The Professor set to launch the ANTA Shock Wave 7

The Professor is coming.

A streetball legend is set to return to the Philippines.

Grayson Boucher, or more recognized as "The Professor," will be coming to the country on behalf of his new partnership with shoe brand ANTA.

As part of this visit, he will check out a variety of locales in the next few days, as he will help launch the latest iteration of the Shockwave series, the Shockwave 7. 

The country is the third stop on his Asian tour in helping drum up attention for these kicks, following his earlier exploits in China and Indonesia.

Boucher's ascent was made possible through his on-court exploits coupled with his skills in integrating cinematic storytelling and entertainment in this century.

With ANTA in tow, The Professor is looking to highlight streetball to a new generation. To quote the third-largest sportswear company in the world, "The Professor's gritty and stylish approach to the game perfectly aligns with ANTA’s commitment to providing quality sportswear that is accessible to everyone."

During his three-day visit, he is expected to check out ANTA's major outlets, including SM Megamall on the 29th, SM North EDSA on the 30th, and SM Bacoor and One Ayala on the 31st. Fans would be able to get access to athlete encounters if they are wearing either the ANTA Shockwave 7 or Scalped 2.

Boucher will also check out the ANTA 2v2 Classic Finals taking place at the Ayala Glorietta Activity Center on Saturday afternoon. 

The Professor joins ANTA's roster of athletes, which includes NBA stars Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and Donte DiVincenzo. He is the first streetball athlete to be signed by the brand. The partnership highlights ANTA’s efforts to help the growth of the sport globally.

Leila Barros excitement for her upcoming return to the Philippines

Coming soon

The 25-year wait is over.

Volleyball icon Leila Barros is set to return to Manila to be a guest of honor for the final day of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, which will take place on September 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Barros, whose appearance during the 2000 FIVB Grand Prix captivated the hearts of Filipino fans, confirmed her attendance with a comment on the Philippine National Volleyball Federation's announcement Friday night on Instagram.

She writes, "What a joy it will be to reconnect with these passionate volleyball fans. See you soon!"

The post adds, "It is with a heart full of gratitude that I receive this very special invitation. Returning to the Philippines, where I have always been welcomed with such warmth, is incredibly exciting."

The 53-year old concludes, "Being present at the finals of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball World Championship will be a great honor."

Learning about this development, PNVF President Ramon "Tats" Suzara quips, "She captured the hearts of many Filipinos during her 2000 visit. Now, Leila Barros returns not only to wow the fans but also to inspire them as a distinguished public role model. She is now an elected public official in Brazil."

"Every Filipino can’t wait to see her. Everyone is excited."

Suzara called the upcoming return of the three-time Olympian a gift to millions of Filipino volleyball fans.

Barros has since entered into politics, now serving as a Senator in her home district, where she currently acts as the chair of the Sports Committee. She has previously served as the head of the Environment Committee, while also then handling the Women's Caucus, as well as being a former Deputy Floor Leader.

Her roles have reflected itself on her legislative agenda, centering on protecting women's rights, especially in the realm of domestic violence, strengthening sports, and safeguarding the environment. Among the laws she has co-authored include: he Anti-Stalking Law, regulation of the carbon market, the General Sports Law, the transformation of the Sports Incentive Law into permanent policy, and the allocation of resources from the National Public Security Fund to combat violence against women

Tickets for the not just the final, but for the entirety of the competition, which starts on September 12, are still available at the tournament's official website, philippineswch2025.com.

The 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, PAGCOR, the Office of the President, and the Philippine Olympic Committee. It is backed by Rebisco, SM, PLDT, SMART, Metro Pacific Investments, Honda Philippines, Meralco, Sony, Lenovo, and LRT Line 2. The event is officially sanctioned by the FIVB and partnered with Volleyball World, Mikasa (official ball), Mizuno, Gerflor, and Senoh Corporation.

Tunisia without key player for World Championships

Wassim Ben Tara (photo c/o CAVB)

Tunisia is set to participate in the upcoming FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship without a key cog.

Wassim Ben Tara, who led the African powerhouse in scoring during the 2020 Olympics has been ruled out of the competition due to prior commitments.

Without Wassim, the team will rely on the likes of Hamza Nagga and Elves Karamosli to keep itself afloat in Pool A alongside the Philippines, Iran and Egypt.

Even with his absence, Tunisia remains to be a tough nut to crack as a top-50 team, having won eleven African Men's Volleyball titles, with their latest coming in 2021, as Wassim, Hamza, and Elves proved to be an unstoppable trio to retain their crown.

Unfortunately, their hopes for a successful title defense fell short in the quarterfinals against Cameroon in the last edition back in 2023.

In between, they managed to make the Round of 16 in the last edition of the Men's World Championship, losing to eventual finalists Poland.

Even with the stumble, Tunisia is still a force to reckon with, and to highlight it, they went out and hired Camillo Placi as their head coach. They would follow that up with a four-month camp that started back in May.

All of their preparations will be capped off by serving as the opening match for the 2025 edition of the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship against hosts the Philippines, which takes place on September 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

They will resume pool play against Iran on September 16, whilst concluding pool play against rivals Egypt a couple of days later, all of which will be at the same venue.

The Philippines-Tunisia matchup is the lone match scheduled, as it will be preceded by a first-ever tournament opening ceremony, which will feature performances from BOYNEXTDOOR and Karencitta. First serve is slated to take place at around 730pm.

Tickets for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, which is supported by PNVF Official Partners PLDT, Mwell, Meralco, ⁠Rebisco, Akari, Nuvali, PNVF official suppliers Asics, Senoh, official ball ⁠Mikasa, official television partner Cignal, Honda, BMW, and supported by the PSC and POC, are available through https://www.philippineswch2025.com/.

NBA, TITAN open third NBA Store

NBA Store at Greenhills

The National Basketball Association officially has a foothold in the Greenhills complex, as the league, in partnership with Titanomachy International, Inc. (TITAN), opened its third NBA Store in Metro Manila on Wednesday, August 20. A variety of basketball content creators/influencers, as well as a few VIPs graced the proceedings, including former UAAP champions Von Pessumal, Isaac Go, and Gian Mamuyac, as well as UST alum Aljon Mariano.

Operated by the latter and located on the third floor of the GH Mall, the NBA Store features a comprehensive selection of official NBA and WNBA merchandise, including current and former player jerseys, fan apparel and outfits from head to toe, as well as a smorgasborg of items, accessories, and collectibles from a variety of major brands.

The 340+ sq. meter retail space also has NBA Philippines-branded apparel, including a special collection commemorating this particular launch, featuring four designs inspired by the unique elements present in the store.

In addition, the facility has a customization area for jerseys, t-shirts, and hoodies. Its footwear display incorporates various basketball court surfaces from all over the metro, and a locally-designed mural that is inspired by its circular-themed interior and the colors of our Philippine flag.

As part of the launch, a replica of the Larry O'Brien Trophy is present for a limited time this month, where fans can take a photo with the item hoisted by the NBA's champion.

Laoag set to host "Set Na Natin 'To" tour

MEMBERS of the Alas Pilipinas Men huddle around Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni in training camp at the Santo Tirso Sports Facility in Portugal (c/o PNVF)

Volleyball fans based in the north are set for a treat, as the "Set Na Natin 'To" trophy and mascot tour heads to Laoag on August 24.

Fresh from being at SM Seaside in Cebu last Saturday, the tour will take foothold at the newly-opened SM City Laoag.

In addition, a mini tournament is slated to take place at Dap Ayan Park, according to Ilocos Norte Volleyball president Faivo Bartolome, who also serves as Sports Consultant for the province.

According to Bartolome, invitations have been sent out to key government officials, led by Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Marcos and Vice Governor Matthew Manotoc, as well as Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid and Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas.

Block Builders, Laoag MVT, PSQ, and NWU comprise the four-team field.

Activities are to start at 10am, with the formal program proceedings to take place starting at 6pm.

After Laoag, the three-city tour will conclude on August 30 at Cagayan de Oro, with SM Downtown set to host their own event.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon "Tats" Suzara shares some good news relating to Alas Pilipinas.

Suzara says that both Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo have recovered from their respective injuries, providing an actual boost for Alas Pilipinas as they continue their preparations in Europe.

The team is currently in Santo Tirso, Portugal for their final phase of preparations. 

Pilipinas United 3x3 League set to launch this weekend

IT’S going to be an open race to the top come the inaugural Pilipinas United 3x3 League (PUL) this weekend at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Twelve teams will duke it out in the men’s division, while eight squads will play in the women’s division as they take the halfcourt by storm.

“Passion fuels every drive, every shot, every hustle, while purpose brings us together to create new avenues for athletes to unite communities and to push Philippine basketball to even greater heights,” said PUL commissioner Eric Altamirano on Monday.

Celebrity David Licauco’s Taho Story A, powerhouse Half Court Group (Hoopjeep), Sidney Onwubere’s YouGuard, and dunker David Carlos’ Activate Sports spearhead the local teams in the men’s side alongside AMG Physical Therapy Clinic, Smile 360 Dental Clinic, Solaris, and Taho Story B.

They will take on a tough international field which includes Ninja Airs and SBB from Japan, Dame Dolla of Vietnam, and Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia.

At stake is the USD 5,000 cash prize with the champion also earning a ticket to the Fiba 3x3 Kaohsiung Challenger in October, while the top local team will get a spot in the Fiba 3x3 Manila Challenger spot in September.

Two-time UAAP MVP Kacey dela Rosa will carry the torch for Gilas Pilipinas Women U23 as they will be joined by top local clubs Uratex Dream and Pilipinas Aguilas in the women’s division of this tilt which has Home Court, Seda Manila Bay, Smart Sports, Solar Sports, Molten, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, Nueva Ecija D’Generals, Accelerated Wellness, Vision Media, and Skyworth as sponsors, and is endorsed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Rounding out the field for the women’s division are Japan’s Maurice Lacroix, Malaysia’s Harimau Black and Yellow, Vietnam’s Hanoi 3x3 By Amigos, and Singapore's Jumpshot as they fight for the USD 3,000 cash prize.

Fans can watch the games on PusoP.com and Solar Sports on digital free TV channel 21 in Mega Manila, Cablelink Channel 58 and Sky Cable Channel 70 in NCR and in over 200 PayTV Operators nationwide.

Galaxy Manila Marathon highlights Samsung's commitment to Wellness

The Galaxy Manila Marathon, powered by Samsung

Samsung Philippines, building on its recent successful runs in key areas in the country, elevated its partnership with RUNRIO through the Galaxy Manila Marathon, a landmark celebration of health, wellness, and the vibrant spirit of Manila on August 10, 2025, at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex.

Drawing 19,000 runners, the event stands as one of the country’s largest and most anticipated fitness gatherings this year. Samsung continues to champion a lifestyle of movement and discovery, encouraging participants to rise higher in their fitness journeys while appreciating iconic local landmarks in Manila passing through the storied grounds of Rizal Park, the enduring walls of Intramuros, the sweeping views along Roxas Boulevard, and the cultural landmarks of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex.

Powered by the latest Galaxy Watch innovations, Samsung continues to inspire wellness journeys through its Galaxy Watch series. The newly launched Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic serve as powerful companions for anyone striving to stay on top of their health.

“The Galaxy Manila Marathon shows how AI and innovation can take wellness to the next level. With features like the Running Coach and the power of the Samsung Galaxy Ecosystem, the Galaxy Watch8 series helps users run smarter and push further,” Samsung Electronics Philippines Ecosystem Product Marketing Manager Michelle Tee shared.

“Our aim is to continue inspiring Filipinos to live healthier, more active lives. The event shows how technology and wellness can move together, empowering runners to push limits, stay connected, and achieve their personal best,” Tee emphasized.

Redesigned to help you reach for Ultimate Wellness

The Galaxy Watch8 series offers a smarter, more connected way to stay motivated, whether you are training for your next marathon or simply embracing a more active lifestyle. Its sleek design meets rugged functionality, with a 50% brighter display and 3,000 nits peak brightness, runners can easily track stats even under the harshest daylight.

Whether you are training for your first 5K or chasing a personal best, the Galaxy Watch8’s Running Coach delivers personalized plans and real-time guidance based on your fitness level. Stay motivated with the updated Together feature that now supports running—challenge friends, track progress, and make every mile count.

The Galaxy Watch8 series is also built for those who want more than just distance tracking—it is your smart wellness coach on the go. It is the first smartwatch to introduce an Antioxidant Index, letting you measure carotenoid levels in just five seconds to support healthy aging. Equipped with the advanced BioActive Sensor, it provides runners with in-depth health insights, empowering them to train smarter, recover better, and push further.

To help you stay balanced, High Stress Alert notifies you when it is time to slow down, while the Mindfulness Tracker logs your mood and guides you through calming breathwork. Not only that! With the AI-powered Energy Score, you will get a quick read on your physical and mental energy so you can plan your day—and your next run—smarter.

Created together with Google, the Galaxy Watch8 series is the first smartwatch to launch with Gemini, Google’s powerful AI assistant and run on Wear OS 6, bringing next-level intelligence to your wrist. Go hands-free and stay in stride with natural voice commands that let you manage apps like Samsung Health, Calendar, Reminder, and Clock effortlessly.

Optimized with the new One UI8 Watch, the interface is sleek, intuitive, and tailored to the Watch face. Multi-info Tiles let you view key metrics like weather, events, and health stats at a glance, while the Now Bar and depthless notifications keep your most important updates front and center, so you can focus on your pace, not your screen.

Crafted for endurance and everyday elegance, the Galaxy Watch8 is made for the long run. With a fully reengineered structure and 30% more efficient component layout, it is now 11% thinner for a lighter, sleeker fit. Designed for all-day comfort, it will not weigh you down whether you are racing, training, or cooling off, available in 44mm or 40mm, in Graphite or Silver.

For a more refined look, the Galaxy Watch8 Classic adds timeless sophistication with a rotating bezel and handy quick button, available in 46mm Black or White. Plus, both models can be customized with stylish bands to suit every runner’s lifestyle—on and off the race course.

For those pushing boundaries outdoors, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is the toughest and most advanced Galaxy Watch yet. With up to the longest battery life in the lineup and a durable titanium build—now available in the bold new Titanium Blue—it is made for endurance, performance, and adventure.

LALIGA EA SPORTS season set to begin

FC Barcelona seeks to retain their title this coming season

LALIGA is back! Fans will be returning to stadiums across Spain and turning on their screens around the world this week to enjoy a host of new stars, established and rising talents, and the same world class football that they’ve become used to from Spanish football over the years. 

FC Barcelona, reigning and 28-time champions, will be looking to be the first side in almost a decade to retain their title, while the chasing pack of 19 teams, led by a strengthened Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, and high-flying Athletic Club will be looking to knock the Blaugrana off their perch. 

Get ready as the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Vini Jr, Jude Bellingham, Antoine Griezmann, Isco, Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marcus Rashford, Julián Álvarez, and Rafinha, to name just a few, continue to shine of the biggest stage possible, with a plethora of rising young talents and living legends showcasing the very best of what the most competitive major league in European football has to offer, week in, week out. Vamos!

Futbol fans in the Philippines will be able to watch the action through BeIN Sports, whether on cable or through BeINSports Connect.

Opening things up for the season is Girona against Rayo Vallecano early Saturday morning at 12:55am. A few hours later, newly-promoted side Real Oviedo is set to tangle against Villarreal CF at 325am.

The quest for title number 29 begins for Barca commences on Sunday morning, against Mallorca at 125am, to be followed by Valencia against Real Sociedad at 325am.

Alas Pilipinas Women chip in for FIVB Men's World Championship promotion

JIA MORADO-DE GUZMAN (right) makes the No. 1 sign on board a specially-wrapped LRT-2 train with (from left) Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) secretary-general Donaldo Caringal, Alleiah Malaluan, Vanie Gandler, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara and Alas Women head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito.

With the opening date for the 2025 edition of the FIVB Men's World Championship looming in the horizon, the Philippines continues to come up with activations to help spread the word about the competition.

On Tuesday, four members of the Alas Pilipinas Women rode a specially wrapped train at the LRT Line-2, from Recto Station, all the way to Santolan, led by its skipper, Jia Morado-de Guzman. It follows the lead of their male counterparts who took such ride when the wrap was launched a month earlier.

The setter shares, "This is a rare opportunity for the country, to host a very prestigious event, the world championship."

Joining her along for the ride are teammates Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Vanie Gandler, and Alleiah Malaluan, as well as head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito.

Members of the Local Organizing Committee, led by Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon Suzara, and secretary-general Donaldo Caringal also partook of the experience.

Suzara says, "One more month and the Philippines will be on the world volleyball map." He also highlighted the special opening ceremony slated on September 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena that includes a performance from K-Pop group Boy Next Door.

Whilst as for the closing ceremony on September 28, Ben and Ben are set to take the stage, whilst Leila Barros, the iconic Brazilian star who has since entered politics to serve as a senator, is expected to be in attendance. 

Tickets for the two-week tournament are already available at https://www.philippineswch2025.com/.

More activations loom in the horizon, with the "Set Na 'To! An Electrifying Launch" at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall later today, August 13, which serves as the campaign kickoff for the Worlds.

Amongst the events being unveiled is the launch of the on-site volunteer program, as well as the official presentation of Hataw, Kidlat, and Kulog as the tournament mascots. Fans would be able to see the actual world championship trophy, while also partake of performances from 1st One and Karencitta, who will perform the official anthem of the competition, "Electrify."

Fil-Am Fencing World Champion set for homecoming visit

Lee Kiefer after finally claiming the FIE World Championship earlier this month in Tbilisi. (c/o FIE)

Fresh from their recent international success, noted fencing couple Lee Kiefer and Gerek Meinhardt are paying it forward in sharing their talent and knowledge to the next generation.

The American duo are set to visit the Philippines at the end of the month for a one-day camp, in collaboration with the Philippine Fencing Association, as well as Alabang Fencing and Canlas Fencing.

National team coach Amatov Canlas shares that it is a, "... Dream come true for the Philippine fencing community." He thankfully adds, "... natupad din yun dasal ko na someday bibisita sya sa Pilipinas at ma-inspire nya pa lalo ang mga Filipino youth fencers na mag pursige at mangarap ng mas mataas sa napili nila sports."

Said camp, which is tailored for fencers of all levels who are at least ten years of age, will take place on August 28 at the Fencing Hall inside the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City, from 5-8pm.

It provides a rare opportunity to train with Lee, who is the first American fencer to win an Olympic gold medal in foil and is coming off securing an impressive World Championship a few weeks ago, becoming the first American woman to win gold in individual foil. Participants will also get the chance to pick the mind of her husband Gerek, who is a five-time Olympian and a two-time medalist for Team USA.

Those interested can register through this link -> https://forms.gle/cxQk1bwr6KuoyZfJ7

For inquiries, one can message Coach Dolly of Alabang Fencing at 0966-7896623. 

The next day, Lee and Gerard will hold a meet and greet at the Hexagon Lounge inside RCBC Plaza in Makati at 6-8pm. This event is open for everyone and will be an evening of stories, inspiration, and connection in a more personal setting.

Kiefer, whose Filipino roots come from her mother Teresa via Tagum City, has long expressed pride in her roots. She is one of the 25 honorees for the 2021 edition of The Outstanding Filipinos in America (TOFA) Awards.

She shared to Alex Abrams back in 2022, "After I won that last touch and had that medal on (in Tokyo), I received so much outpouring from the Philippines, from the Filipino community, the whole Asian American community," Kiefer said. "Yeah, I was so proud to be able to do that for all of these people. …" 

"I’m half-Filipino, and growing up I saw these Asian women in my sport who looked like me. And so to be able to be like, whoa, to be that for other people was really special."

Her visit marks a meaningful homecoming and a chance to give back to the community.

Event Details

Event	Date & Time	Location	Fee
Foil Camp	August 28, 5:00–8:00 PM	PSC Fencing Hall, Pasig City	$100
Meet & Greet	August 29, 6:00–8:00 PM	Hexagon Lounge, RCBC Plaza, Makati	Free (optional dinner available)

LALIGA set for upcoming opener

LaLIGA

With the start of the 2025/26 season looming in the horizon this month, LALIGA is ready to emerge with new features and a revamped broadcast experience.

Reflecting its commitment towards innovation, expect a new pre-match opening sequence for both its matches in LALIGA EA SPORTS (Primera Division) and LALIGA HYPERMOTION (Segunda Division). Its theme highlights the collective strength of its clubs and immerse viewers into its world moments before kickoff.

The new opening will make its debut on August 15 (16 in the Philippines), the first day of the new season. It will feature a three-dimensional visual composition, based on the movement of shapes, materials, and textures reminiscent of artisanal metalwork. The sequence then builds a narrative where each element interweaves fluidly, converging into a unified whole. This metamorphosis symbolizes the coming together of clubs under a collective identity, with LALIGA as the unifying element, a visual metaphor for its positioning: “The Power of Our Fútbol.”

In addition, LALIGA's "See what you've never seen before" campaign will be shown through its broadcast partners, with the objective of reigniting fan excitement through evoking emotions one experienced during the past season. It will also include a variety of cross-cutting activations all across the LALIGA ecosystem tailored to further enhance the fan experience. Further activations are set to occur worldwide down the line, as LALIGA seeks to bring this exact experience worldwide.

Malixi eliminated in first round matchplay of US Women's Amateur Championship

Rianne. c/o USGA

Rianne Malixi's hopes for a title defense were snuffed out on Wednesday, as she bowed out after the first round of the matchplay portion of the US Women's Amateur Championship at the Bandon Dunes Golf Course.

The defending champion lost 1-up to a fellow incoming freshman in Arianna Lau, who was the final woman to make the matchplay field. The Hong Kong native, who is set to join Northwestern, survived a six-hole playoff against Sarah Lim, as the final twosome of a fifteen-player playoff to officially complete the 64-woman field.

On both occasions, Lau had the steely resolve to finish the job on 18. She converted a four-foot putt for birdie in the playoff that Lim was unable to match, then later in the day nailed a thirteen-foot putt for eagle that Malixi could not answer.

Lau actually caught the Filipina off-guard, managing to establish a 3-up lead, before Rianne battled back to keep it level multiple times, with the final one being on 17 to set up the final hole heroics due to Lau missing a four-foot par putt.

Arianna shared afterwards, "I'm just really grateful, especially today... Like it taught me how to handle pressure, especially in match play."

Fellow medalist Asterisk Talley also fell victim to the upset axe, losing to Ella Scaysbrook 6 and 4. Fresh from claiming the Girls Junior PGA Championship the previous week, the US Junior National Team standout never got into a groove, trailing by two after three holes, then dropped four straight starting from 11 on to prematurely conclude her matchup against the Aussie.

Scaysbrook, the 63rd player in the field after nailing a birdie on the 12th in the playoff, got hot to finish off the win, converting three birdies in the last four holes of their matchup.

Malixi and Talley's exits meant that this is the first time since 2015 that multiple medalists were not part of the Round of 32.

Other notables from the first round of matchplay include:

Golf Channel personality Emilia Doran needed twenty holes to keep her from doing full on-course broadcast work, defeating Reagan Zibilski. Doran (nee Migliaccio), a former All-American and NCAA champion at Wake Forest and two-time Curtis Cup team member for the United States, is seeking to be the first mid-am to win the competition since 1978.

She says after her victory, "I'm high on adrenaline right now." After her round, Emilia resumed her role of on-course correspondence for the afternoon session.

Doran will need to dispatch Lau on Thursday morning to remain on track to accomplishing that feat.

Doran's fellow Demon Deacon and this year's Inkster Award recipient Carolina Lopez-Chacarra needed an additional hole to stun University of Texas All-American and British Women's Amateur Championship runner-up Farah O'Keefe, completing a comeback from being 3-down to earn a spot in the next round.

Ashley Kozlowski won the last three holes to force extras against Vanessa Borovilos, who set a tournament record with her 9-under 63 the previous day. The Colorado native and Purdue graduate needed a 25-foot par put to keep things tied after nineteen holes before claiming the 20th on a two-putt par.

Ivy Leaguers Catherine Rao (Princeton) and Allison Paik (Columbia) needed 24 holes to determine a winner, with the former claiming the win after a birdie on the sixth, denying the latter of an opportunity to make the quarterfinals for a fourth straight year.

Rao would say afterwards, "I never want to go this long again. I think I gave my entire family heart attacks, like my legs are sore."

Round of 32 action takes place in the morning, with the Quarterfinalists to be known by the end of the day.

Malixi, Talley share lead heading into US Women's Amateur Championship matchplay

Malixi (c/o USGA)

Last year's finalists at the US Women's Amateur Championship are back together again, as Rianne Malixi and Asterisk Talley shared the lead after the conclusion of stroke portion of the competition on Tuesday at the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Conditions along the southwest Oregon coast were conducive for low scoring at the course, and the field took advantage, led by Vanessa Borovilos, as the Texas A&M student-athlete shot the lowest round in tournament history with her 9-under 63.

But it Malixi and Talley who earned the top spot with an aggregate 9-under 135 in two rounds of action. The former followed up her 68 with a 67, while the latter managed a 66 after an opening round of 69. By topping the stroke play portion, both will be sharing the medalists award. And for Malixi, it would be the first time a defending champion took home such an honor since 1975-76.

Both players had a chance to provide some separation. After starting on the back nine, Malixi had her second bogey on her penultimate hole, but closed out with a birdie to make up for it on her final hole on 9. At the same hole, Talley had a shot for an eagle, but she two-putted the green to settle for birdie.

Rianne shared about the conditions, "I was looking at the morning scores and there were some pretty low scores out there. But I was expecting the wind to pick up in the afternoon. Instead, it got warmer, so my ball actually flew further than what I expected. I think, give or take, it was a good setup for me, so I took advantage of it."

Talley adds, "I had to take my sweater off on the second hole. So that was different. Pretty much zero wind all day. Very surprising."

Just a stroke behind the co-leaders is Eila Galitsky of Thailand, as the South Carolina sophomore also carded a 66 to follow her first round output of 70. Borovilos is a shot further back with her historic round alongside a couple of upperclasswomen in Lyla Louderbaugh of Kansas and Catherine Rao of Princeton.

With fourteen players tied at the +1 cut line, a playoff is set to take place early Wednesday morning to determine the remaining six players to complete the field of 64 for the matchplay portion of the competition.

Both Malixi and Talley will have to wait to see who will their opponents be in the afternoon, as they will try to advance into the next round on Thursday. 

Malixi shares opening day lead at US Women's Amateur Championship

Malixi, c/o USGA

Rianne Malixi overcame a lot to be able to make it to the 2025 edition of the US Women's Amateur Championship, which takes place at the Bandon Dunes course in southwestern Oregon, and her grit pulled through in the first day with a bogey-free 4-under 68.

The lone Filipina in the field shared the Monday lead with a couple of student-athlete seniors: Overland Park, KS native Julia Misemer of the University of Arizona, and Hong Kong's Cindy Hsu of the University of Texas.

Recent rival Asterisk Talley is one stroke back, alongside a few others: fellow US National Junior Team member Scarlett Schremmer, US Elite Amateur Program member Anna Davis of Auburn, recent NC State graduate Lauren Oliveras of Mexico, and former All-American at Wake Forest and two-time USA Curtis Cup member Emilia Doran.

Malixi had to deal with a back issue since the start of the year, and it flared up a couple of months later at the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship. As a result, she was forced to take a break from the sport for three weeks.

In the process, Rianne was forced to withdraw from a couple of tournaments her victory last year at Southern Hills earned invites to, one of the LPGA majors in the Chevron Championship, and the Augusta National Women's Amateur.

The ninth-ranked top female amateur in the world shared about the experience being sidelined, "Hitting 400 balls a day made it worse," she said. "So I had to rest." Malixi also missed the cut in the subsequent two majors, the US Women's Open at Erin Hills and the Evian Championship.

Complicating matters is the quest to secure a student visa necessary for her incoming freshman season at Duke University, a situation made worse with the recent weather conditions in the Philippines. The needed approval came with just six hours prior to her scheduled flight across the Pacific, and she only managed to arrive this past weekend, managing to get a full round-and-a-half of practice before tourney proper started.

Malixi did manage to find videos of the two most recent USGA tournaments hosted by the David McLay Kidd-designed course to aid her short preparations: the 2020 US Amateur and the 2022 US Junior Amateur.

Seeking to be the first to hoist the Robert Cox trophy in consecutive years since Danielle Kang back in 2010-11, she took advantage of an early tee time to card her 68, converting four birdies and saved par thrice after finding the fairway bunkers off the tee.

After her round, Rianne adds, "Today was eye-opening for me. Having experience [with links golf] helped me a lot for this week," citing her participation in the British Women's Amateur Championship back in 2023 at Prince's Golf Club in England and in 2024 at Portmarnock in Ireland.

One more round of action is set to take place on Tuesday before the field is trimmed to 64 to commence the matchday portion the next day.