Category: Athletic

BERAKAS — His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah attended an international friendly football match at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium on the night of April 20th. The match featured DPMM FC against the Guangxi Pinggguo Haliao Guojing Football Team.

According to Radio Television Brunei, the royal couple was joined by the Crown Prince's brothers and children, including His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Mateen; Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda 'Abdul Muntaqim; Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Muneerah Madhul Bolkiah; Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda Muhammad Aiman; and Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Faathimah Az-Zahraa' Raaihanul Bolkiah. Upon their arrival, they were greeted by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad, the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports. DPMM FC emerged victorious with a score of 3-1 against their opponents.

Following the match, His Royal Highness presented medals and a trophy to the players.

MANILA — The University of Santo Tomas (UST) girls' volleyball team continued its undefeated run in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) U-18 Championship, overcoming its first significant challenge of the tournament by defeating Gracel Christian College in a four-set match at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Sunday.

According to Philippines News Agency, UST faced its first setback in the tournament by dropping a set but managed to secure a victory with scores of 19-25, 25-17, 25-13. This match marked the first occasion the Junior Tigresses lost a set after dominating their initial three games, winning straight sets against Montessori School, Limitless Sports Center, and De La Salle-Zobel (DLSZ).

Meanwhile, DLSZ recorded its first win in the tournament, prevailing over Limitless with scores of 25-22, 25-15, indicating a potential shift in momentum for the team. In Pool B, Colegio de Los Baños rebounded from a two-game losing streak by securing a win against Parañaque, with match scores reflecting a strong comeback performance of 19-25, 25-13, 25-12.

The boys' division also saw notable action, with De La Salle-Lipa maintaining a perfect record through its third consecutive victory, this time against Batangas Christian School, with a 25-22, 25-17 result. Other matches in the boys’ division included Angatleta Sports from Orion, Bataan, defeating Golden Whiskers Club, and Umingan National High School emerging victorious over VNS Volleyball Club, showcasing the competitive spirit and high level of play among the teams.

The PNVF U-18 Championship continues to highlight the depth of young volleyball talent in the Philippines, with teams from various schools and sports centers demonstrating skill, resilience, and the will to win in the prestigious national tournament.

SANTA ROSA, Laguna — The Smart Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open witnessed an all-Australian showdown in the women's final, setting the stage for an intense competition at the Nuvali Sand Courts, developed by Ayala Land.

According to Philippines News Agency, Australian pairs Stefanie Fejes and Jan Milutinovic, and Jasmine Fleming and Georgia Johnson, secured their spots in the finals after defeating their Japanese opponents. Fejes and Milutinovic triumphed over Suzuka Hashimoto and Reika Murakami with scores of 21-12, 21-18. Following closely, Fleming and Johnson won against Asami Shiba and Saki Maruyama, marking scores of 21-17, 21-17, to guarantee Australia a one-two finish in the women’s division. The final match was scheduled for 4:30 p.m., with the bronze medal match featuring the defeated Japanese teams.

Fejes shared her insights on their victory, acknowledging the competitive spirit of the Japanese teams and expressing satisfaction with their performance and the quality of volleyball played.

In the men’s division, Thailand and Iran progressed to the final. The Thai duo, Tipjan Pithak and Taovato Poravid, managed to edge out Australia's D'Artagnan Potts and Ben Hood in a closely contested match that ended with scores of 21-15, 18-21, 15-11. On the other side, Iran's Abbas Pourasgari and Alireza Aghajanighasab secured their final spot by defeating another Thai pair, Surin Jongklang and Dunwinit Kaewsai, with scores of 21-13, 21-17. The match for the bronze medal saw Potts and Hood competing against Surin and Dunwinit.

The Nuvali Open has thus highlighted the strength and competitiveness of Australian women’s teams on the AVC Beach Tour, alongside showcasing the dynamic men’s division featuring teams from Thailand and Iran vying for the championship.

MANILA - The University of Santo Tomas (UST) secured its third consecutive win in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Under-18 Championship, defeating De La Salle-Zobel with scores of 25-16, 25-20 on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. This victory continues UST's dominance in Pool A of the girls' division, underscoring their leading position in the tournament.

According to Philippines News Agency, the match saw UST showcasing a strong performance to maintain their undefeated streak. In Pool B, La Salle-Lipa also marked a significant win against Parañaque City, with scores of 25-16, 25-21, improving their record to 3-1, just behind the unbeaten National University which stands at 3-0. Additionally, San Juan Institute of Technology-Batangas recorded a victory over Colegio de Los Baños, securing their third-place position with a 2-1 record.

The boys' division witnessed Taytay, Rizal achieving a notable win over Colegio de Los Baños, scoring 25-20, 25-23, to match Pool B leader Umingan, Pangasinan with a 2-0 record. Meanwhile, La Salle-Lipa led Pool A after defeating Golden Whiskers Club, and Philippine Christian University garnered its second win against Batangas Christian School, setting the stage for competitive matchups in the ongoing championship.

Looking ahead, UST is set to face Grace Christian College on Sunday at 11:30 a.m., aiming for their fourth win. Other scheduled matches include La Salle-Zobel versus Limitless Sports Center in Pool A and Colegio de Los Baños against Parañaque City in Pool B. The boys' division will feature matches between Umingan, Pangasinan and Taytay, Rizal; Hermosa, Bataan and Colegio de Los Baños; as well as Angatleta Sports Bataan against Canossa Academy-Lipa, promising an action-packed continuation of the PNVF U-18 Championship.

SANTA ROSA CITY, LAGUNA — In a notable match at the Smart Asia Volleyball Confederation Beach Tour Nuvali Open, Australians Tara Philips and Elizabeth Alchin achieved a two-set victory against Filipinos Jen Eslapor and Kly Orillaneda on Saturday. The match, which took place at the Nuvali Sand Courts, ended with scores of 21-16 and 21-15 in favor of the Australian team, propelling them past the round of 16.

According to Philippines News Agency, Eslapor and Orillaneda, both serving in the Air Force, had only a limited period for preparation yet showcased commendable performance. Eslapor expressed satisfaction with their performance, highlighting the progress in their partnership and skills. Orillaneda, who had joined Eslapor for training less than a month prior, reflected on her performance with a mix of pleasure and a determination to improve for future competitions. The duo plans to participate in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour-Futures, which starts on April 11, also at Nuvali.

The tournament also saw other Filipino pairs, Ran Abdilla and AJ Pareja, along with James Buytrago and Rancel Varga, unable to advance to the men’s quarterfinals. Abdilla and Pareja faced a defeat against Iran’s team, while Buytrago and Varga were bested by an Indonesian duo.

The competition further reported advancements in both men’s and women’s divisions, with teams from Thailand, Japan, Australia, Iran, and Indonesia moving forward, showcasing the international talent present at the Nuvali Open. Notable victories included Thailand’s and Australia’s teams overcoming their respective opponents, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the beach volleyball tour.

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA - Nearly two thousand young athletes have converged in Antique for the Provincial Athletic Association Meet, competing across multiple sports disciplines despite challenging weather conditions. The event, which commenced at the Binirayan gymnasium, showcases the talents of students from various clusters within the province, all vying for top honors.

According to Philippines News Agency, the meet attracted 1,773 learners from different educational institutions, organized into clusters based on their geographical locations. These clusters represent a range of municipalities, each bringing forward their best athletes to compete in a series of events spanning from Wednesday through Friday, with closing ceremonies scheduled for April 6.

The competition kicked off energetically, with notable performances such as Cluster 1's triumph in Futsal for girls at the secondary level and Cluster 2's victory in elementary boys' basketball. Participants are contending in 23 different sporting events, under the observation of 544 technical officials across several venues, including the primary Binirayan gymnasium and the University of Antique.

Nicasio Frio, the Department of Education Schools Divisions Superintendent, highlighted adaptations made to the event's schedule to account for the intense heat, including restricting outdoor activities during peak temperature hours to safeguard the athletes' well-being.

The local government has allocated PHP 3.52 million to fund this significant athletic endeavor, aiming to foster sportsmanship and physical prowess among the youth. Although no monetary rewards are on offer, the athletes are striving for medals and the opportunity to represent Antique at the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Meet and potentially the national Palarong Pambansa.

SANTA ROSA, LAGUNA — The Philippines is set to welcome 46 teams from across Asia for the Smart Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open, scheduled to take place at the Nuvali Sand Courts from April 4 to 7.

According to Philippines News Agency, this tournament marks the country's second significant international beach volleyball event since the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge held in December. Under the guidance of Brazilian coach Joao Luciano Kiodai and Mayi Molit-Prochina, the Philippine contingent will feature four pairs competing for honors in this prestigious event.

The tournament will showcase a formidable lineup of international teams, with the women's division including competitors from Australia, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Indonesia, Macau, and Malaysia. The men's category is equally competitive, featuring teams from Australia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Iran, New Zealand, China, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Macau.

PNVF President Ramon Suzara highlighted the Philippines' emerging status as a key venue for regional and international volleyball events, expressing pride in the country's role as an upcoming host for the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship next year.

Fans eager to witness this international beach volleyball showcase can purchase tickets through www.ticketmax.ph, with day passes available at PHP220. The world-class Nuvali Sand Courts, which also hosted the 2023 Philippine National Games and Batang Pinoy, continues to be a central venue for major volleyball competitions.

This AVC Beach Tour event is part of a series of six international tournaments organized by the PNVF in 2023, leading up to the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in 2025. Upcoming events at Nuvali include the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour-Futures and the Volleyball World Pro Tour Challenge, along with the Volleyball Nations League Men's Week 3, the 5th AVC Challenge Cup for Women, and the 4th Southeast Asia V League.

NEW CLARK CITY, Philippines - Japan's men's water polo team emerged victorious at the 11th Asian Age Group Championships, securing the gold medal with a decisive 17-13 win over Iran at the New Clark City Aquatics Center on Saturday night. The victory concluded an impressive championship run, with the team maintaining a perfect 6-0 record throughout the tournament. Kai Inoue, honored as the Most Valuable Player, and Sota Hombe led the charge, scoring four goals each in the final match.

According to Philippines News Agency, Japan's water polo prowess was on full display as both the men's and women's teams clinched gold medals with unbeaten records. The women's team set the stage earlier with a dominant 24-6 victory over Uzbekistan. Coach Shota Hazui, an Olympic and Asian Games veteran, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, underscoring the significance of their achievement.

In their journey to the finals, Japan's men's team showcased their strength by overcoming several opponents, including China (14-11), Saudi Arabia (23-5), Thailand (26-8), Uzbekistan (32-13), and Kazakhstan (20-10). Iran, securing their spot in the final, demonstrated formidable skill against Malaysia (34-3), Sri Lanka (34-0), Kazakhstan (12-10), Singapore (19-8), and China (7-5).

The tournament also saw Kazakhstan earning the bronze medal by defeating China with a score of 7-4. In other matches, Singapore claimed fifth place with a 15-10 win over Uzbekistan, and Saudi Arabia edged out Malaysia 14-13 to finish in seventh place. The event was supported by several organizations, including the MVP Sports Foundation, Pinay In Action, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Sports Commission, highlighting the collective effort to promote and celebrate aquatic sports achievements in the region.

PASAY CITY—National University (NU) achieved a significant victory over the University of the East (UE) with scores of 25-23, 25-13, 25-12 in Sunday's match, securing a share of the lead in the Season 86 UAAP men's volleyball tournament held at the Mall of Asia Arena. This win marks the Bulldogs' fifth consecutive triumph, positioning them alongside the Far Eastern University Tamaraws and De La Salle University Green Spikers, each holding a 5-1 record.

According to Philippines News Agency, In another match, De La Salle University overpowered the University of the Philippines with a straight-set victory of 25-23, 25-13, 25-22. Vince Maglinao emerged as a standout player, contributing a game-high 14 points to La Salle's win. According to NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin, the team's success can be attributed to their adherence to the game plan, particularly in overcoming unforced errors and effectively countering their opponents' strategies.

For NU, rookie Jade Alex Disquitado led the scoring with 15 points, including three blocks. Nico Almendras and Rwenzmel Taguibolos added 14 and 13 points, respectively, with Taguibolos also making a significant defensive impact with seven blocks. On the UE side, Angelo Reyes and Brent Maralit put forth a strong effort, contributing to the Red Warriors' performance with their attacks and blocks.

The upcoming schedule includes a critical match between NU and La Salle on March 16, which will determine the outright lead in the standings. Meanwhile, a clash between the winless teams UE (0-6) and UP (0-5) is set for March 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, ensuring that one team will break their losing streak.

SAN JUAN CITY, Philippines - In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, PLDT dominated Capital1 with scores of 25-13, 25-15, 25-16 during Saturday's Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminary round at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

According to Philippines News Agency, Filipino-Canadian player Savannah Dawn Davison led the High Speed Hitters to their third win in four matches, scoring a remarkable 22 points, including 19 attacks.

Davison, who also contributed nine excellent digs, shared her enthusiasm for the team's energy during the game, noting its positive impact on her performance. Teammate Fiola Mae Ceballos added 10 spikes to the team's victory, further cementing their position in the league after just 74 minutes of play.

Rhea Dimaculangan and Kath Arado also made significant contributions, scoring 12 and delivering 13 excellent digs and six receptions, respectively. Coach Rald Ricafort praised the team for their consistent performance and highlighted the importance of role players in the win. He emphasized the need for the team to bring the pressure-handling skills practiced in training to their game performance for better consistency.

On the other side, the Solar Spikers, now standing at 1-3, saw Heather Guino-o and Sydney Niegos scoring six points each, with Jannine Navarro adding another four points. Despite their efforts, the Solar Spikers were unable to overcome the High Speed Hitters' momentum.

SAN JUAN CITY, Philippines - In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, PLDT dominated Capital1 with scores of 25-13, 25-15, 25-16 during Saturday's Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminary round at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

According to Philippines News Agency, Filipino-Canadian player Savannah Dawn Davison led the High Speed Hitters to their third win in four matches, scoring a remarkable 22 points, including 19 attacks.

Davison, who also contributed nine excellent digs, shared her enthusiasm for the team's energy during the game, noting its positive impact on her performance. Teammate Fiola Mae Ceballos added 10 spikes to the team's victory, further cementing their position in the league after just 74 minutes of play.

Rhea Dimaculangan and Kath Arado also made significant contributions, scoring 12 and delivering 13 excellent digs and six receptions, respectively. Coach Rald Ricafort praised the team for their consistent performance and highlighted the importance of role players in the win. He emphasized the need for the team to bring the pressure-handling skills practiced in training to their game performance for better consistency.

On the other side, the Solar Spikers, now standing at 1-3, saw Heather Guino-o and Sydney Niegos scoring six points each, with Jannine Navarro adding another four points. Despite their efforts, the Solar Spikers were unable to overcome the High Speed Hitters' momentum.

NEW CLARK CITY, Philippines - Japan's women's water polo team emerged victorious at the 11th Asian Age Group Championships, securing the gold medal with an undefeated record.

According to Philippines News Agency, Japan's triumph was highlighted in their final match against Uzbekistan, where they showcased their prowess with a 24-6 win, marking their sixth consecutive victory in the competition.

The team's success was led by captain Shoka Fukuda, who scored nine goals, and Kaho Shironoshita, who added six goals in the decisive match. Coach Tsubasa Mori, who served on the national team from 2012 to 2016 and competed at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships, expressed his joy and gratitude towards all the teams that participated. Mori acknowledged the stiff competition faced from Thailand, which Japan narrowly defeated with a 19-15 score in a previous match, highlighting Thailand's aggressive and skilled play.

Thailand clinched the silver medal after defeating Kazakhstan 15-11, finishing the tournament with a 5-1 win-loss record. The bronze medal was awarded to China, which concluded the championships with a 4-2 record following a 21-4 victory over Singapore. Kazakhstan finished in fourth place with a 3-3 record, followed by Uzbekistan and Singapore, both ending with 1-4 slates, and Sri Lanka, which did not win a match.

The medal ceremony featured dignitaries including World Aquatics president Husain Al-Musallam from Kuwait, Vice President Daichi Suzuki of Japan, and Executive Director Seyed Faridedin Fatahian of Iran, who presented the awards to the winning teams. At the time of reporting, the men's division was still in contention, with the bronze medal match between China and Kazakhstan underway, to be followed by the championship match between Japan and Iran.

NEW CLARK CITY — Iran showcased its prowess in the men's water polo competition at the 11th Asian Age Group Championships, overpowering Malaysia with a decisive 34-3 victory at the New Clark City Aquatic Center on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Ali Abolghasemi led the Iranian team with eight goals, while teammates Soheil Pargari, Mohammadamin Sadeghinezhad, and Arhsia Abdollahifar each contributed four goals to the win.

Malaysia, facing its second consecutive defeat after losing to Singapore 8-23 on Sunday, struggled to find its rhythm against Iran's relentless attack. Brandon Wong Li Hoong and Teo Zun Jet were the only Malaysian players to score, managing two and one goals, respectively.

In other matches, Uzbekistan edged out Thailand 17-14, thanks to Artur Vishyakov's five-goal performance, while Japan and Singapore recorded commanding victories over Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka, with scores of 23-5 and 35-3, respectively. With these results, Uzbekistan, Japan, and Singapore each hold a 2-0 record, leading their groups in the early stages of the tournament.

The championship features teams from two groups, with Japan, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, China, and Thailand in Group A, and Iran, Singapore, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, and Sri Lanka making up Group B. The tournament continues to highlight the competitive spirit and skill of Asia's emerging water polo talents.