Vermosa Green Run remains supportive of Takbo Kabitenyo running community

Vermosa Green Run, the multi-level race that supports ecosystem conservation, animal welfare and sports development, has partnered anew with Takbo Kabitenyo, a Cavite-based running organization dedicated to developing aspiring track and field athletes from Cavite.

Vermosa recently turned over race kits to the organization to seal their partnership for the third straight year. Each Takbo Kabitenyo runner also received race day essentials from this year’s sponsors Merrell and Gatsby.

By supporting Takbo Kabitenyo, Vermosa aims to provide greater exposure and meaningful opportunities for promising Cavite athletes as they pursue their sporting aspirations to hopefully become national athletes. By championing young athletes, Vermosa underscofres its support for grassroots sports development.

Green Run 2026 will gun off at Ayala Vermosa Estates on June 28, providing runners of different fitness levels the opportunity to compete, hone their running skills and enjoy the camaraderie of other members of the running community. Proceeds from Green Run 2026 will benefit the Haribon Foundation, Takbo Kabitenyo, and Pawssion Project. The event is also backed by Oishi, Merrell, Pocari, Salonpas, Booster C, Fitbar, Gatsby, Milo, Apex, Topbreed, Dunsk Kuhner, Baby Boo, Chef Special, Entrée Gourmet Pet Treats, Saint Roche, The Gourmet Specialist, Zert, Wonderpaw.

For more information about The Green Run 2026 and to register, visit ayalaland.myruntime.com/register.

Denice Zamboanga Relinquishes ONE Atomweight MMA World Title, Welcomes Motherhood

c/o ONE Championship

Denice “The Menace” Zamboanga has relinquished the ONE Women's Atomweight MMA World Championship.

In a social media post on Tuesday, the first Filipina MMA World Champion announced her decision to vacate the throne after welcoming her first child with husband Fritz "Kid Tornado" Biagtan.

Out of respect for the division, she gave up the belt to allow contenders to pursue the title while she steps back to embrace motherhood.

“God has always had a beautiful plan for my life, and I trust His timing in everything. After much prayer and reflection, I have made the difficult decision to vacate my ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship,” Zamboanga wrote.

“This was not an easy choice, but I believe it is the right one for this season of my life and for the athletes in my division who continue to chase their dreams,” she added.

The 29-year-old Quezon City native has a 12-2 professional record, and is 7-2 in ONE Championship.

Zamboanga arrived at ONE in 2019 and quickly proved she belonged on the global stage. She rattled off three straight wins to open her promotional run, defeating Jihin “Shadow Cat” Radzuan, Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi, and Watsapinya “Dream Girl” Kaewkhong.

The path forward then took a detour. Zamboanga suffered back-to-back defeats to South Korea's Ham Seo Hee at ONE: Empower in 2021 and ONE X in 2022, respectively. Refusing to let the setbacks define her, she rebuilt herself from the ground up, returning a sharper and more dangerous version of herself.

The bounce-back was immediate and convincing. Zamboanga strung together three consecutive victories over “MMA Sister” Lin Heqin, Julie Mezabarba, and Noelle “Lil' Monkey” Grandjean, earning her way back to the top of the atomweight division and into contention for gold.

With a long-awaited showdown against then-ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion and former teammate Stamp Fairtex derailed by the Thai’s knee injury, Zamboanga was given an opportunity to challenge for the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title.

At ONE Fight Night 27 in January 2025, Zamboanga met Ukraine's Alyona Rassohyna with a lifelong dream within reach. She ultimately stopped Rassohyna in the second round via TKO, earning the interim belt and a US$50,000 performance bonus in the process.

The monumental victory etched her name permanently in the Philippine MMA history books, a triumph earned through years of delays and heartbreak.

Four months later, Zamboanga was elevated to undisputed ONE Women's Atomweight MMA World Champion when Stamp suffered a setback in her knee rehabilitation in May 2025 and relinquished the lineal belt.

Zamboanga was slated to make her first World Title defense against Japan's Ayaka “Zombie” Miura at ONE 173 last November at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. Medical concerns, which have since come to light as her pregnancy, forced her withdrawal.

The Filipina, however, made it clear she is not retiring. Zamboanga is turning her full attention to the most meaningful journey of her life, vowing to return when the time is right.

"While I am stepping away from the title, I am not stepping away from the sport I love. Fighting has shaped who I am, and the warrior in me will always remain,” Zamboanga said.

"Right now, my heart and focus are devoted to the greatest blessing God has entrusted to me. This season is teaching me that there are victories beyond championship belts, and I am embracing every moment of it with gratitude. This is not the end of my story. It’s simply a new chapter," she concluded.

Kacey dela Rosa to be honored at Collegiate Press Corps Awards

ATENEO de Manila University's Kacey dela Rosa will receive a special citation at the Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night presented by Strong Group Athletics after delivering historic performances for Gilas Pilipinas in both 5-on-5 and 3x3 basketball.

A two-time UAAP MVP, Dela Rosa has already established herself as one of the best athletes to come out of Katipunan in recent years, and her greatness will be hailed at the annual awards night to be held at Discovery Suites Manila.

After helping Ateneo secure a bronze-medal finish in UAAP Season 88 in her fourth year with the Blue Eagles, she turned her attention to the international stage, representing the Philippines and making her mark in both formats of the game.

Dela Rosa, who was also named to the Collegiate Women's Basketball Mythical Team, will be honored alongside the top performers in basketball, volleyball, and football from the UAAP and NCAA during the Awards Night, which is also supported by Converge FiberX, San Miguel Corporation, the Philippine Sports Commission, Go For Gold, D'Generals, and Buffalo Wings 'N Things.

Last December, Dela Rosa was among the anchors of the Gilas Pilipinas Women's team that reclaimed the gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, where she manned the center position in the absence of long-time Gilas stalwart Jack Animam.

She then followed it up with another gutsy performance at the 2027 FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in France, where the Philippines notched its first win in an OQT against Colombia.

Dela Rosa was the team's leading scorer and rebounder in the tournament, averaging 15.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. She also normed 2.2 blocks per contest.

But perhaps Dela Rosa's biggest impact came in 3x3, where she played a key role in leading the Philippines to its best-ever result in a FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup after winning silver with Gilas in early April.

In five games en route to the runner-up finish, Dela Rosa posted averages of 6.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

They then followed it up with an inspiring performance in the World Cup qualifiers in Singapore, where the Gilas women sealed their second appearance in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup.

Dela Rosa most recently saw action in the World Cup in Warsaw, Poland, where she and teammates Afril Bernardino, Camille Clarin, and Mikka Cacho scored a big win over Italy for the country's first-ever victory in the Women's FIBA 3x3 World Cup.

Century Tuna launches "Superbod Life" Community

On its 20th anniversary, the Century Tuna Superbod legacy expands beyond the runway and into the real world. This milestone reinforces a fitness movement that continues to empower every Filipino to confidently unleash their "Superbod Era" in a supportive, no-judgment environment. Rather than shifting gears, this evolution brings to the forefront what Century Tuna has long championed: that being a Superbod is an accessible, daily lifestyle meant for everyone.

This vision recently ignited a massive advocacy with the launch of the first Superbod Era Strava Challenge, rallying over 58,000 Filipinos of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The overwhelming response to this digital challenge showed that Filipinos are more than ready to take part in the community Century Tuna has long been working to build—a welcoming online space where everyone, regardless of where they are on their fitness journey, can connect, support each other, and celebrate their progress together.

To kick off this initiative, Century Tuna held its first Superbod Life community run in partnership with Megaworld, demonstrating how a supportive community, both online and offline, can empower individuals at every stage of their Superbod path. Joining the run were Century Tuna Brand Ambassador Atasha Muhlach and Super Bowl Ambassador Emilio Daez, inviting Filipinos everywhere to be a part of this collective space and unleash their best fitness eras.

Welcome to Your Fitness Era: Join the Superbod Life Community

The Century Tuna Superbod Life Community is a dedicated safe space where members can get all-access to uncomplicated, top-tier advice on fitness and nutrition, real-life inspiration, and practical tips designed for everyone. Whether you are a starter taking Day 1 or a restarter ready to take your fitness journey one day at a time, this platform offers a 100% support, zero-pressure environment.

More than achieving a singular fitness goal, being a Superbod is a sustainable way of life. That is why the community is built around a holistic, easy-to-follow framework: Move Super, Fuel Super, and Live Super.

Through Move Super, members unlock real-life advice through Q&A sessions with fitness experts, practical workouts that make consistency achievable for any lifestyle, and exciting on-ground meet-ups where they can break a sweat and share encouragement with one another.

Fuel Super simplifies nutrition with easy-to-follow guidance like 5-minute meal ideas, clever snack swaps, and practical preparation tips that fit seamlessly into even the busiest schedules.

Meanwhile, Live Super focuses on sustainable wellness habits and overall well-being, proving that a healthy lifestyle is built in the small, everyday choices. More than anything, it is a space where you can experience true transformation simply by being surrounded by real people who are navigating the exact same journey right alongside you.

Built for Real People, Real Journeys

“We realized that many people, especially beginners, hesitate to start their fitness journeys because they often feel like getting into fitness is complicated—like it is something only a few can access and pull off,” shared Mr. Carlo Endaya, Vice President, General Manager, and Group Business Head of Century Pacific Food Inc. “The Superbod Life community was built to change that perspective. It is a safe space where members can learn and be inspired by peers going on the same journey and from experts who can guide them toward their health goals. At Century Tuna, we truly believe that everyone has the potential to reach their ‘Superbod Era’—they just need the right place to start.”

“This community is exactly what Filipinos need in their fitness journey, and I am blessed to be part of something this big,” shared Century Tuna Brand Ambassador Atasha Muhlach. “What makes Superbod Life so special is that inspiration doesn’t just come from brand ambassadors like us, but from the real-world stories, shared struggles, and genuine experiences of the everyday people you’ll meet in the community.”

Fueling the Long Run

As Century Tuna welcomes Filipinos into their "Superbod Era," the brand highlights proper nutrition as a vital pillar of fitness. Achieving one’s goals requires the right balance of protein, vitamins, and minerals, which is exactly what Century Tuna delivers in its products.

Those sprinting into their fitness journey can also find premium convenience with the latest ready-to-eat tuna and rice meal in a can, the Century Tuna Super Bowl, packed with protein, Vitamin B3, and Omega-3 DHA to fuel the body on the go.

“I finally have a nutritious meal I can take anywhere to my runs or gym sessions,” said actor and host Emilio Daez. “With the Century Tuna Super Bowl, it’s a ready-to-eat meal option that perfectly fits an on-the-go professional schedule. Bonus treat for many Filipinos is that you get all of this for only P29 per can.”

Century Tuna also recently announced the official on-ground casting call for Superbods 2026. Aspiring participants can pre-register at https://bit.ly/2026-superbods-pre-registration, or head on to Space at One Ayala, Makati City, on June 27–28, 2026, from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Join the Superbod Life Community by visiting https://www.facebook.com/groups/superbod.life. Watch out for exciting giveaways and events happening this month for the Superbod Life community! 
 
For more information on the upcoming Superbods competition, visit https://centurytuna.ph/ or watch out for updates on Century Tuna’s Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/centurytuna. 

Philippines to host third edition of the Asia-Pacific Padel Cup

The Philippines in the APPC 2025

Continental padel action is set to come to the Philippines, with the third edition of The Asia-Pacific Padel Cup taking place on June 25-28 at Play Padel McKinley in Taguig.

Hosted by Padel Pilipinas, the recognized national sports association for padel in the country, the APPC will bring together ten teams from seven countries, as they compete both in Professional and Amateur levels.

Unlike conventional padel competitions, whether in the Asia-Pacific Padel Tour or elsewhere, the APPC runs on collective results from all three categories: male, female, and mixed. All matches will have corresponding points that will register in the overall team standings, turning each rally into something that matters beyond the ongoing scoreboard.

The Philippines is the defending champion of the competition, emerging as winners last year in Kuala Lumpur. To mount a successful title defense this year, Padel Pilipinas will need to fend off four teams in both Professional and Amateur levels:

Professional Category
●    Padel Society Korea (South Korea)
●    PadThai Padel Thailand Team (Thailand)
●    Ace Padel India Team (India)
●    Prescott Development Team (Pakistan)

Amateur Category
●    göpadel (Chinese-Taipei)
●    Wolves Korea (South Korea)
●    The Racquet Garden Brunei Padel Team (Brunei)
●    Prescott Development Team (Pakistan)

In the case of Chinese-Taipei and Brunei, both countries are making their APPC debut, highlighting the continued rapid growth of padel across Asia. Meanwhile, both South Korea and Pakistan make their return trips to the competition after debuting last year.

Action will take place at the Taguig facility of Play Padel, which is the biggest padel facility in the country, located at Chateau Road corner Lombard Street in McKinley West. For those who are unable to watch in person, the matches will be streamed, with details to be confirmed on the APPC's official social media channels.

UAAP bars Ateneo coaches, sets July 15 deadline for Ateneo's investigation

The UAAP released this statement on Friday afternoon. 

The Board of Trustees of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines has approved the recommendation of the Board of Managing Directors to bar from the UAAP all the coaching staff of the Ateneo de Manila University who were present during the June 8 incident in Dipaculao, Aurora, pending the outcome of the investigations of the concerned government agencies, Ateneo’s independent fact-finding inquiry, and the League’s own investigation. As such, they are prohibited from participating in any UAAP-related activities, in any capacity, effective immediately and while these investigations are being conducted.

This preemptive measure, adopted even prior to the UAAP season, is intended to preserve the integrity of the ongoing inquiry and to ensure full transparency and due process as facts surrounding the incident are being carefully examined.

In addition, the UAAP has set July 15, 2026 as the deadline for the submission of the official findings of Ateneo de Manila University regarding the incident.

Amidst differing and clashing perceptions on this tragic incident, the UAAP, as a collegial body, is committed to adhere to its own governing rules and processes where the acts of a Member-University and personalities involved will be thoroughly evaluated by the other member schools before passing judgment. The UAAP reiterates that accountability shall be determined based on the results of a thorough and impartial investigation and its fidelity to its own rules and regulations. All those found responsible for any wrongdoing shall be held fully accountable under league regulations.

Above all, the UAAP extends its deepest sympathies to the bereaved parties and calls for justice, truth, and dignity for those who lost their lives in the incident. Their memories will be honored with the commitment to further protect our student-athletes so that such tragedy will never happen again.

JRU stuns San Beda in Filoil Preseason matchup of unbeatens

c/o Filoil Preseason

Games Thursday
11 a.m. - EAC vs. Benilde
1 p.m. - San Sebastian vs. Perpetual
3 p.m. - NU vs. UST
5 p.m. - Gilas Youth vs. La Salle

JOSE Rizal University might have sent an early warning to the rest of the league.

The Heavy Bombers turned back erstwhile undefeated San Beda, 73-65, to move at solo first in the NCAA Group Wednesday in the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.

Chris Hubilla was in full control of the game for JRU with his 18 points and nine rebounds, while providing support were Allen Laurenaria's 15 points and nine boards and Lawrence Mangubat who had 14 points, four rebounds, and three steals.

But it was defense which did the trick, forcing San Beda to 20 turnovers and held high scoring Aldous Torculas to just five points on 2-for-7 shooting.

Sean Salvador was also instrumental for the Heavy Bombers late in the game, scoring seven of his 9 points in a crucial juncture in the fourth quarter to guide the Kalentong crew to their sixth straight victory in this tilt which has Hanes, Buffalo's Wings N Things, Wallem, BDO, Akari, Smart, Molten, Reyes Barbecue, Nature's Spring, Tela.com Athletics, Brothers Burger, and Don Benito's as sponsors.

RC Calimag was the lone Red Lion in double figures with his 21 points built from four three-pointers as they sunk to a 5-1 record.

Mapua also earned back-to-back wins after escaping Arellano in a thrilling 94-89 victory.

MC Cuenco sank the go-ahead dagger from the top of the arc with 58 seconds left to give the Cardinals a comfortable 92-86 lead before his assist to a Jaymark Lloren sealed the deal as they moved up to 3-1.

He finished with 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting from distance, while Yam Concepcion commandeered the paint with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.

Coach Chito Victolero, however, still feels in disbelief how his side pulled off the victory after Mapua committed 20 turnovers and gave up 42 free throws to Arellano.

"I don't know how we got the win, but yun nga, a win is a win," said the comebacking mentor after the Cardinals squandered a 15-point lead, 85-70, but still held on to the triumph.

It was a tough defeat for the winless Chiefs, which slid to a 0-6 slate, despite the return of T-Mc Ongotan who dropped 20 points and two assists.

The Scores:

First Game:
MAPUA 94 - Cuenco 17, Concepcion 12, Callangan 11, Pascual 10, Reyes 10, Diaz 8, Lazarte 8, Lloren 7, L. Nitura 5, Reyes 2, M. Nitura 2, Ryan 2, Igliane 0.
ARELLANO 89 - Ongotan 20, Valencia 18, Vinoya 14, Geronimo 9, Abiera 8, Borromeo 7, Manansala 4, Buenaventura 3, Camay 3, Ladica 3, Langit 0, Flores 0, Mendoza 0, Demetria 0, Barraca 0.
Quarters: 26-24, 52-44, 74-66, 94-89.

Second Game:
JRU 73 - Hubilla 18, Laurenaria 15, Mangubat 14, Salvador 9, Herrera 5, Eligado 4, Garupil 3, Duque 3, Garcia 2, Panapanaan 0, Masiglat 0.
SAN BEDA 65 - RC. Calimag 21, Etulle 9, Bonzalida 8, Marcelo 5, Torculas 5, Lina 5, Hawkins 4, Puno 3, Efron 3, Dabao 2, Jamora 0, Jalbuena 0, Ugaddan 0, Songcuya 0, Medroso 0.
Quarters: 15-21, 41-40, 56-51, 73-65.