the win column after absorbing three straight losses from the UP Fighting Maroons, the UST Growling Tigers, and the DLSU Green Archers.

“We’re, obviously, very happy. The guys fought really hard. I said early on that we’re the team that’s gonna play in patches, which is typical of a young team,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin. “Fourth quarter was a really bad patch, but we survived it. We took care of our third quarter woes, at least for this game, and it was really refreshing.”

Despite the promising start, Ateneo faced a tough challenge in the fourth quarter from Cedrick Manzano and the Soaring Falcons.

The Blue Eagles had built a lead of as many as 14 points entering the final period.

However, Adamson responded fiercely, launching a 13-2 run led by Manzano, Manu Anabo, and Eli Ramos, which cut Ateneo’s lead to just three points at 52-49 with 3:52 remaining.

In the end, Ateneo managed to maintain its composure, with key contributions from Kristian Porter, who scored a crucial inside basket, as well as Ian Espinosa’s two free throws and four clutch free throws from Shawn Tuano.

This solid performance allowed the Blue Eagles to finally notch their first victory of the season.

Manzano, who played a pivotal role in Adamson’s run, finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, and a block.

However, his missed layup that could have narrowed the deficit to one proved costly, especially after he fouled out moments later.

With the win, the Blue Eagles improved to a 1-3 record following their worst start under coach Tab Baldwin and since Bo Perasol’s first season in Season 76 (2013).

“Adamson did a really good job. Nash [Racela] is about as smart as they come, very experienced and he started switching with his big men and they were trusting Cedrick to play our guards one-on-one, and he did a great job,” Baldwin added.

On the scoring front for Ateneo, Shawn Tuano was the only player to reach double digits, contributing 11 points and four rebounds while Porter added eight points and grabbed 11 boards.

Team captain Chris Koon, returning from a left ankle injury, also scored eight points, while Joshua Lazaro and Andrew Bongo chipped in with seven points each.

The Blue Eagles will have ample time to regroup before facing Far Eastern University on Sept. 29 at the Big Dome.  

Joshua Yerro and Matty Erolon scored six apiece to support Manzano while OJ Ojarikre hauled down 10 rebounds.

Adamson dropped to an even 2-2 after an impressive win over Final Four contender University of Santo Tomas the previous Sunday.

The Soaring Falcons will now prepare for a showdown with struggling National University on Sept. 25, also at the same venue.

The Scores:

Ateneo 60 - Tuano 11, Porter 8, Koon 8, Lazaro 7, Bongo 7, Gamber 6, Quitevis 5, Bahay 5, Espinosa 2, Balogun 1, Ong 0, Edu 0, Espina 0

Adamson 51 - Manzano 14, Yerro 6, Ramos 6, Erolon 4, Anabo 4, Barasi Jr., 4, Ojarikre 2, Fransman 2, Calisay 2, Mantua 2, Montebon 2, Dignadice 2, Alexander 1

Quarterscores: 17-6, 31-20, 50-36, 60-51.