LALIGA Youth Tournament honored in World Football Summit

LALIGA x World Football Summit

LALIGA has been honoured with a prestigious award earlier this month, as the Spanish top-flight was bestown the "Honor for Transformative Partnerships shaping the Future of Sport" award at the World Football Summit in Hong Kong last September 3-4.

The event celebrates the talent, passion, and dedication put in by sports business professionals towards football industry, with the award celebrating "partnerships that drive innovation, growth and overall collaboration in football, highlighting those that redefine what is possible for the sport across borders, sectors and cultures."

Received by LALIGA's Singapore-based director Ivan Codina, the honor recognizes the league's work at the grassroots level in Southeast Asia, highlighted by the LALIGA Youth Tournament.

Launched five years ago in Malaysia, and now has counterparts in four more ASEAN locations (Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines), the tournament offers a competitive platform for its participants to not only develop their skills but also to enjoy first-class training experiences.

In fact, this month saw the conclusion of the 2025 edition in Indonesia, with its Philippine counterpart set to have this year's edition scheduled in mid-November at New Clark City.

It is part of a larger commitment LALIGA has in developing sustainable grassroots football in the region, with other initiatives currently in place through two LALIGA Academies in Vietnam and Malaysia, with the latter in operation since 2023 in collaboration with Epsom College through a 50-acre campus on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. In addition, the league also has a LALIGA Youth League in place there.

All of this comes with the end goal of being able to create opportunities for young players to make it big in the sport. 

In receiving the award, Codina shares, "This recognition is a source of pride for LALIGA. The Youth Tournament began as a venture in Malaysia and today is a project that connects thousands of young people across the region. Seeing how it grows and how it impacts such diverse communities reaffirms our commitment to grassroots football and the sustainable development of the sport in Asia. We thank the World Football Summit for this honour, which motivates us to continue working with the same passion."

With this honor, LALIGA reinforces its international leadership in the development of grassroots football and its commitment to the growth of the sport overall.

PalawanPay remains committed to Grassroots and Sports Development, forms partnership with Philippine Youth Basketball Championship

PalawanPay x PYBC

The Palawan Group of Companies, through its e-wallet arm PalawanPay, remains committed towards grassroots sports development, as it lends its support towards the Philippine Youth Basketball Championship (PYBC) as a Platinum Sponsor.

The PYBC is one of the newest youth-oriented basketball leagues in the country, with their emphasis towards combining traditional coaching elements with data-driven analytics. 

Such a partnership underscores PGoC's commitment in empowering the next generation of Filipino athletes by providing opportunities to develop their skills, showcase their talent, and live out the values of sportsmanship.

As such, in supporting the PYBC, PalawanPay hopes to strengthen grassroots basketball programs and ensure that young players have access to opportunities that nurture growth. It builds on the Palawan Group’s long-standing advocacy for sports development and investing in the youth, as they believe investing in sports not only develops champions on the court, but also empowers Filipino youth to become champions in life.

According to Palawan Group's Chief Financial Officer Lilian Castro-Selda, "At Palawan Group, we have always believed in grassroots development. Whether in financial services, education, or sports, our mission is to empower Filipinos to build a brighter future. That is why partnering with PYBC is both a commitment and a privilege. It is our greatest honor to take part in giving Filipino youth the chance to dream, to learn, and to grow — both on and off the court. To our young athletes: basketball is more than just a game. Every time you put on your jersey, you carry values that will serve you for life — discipline, teamwork, resilience, grit, and respect. These are the same values we live by at the Palawan Group, and we are proud to support you as you strengthen them through sports."

To highlight such commitment, PGoC representatives were present at a fellowship lunch hosted by the league that included young basketball players from across the country, along with their respective families and coaches.

At said lunch, PYBC Commissioner and Palawan Group ambassador Benjie Paras shared this message: "You’re all very lucky that this is your opportunity to be scouted by coaches and to be backed by our generous sponsors. My advice is this: in any league that you play in, you need to be committed. And when I say committed, that means putting in hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and of course, love for the game."

Also gracing the event are fellow basketball greats in Ronnie Magsanoc, Rico Maierhofer, and Jayjay Helterbrand, sharing ancedotes and providing inspirational messages.

In addition, league officials, led by Tournament Director Carl Villanueva and Deputy Commissioner Paulo Layug recognized key partners with certificates of appreciation, emphasizing their value in ensuring the PYBC's success.

The league already has its first conference ongoing until October, with action in three division: under-11, under-13, and under-15 divisions.

Injury time goal secures La Salle's triumph

c/o UAAP

Women's Matches on Saturday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub
4 p.m. - UP vs DLSU
6:30 p.m. - Ateneo vs FEU

Lucas Aguilar drilled in a late winner to give De La Salle University its first victory of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Football Tournament, edging University of the East, 1-0, Thursday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub here.

Just as the match seemed headed for a goalless stalemate, the second-generation student-athlete broke the deadlock in the second minute of added time, handing the Green Booters their first win under new head coach Richard Leyble.

The result lifted De La Salle to three points with a goal difference of 0, joining Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, and University of the Philippines at the top of the table.

"We started slow because some of the players didn’t follow the plan," said Leyble, the former Davao Aguilas FC mentor in the Philippines Football League who succeeded Alvin Ocampo at the helm. "But all in all, they played well. Everybody played well. Everybody didn’t give up. They just played and won this game.

"Now, we were lucky. We were sensing that UE was the one to win in this case, but fortunately, we got the first goal."

De La Salle had to survive several scares early, as UE pressed hard in the opening half.

Eldrin Madrid found the back of the net in the fourth minute, only for the goal to be nullified due to an offside call.

Skipper John Bernard Magallon also came close, while Keith Hermoso repeatedly created danger with his deliveries into the Green Booters’ box.

Strong stops from starting goalkeeper Edcel Lauron and substitute Jason Salvante proved pivotal, keeping De La Salle afloat until it could seize its chance.

Aguilar also had an earlier attempt waved off for offside but made up for it late in the match.

Off a set-piece opportunity, Sebastian Fronda picked out Aguilar lurking inside the box.

With perfect timing, Fronda delivered the ball, and Aguilar blasted it past Chrisjan Tambilawan for the decisive strike.

That goal sealed De La Salle’s first triumph of the season.

The Green Booters will look to build momentum when they face UP next Thursday, October 2, at 2 p.m. on the same Imus pitch.

It was a frustrating defeat for UE, which dominated large stretches of the match—particularly in the first half—but failed to find the back of the net for the second straight outing.

The Red Warriors, now with two losses and a minus-2 goal difference, will try to bounce back against Ateneo on Sunday at 4 p.m.

Senate praises Padel Pilipinas

c/o the office of Senator Pia Cayetano

Wednesday was a special day for the padel community in the Philippines, as the achievements of Padel Pilipinas was recognized by the government.

At its Session Hall, the Senate recognized and commended Padel Pilipinas following its landmark victory at the 2025 Asia Pacific Padel Cup (APPC) in Selangor, Malaysia. The national team swept through the tournament with an impressive record, defeating powerhouse teams from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, Pakistan, Singapore, and India, to emerge as champions of the region.

Padel Pilipinas founder and Senator Pia Cayetano delivered an omnibus sponsorship speech commending the athletes and coaches, specifically recognizing standout players Joanna Tao Yee Tan and Johnny Arcilla, who were named as the Female and Male Most Valuable Players of the competition.

In addition, the Senate also adopted resolutions congratulating Tan and LA Cañizares for their Mixed Pro title at the APPT Kuala Lumpur Open, as well as Tan for her Pro Female championship at the APPT Bali Open.

“I have seen our team grow from a hopeful beginning to a glorious triumph, and to witness their victory, to see our flag raised on the international stage, is to see that vision fulfilled,” Cayetano said. “Our athletes have carried our flag with pride, inspired the next generation, and made history for Philippine sports.”

UP staves off Adamson comeback in opener

c/o UAAP

Games on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
8 a.m. – NU vs FEU (16U)
10 a.m. – UST vs DLSU (16U)
12 noon – NU vs FEU (Women)
2 p.m. – NU vs FEU (Men)
4:30 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Men)
7 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Women)

University of the Philippines spoiled Jed Colonia’s coaching debut, outlasting Adamson University, 66-63, to open its UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Basketball campaign on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The Lady Falcons, who trailed by as much as 17 points in the first half, fought back to tie the game at 59 on a Kim Limbago putback off her own miss with 4:37 remaining.

However, Camille Nolasco gave the Fighting Maroons the lead with a split from the free-throw line before Louna Ozar drilled a high-arching three-pointer to put UP up 63-59 with 58.7 seconds left.

Adamson could not capitalize in the next two possessions, both ending in turnovers.

“It’s nice that we were resilient and we were able to bounce back from the runs that Adamson showed. Kudos to them because this Adamson team, remember, they are a Final Four team last year so they won’t back down on a 17-point deficit,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Paul Ramos.

"I’m really proud of everybody in our staff and players because we stuck together," he added.

With UP ahead 64-59, Cheska Apag launched a three for Adamson but missed; fortunately, Cris Padilla grabbed the putback to make it 64-61 with 13.4 seconds left.

Ozar was tested on the free-throw line on the next possession, missing both attempts, but quickly stripped Angela Alaba of the ball and redeemed herself by sinking two free throws with eight seconds remaining to seal the win.

Ozar led UP’s hard-fought, wire-to-wire victory with 13 points and six rebounds but also committed eight turnovers.

Nolasco added 10 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Marielle Vingno and Achrissa Maw contributed eight points each.

UP will face University of the East next Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, while Adamson prepares for a rematch with last season’s stepladder semifinals opponent, Ateneo de Manila University, on the same day.

Elaine Etang led the Lady Falcons with a game-high 17 points, six rebounds, and four steals.

Limbago added nine points, and Angela Alaba scored eight, but Nigerian center Kem Adeshina was limited to just two points on 1-of-6 shooting from the field.

The Scores:

UP (66) - Ozar 13, Nolasco 10, Vingno 8, Maw 8, Cunanan 7, Tapawan 5, Mendoza 4, Mejasco 4, Castro 3, Solitario 2, Barba 2, Evangelista 0, Pesquera 0.

AdU (63) - Etang 17, Limbago 9, A. Alaba 8, Ornopia 7, Padilla 7, E. Alaba 5, APag 4, Adeshina 2, Meniano 2, Agojo 2, Mazo 0, Carcallas 0, Bajo 0, Manlimos 0.

Quarterscores: 19-12, 44-31, 55-47, 66-63.

Ray Allen Torres' game-winner lifts Adamson over UP

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Standings
Ateneo 2-0
UST 1-0
NU 1-0
DLSU 1-0
AdU 1-1
FEU 0-1
UP 0-2
UE 0-2

Games on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
8 a.m. – NU vs FEU (16U)
10 a.m. – UST vs DLSU (16U)
12 p.m. – NU vs FEU (Women)
2 p.m. – NU vs FEU (Men)
4:30 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Men)
7 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Women)

Ray Allen Torres lived up to his name, draining the game-winning triple to lift Adamson University over the University of the Philippines, 62-59, in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

With the game tied at 59 following Harold Alarcon’s lay-in with 22.2 seconds left, Soaring Falcons head coach Nash Racela called a timeout to draw up a final play.

Adamson opted to push the ball the length of the floor, starting the possession with Matty Erolon before giving it to Torres for the last shot.

Faced with tight defense from Gerry Abadiano, Torres went one-on-one and pulled up from three-point range, giving Adamson the 62-59 lead with 2.8 seconds remaining.

“During halftime, that’s what we told the players, we have to grind this game out, that was really expected. From start to finish dikdikan. I don’t really know what to say about the officiating. Gulong gulo kami kanina, we wanted to adjust to the referees but medyo naguguluhan kami buti na lang ‘yung players were able to deliver,” said Racela.

“‘Yung last play kasi sabi dalhin lang ni Matty ‘yung bola sa gitna and then last five seconds ibigay sa akin pero nung nasa akin na ‘yung bola, block out na lahat, tinanggal ko lahat ng emotions ko, nag-focus lang ako sa tira ko,” said Torres, who finished with 10 points.

With no timeouts left, UP handed the ball to Terrence Fortea, but he could not get off a proper shot, leaving the reigning champions at 0-2—their worst start since Season 79, when they opened 0-3. The Fighting Maroons had also lost their opener to the UST Growling Tigers, 87-67.

Adamson, meanwhile, leveled its record to 1-1, bouncing back from a narrow 60-58 defeat to the De La Salle Green Archers in their opener. The Soaring Falcons aim to carry this momentum into their matchup with Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

"This first week is very challenging for us," said Racela. "Hopefully, we play well on Sunday."

Adamson built a 10-point lead early in the payoff period, 49-39, but UP fought back to tie it at 57, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

AJ Fransman contributed 10 points and eight rebounds for Adamson, while Cedrick Manzano and Mathew Montebon added eight points each. Manzano fouled out with 1:30 remaining, and confusion followed as the team played the next 20 seconds with just four men on the court.

Abadiano led UP with 15 points, while Alarcon and Gani Stevens added 12 and 10 points, respectively.

The Fighting Maroons will continue their search for a breakthrough win on Sunday against the University of the East Red Warriors.

The Scores:

AdU (62) – Fransman 10, Torres 10, Manzano 8, Montebon 8, Anabo 6, A. Ronzone 6, Erolon 6, Barcelona 3, Demisana 2, Medina 2, Tumaneng 1, Perez 0, C. Ronzone 0, Ojarikre 0.

UP (59) – Abadiano 15, Alarcon 12, Stevens 10, Nnoruka 8, Palanca 4, Torres 4, Fortea 4, Bayla 2, Remogat 0, Felicilda 0, Belmonte 0, Yniguez 0,Alter 0.

Quarterscores: 15-13, 26-24, 46-39, 62-59

Ateneo holds off UE for back-to-back wins

c/o UAAP

Kymani Ladi continued to showcase his pedigree, lifting Ateneo de Manila University past the University of the East, 62-60, to take the early lead in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament, Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The one-and-done recruit from Merritt College delivered in the clutch, drilling a go-ahead three-pointer to put the Blue Eagles back on top, 61-60, with 22.7 seconds left.

That came just moments after Wello Lingolingo gave the Red Warriors the lead, 60-58, with a tough off-the-dribble triple at the 31.9-second mark.

“We had a pretty stable first half… But then our shooting really abandoned us in the second half. We got good looks, but we just didn’t hit shots. At the end of the day, it was defensive rebounding that won the game. We had some critical stops in critical moments, and different guys stepped up,” said Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin as his squad improved to 2-0.

UE still had a chance to snatch the win, but Nico Mulingtapang lost the ball after Dominic Escobar came up with a timely steal. Lingolingo was then whistled for an unsportsmanlike foul, giving Ateneo two free throws and possession.

Escobar split his charities, while Jaden Lazo missed both of his attempts, leaving the door open for UE. However, Precious Momowei fumbled the ball in transition in the dying seconds, allowing Ateneo to escape with the victory.

“That shot shouldn’t have even happened. I think we had a good lead coming after the half. Credit to UE, they fought just as much as we did. Man, it shouldn’t have gotten to that point,” said Ladi of his game-winner. He finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Waki Espina added 17 points on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc, while Jared Bahay chipped in eight points, six rebounds, and four assists, though he struggled from the field with a 3-of-10 clip.

UE, which dropped to 0-2, put up a stronger fight compared to its 72-57 loss to National University in its opener. Lingolingo caught fire after scoring just two points in the first half, finishing with a game-high 19 points and seven boards.

John Abate contributed 11 points before fouling out with 1:38 left, while Momowei tallied nine points, 18 rebounds, two steals, and a block in a monster effort.

Both squads return to action on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ateneo will face Adamson University at 4:30 p.m., while UE will battle the University of the Philippines at 2 p.m.

The Scores:

Ateneo (62) – Ladi 17, Espina 17, Bahay 8, Escobar 7, Lazaro 3, Gamber 3, Bongo 2, Adili 2, Espinosa 1, Lazo 1, Tuano 0, Ong 0.

UE (60) – Lingolingo 19, Abate 11, Mulingtapang 9, Momowei 9, Jimenez 6, Caoile 4, Malaga 2, Robles 0, Tañedo 0.

Quarterscores: 21-14, 35-24, 47-47, 62-60

PFF adds ex-El Salvador gaffer, La Liga standout to PMNFT staff

via the Philippine Football Federation

The Philippines, with hopes and aspirations of trying to return to the AFC Asian Cup, have provided current mentor Carles Cuadrat with additional assistance.

On Wednesday, the Philippines announced that they are tapping two coaches to join Cuadrat in his staff, with fellow Spaniards Albert Roca and Dimas Delgado bolstering their preparations for the upcoming October matches against Timor Leste.

In making the appointments, federation president John Gutierrez says, "With Albert Roca and Dimas Delgado joining Coach Carles Cuadrat on our national team’s coaching staff, we are reinforcing PFF’s commitment to world-class coaching and player development. Their experience, tactical expertise, and shared vision with Coach Carles Cuadrat will be invaluable as we aim to elevate the Philippines’ performance in the Asian Cup Qualifiers, with our aim to re-enter the main tournament."

Roca and Delgado are very much familiar with Cuadrat, having worked alongside each other previously across the world.

The former has been serving in a variety of roles worldwide since 1997, most notably for his stint as the manager of El Salvador a decade ago. He also has served as an assistant to Frank Rikjaard in his respective responsibilities with Saudi Arabia, as well as in his club managing responsibilities earlier this century at FC Barcelona and Galatasaray SK.

He first worked with Cuadrat at the Turkish side before working alongside him in both El Salvador and Saudi Arabia, before collaborating in India with Bengaluru FC.

With these two in tow, the Super League side became the first Indian side to reach a continental final when Bengaluru pulled off the feat at the 2016 AFC Cup. The next year, they claimed the Federation Cup and managed to reach the final of Indian Super League.

Roca departed in 2018 to return to Barcelona to be Ronald Koeman's fitness coach at the Catalan side, setting the stage for Cuadrat to take over and lead Bengaluru to the 2018 Indian Super League title.

The 62-year-old made a return to Bengaluru in 2023 to serve as a technical consultant.

Delgado, on the other hand, played professional football for over a couple of decades, most notably serving as the captain of Barcelona B during Pep Guardiola'S first year as a coach, scoring ten goals that campaign. The 42-year-old also has top flight experience, making twenty appearances for then-La Liga Primera Division side CD Numancia in 2008. He also played over two hundred fixtures in the Segunda Division, whether in Numancia, Huelva, and Cartagena.

A move to Australia followed, with Delgado serving as captain for the Western Sydney Wanderers from 2015-17, a side then managed by Tony Popovic, who is now serving as the gaffer for the Socceroos.

He then joined Bengaluru FC, where he was coached by both Roca and Cuadrat until 2021, and was its captain in 2018.

Delgado would play a final year back home in Spain at CF Montanesa in 2023, before starting his coaching career under Cuadrat at East Bengal FC, where they helped lead the side to the Indian Super Cup title last year.

The three Spaniards are now tasked to get the Philippines ready for its two matches against Timor Leste in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, traveling first to Darwin, Australia on October 9 before going back to New Clark City on October 14 for the final home leg of the PMNFT in the competition.

Gutierrez expressed confidence that the team will benefit from these additions. He notes, "PFF is focused on pushing Philippine football to a forward trajectory. The gains we have accumulated from 2024 will not be put to waste; we will ensure incremental progress of our football programs because we are very eager to build the Philippines as a strong football force in Southeast Asia and beyond."

Kacey anchors Ateneo dominant victory in UAAP opener

c/o UAAP

Games Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
8 a.m. – NU vs FEU (16U)
10 a.m. – UST vs DLSU (16U)
12 noon – NU vs FEU (Women)
2 p.m. – NU vs FEU (Men)
4:30 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Men)
7 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Women)

REIGNING two-time MVP Kacey Dela Rosa exploded for 29 points as Ateneo de Manila University opened its UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Basketball Tournament campaign with a dominant 81-52 win over University of the East, Wednesday afternoon at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

Banking on the experience of Dela Rosa—fresh off a stint with Gilas Pilipinas Women in the FIBA 3x3 Under-23 World Cup last week—the Blue Eagles shrugged off a slow start. They turned a slim three-point lead after the first quarter into a decisive 45-27 advantage, leaving the Lady Warriors struggling to keep up.

Beyond notching their 11th consecutive victory over UE since Season 81 (2018), Ateneo—fourth-place finishers in the past three seasons—also spoiled the UAAP coaching debut of Ian Valdez, who took over the Lady Warriors program from Ai Lebornio.

“Sinasabi ko lang sa kanila na first game pa lang ito. Parang warm up lang ito for game and for sure na magste-step up din sila sa mga next games. Kasi nga first game, sabi nga ni coach parang kinakabahan sila. Ang ending, ginagabayan ko sila,” said Dela Rosa, who tallied 19 first-half points and finished with 29 on 13-of-18 shooting, along with nine rebounds, five steals, and four blocks.

(“I just told them that this was only the first game. It was like a warm-up game, and for sure they will step up in the next ones. Since it was the first game, as coach said, they were nervous. In the end, I guided them.”)

UE tried to keep pace in the third quarter, but Ateneo’s second-period onslaught proved too much.

A Dela Rosa inside hit and a Cancio layup kept the Blue Eagles firmly in control, 60-41, entering the final frame.

A four-point burst by Dela Rosa, a Kate Cancio layup, and a Monique Fetalvero jumper then stretched the lead to 30, 75-45, with less than four minutes left, effectively sealing the win.

The game was so lopsided that Dela Rosa, who set a career-high of 34 points last season, was subbed out midway through the payoff period.

“Our girls kind of started a little bit tense, so Kacey had to bring the veteran presence—sila ni Sarah (Makanjoula). Our girls were a little bit hyper, I guess [may] first game jitters for most of our girls. Kaya Kacey, the MVP, stepped up, sila ni Sarah,” Blue Eagles head coach LA Mumar said.

(“Our girls kind of started a little bit tense, so Kacey and Sarah had to bring the veteran presence. Our girls were a little hyper, maybe it was first-game jitters for most of them. That’s why Kacey, the MVP, stepped up, together with Sarah.”)

Nigerian center Sarah Makanjoula posted a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, alongside three steals, two assists, and one block. Cancio also chipped in 11 points on 3-of-4 shooting with four rebounds, two steals, and one block.

The Blue Eagles aim to sustain their momentum when they face the Adamson University Lady Falcons in a rematch of last season's Final Four on on Sunday, September 28, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, the Lady Warriors, who notched a breakthrough win over De La Salle University in the first round of Season 87 on September 22, 2024, have since dropped 11 straight games in the UAAP.

Aliyah Ronquillo paced UE with 11 points on 3-of-11 shooting, while Rachel Lacayanga added 10 points and two steals.

The Lady Warriors will try to bounce back against University of the Philippines on the same date and venue.

The Scores:

Ateneo (81) - Dela Rosa 29, Makanjoula 15, Cancio 11, Oani 7, Villacruz 5, Fetalvero 4, Malagar 3, Lopez 3, De Luna 2, Olivenza 2, Batongbakal 9, Lopez 0, Chan 0.

UE (52) - Ronquillo 11, Lacayanga 10, Vacalares 7, Yanez 6, Buscar 4, Onate 4, Gomez 2, Salise 2, Lituania 2, Dalguntas 2, Trinidad 2, Delig 0, Gullim 0, Ramos 0, Lumibao 0, Solomon 0.

Quarterscores: 21-18, 45-27, 60-41, 81-52.

Adamson takes early lead in UAAP U16 Basketball

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball Tournament
ADU 2-0
UST 1-0
FEU-D 1-0
NUNS 1-0
UE 1-1
DLSZ 0-1
Ateneo 0-2
UPIS 0-2

Games Saturday at the(Smart Araneta Coliseum
8 a.m. – NU vs FEU (16U)
10 a.m. – UST vs DLSU (16U)
12 noon – NU vs FEU (Women)
2 p.m. – NU vs FEU (Men)
4:30 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Men)
7 p.m. – UST vs DLSU (Women)

Goodluck Okebata rose to the occasion as defending champion University of the East outlasted Ateneo de Manila University, 87-77, to notch its first win in the UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball Tournament on Wednesday morning at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena in Manila.

Determined to bounce back from an opening-day loss to the NU-Nazareth School Bullpups, Okebata — the lone holdover from the Junior Warriors’ Season 87 championship squad — showcased his ability to lead UE’s title defense.

The 6-foot-3 Fil-Nigerian, who hails from Iloilo, delivered a dominant double-double of 24 points and 18 rebounds, along with three blocks and two assists, to fend off the Blue Eagles and counter Sky Jazul’s 28-point outburst.

“Nag-adjust lang din kami coming into this game kasi na-overwhelm kami sa NUNS game. Sabi ko nga sa boys, yung character natin, malalaman yan based sa adjustment sa next game. Buti na lang the boys showed up, especially in the fourth quarter where we adjusted sa game plan ng Ateneo,” said Matthew Sia after securing his first victory as UE’s new head coach.

With the game tied at 73-all and under six minutes to play, UE turned up the pressure.

A Sean Felizmenia triple, back-to-back baskets from Okebata and Austin Delos Santos, and a corner jumper from Felizmenia sparked a decisive 9-0 run that gave the Junior Warriors an 82-73 cushion with 3:03 left.

Ateneo tried to stay alive with consecutive layups from Stef Bernarte and Francis Castro, but Mark Perdigon buried the dagger triple with 31 seconds remaining to seal UE’s bounce-back triumph.

Beyond its late-game surge, UE’s dominance inside proved to be the difference, outscoring Ateneo 54-38 in the paint.

Perdigon finished with 14 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting, along with three rebounds and a steal.

Felizmenia chipped in 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal, while James Mesa tallied 12 points and 10 boards.

Juan Mallabo also scored 12 points, and Delos Santos orchestrated the offense with nine points, 10 assists, and four rebounds.

Despite his 28-point, nine-rebound, three-steal, and two-assist effort, Jazul was limited to just five points on 2-of-9 shooting in the fourth quarter. Bernarte supported him with 14 points and five rebounds.

Meanwhile, Adamson University cruised to an 85-50 rout of University of the Philippines Integrated School to grab the early lead in the competition.

Coming off a dominant win against the De La Salle Zobel Junior Archers last Saturday, the Baby Falcons quickly raced to a 44-20 halftime lead and never looked back, handing the Fighting Maroons their second straight defeat.

Adamson’s momentum carried into the final frame, punctuated by a Jacob Maycong midrange jumper that stretched the lead to a game-high 82-39 with 4:08 remaining.

“Nakita naman namin na we’ll still adopt a ‘one game at a time’ mentality. We don’t want to move forward agad. We still have to work on our defense, that I guess will be our main concern for the next games. Medyo nag-falter kami sa defense,” said new head coach Dante Tongco, whose squad is now one win away from matching last season’s three-victory total.

Cebuano guard Fran Flores led the Baby Falcons with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, adding five steals, four assists, three rebounds, and one block.

Keefy Iledan contributed 13 points, eight rebounds, and a steal, while Uno del Monte had a perfect shooting day with 11 points on 5-of-5 from the field alongside four steals.

Edison Jordan added 10 points, six rebounds, and one steal.

For UP, John Addatu kept fighting with 16 points, six rebounds, six steals, and three assists, while Kean Poquiz, despite being limited to 11 points on 2-of-18 shooting with seven turnovers, still managed four rebounds and three steals.

The Scores:

First Game (16U)

UE (87) – Okebata 24, Perdigon 14, Felizmenia 13, Mesa 12, Mallabo 12, Delos Santos 9, Aguilar 2, Mercado 1, Ancheta 0, Pontipedra 0, Roxas 0.

Ateneo (77) – Jazul 28, Bernarte 14, Castro 8, Divinagracia 8, Dela Rosa 7, Ngo 5, Ylen 2, Hwang 2, David 2, G. Yoro 1, M. Yoro 0.

Quarterscores: 16-20, 42-45, 63-66, 87-77

Second Game (16U)

AdU (85) – Flores 17, Iledan 13, Del Monte 11, E. Jordan 10, A. Jordan 9, Padrejuan 6, Esma 4, Maycong 4, Vargas 3, Vengco 3, Abas 3, Adrade 2, Pleyto 0, Mangahas 0, Caintic 0.

UPIS (50) – Addatu 16, Poquiz 11, Manguerra 11, Labao 8, Lugatiman 4, Floriendo 0, Rosete 0, Okebata 0, Baldovino 0.

Quarterscores: 26-12, 44-20, 65-37, 85-50.

NCAA set for S101 launch in October

The Grand Old League is set to mark its 101st season on October 1, with hosts Mapua University holding its opener at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Continuing its partnership with its broadcast partner, GMA Network, the NCAA will usher in the season under the theme "Building Greatness."

With that in mind, NCAA Season 101 Policy Board President Dr. Dodjie Maestrecampo says, "As we officially launch Season 101, we embark on a new era for the NCAA - one that places a deliberate focus on athletic achievement and progress for the NCAA. In line with this season's theme, we aim to inspire a new generation of student-athletes to not only compete at their highest level, but to also build upon the legacy of greatness that this league was founded on."

This viewpoint is shared by the rest of the members of Policy Board, comprised of:

• Francisco Paulino V. Cayco (Arellano University)
• Fr. Raymund Fernando P. Jose, OP (Colegio de San Juan de Letran)
• Br. Edmundo L. Fernandez, FSC (De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde)
• Dr. Jose Paulo E. Campos (Emilio Aguinaldo College)
• Dr. Vincent K. Fabella (Jose Rizal University)
• Atty. Roberto P. Laurel (Lyceum of the Philippines University)
• Fr. Aloysius Ma. A. Maranan, OSB (San Beda University)
• Fr. Rafael B. Pecson, OAR (San Sebastian College-Recoletos)
• Dr. Anthony Jose M. Tamayo (University of Perpetual Help System DALTA)

Adding new excitement to the league are some new developments, as revealed by Season 101 Management Committee Chairman Melchor Divina, most notably the tweaks made to the upcoming basketball and volleyball tournaments. Mapua's Sports Director notes, "NCAA Season 101 promises to be a landmark year for the league. These changes will not only elevate the level of competition, but also bring more excitement and a thrilling experience for our fans."

This is affirmed by his fellow ManCom members:

• Peter S. Cayco (Arellano)
• Fr. Victor C. Calvo, Jr., OP (Letran)
• Manuel Raymund A. Castellano (CSB)
• Dr. Lorenzo C. Lorenzo (EAC)
• Efren Y. Supan (JRU)
• Dr. Allan Paul Layco (Lyceum)
• Atty. Jonas D. Cabochan (San Beda)
• Fr. Virgilio M. Paredes, Jr., OAR (San Sebastian)
• Francisco P. Gusi (Perpetual)

The league will have its usual retinue of sports: 3x3 and 5x5 basketball, beach and indoor volleyball, taekwondo, badminton, table tennis, swimming, street dance, football, lawn and soft tennis, track and field, and cheerleading, as well as eSports, plus the potential introduction of special events like boxing, golf, gymnastics, and weightlifting, 

On the part of GMA, Senior Vice President and Head of Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy Oliver Victor B. Amoroso notes, "As the multi-platform media partner, GMA Network not only made the games available on TV but as well as digital since Season 96, dedicated to bringing a top-tier athletic league to schools, fans, and sports enthusiasts everywhere."

Amoroso adds, "As we enter an exciting new chapter this Season 101, GMA Network, the home of the NCAA, is committed to delivering a world-class viewing experience."

Such an experience will be in display with the opening ceremonies, slated to take place at noon, and set to be shown at 130pm on GTV.

Hosted by the trio of Martin Javier, Ashley Ortega, and Anjo Pertierra, the festivities will also feature a special performance from Aicelle Santos and the rendition of the NCAA Season 101 theme song "Own the Future" by the All Out Sundays' Divas of Queendom Thea Astley, Hannah Precillas, and Naya Ambi.

Afterwards, hardcourt action officially gets underway with a senior doubleheader, as hosts and defending champions Mapua take on Lyceum at 230pm, followed by the 5pm matchup involving CSB and San Beda.

The first game will be shown LIVE on both GTV and Heart of Asia, with the second game set to air on HOA.

Action is set to be broadcast five times a week:

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays: 11am on HOA, 230pm on GTV and HOA
• Fridays: 12nn and 230pm on HOA
• Sundays: 12nn and 230pm on GTV and HOA 

In addition, they are also set to be streamed online through the league's social media platforms. International viewers will be able to check out the action on GMA News TV, with the Opening Ceremony also being shown on GMA Pinoy TV. 

Launch of new facilities highlight UAAP opener at Vermosa, women's action resumes Wednesday

c/o UAAP

Women's Matches today at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub

4 p.m. — UP vs FEU
6:30 p.m. — DLSU vs UST

Already one of the country’s premier sports and recreational centers, the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite, has inaugurated new facilities designed to enhance the experience of athletes, teams, and fans alike.

Just before the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament opened with a clash between archrivals De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University, a ceremony was held on Saturday afternoon to bless and showcase the hub’s new grandstand and player dugouts.

“It is my pleasure to greet everyone here today as we celebrate this remarkable milestone: the inauguration of our newly enhanced facilities during UAAP Season 88,” said Nona Torres, Senior Project Development Head.

“We are excited to unveil key improvements to our sports hub, including the brand-new grandstand and dugouts. Our bleachers now comfortably and safely accommodate 1,200 spectators, providing excellent views for an electrifying game-day experience.

“The locker rooms have been thoughtfully upgraded with modern showers, changing areas, recovery zones, and secure storage—offering athletes a comfortable and functional space to prepare and recover. These enhancements perfectly reflect Vermosa’s commitment to being a premier environment for sports excellence and well-being.”

The Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub now joins the list of venues that have hosted UAAP football over the past decade, including Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, the PFF National Training Center at Carmona, the UP Diliman Football Stadium, Circulo Verde, the FEU-Diliman turf, and Moro Lorenzo Field inside the Ateneo de Manila University, all of which are located in Quezon City, and the McKinley Hill Football Stadium in Taguig.

For UAAP Football Tournament Commissioner Rely San Agustin, adding another venue reflects both the growth of the competition and its role in developing local sports.

“Having the UAAP community be the first to experience these upgrades is truly a source of pride,” said San Agustin. “We believe these enhancements will foster even deeper engagement, passion, and support for football and sports in general here at Vermosa.

“This is a testament to Vermosa’s vision of being a world-class hub that nurtures athletes at all levels—from grassroots to elite—and promotes an active and dynamic lifestyle.

“I want to congratulate Vermosa, the teams competing this season, and especially the pioneering women’s squads from Ateneo and De La Salle. May this tournament be a platform for showcasing skill, teamwork, respect, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.”

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessing, the action saw the Lady Booters from Taft eke out a 1-0 victory over the Blue Eagles, followed by the University of Santo Tomas pulling off the same scoreline against the University of the Philippines.

The next day saw the men take to the pitch to start off their season, with Ateneo taking a 3-0 win over Adamson, UP nipping the University of the East, 1-0, and UST securing a 2-1 triumph over La Salle.

Action is set to resume in the next couple of days, with Far Eastern University making their collegiate debut to kickstart their respective title defenses.

The Lady Tamaraws will face UP at 4pm, followed by Saturday's winners in La Salle and UST seeking to position themselves into the early lead at 630pm.

As for their male counterparts, they are set to tango also against UP at 7pm on Thursday as the final game of a tripleheader, with La Salle and UE kicking things off at 2pm, followed by UST and Adamson at 430pm.

NCAA coaches excited for new basketball tournament format

THE NCAA coaches are all primed and ready to take on the Season 101 men’s basketball tournament with a brand new approach.

After all, they’ll be needing it, considering that the oldest league in the country will be enforcing a new format for the upcoming basketball season.

Veering away from the traditional double round-robin elimination format, the NCAA will now have group games divided into two pools.

San Beda coach Yuri Escueta sees it as a growing opportunity not just for the Red Lions but also for every other team in the league.

“Siguro for me yung beauty ng new format gives everyone a chance,” he said at Novotel on Monday afternoon during the league’s presser.

“Makikita mo rin sa preseason na lahat ng teams nagpalakas.”

In the NCAA’s newest format, teams are divided into Groups A and B and will play their group mates twice while playing the opposing group’s teams once.

For a total of 13 elimination round games, the positioning for each group will be established. The top three teams go on to the next phase while the two cellar dwellers for each group duke it out to determine the last members of the quarterfinals.

On paper, it sounds like teams will have a more complicated time to reach the promised land.

That doesn’t seem to faze Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan, though, who believes every team will be hungrier come October.

“All of us naman, ang main goal naman natin is to win a championship,” he said.

In the quarterfinals, the two group’s teams will go on a crossover knockout phase with the top two teams of each pool gaining twice-to-beat advantages.

In the semifinals, four teams will clash in best-of-three series that’ll determine the cast for the Season 101 Finals.

Group A will have defending champion Mapua alongside fellow semifinalist Lyceum, Perpetual Help, San Sebastian and Arellano.

San Beda and College of St. Benilde banner Group B, which also has Letran, Jose Rizal University and Emilio Aguinaldo College.

The games officially begin on October 1 at the historic Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

NUNS takes down UST in Girls Volleyball opener

c/o UAAP

The road to a repeat began with a statement, as defending champion National University-Nazareth School overcame University of Santo Tomas, 22-25, 32-30, 25-21, 25-21, to kick off the UAAP Season 88 High School Girls’ Volleyball Tournament on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

The Lady Bullpups bounced back from a first-set loss with a gritty performance in the second, which turned into a point-for-point showdown between UST’s Patricia Mendoza and NUNS’ Diza Berayo.

The Junior Golden Tigresses held four set points, but the Lady Bullpups swung momentum in their favor as Ysabella Cruz came up with a crucial block to reach match point, before Akeyla Bartolabac delivered the winning attack.

NUNS pressed the advantage in the fourth set, racing to a 9-3 lead.

The Junior Golden Tigresses stormed back with a seven-point surge to take a 10-9 lead, but Berayo remained steady down the stretch, scoring the Lady Bullpups’ final two points, including the match-clinching kill.

“Nakakatuwa kasi everybody nags-step-up, tsaka ‘yung composure naman nila kahit na-da-down kami [o] nagkakamali sila, nandun,” said NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan. “Nire-remind lang talaga namin sila na hindi nila maiiwasan ‘yung pressure. And ‘yung kabahan sila diyan, laging nandiyan pero [nasa kanila na] kung paano nila iha-handle,” he added.

Berayo erupted for 24 points on 21 kills and two aces while adding eight digs, with Bartolabac contributing 17 markers and Micaella Gould dishing out 14 excellent sets in the two-hour match.

UST leaned on Nicole Pelaez’s 19 points and Kim Rubin’s 12, while libero Chasliey Pepito anchored the defense with 21 excellent digs.

Meanwhile, Adamson University began its quest to bounce back from last season’s runner-up finish with a straight-sets victory over Far Eastern University-Diliman, 25-20, 25-18, 25-16.

The Lady Baby Falcons turned the third set around after trailing 12-14, capitalizing on six straight points largely due to FEU-D errors to take control.

From there, Adamson kept the Lady Baby Tamaraws in check, conceding only two more points before going on another six-point run, capped by an ace from Francheska Adem to seal the win.

“I'm proud sa mga bata. I'm happy sa first game nila. Kumbaga ‘yung iba, bago pa maglaro. So ‘yun lang, may mga kailangan lang din namin trabahuhin, ‘yung mga lapses namin for today. Pero unti-unti, kumbaga sa second game we need to adjust,” said Adamson head coach JP Yude.

Ellaine Gonzalvo, last season’s Rookie of the Year, powered Adamson with 18 points off 14 kills, three aces, and a block. Francheska Adem added 12 markers, while Elaine Garces contributed 14 excellent sets in the 71-minute duel.

FEU-D drew its best output from Nigerian blocker Ifunanya Udeagbala, who finished with 10 points.

Earlier, University of the Philippines Integrated School spoiled the return of University of the East to girls’ volleyball, cruising to a 25-23, 25-11, 25-16 win in 64 minutes.

UPIS firmly took control in the third set, breaking away with a 9-2 lead behind a five-point scoring run highlighted by two service aces from Anya Callo.

From there, the Junior Fighting Maroons piled on points from the service line and capitalized on UE’s miscues.

A tip from Callo pushed them to match point before Rizza Canonizado closed it out with an ace.

Nina Abad and Elisha Capus led the scoring with 11 points apiece, with Abad delivering all from attacks and Capus contributing seven kills. Callo added 10 markers, five of them aces, while Canonizado orchestrated the offense with 13 excellent sets and five aces of her own.

The Junior Lady Warriors last saw action in Season 81, finishing sixth in the standings, with their last victory also coming against the Junior Fighting Maroons.

Later that day, last season’s fifth-place finishers, De La Salle Zobel, opened their campaign with a statement, downing Ateneo de Manila University, 25-16, 25-14, 25-20.

Aislinn Alemaña sparked the Junior Lady Spikers with seven points, while Sabine Valdez and Kylie Celada matched each other with six points apiece.

UE upsets UST in HS Boys Volleyball opener

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 High School Volleyball Standings

Boys'
FEU-D  1-0 (3 pts)
DLSZ   1-0 (3 pts)
NUNS   1-0 (3 pts)
UE     1-0 (2 pts)
UST    0-1 (1 pt)
AdU    0-1 (0 pts)
UPIS   0-1 (0 pts)
Ateneo 0-1 (0 pts)

Girls'
DLSZ   1-0 (3 pts)
UPIS   1-0 (3 pts)
AdU    1-0 (3 pts)
NUNS   1-0 (3 pts)
UST    0-1 (0 pts)
FEU-D  0-1 (0 pts)
UE     0-1 (0 pts)
Ateneo 0-1 (0 pts)

Games on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym

HS Boys'
9 a.m. - Ateneo vs DLSZ
11 a.m. - UE vs NUNS
1 p.m. - AdU vs UST
3 p.m. - FEU-D vs UPIS

HS Girls'
9 a.m. - UPIS vs AdU
11 a.m. - UE vs FEU-D
1 p.m. - NUNS vs DLSZ
3 p.m. - Ateneo vs UST

University of the East overcame being undermanned and a spirited comeback in the fifth and deciding set, ultimately spoiling the reigning champion University of Santo Tomas' season opener, winning 28-26, 19-25, 26-24, 24-26, 15-9, on Sunday at the newly renovated Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

With Karl Escobal keeping the Junior Golden Spikers competitive, Paul Roque sealed the match with back-to-back kills, ending the contest in one hour and 33 minutes.

Roque, the 2025 Palarong Pambansa MVP, delivered two consecutive attacks that put the team ahead 10-2, but UST had other plans and kept themselves in the thick of things with Escobal and Rainier Lorayes.

Ultimately, defense pulled UE through, leading to transition finishes from the 18-year-old outside hitter.

"Medyo ngayon nga kulang pa kami kasi 'yung first setter namin and 'yung isang middle blocker wala pa rin. Ang usapan lang namin  is mag-trabaho talaga lahat," said second-year head coach Herbert Dizon.

("We're not yet complete as we're still waiting for our main setter and one of the middle blockers. We just told each other to keep working.")

"Hindi pa 'yon 'yung game namin. Hindi pa nila nailabas 'yung laro nila mismo; kasi 'yung iba diyan, karamihan, first-timer. So, siguro, in the long run, makapag-adjust na rin sila," Dizon continued. "Maganda naman, kahit papaano, 'yung depensa kumapit nung padulo. Hindi katulad nung first set na relaxed; nanalo kami sa depensa talaga."

("We're yet to show our true potential because most of them are first-timers in the UAAP. Hopefully, they'll eventually get to adjust. We played well on defense, especially towards the end of the match. We started too relaxed, but defense really won us this game.")

Roque starred with 28 points on 27 attacks and one block, while team captain and last year's Second Best Middle Blocker, Clarence Gianan, also produced double digits with 15.

On the other hand, Lorayes exploded for a game-high 33 markers, while Escobal chipped in 17 in this hard-fought battle between two proud programs.  

Brylle Crespo and the National University Nazareth School opened their new era with a 22-25, 25-21, 25-18, 27-25 victory over Adamson University to conclude the opening day.

Crespo executed 14 excellent sets that resulted in 43 attack points for the Bullpups, along with one offensive point. Ragusta and Millan led the team with 21 and 15 points, respectively.

Kirk Partosa kept the Baby Falcons in the fight with 17 points on 16 spikes and one kill block.

Also picking up opening day wins were Far Eastern University-Diliman and De La Salle Zobel.

The Baby Tamaraws, led by last year’s Rookie of the Year Kenneth Maliwanag, swept the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 25-14, 25-20, 25-14, while the Junior Green Spikers defeated the University of the Philippines Integrated School, 22-25, 25-11, 25-23, 25-20.

Maliwanag shone with 13 points, comprising nine kills, three blocks, and one service ace, while Edrielle Manlapaz added 12 points and two excellent receptions.

Kyle Aure took advantage of his height at the net, finishing with 11 points, five of which were blocks. Antonio Luis Papa anchored the Junior Green Spikers' defense, achieving 11 digs and nine excellent receptions.

Marco Bamba remained the primary scorer for the Junior Fighting Maroons, contributing 12 points, six digs, and four excellent receptions, while rookie Justin Jusayan added 10 points and seven excellent receptions.

Xavier Castillo was the lone bright spot for the Blue Eagles, contributing 10 points.

Scheduled matches in the High School Boys' division on Wednesday, September 24 at the Adamson Gym, have been postponed to Tuesday, September 30 at the Paco Arena, due to venue unavailability.

Action in both divisions is set to resume on Sunday, September 28, with all eight member universities playing at the same Katipunan venue.

UST stymies La Salle in football opener

c/o UAAP

University of Santo Tomas rode a strong first-half performance to secure a 2-1 victory over De La Salle University in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub here.

Golden Booters midfielder CJ Songalia opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a long-range strike that beat Green Booters goalkeeper Edcel James Lauron. Kyler Escobar then doubled UST’s lead in the 42nd minute with a composed finish.

Songalia nearly claimed a brace for UST, but his second-half penalty—awarded for a handball in the La Salle box—was denied by Lauron, who was part of the Junior Golden Booters squad that won the Season 87 boys’ high school crown.

After starting the season on a winning note, UST will next face Adamson University this Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Vermosa.

“Commendable first half from the boys. They played really well,” said Golden Booters coach Marjo Allado, who enjoyed double wins in both the women’s and men’s divisions this opening weekend.

“But in the second half, it was scary because we collapsed a bit. After that penalty save by La Salle, they got the momentum to score an equalizer. Overall, though, the players’ fighting spirit was there.”

Meanwhile, La Salle proved to be a tough challenge under new coach Richard Leyble.

Rookie forward James Sibla appeared to score the Green Booters’ equalizer after Songalia’s opener, but the effort was ruled offside.

Sophomore striker Lukie Aguilar was a constant threat, hitting the crossbar early in the second half and later forcing an own goal by Sam Alegre in the 83rd minute—though it came too late to change the outcome.

La Salle will look to rebound against the University of the East this Thursday at 2 p.m., also at Vermosa.

Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub reveals new facilities within its Athletics Center

The Ayala Vermosa Athletics Center's newly-built grandstand

Visitors at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub will notice a new feature when they check out of its Athletics Center, as it now features a grandstand and other new facilities enhancing the FIFA-certified football pitch and its encompassing World Athletics-certified track oval.

The aforementioned grandstand, which has a seating capacity of 1,200, includes a players' dugout, as well as media center on its second floor, with both floors providing quite a good view of the action on the field.

In addition, the dugout features modern showers, recovery areas, and secure storage spaces, providing its users with a safe environment enabling them to focus on preparation, performance, and recovery.

The launch came at the appropriate time with the start of the UAAP Season 88 collegiate football tournament. as the women's competition began on Saturday afternoon, with their men's counterparts slated the next day.

Vermosa Senior Project Development Head Nona Torres shares, "We are thrilled to host the Women’s Football teams’ first UAAP game this season at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub and have the players and their team supporters enjoy the newly completed dugout facility, the media room, and bleachers. Our mission at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub has always been to provide world class sports facilities for all types of athletes, for all levels of play, and be a platform for grassroots sports development."

She adds, "These facilities not only enhance comfort and functionality but also strengthen Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub’s role as a hub for athletes and fans alike."

On his part, long-time UAAP Football Tournament Commissioner Rely San Agustin says, "Having the UAAP community as the first to experience these upgrades is a source of great pride. We believe these improvements will significantly enhance the overall experience for players and supporters, fostering greater engagement and passion for the sport."

Serving as one of the venues for the UAAP reinforces the AVSH's broader mission of promoting an active and dynamic lifestyle, summed up by its #VermosaActiveLife program, which underscores Ayala Vermosa's vision of becoming the premier destination for wellness and high-performance living in the South for both grassroots participants to elite athletes.

The enhancements to the Athletic Center builds on its increasing reputation as a multi-sport hub with its modern facilities. The Santé Fitness Lab is equipped with advanced training and recovery technologies to enhance athlete performance, while the Aquatic Center houses both an Olympic-sized pool and a warm-up pool for competitive swimming, training, and leisure. Complementing the Athletics Center is the presence of a fitness trail ideal for running, walking, and cross-training.

Those planning to have an extended stay and take advantage of such facilities can do so at the Athlete's House, a 30-room venue that can handle things as simple as team training camps, to athletes and even families who just need convenient access to Vermosa's numerous facilities. Its proximity allows for more time devoted to rest and recharge after a strenuous workout.

All of these are tailored to boost Vermosa's reputation as a premier destination for people to move, compete, and thrive together

AVSH is also set to host numerous activities for the remainder of 2025 through its Vermosa Vitality Sports Program. Among these efforts include a Vitality Retreat at the Athlete's House, designed to foster balance and rejuvenation; reopening its car-free weekends that turn the estate into a pedestrian-friendly zone; and a Streat Jam that offers a variety of food truck dining options.

Also set to take place later in the year is the Velocity Relay Race, as well as the Victory Games, a multi-sport showcase of competition, community spirit, and achievement.

UP overcomes suspensions in nipping UE for its opener

c/o UAAP Media Team

Sans its head coach and two key players, the University of the Philippines kicked off its UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the resilient University of the East on Sunday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub here.

Ramil Bation III, who scored seven goals for the Fighting Maroons last season, opened his account for the campaign with a 39th-minute header off a set-piece, giving UP some breathing room against UE.

“It was a good goal,” said assistant coach Ojay Clarino, who deputized for his older brother Popoy due to the latter’s touchline ban following last year’s altercation with Far Eastern University in the Season 87 semifinals.

“Also, it was a good delivery from Cian Galsim. As long as the ball is delivered well, we have players inside who can capitalize.”

Trailing by a goal, UE struggled to convert its possession into scoring opportunities.

The Red Warriors struck the post moments after Bation’s goal, and the second half saw them launch a series of tentative shots and entries into the Fighting Maroons’ box, but nothing came of it—even with two UP players down on the pitch.

In the seven minutes of added time, UE substitute Edmar Adonis had a free kick that UP goalkeeper Alfonso Gonzalez handled easily.

UE had one last chance to equalize in the dying moments, but a cross from the right flank was not met by any Red Warrior and was cleared for a corner.

Gonzalez then secured the ball in the ensuing play, ensuring that UP held on for the narrow victory.

Aside from head coach Popoy Clarino, Charles Lobitaña and Eric Mink Cachuella were also absent due to their involvement in last year’s incident against the Tamaraws.

UP will next face FEU on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the same Cavite venue, in a rematch of last year’s semifinal clash.

With two perennial championship contenders set to collide, Ojay Clarino emphasized that the Fighting Maroons are not seeking revenge but are focused on securing three points to maintain their winning start.

“Maybe for the players it feels like revenge, but we’re focusing on one game at a time,” he said.

“The goal is to correct our mistakes and improve as a team as the season progresses.”

Meanwhile, UE will look to bounce back against De La Salle University in Thursday’s 2 p.m. kickoff at Vermosa.

Akowe anchors dominant UST performance in opener

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Standings
UST 1-0
NU 1-0
Ateneo 1-0
DLSU 1-0
AdU 0-1
FEU 0-1
UE 0-1
UP 0-1

Games on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion
7:30 a.m. - Ateneo vs UE (16U)
9:30 a.m. - UP vs AdU (16U)
12 p.m. - Ateneo vs UE (Women)
2 p.m. - Ateneo vs UE (Men)
4 p.m. - UP vs AdU (Men)
7 p.m. - UP vs AdU (Women)

Collins Akowe immediately showed he is ready for the collegiate level in his first game of the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The 6-foot-10 Nigerian center made a debut to remember, leading University of Santo Tomas to a perfect start in their Season 88 hosting by crushing defending champion University of the Philippines, 87-67, on Sunday at their home court, the Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Akowe, a product of National University Nazareth School who was a former High School Boys' MVP, finished with 29 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field and 11-of-21 from the free-throw line, while also grabbing 17 rebounds — one of the best debuts in UAAP history.

“Dahil maganda ‘yung opening ceremony na idinaos ng UST so gusto rin namin ng magandang performance para sa fans at sa mga naniniwala sa amin. Gusto lang namin magperform nang maayos para sa community,” said UST deputy Japs Cuan, as head coach Pido Jarencio lost his voice and could not attend the postgame interview.

(“Since UST put on a great opening ceremony, we also wanted to give a good performance for the fans and everyone who believes in us. We just wanted to play well for the community,")

The Growling Tigers’ blowout was historic, snapping a nine-game losing streak to the Fighting Maroons, who have claimed two of the last four titles.

UST’s last win over UP before today came on November 13, 2019, a 68-65 victory where Renzo Subido’s three-pointer sent the Tigers to the Season 82 Finals.

This time, UST left no room for a UP comeback. After the third quarter, UST led 70-57, then limited the Fighting Maroons to just three points in the first eight minutes of the final period while scoring 15 themselves, building an insurmountable 85-60 lead.

The Growling Tigers set the tone early, racing out of the gates with a 31-19 first quarter in their home gym.

“It’s a great feeling, just taking advantage of our crowd. I just do what I got to do. I’m representing UST, I have to take it upon myself, they’re taking care of me so this is the way I can pay them back,” said Akowe, who was the UAAP’s first-ever Best Foreign Student-Athlete in Season 87 with NUNS.

Kyle Paranada, starting in place of suspended guard Forthsky Padrigao, also delivered a big performance with 18 points, 14 of which came in the first half, helping UST lead 57-43 at the break.

Nic Cabañero contributed nine points, while Gelo Crisostomo added eight points, seven rebounds, four steals, three assists, and a block.

UST will aim to slay another big fish on Saturday when it faces De La Salle University at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Meanwhile, the Fighting Maroons had a rough start to their title defense. Mark Belmonte led UP with 12 points, while Harold Alarcon added 11, though he needed 16 shots to do so.

UP will look to bounce back against Adamson University on Wednesday, again at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The Scores:

UST 87 – Akowe 29, Paranada 18, Cabañero 9, Crisostomo 8, Buenaflor 7, Calum 4, Llemit 3, Estacio 3, Acido 2, Laure 2, Sevilla 2, Bangco 0, Manding 0, Bucsit 0, Danting 0.

UP 67 – Belmonte 12, Alarcon 11, Bayla 11, Bayla 6, Torres 6, Nnoruka 5, Fortea 4, Felicilda 4, Abadiano 2, Alter 2, Palanca 2, Briones 2, Stevens 0.

Quarterscores: 31-19, 57-43, 70-57, 87-67.

Agyei brace highlights return to college football at Ateneo

c/o UAAP

Dov Cariño orchestrated the play while Kofi Agyei made a triumphant return as Ateneo de Manila University cruised past Adamson University, 3-0, in the opener of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub here.

Agyei, who missed last season due to a combination of injury and academic commitments, marked his comeback with a brace in his first game back for the Blue Eagles.

The Ghanaian forward calmly opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a clinical finish off Cariño’s defense-splitting pass, then headed home his second goal in the 82nd minute to seal the win.

Sandwiched between Agyei’s two strikes, Cariño — a national U23 standout and newly appointed team captain — also found the back of the net with a stunning free kick that beat Falcons goalkeeper Sean Chua in the 64th minute, doubling Ateneo’s lead.

For coach JP Merida, seeing his dynamic duo combine so effectively in the season opener is an encouraging sign for the Blue Eagles’ campaign.

“Going into this game, I was confident that both of them would combine,” said the three-time champion mentor. “My idea was that they would score. In my view, I thought Dov would have scored the first goal, but of course, Kofi did well. We’re happy because Dov and Kofi’s combination upfront is amazing. It’s a good start for us.”

Ateneo will continue its campaign on Sunday when it faces University of the East at 4 p.m. at the same Imus venue.

Meanwhile, Adamson was left to rue missed opportunities that could have altered the game’s outcome. The Soaring Falcons created chaos in the Blue Eagles’ box, culminating in a goal-line clearance by Ateneo midfielder Marcus Arias.

Roberto Roldan and Cameroonian winger Golike Dany Doko also had chances on goal, but neither could find the back of the net.

Adamson will look to bounce back against University of Santo Tomas this Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Vermosa.

NU spoils Chris Gavina's UAAP coaching debut

c/o UAAP

Games Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena
7:30 a.m. - Ateneo vs UE (16U)
9:30 a.m. - UP vs AdU (16U)
12 p.m. - Ateneo vs UE (Women)
2 p.m. - Ateneo vs UE (Men)
4 p.m. - UP vs AdU (Men)
7 p.m. - UP vs AdU (Women)

National University turned up the heat in the second half to overwhelm the University of the East, 72-57, spoiling Chris Gavina’s coaching debut in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena in Manila.

The Bulldogs rode the continued rise of Paul Francisco and Kenshin Padrones, along with the return of Gambian foreign student-athlete Omar John, to fuel a strong start to the farewell tour of seniors Jake Figueroa, Steve Nash Enriquez, and Jolo Manansala.

After a disappointing 2-6 first round in Season 87 that kept them out of Final Four contention for the first time since Season 84, NU’s opening day victory provides a much-needed boost for the Bulldogs.

“Thankful ako kasi sa first game namin, nakuha namin ito. Nagkaroon kami ng confidence sa mga paparating na games pa namin. Yung gusto lang ni coach Jeff sa amin na nandoon lang yung effort and aggressiveness namin kada game, kailangan every game ready kami,” shared Francisco, who finished with 16 points, six rebounds, five steals, three assists, and two blocks.

The Bulldogs pulled away early in the second half with a 14-1 run, sparked by back-to-back thunderous dunks from John and Figueroa, an inside basket by John, and a Figueroa triple, stretching their lead to 53-35.

The Red Warriors’ hopes of a comeback quickly faded as Tebol Garcia hit a mid-range jumper, Figueroa added two free throws, Palacielo converted a layup, and Gelo Santiago drained a three-pointer, giving NU a commanding 68-45 lead with 8:12 remaining and sealing their first opening day triumph since Season 86.

“Mahaba pa yung season. Very important for us is to become healthy muna. ‘Yon muna iniisip namin ngayon is maging healthy kami kasi mahaba yung season. At least masaya kami na nalagpasan namin yung first game na walang nangyari sa players,” Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa said.

Francisco contributed 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting with four rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Padrones added a near double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, along with one steal and one block.

In his first UAAP action since Season 86, John finished with eight points, two rebounds, and one block, while Santiago also scored eight points with one rebound.

NU will next face Far Eastern University, which dropped its opener to Ateneo de Manila University, on Saturday, September 27, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

For UE, Gavina’s first outing ended in defeat as the Red Warriors continued their rebuilding process following a fifth-place finish in Season 87 and the departures of Rain Maga, Jack Cruz-Dumont, and Ethan Galang.

Nigerian foreign student-athlete Precious Momowei led UE with a double-double of 12 points and 16 rebounds, alongside three assists, two steals, and one block, while team captain John Abate registered 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting with two rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block.

Rookie Mo Tanedo, a product of West Nottingham University in the United States, showed promise with eight points, two rebounds, and two assists.

The Red Warriors aim to bounce back against Kymani Ladi and the Blue Eagles this Wednesday, September 24, still at the QPAV Arena.

The Scores:

NU (72) – Figueroa 16, Francisco 12, Padrones 10, John 8, Santiago 8, Palacielo 6, Jumamoy 4, Manansala 3, Enriquez 3, Garcia 2, Dela Cruz 0, Parks 0, Solomon 0, Tulabut 0, Reyes 0.

UE (57) – Momowei 12, Abate 10, Tañedo 8, Dumont 5, Datumalim 5, Caoile 4, Lagat 4, Lingolingo 4, Jimenez 4, Rosete 1, Robles 0, Mulingtapang 0, Cabero 0, Malaga 0, Despi 0.

Quarterscores: 24-20, 39-34, 59-45, 72-57

NUNS, UST earn blowout wins in their U16 openers

c/o UAAP

UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball Tournament
UST 1-0
NUNS 1-0
ADU 1-0
FEU-D 1-0
DLSZ 0-1
Ateneo 0-1
UE 0-1
UPIS 0-1

Games Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena
7:30 a.m. - Ateneo vs UE (16U)
9:30 a.m. - UP vs AdU (16U)
12 p.m. - Ateneo vs UE (Women)
2 p.m. - Ateneo vs UE (Men)
4:30 p.m. - UP vs AdU (Men)
7 p.m. - UP vs AdU (Women)

REDEMPTION-seeking squads University of Santo Tomas and National University Nazareth School scored emphatic wins to close the opening weekend of the UAAP Season 88 Junior High School Basketball Tournament, Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena in Manila.

Malian foreign-student athlete Moussa Diakite and the Bullpups ran roughshod over defending champions University of the East Junior Warriors, 86-64, while Season 87 runner-ups Tiger Cubs cruised past the University of the Philippine Integrated School Fighting Maroons, 114-61.

Diakite, a 6-foot-10 center from N’Gabacoro Droit in Mali, shone in his UAAP debut for NUNS, posting a near triple-double of 15 points, nine blocks, and eight rebounds against a UE side that retained only team captain Goodluck Okebata from last season’s championship squad.

With nine blocks, eight of which came in the first half, Diakite nearly tied the UAAP high school basketball record for most blocks in a single game—a feat held by former Ateneo stalwart Kai Sotto, who recorded 11 blocks against NUNS in Season 80 on February 23, 2018.

“Redemption time, ‘yon lang yung sinabi ko sa mga bata na hindi ko sinabi sa kanila na Final Four lang, we’re looking for the championship kasi pag sinabi mo na Final Four lang, baka after Final Four, hindi na sila umangat,” said new 16-under Bullpups head coach Leo Pujante, who took over from Kevin de Castro -- who will now focus on their 19-and-under team.

UE rallied in the second quarter from an early 21-point deficit, trimming the gap to 42-30, but holdover David Sabareza sparked a late 7-2 run to give NUNS a 49-32 advantage at halftime.

That momentum carried into the third quarter, where a thunderous dunk from Diakite and an Ian Manalo reverse layup capped a 19-5 blitz that extended NUNS’ lead to 68-37—a cushion that sealed the outcome, spoiling the debut of UE head coach Matthew Sia, who replaced Andrew Estrella in the off-season.

Laguna native Mark Arzola finished with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, six rebounds, two steals, and one assist, while Sabareza added 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

Nick Pena contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists, with Clark Khobuntin and Dwayne Enriquez chipping in six points each.

Meanwhile, the Tiger Cubs overcame the promotion of Dustin Bathan and Jhon Canapi to the 19-and-under ranks, as well as the unexpected departure of Andwele Cabanero to Letran, who had powered UST’s runner-up finish in Season 87.

UST leaned on a balanced attack led by Miguel Jubilado and newcomer Rowie Cabañero—cousin of Andwele and Growling Tiger Nic—to join FEU-D, Adamson, and NUNS as early leaders in the eight-team field.

Jubilado poured in 24 points alongside seven rebounds, five assists, and five steals, while Rowie Cabañero tallied 18 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, and three steals on a plus-46 rating in his debut, showing he could carry on the UST Cabañero legacy.

“Sa totoo lang, hindi ako satisfied sa pinakita nila dahil doon sa preparations namin, hindi ko nakita yung gusto ko na mangyari. Pero dahil nanalo kami, thankful pa rin kami doon sa resulta ng game,” said Tiger Cubs head coach Noli Mejos.

UPIS, winless in Season 87, jumped to an early 7-1 lead in the first quarter, but UST responded with a 30-5 run powered by Cabañero, Castro, and Jubilado to build a 31-12 advantage.

The Tiger Cubs maintained a 19-point lead at halftime before opening the third quarter with a 17-4 surge, highlighted by three consecutive triples from Cabañero, pushing UPIS into a 72-39 hole they could not escape.

UST’s 53-point margin was the largest in UAAP junior high school basketball since the Bullpups’ 70-point, 110-40 triumph over the Baby Falcons in Season 86 on March 10, 2024.

CJ Tabbuga impressed in his debut with 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting, three rebounds, and one block, while Gab Castro celebrated his birthday with 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, seven rebounds, and two steals.

UE’s Okebata, who averaged 6.0 points and 7.9 rebounds in Season 87, led his team with 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block, while James Mesa contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Dave Regala went perfect from the field, finishing with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Chan Guinto added 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

For UPIS, holdovers Kean Poquiz and John Addatu carried the fight, with Poquiz scoring 22 points alongside three steals, two rebounds, and two assists, and Addatu nearly posting a double-double with 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

The Scores:

First Game

UST (114) – Jubilado 24, Tabbuga 19, Cabañero 18, Castro 13, Regala 12, Guinto 10, Retaga 8, Datu 4, Dueñas 4, Anggot 2, Bathan 0, Villacarlos 0, Demata 0.

UPIS (61) – Poquiz 22, Addatu 18, Mangguerra 8, Labao 6, Lugatiman 6, Bautista 1, Rosete 0, Okebata 0, Baldovido 0, Sebastian 0, Floirendo 0.

Quarterscores: 31-12, 50-31, 81-48, 114-61.

Second Game

NUNS (86) – Diakite 15, Arzola 14, Sabareza 11, Peña 10, Khobuntin 6, Enriquez 6, Geron 5, Romero 4, Tria 3, Lalong-isip 3, Manalo 2, Gatumbato 2, Liwanag 2, Sinda 2, Yanga 1, Santiago 0.

UE (64) – Okebata 15, Mesa 10, Delos Santos 8, Perdigon 6, Aguilar 6, Felizmenia 4, Mallabo 4, Mercado 4, Pontipedra 3, Roxas 2, Ancheta 2.

Quarterscores: 28-15, 49-32, 70-41, 86-64