UAAP Women's Football Final set, FEU and DLSU seek 12th title

c/o UAAP

Match Friday at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium

5 p.m. - FEU vs DLSU

For the third straight season, Far Eastern University and La Salle are set to tangle for the right to be considered as the best collegiate football program for women's football, as they face off for the UAAP title this Friday afternoon at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.

Kick-off is scheduled at 5pm, with one of these two teams set to claim their twelfth title that evening.

Both teams got a win against each other in the previous two finals appearances, with the Taft-based booters claiming their three-peat in Season 81 with a 2-0 victory pre-pandemic, while the Lady Tamaraws securing theirs with a 2-1 triumph in extra time.

FEU won both elimination round meetings this season, overcoming a personnel disadvantage to win 3-2 back on March 16, and then a 3-1 dress rehearsal last April 27 with both teams having already locked in their finals berths.

With a one-game final, anything can happen, and the defending champions are very aware of the situation.

Sarah Tulabing said after their 7-0 demolition of Ateneo this past Saturday, "Pag dating sa finals wag lang po kami pakampante."

She adds, "Alam po namin na La Salle is malakas talaga na kalaban namin. Ibigay lang po namin yung best po namin sumabay lang sa system ni coach."

A championship tonight would allow FEU to match La Salle's achievement back in 2017 (Season 79) of winning all nine of its scheduled fixtures in a season.

Head Coach Let Dimzon is aware of the magnitude of the event and hopes her wards can handle the moment.

She says, "Rizal Memorial is near La Salle so mas maraming tao. So we need support coming from the FEU community. At the same time, yung preparation namin for the final, kailangan pa rin mataas."

The former student-athlete adds, "Kailangan yung focus namin toward that game, kung ano yung mga wins na nangyari in the first round and second round, kailangan mapataas pa namin yung performance nila individually, especially when they’re in front of the goal."

"Even now, marami pa kaming chances in front. Hindi pa rin namin silang na-convert into scoring, especially coming from Dionesa. I think yun na lang yung kailangan namin tutukan na focusing on some players na maayos nila yung lapses nila sa harapan."

Amidst their two defeats to the defending champions, La Salle is still a force to reckon with, having players with senior national team experience in Anicka Castaneda, Maye Mendano, and Shai del Campo, who is neck-and-neck with fellow recent call-up Dionesa Tolentin in the Golden Boot race.

Tolentin has nine goals so far this season, with del Campo notching eight. Shai's teammate Maria Layacan is not that far behind with six goals so far.

The Lady Booters have been in this situation before and were able to overcome it back in Season 80, with eventual Finals MVP Kyla Inquig scoring both goals in their 2-1 knockout of UST.

The team believes that the key for the match is overcoming the psychological challenge.

Layacan shares, "For me ung eagerness to play with heart yun yung the best na kailangan namin puso namin talaga eh. Kailangan namin gigil: gigil magtulungan sa loob, magsalita sa loob, gigil makascore at gigil ilaro. Hindi lang para sa teammates kung di sa community ng La Salle and sa mga sponsors namin."

Head coach Alvin Ocampo believes that a Season 80 repeat would be a major feather in their cap.

"We played them already in the PFF Women’s League twice. We played them in the first round and second round. It would be the greatest feeling to beat them in the final because hindi pa kami nananalo. It would be nice to break that jinx come Friday."

Philippine Badminton Open set for June

c/o PBAD / SMART Sports

The Philippine Badminton Association (PBAD) officially announced the return of the Philippine Badminton Open on Tuesday.

In collaboration with SMART and Mizuno, among others, the PBO is set to take place on June 5-11, with the Super 500 tournament promises thrilling matches and fierce competition.

PBAD Vice President and MVP Sports Foundation Executive Director Jude Turcuato says, "The Philippine Badminton Open is the tournament that proves who the best of the best in the country is. Badminton is one of the sports that MVPSF identified where the Filipino can be a world-class athlete. Organizing tournaments like this will get our athletes busy as this tournament kicks off our local calendar."

PBAD Head of Development Melvin Nubla notes the importance of the tournament, "This tournament is a Super 500 tournament, meaning it will have huge implications not just in the national rankings but also identify who can be part of the national team."

The federation is hopeful that this competition is the start of feeling out potential Olympians for 2028 and beyond.

In reaffirming their commitment to the sport, SMART Sports AVP Christopher Quimpo adds. "In recent years, badminton has experienced significant growth, with several national team players achieving success in international tournaments. This includes Mika De Guzman’s recent triumph in Kazakhstan. Smart is dedicated to nurturing and developing both current and future members of our national team through events like the Philippine Badminton Open."

PBAD Secretary-General Carla Lizardo-Sulit extended her gratitude to all the institutions supporting the PBO, including the likes of Smart Communications, Cignal, Mwell, Mizuno, and MVP Sports Foundation. She remarked, "As a badminton player myself, I am thrilled to see the support the sport is finally getting. This tournament would not be possible without the unwavering support of our partners."

All but one day of the tournament will take place at First Pacific Leadership Academy in Antipolo, with the last day taking place at the Gameville Ballpark in Mandaluyong.

A prize pool of PhP 1 million awaits, with champions to be crowned across five divisions: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles.

Singles champions get PhP 100,000, while PhP 50,000 goes to the runners-up. Losing semifinalists secure PhP 15,000.

For doubles, the champions receive PhP 120,000 while the runners-up take home PhP 60,000. PhP 30,000 await the losing semifinalists.

Seeking a successful title defense of the PBO are Marc Velasco and Mika de Guzman in singles, as well as Julius Villabrille and Nicole Albo in doubles, with Solomon Padiz as Julius' partner in the men and Lea Inlayo as Nicole's partner for the women.

Cignal is expected to broadcast the knockout stages of the competition, aside from the social media platforms of SMART Sports, Puso Pilipinas, and PBAD itself.

UST, NUNS claim high school beach volleyball crowns

c/o UAAP

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas pulled off a 21-15 21-17 win over Far Eastern University-Diliman to successfully defend the gold Sunday night in the UAAP Season 86 High School Girls Beach Volleyball Tournament at the Sands SM By The Bay.

Khy Progella, Cameron Grace Villaluz, and Grithney Jhyn Dadang were instrumental in the Junior Tiger Sands unbeaten eight-match winning run.

The most successful program in the sport, UST earlier captured its ninth women's title and eighth men's crown in the collegiate division last November.

"Sobrang happy kase ngayon taon nato sobrang hirap manalo eh kase NU, FEU and Adamson talaga lahat sila nakaprepare para ngayon season and blessing samin napunta ung panalo," said coach Paul Jan Dolorias.

"Ayun naman talaga ang plano namin ipagpatuloy kung ano ginagawa namin sa college at ituloy namin sa grass-roots. Kase ito ung pinaka importanteng part ung grass-roots kailngan namin ipakita dito na ung mga bata naglalaro at the same time naeenjoy nila ung moment," he added.

It was the second girls' title overall for the Junior Tiger Sands.

"Ang masasabi ko palang po talagh ay sobrang grateful po namin na umabot po ulit kami dito sa Finals or championship po na laro and sobrang blessed lang na binigyan kami ng oppurtunity nina coach na kami po maglaro this season," said Progella.

"Nag focus lang po talaga inisip ko lang po ung training po namin pinaghirapan namin sa buong journey namin para saan papo yung pagkatalo namin if hindi namin ilalaban talaga," Villaluz said.

Progella was named the season MVP, while Dadang took home the Rookie of the Year honors.

"Iniisip ko lang talaga na labanan to ng puso na kailngan namin na panalo kase madami kami sinakripisyo so bakit pa namin sasayangin ung laro na yun kung papatalo namin ung ganun score na kaya pa namin ihabol," said Progella.

It was still a great season for Love Lopez, Sheena Cafe, and Frenchie Premaylon, as the Baby Tamaraws placed second after missing the podium last year.

In the boys division, National University Nazareth School rallied from a set down to beat FEU-D, 15-21, 21-16, 15-12, for its first title.

John Wayne Dionela and Rain Skyler Gemarino, who was named the tournament MVP, were happy to give the Bullpups the championship.

"History po kase yung seniors mens talo lagi po talo sila lagi po sila runner-up, promise po namin sakanila na babawi po kami tinupad po namin yung babawi kami," said Dionela.

NU was second place in the college division.

"Unang una sa lahat nagpapasalamat kami sa lahat ng sumuporta samin sa pamilya ko sa coaches masasabi ko po matagal o namin pinaghandaan po ito marami po pagsubok na dinaanan nadown kami natalo seniors namin yun po ung ginawa namin inspirasyon manalo sa game na to and for me first ko na UAAP to and great achievement to para akin nagdodoubt po ako sasarili ko pero kinaya ko po," Gemarino said.

The Baby Tamaraws' Kyle Tandoc and Amet Bituin won the title last season, with high school beach volleyball as a regular event.

The Baby Falcons clinched third place yesterday after a 21-17, 21-12 conquest of the Bullpups in the girls division.

The Junior Tigers Sands outlasted the Baby Falcons, 18-21, 21-13, 15-10, to reach the podium in the boys' side.

FEU preps for finals appearance with 7-piece

c/o UAAP

Far Eastern University warmed up for the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Football Tournament Final by drubbing Ateneo de Manila University 7-0 in its last elimination round assignment Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Three Lady Tamaraws notched a brace each for the defending champions.

Saragen Tulabing started the rampage with goals in the 22 and 45th minutes to give the Lady Tamaraws a two-goal cushion by halftime.

FEU then continued its bombardment of Ateneo in the second half.

Judie Arevalo resumed where Tulabing left off by putting the ball at the back of the net in the 53rd and 58th minutes and then Dionesa Tolentin joined the fun as she converted a 69th-minute penalty and scored in the 82nd minute.

Carmela Altiche then completed the rout by scoring in the 86th minute for the Lady Tamaraws, who will enter the May 10 final after eight straight wins in the elimination round.

FEU is the first school to achieve this feat in the sport since De La Salle University’s championship run back in Season 79.

“For the end of the second round, it’s a good result,” said coach Let Dimzon. “We ended with the win and the score, but hindi naman yan yung target namin. Sabi ko nga after we qualified for the final, we are preparing as kung ano magiging result ng final namin.

“They performed well. Actually, there were a lot of improvements from individual players. Halos lahat ng second stringers namin, nag-sho-show up sila every game namin. I think ayun yung pinakamagandang bagay," she added.

On the other hand, Ateneo finished in fourth place with four points behind one win, one draw, and six defeats. It was an improvement on the Blue Eagles’ fifth-placed finish from Season 85.

The likes of Patricia Francisco, Adrielle Lee, Pia Angela Lumagui, and Kassandra Zalamea are graduating from Ateneo.

NUNS claim inaugural UAAP JHS Boys title

c/o UAAP

National University Nazareth School capped off the inaugural edition of the UAAP Season 86 Junior High School Basketball Tournament in style on Saturday afternoon at the Amoranto Arena.

Rob Celiz knocks down a buzzer-beating corner triple to clinch the championship for the Bullpups over Far Eastern University-Diliman, 68-67.

With 1.7 seconds remaining, Mot Matias found Celiz free off an elevator action in the baseline, and the latter got off the attempt over the outstretched arms of Jharred Gutierrez, to the combined delight and agony of everyone in attendance at the packed Quezon City venue.

The second-generation Bulldog shared afterwards, "Sabi ko, babawi talaga ako. Wala akong masabi, babawi talaga ako at buti na lang na-shoot."

Head coach Kevin de Castro says about his ward, "Wala akong masabi sa kanya. Sabi ko sa kanya, bibigay ko yung bola sa kanya. Kahit nagkamali siya nung 26 seconds, sa kanya pa rin yung final play." He adds, "Pagka-shoot, napaluhod nga ako."

Celiz would be named as the Finals MVP for his clutch heroics, as aside from that title-clincher, he took over the final period, scoring eleven of his fourteen points in the final period, while adding six rebounds.

De Castro finally secures an elusive title for the Bullpups, after falling short in the finals in the UAAP High School Basketball Tournaments in the last couple of seasons.

He says about finally getting this moment, "Sobrang saya. Yung game talagang hard-fought. Eto yung dini-dream nila, yung game-winning shots."

NUNS needed a strong final burst to eke out the victory. The Bullpups trailed 59-45 midway into the fourth, with the trio of Shaun Lucido, Matias, and Celiz anchoring the comeback to tie things up at 65 with 64 seconds left.

The Baby Tamaraws believed they had it after JB Carunungan nailing a long fadeaway to retake the lead at 67-65, setting the scene for the dramatic ending.

Named afterwards as the league's Most Valuable Player, Lucido finished with 24 points, four rebounds, and three steals to lead the way for NUNS, while Matias added thirteen points, four rebounds, and four steals.

Shaun, who is from Bicol, says afterwards, "Pagpasok ko pa lang sa NU, nasa isip ko na kailangan ko mapa-champion ang school na ito at makilala ako dito sa Manila. Talagang pinagtrabahuan ko po ito since Day 1."

Travis Pascual led FEU-Diliman with thirteen points, while Pat Pasinos added a near-double-double with eleven points and nine rebounds.

Gutierrez, Mark Dulin, and Cagurungan each added eight points for the Mark Isip-coached side.

Joining Lucido and Matias in the inaugural Mythical Team are Lorenz Cinco of UST, Ken Atienza of La Salle-Zobel, and Alfonso Tan of Ateneo.

Earlier, the third place game saw the University of the East defeat the University of Santo Tomas, 90-81.

The Scores:

Final:

NUNS 68 - Lucido 24, Celiz 14, Matias 13, Vitug 6, Sison 4, Tulabut 4, Mejia 0, Sundiang 0, Tolentino 0, Callueng 0, Quinto 0.

FEU-D 67 - Pascual 13, Pasinos 11, Gutierrez 8, Dulin 8, Cagurungan 8, Dagcutan 6, Carino 6, Chua 3, Lopez 2.

Quarterscores: 22-20, 29-32, 43-51,  68-67

Bronze medal match:

UE 90 - Abellar 20, Aguas 15, Roquid 11, Mesina 11, Dahino 10, Bual 8, Garcia 7, Bungar 4, Oraa 2, Ferreros 2, Cadorna 0, Dalosa 0.

UST 81 - Sy 22, Cinco 14, Cabanero 14, Castro 11, Bohol 8, Knowles 5, Valenzona 4, Guerrero 3, Bathan 0, Siguan 0, Dela Cruz 0, De Castro 0.

Quarterscores: 23-16, 46-33, 70-60, 90-81. 

Inaugural LALIGA Extra Time in the Philippines highlights sports development, LALIGA Youth Tournament

LALIGA Extra Time

As LaLiga continues to make inroads and extend its roots in the Philippines, the top-flight league in Spain arranged to have its LALIGA Extra Time make its inaugural run in the country on Tuesday.

The event aims to gather the movers and shakers in the football scene in order to share knowledge and bring together the community. For this case, the theme is "Football Priorities in the Philippines: Grassroots, Competitions, and Infrastructures."

Panel discussions took place with the participation of representatives from Villarreal CF, the Philippine Football Federation, the Philippines Football League, the Negros Occidental Regional Football Association, Kaya FC, Aboitiz Group, Futbol Funatics, and GOM Academy, among others, with nearly a hundred guests in attendance, including the Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr. Miguel Utray Delgado.

LALIGA Managing Director for Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, and Australia Iván Codina shares, "After 7 years in the country, we are aware that football in the Philippines is at a clear moment of boom where the right momentum can take it to new heights, and LALIGA wants to be part of it. For instance, with such inspiring and ambitious projects as the LALIGA Youth Tournament, which was announced today. Surrounded by some of the most influential players in the sports industry, LALIGA EXTRA TIME has also served to lay some foundations to ensure a prosperous future for football in the country."

One of the highlights that took place in the event was the unveiling of the Philippine leg of the LALIGA Youth Tournament, a competition that LALIGA specifically tailored for the region. Rely San Agustin of the RSA1 Sports Group and Epic Management Inc. president Ed Pasion shared a few details of the competition slated to take place later this year at New Clark City.

Another highlight featured the gains of the Villarreal Philippines Academy, with Villarreal CF international coach Alejandro “Nano” Márquez and VCFP Academy Director Eumir Siao. The academy, which is the first full-time academy of a Spanish side to have taken foothold in the country, recently held a camp at the end of last month at its location in Alabang.

Kicking off activities was a panel looking into the state of grassroots development in the country. GOM Academy founder Darren Hartmann hosted the panel, which featured PFF Grassroots Head Dave Javellana, Futbol Funatics co-founder Candice Grey del Rosario, and Kaya FC President and General Manager Paul Tolentino.

The other panel looked into the need of proper infrastructures for a successful football structure. Hosted by San Agustin, it involved PFF Head of Competitions and PFL Commissioner Coco Torre, Aboitiz Group VP for Lima Operations Clifford Academia, and newly-elected NORFA head Jose Miguel Valmayor. The three shared their experience and wisdom to help build discussion around the present and the future of football.

PUMA forms partnership with Philippine Men’s National Football Team

The Philippine Men's National Football Team during the Philippines versus Iraq game last March 26, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium

The Philippines Senior Men's National Football Team has an official outfitter.

PUMA made it official that they are ready to support Filipino football from the ground up, with global sports brand in it for the long haul through a four-year partnership.

PUMA Philippines Country Manager Paolo Misa shares, "We at PUMA are thrilled to partner with the Philippine Men's National Football Team. With our history of supplying uniforms for world-class football clubs and national teams, we are excited to add the Philippines to our roster. The talent within the PMNFT is undeniable, and we look forward to supporting them for the next few years."

As a form of support for the PMNFT, PUMA put up a special activation event inside the PFF Fan Zone during the WCQ/ACQ match against Iraq last March 26, Visitors got to try on PUMA cleats and tested their capabilities onto a mini-turf. They also got a special performance from football freestyler Philip Warren Gertsson, who also performed during the halftime break. The PUMA Palermo, which was launched recently, was also in display in the event.

In setting up their partnership, PFF Director of National Teams and PMNFT Manager Freddy Gonzalez says, "We want to not only be the best in our region, we also want to be a force in Asia, and eventually a player on the world stage. It's vital that we have partners that share our long-term vision and our deep passion for football. PUMA is a premier global brand that not only reflects our lofty ambitions, but personifies the culture we are building across our National Teams. To reach our goals, we must embody a tradition of continuous improvement in everything that we do. We need to be Forever Faster."

PFF President John Gutierrez adds, "Representing the country at any level is the highest honor for a player, and the experience of doing so must carry the corresponding prestige. With PUMA, we're grateful to have a World Class partner that shares our vision and our boldness to dream big. To build long-standing structures for football to grow and thrive, we need committed partners who believe in the great potential of the sport in the country. This partnership with PUMA is a key component to the PFF's plans to comprehensively develop the game in the Philippines."

The PMNFT is poised for a fresh start this year as they set their sights on keeping their World Cup dreams alive, and reinventing their identity in a year where they are aiming to win the 2024 ASEAN Championship.

This partnership between PUMA and the PMNFT underscores a new chapter for Filipino football, marking the beginning of an exciting journey towards international recognition and success.