UST, FEU extend HS Boys Volleyball winning streak to four

c/o UAAP Media Team

UAAP Season 89 High School Boys' Volleyball Standings
FEU-D 4–0
UST 4–0
NUNS 2–2
UE 2–2
AdU 1–2
UPIS 1–2
DLSZ 0–3
Ateneo 0–3

Games Friday at the Paco Arena
9 a.m. – UPIS vs FEU-D (Girls’)
11 a.m. – AdU vs UPIS (Boys’)
1 p.m. – DLSZ vs Ateneo (Boys’)

University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University–Diliman continued their unbeaten runs in the UAAP Season 89 High School Boys' Volleyball Tournament, taking care of Adamson University and Ateneo de Manila University, respectively, on Thursday at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center in Manila.

The Junior Golden Spikers remained unscathed after four matches, adding the Baby Falcons to their list of victims with a 19–25, 25–21, 25–23, 29–27 victory.

After falling behind 10–13 early in the fourth set, Karl Escobal and Jeff Abalos helped UST regain one-point leads, with Abalos giving the Junior Golden Spikers their first match point through another successful 1–2 play.

Lance Babon tried to keep Adamson in the match and forced the final deadlock at 27-all, but Escobal responded with back-to-back kills to finally close out the contest.

“Yun nga, nahirapan kami; medyo nawala kami sa sistema namin. Nag-lie low ‘yung galaw ng mga players namin. Siguro, may factor din na may exam ‘yung ibang mga bata. Pero hindi ‘yun reason para hindi maganda laro namin,” said seasoned head coach Aying Esteban.

“Factor rin siguro na ‘yung katawan nila, ‘yung utak nila, pagod. At least ginawan nila ng paraan manalo nitong araw na ‘to,” he added.

Escobal finished with 22 points on 19 spikes and three blocks, along with five digs and 18 excellent receptions. Thirdy Domingo chipped in 21 markers on 18-of-35 attacking, while Bernard Capuno added six points and 11 excellent sets.

Abalos, a member of UST's UAAP Season 87 championship team, proved to be the game changer, coming off the bench to finish with 10 excellent sets and several clutch plays in the fourth set.

On the other hand, buoyed by its win over National University Nazareth School last Sunday, FEU-D had little trouble dominating Ateneo, 25–8, 25–15, 25–8, to keep pace with UST.

"Pinakamalaking impact talaga dito is 'yung previous game namin, talagang parang binaon namin. That's why talagang dominated namin today," said second-year head coach Rene Dulay.

"Pero mahaba pa, three games pa until ng first round. Pero we're coping pa right now sa mga kakulangan namin. Mina-mindset namin is on recovery muna, then we have to prepare sa mga upcoming games natin," he added.

FEU-D fielded all its active players, with every spiker scoring at least one point. Outside hitter Kenneth Maliwanag led the way with nine points in two sets. The UAAP Season 87 Rookie of the Year also had two digs and one excellent set.

Jude Abes added seven points from the middle, while Ahmad Korooshavi chipped in six markers and two digs. Sam Hopkins finished with five spikes and two digs.

Meanwhile, the Bullpups had to fend off a tough University of the Philippines Integrated School Fighting Maroons side, 25–17, 26–24, 25–17, earlier in the day to improve to an even 2–2 record and secure a bounce-back win.

With its defense fueling its offense, UPIS leveled the second set at 24-all, but NU Nazareth's experience prevailed as the Bullpups scored the final two points to take a 2–0 lead.

"Binigyan ko sila ng chance na mag-isip, kaya kanina pinabayaan ko lang sila. Kasi noong mga nakaraang laro, kailangan pa talaga silang bigyan ng instructions. Meron naman kaming napag-uusapan, pero pagdating sa laro, nawawala. So, kanina binigyan ko sila ng chance na mag-isip para ma-improve pa namin 'yung mga dapat gawin sa loob," said long-time head coach Edgar Barroga.

Vince Panilawon led the Bullpups with nine points, five coming from blocks and four from attacks.

Ronnie Millan, Ivan Dayrit, and Al-Raquib Dais added seven markers apiece, while Clarenz Altoveros finished with 17 excellent receptions for an 81 percent clip.

The Season 88 Rookies of the Year duo of Justin Jusayan and Prince Jimenez paced the Fighting Maroons with 18 and 11 points, respectively. Jusayan added 10 digs and six excellent receptions, while Jimenez contributed four digs, two positive receptions, and one excellent set.

University of the East also secured a bounce-back victory, sweeping De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, 25–13, 26–24, 25–15.

“Yung service-receive, do'n talaga kami natatalo. Kasi ‘pag may receive naman, nakaka-atake kami nang maayos. And kasi hanggang ngayon inu-unti pa rin naming binubuo ‘yung team,” said coach Jolas Lopez.

The Junior Warriors still struggled with their passing, finishing at 27 percent, but setter Mharl Dullete delivered 19 excellent sets that translated into 39 kills.

Jack Prade finished 13 of those attacks and added a block for 14 total points. Dullete also peppered DLSZ's defense with seven aces on his way to 11 points.

The Baby Falcons and Fighting Maroons, both at 1–2, will try to return to the win column at the other's expense on Friday at 11 a.m.

The Junior Green Spikers and Blue Eagles, both at 0–3, will dispute their first win later that day.

The four teams will cap their back-to-back set of matches.

Paalam goes for gold

c/o POC/PSC Media

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam gets his chance to end a 16-year Philippine boxing gold drought when he takes on Japan’s 22-year-old hometown favorite Rui Yamaguchi in the men’s 55kg final of the 20th Asian Games on Friday at Nishio Gymnasium.

The 28-year-old Paalam punched his ticket to the gold-medal bout after surviving Kazakhstan’s reigning world champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan via a 3-2 split decision on Wednesday, assuring the Philippines of at least a silver medal.

Now, Paalam faces a different challenge in Yamaguchi, a young Japanese fighter carrying the boxing hopes of his nation.

A victory by Paalam in the 12:15 p.m. bout (Philippine time) would give the Philippines its first Asian Games boxing gold since Rey Saludar ruled the 52kg division at the 2010 Guangzhou Games. It would also give Paalam his first Asian Games silver or gold after bagging bronze in Jakarta in 2018 and falling short in the quarterfinals at Hangzhou in 2023.

“Hindi mo masasabi ang puwedeng mangyari sa ring, basta ilalabas ko ang best ko,” Paalam said after his gritty victory in the semifinals against Sabyrkhan, whom he had previously beaten in the 2022 Asian Elite Boxing Championships.

But the Japanese won’t be a pushover.

Yamaguchi switched from kickboxing to boxing during middle school and developed into a highly regarded Japanese amateur. He won Japan’s national championship at 51kg in 2024, before moving up to 55kg with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in mind.

Yamaguchi has already accumulated significant international experience despite his age, having fought in the 2025 World Boxing Championships and is the reigning 2026 Asian champion at 55kg.

His run to the championship bout has been nothing short of spectacular, with victories Kyrgyzstan’s Zafarbek Shakirzhanovich, Jordan's Huthaifa Eshish and Mongolia's Bilguunsaikhan Kharkhuu, all coming via the 5-0 verdict.

“Carlo’s Japanese opponent is currently ranked no. 2 in the world and has the height and reach advantage. Carlo is more experienced and has the speed advantage. Just really depends on who will be able to execute the competition plan,” said Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president Marcus Manalo. “But I’m sure Carlo will be up to the challenge.”

Candelaria secures silver in Asiad poomsae

Making her Asian Games debut at 18 years old, Juliana Candelaria delivered a silver-medal performance in the women’s individual poomsae competition Thursday at the Toyohashi Gymnasium.

Candelaria scored 9.1300 in the gold-medal contest to finish second behind South Korea’s Jung Haeun, who took the gold with 9.3100. Thailand’s Thitaree Kaewolanwasu claimed the bronze with 9.0400.

She earned a 9.200 score in her recognized poomsae routine before posting 9.060 in the freestyle round.

“Amazing. I feel great about everything,” Candelaria told One Sports. “It’s such an amazing achievement for me. It’s my first Asian Games.”

“Super duper thankful to everyone. My family, my coaches, my teammates,” she added.

Coach Rani Ortega credited the team’s collective effort for Candelaria’s podium finish, which gave the Philippines its fifth silver medal of the Asian Games.

Candelaria joins Jean Claude Saclag (MMA), Marie June Adriano (karate), the Philippine women’s sepak takraw team, and Amaya Amparo Cojuangco (archery) as the country’s other silver medalists.

“Ang mati-take ko [na lesson] here is live in the moment, kasi what I did in this competition is to enjoy and just be grateful for everything,” Candelaria said.

“Hard work really pays off, with the trust and teamwork of all of us, kaya talaga. Kaya,” Ortega adds.

POC optimistic in surpassing Hangzhou haul at Aichi-Nagoya

Bambol with EJ c/o POC/PSC media

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino remains optimistic that Team Philippines can surpass its four-gold mark as the 20th Asian Games heads into its final three days.

Speaking with reporters as the continental showpiece approached its homestretch, Tolentino expressed firm belief that the Filipino delegation still has several strong medal opportunities left across various disciplines.

“May tatlong simba up to Sunday morning. Last 3 days, still hoping for more golds,” Tolentino said. 

“Siguro naman sure na malalampasan ‘yung apat,” said the POC chief, referring to the four golds that the country won in Hangzhou three years ago, courtesy of pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, jiu-jitsu warriors Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez, and Gilas Pilipinas.

The Philippines' gold medal count in Nagoya stands at three, two from double-Olympic champion Carlos Yulo (men's floor exercise and vault) and pole vault star EJ Obiena.

Tolentino acknowledged that while the delegation suffered unexpected early heartbreaks, most notably the early exit of the Sibol Mobile Legends squad and MMA artist Jean Claude Saclag, other sports remain well in contention to step up.   

“Ganu’n talaga. May napipitas, may pumapalit. God willing, mayroon pa pagkukunan,” Tolentino said.

Outlining the sports where Team Philippines could potentially make a late surge, Tolentino pointed to key events in tennis, boxing, martial arts, beach volleyball, padel, golf, and team sports.

“Of course, Alex [Eala]. Boxing, Carlo Paalam. Judo. Malakas nga lang ‘yung first event ngayon. What else? Jiu-jitsu. Hopefully dalawa, so apat na ‘yun. Hindi ko alam dynamics ng softball. Pumasok pa ang padel, so lima. Meron pa ‘yan,” he said.

He also expressed confidence in the golf contingent, led by Bianca Pagdanganan and Rianne Malixi. 

With time running out before the games officially wrap up on Sunday, the POC chief called on the nation to rally behind the remaining Filipino athletes competing for podium finishes.

“God willing. Lahat tayo mga kababayan, let's pray for our athletes at Team Philippines. Lahat na mga nagka-qualify pa. Kaya sure na malalampasan natin ‘yung 4, hopefully,” said Tolentino.

Cojuangco earns historic Asiad medal for Philippine archery

Longtime national team mainstay Amaya Amparo Cojuangco has officially etched her name into the annals of Philippine sports history, capturing a landmark silver medal in the women’s individual of compound archery finals at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square.   

A seasoned veteran who has proudly carried the flag for years, Cojuangco delivered the greatest performance by a Filipino archer on the continental stage, becoming the first from the Philippines to ever reach an Asian Games gold medal match. 

Her silver finish surpasses the country's previous best Asian Games compound result—a bronze medal won by Paul Marton Dela Cruz back in 2014.   

Cojuangco's path to the podium was nothing short of spectacular. In the quarterfinals, she dominated 𝗜𝗿𝗮𝗻'𝘀𝗕𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗔𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗴𝗵𝘇𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗵 𝗢𝘀𝗸𝗼𝘂𝗲𝗶, 𝟭𝟰𝟲-𝟭𝟯𝟱, firing three perfect 30-point ends in the second, third, and fifth games. 

She followed that up with a massive, nerve-wracking 𝟭𝟰𝟮-𝟭𝟰𝟭 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘂𝗽𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗴𝘆𝗼𝗼𝗻 to book her historic finals berth.   

In the gold medal showdown against Indonesia's Nurisa Dian Ashrifah, the Filipina veteran fought tooth and nail down to the final arrow.

Cojuangco matched Ashrifah with a 28-all opening end and even took the third end, 29-29, before ultimately falling just two points shy in a razor-close 137-139 battle.

PaElla tandem falter in Asiad beach volleyball semifinal

The Alas Pilipinas duo Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara bowed to Thailand’s Taravadee Naraphonapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee, 21-23, 18-21, in the semifinals to kiss their gold medal hopes goodbye in 20th Asian Games women’s beach volleyball action on Thursday at Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

Progella and Pagara were poised to take the first set, 19-15, before the Thais countered to take the set point, 20-19.

The Filipinos, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, saved a point twice, but the Thais denied their attempt. The first set loss is the first set dropped by the young Alas duo in the tournament.

“Nandun na kami sa moment na kaya namin makuha yung panalo kaso kulangan lang kami sa tiwala sa pinakadulo na kaya talaga namin” said Progella.

In the second set, Progella and Pagara was up, 14-12, but Naraphonapat and Kongphopsarutawadee went on with a 6-0 run six to snatch the lead, 18-14, en route to seal the victory.

Naraphonapat and Kongphopsarutawadee also eliminated Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons from contention in the quarterfinals, 17-21, 21-12, 13-15, on Wednesday.

Progella and Pagara still have a shot at the bronze on Friday when they face China’s Cao Shuting and Dong Jie.

“Mindset namin for the bronze is pinakalast push na namin since last game na for Asian Games so why not all out na at mas sosobrahan pa ang tiwala sa sarili na kaya namin,” said Progella.

Schroth brace anchors Ateneo victory in UAAP Women's Football

c/o UAAP Media

Women's Football Matches on Saturday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium
2 p.m. – FEU vs ATENEO
4:30 p.m. – UST vs DLSU
7 p.m. – NU vs UP


Soleil Schroth scored twice as Ateneo de Manila University slipped past a shorthanded University of the Philippines side, 2-1, to return to the winning column in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament on Wednesday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium in Quezon City.

The 25-year-old defender powered the Blue Eagles to a bounce-back victory following their defeat to De La Salle University last Sunday, finding the back of the net in the 25th and 38th minutes.

UP pulled one back in the 35th minute after a costly mistake by Ateneo goalkeeper Brielle Baca gifted Erissa Rivas a goal for the Fighting Maroons, cutting the deficit to one.

Schroth restored Ateneo’s two-goal cushion just three minutes later, as the Blue Eagles held on for the victory.

"What I told them was not to be too complacent, put pressure, and don't give second chances. I told Soleil, if you can contribute something to the team, make it count, so I guess she responded to that call," shared coach Bob Manlulo.

The victory moved the Blue Eagles to third in the standings with six points and a minus-one goal difference as of writing.

Ateneo will look to build on the victory when it faces defending champion Far Eastern University on Sunday, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. at the same venue.

Despite missing key players Bem Aranas and starting goalkeeper Mariel Sancho, who were suspended following a red card and an altercation in their previous match against FEU, the Fighting Maroons remained competitive but failed to find an equalizer against Ateneo.

Rivas nearly leveled the match in the 86th minute when she tried to capitalize on a set piece, but Baca comfortably fended off the attempt.

UP remained in fifth place in the standings and will look to claim its first three points of the season when it faces National University in the final match of Sunday’s triple-header.