Category: Athletic

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.

GLASGOW — FIFA President Gianni Infantino has firmly dismissed the proposal to introduce blue cards into football. Speaking in Scotland, ahead of a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) at Loch Lomond, Infantino clarified FIFA's stance against the addition of blue cards, which had been suggested as a new measure to penalize dissent and cynical fouls by temporarily sending players off for 10 minutes.

According to Philippines News Agency, the idea of implementing blue cards at the elite level of football is not under consideration. He emphasized that while FIFA remains open to exploring new ideas and proposals that could enhance the game, it is crucial to maintain the essence and tradition of football. Currently, sin bins, similar to the proposed function of blue cards, are utilized in grassroots football at lower levels, but FIFA's recent statement makes it clear that such changes will not be extended to higher tiers of the sport.

The FIFA President's remarks set the stage for discussions on potential rule changes and innovations in football governance, highlighting a cautious approach to altering the fundamental aspects of the game.

GLASGOW — FIFA President Gianni Infantino has firmly dismissed the proposal to introduce blue cards into football. Speaking in Scotland, ahead of a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) at Loch Lomond, Infantino clarified FIFA's stance against the addition of blue cards, which had been suggested as a new measure to penalize dissent and cynical fouls by temporarily sending players off for 10 minutes.

According to Philippines News Agency, the idea of implementing blue cards at the elite level of football is not under consideration. He emphasized that while FIFA remains open to exploring new ideas and proposals that could enhance the game, it is crucial to maintain the essence and tradition of football. Currently, sin bins, similar to the proposed function of blue cards, are utilized in grassroots football at lower levels, but FIFA's recent statement makes it clear that such changes will not be extended to higher tiers of the sport.

The FIFA President's remarks set the stage for discussions on potential rule changes and innovations in football governance, highlighting a cautious approach to altering the fundamental aspects of the game.

NEW CLARK CITY — Japan's water polo teams celebrated opening victories at the 11th Asian Age Group Championships held at New Clark City Aquatic Center, marking a strong start in the competition on Sunday. In the men's division, Kai Inoue led his team with seven points to secure a 14-11 victory over China. Other matches saw Uzbekistan defeating Saudi Arabia 14-10, Singapore overpowering Malaysia with a 23-8 win, and Kazakhstan overwhelming Sri Lanka in a decisive 43-1 match.

According to Philippines News Agency, the women's division also witnessed Japan clinching a win against Thailand with a score of 19-15. Uzbekistan narrowly won against Singapore 19-18, thanks to Sofiya Andriyakmina's five-point contribution. Kazakhstan's team, with Darina Sembek scoring 10 points and Anelaya Altybassarova adding six, achieved a commanding 43-4 victory over Sri Lanka.

The event also features artistic swimming competitions, which are currently underway. As of the latest update, Japan leads the medal standings with a tally of 43 gold, 21 silver, and 8 bronze medals. Kazakhstan and Thailand follow, with Kazakhstan securing 21 golds, 15 silvers, and 6 bronzes, and Thailand holding 18 golds, 12 silvers, and 23 bronzes. The host country, the Philippines, has so far accumulated 1 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze medals.

The Philippines' gold and silver medals were earned by swimmer Jamesray Mishael Ajido in the boys' 12-14 100-meter butterfly event on Wednesday and a second-place finish in the 50m butterfly event on Thursday, narrowly behind Japan's Yusei Nishiono.

PASAY CITY — National University (NU) clinched its third consecutive win in the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament by defeating the University of the Philippines (UP), with scores of 25-20, 25-23, 27-25, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Jade Alex Disquitado and Angelo Nicolas Almendras led the Bulldogs with impressive performances, scoring 16 and 14 points respectively. Despite facing a challenging third set, where NU trailed 7-13 and 18-22, the team showcased resilience. Disquitado's consecutive points shifted the momentum in NU's favor, pushing them ahead at 25-24. Although UP's Angelo Lagando managed a crosscourt spike to tie the game, NU's strategic plays, including Leo Aringo Jr.'s down-the-line spike and Jenngerard Diao's block against Lagando, secured the Bulldogs' victory in a match that lasted one hour and 27 minutes.

This win positions NU at 3-1, tying with De La Salle University for second place in the tournament standings. The current leader, Far Eastern University, which remains undefeated, is set to face the University of Santo Tomas (2-1) in an upcoming game.

Key contributions came from NU's captain Joshua Retamar, who delivered an all-around performance with 12 points, six aces, and 20 excellent sets. Louis Gaspar Gamban and Jessie Roland Rubin were the standout players for UP, scoring significant points, but their efforts were not enough to secure a win for the team, which remains winless after four games.

NU's coach, Dante Alinsunurin, expressed gratitude for the win and emphasized the importance of the team's ability to gain momentum and manage the game effectively, even when facing disadvantages. This resilience and strategic gameplay are crucial as NU prepares for its next match against FEU, while UP looks to redeem itself against La Salle on March 10.

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - In an effort to cultivate new talent in the realm of mixed martial arts (MMA), Team Lakay has announced the Grappling Cup, scheduled for March 3, aimed at fighters aged 16 and above.

According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative is part of the martial arts training center's grassroots program designed to discover and nurture young talent capable of competing on the international stage.

Team Lakay, located in the capital of Benguet, La Trinidad, is renowned for producing world-class MMA fighters, including Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, Honorio Banario, and Joshua Pacio, who have achieved international recognition. The Grappling Cup represents Team Lakay's dedication to extending its influence to the grassroots level, offering aspiring grapplers the chance to develop their skills and gain competitive experience.

Sangiao highlighted the importance of the tournament in providing necessary training and exposure for young athletes in the community. He also mentioned Team Lakay's collaboration with the non-profit organization Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) as a move to expand the center's community engagement efforts through sports and to promote healthy living among the youth.

Following the tournament, a memorandum of agreement will be signed, marking the official partnership between Team Lakay and YMCA, and solidifying their commitment to fostering martial arts talent and supporting community health and wellness initiatives.

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - In an effort to cultivate new talent in the realm of mixed martial arts (MMA), Team Lakay has announced the Grappling Cup, scheduled for March 3, aimed at fighters aged 16 and above.

According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative is part of the martial arts training center's grassroots program designed to discover and nurture young talent capable of competing on the international stage.

Team Lakay, located in the capital of Benguet, La Trinidad, is renowned for producing world-class MMA fighters, including Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, Honorio Banario, and Joshua Pacio, who have achieved international recognition. The Grappling Cup represents Team Lakay's dedication to extending its influence to the grassroots level, offering aspiring grapplers the chance to develop their skills and gain competitive experience.

Sangiao highlighted the importance of the tournament in providing necessary training and exposure for young athletes in the community. He also mentioned Team Lakay's collaboration with the non-profit organization Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) as a move to expand the center's community engagement efforts through sports and to promote healthy living among the youth.

Following the tournament, a memorandum of agreement will be signed, marking the official partnership between Team Lakay and YMCA, and solidifying their commitment to fostering martial arts talent and supporting community health and wellness initiatives.

Tagaytay City, Philippines - The Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling) has announced the hosting of its National Championships for BMX Freestyle in Park and Flatland disciplines. Scheduled from March 22 to 24, the event will take place at the Tagaytay City BMX Park and Combat Gym.

According to Philippines News Agency, this tournament is pivotal as it will determine the composition of the national team for 2024. The championships will feature competitions across Men and Women Elite categories for both Park and Freestyle disciplines.

Additionally, the event will include competitions in the Men and Women Open and Junior categories, the latter open to participants born between 2007 and 2017, for both disciplines. The championships are supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), led by Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino, the Philippine Sports Commission chaired by Richard Bachmann, and the City of Tagaytay.

Participants interested in registering for the event can contact the PhilCycling Deputy Secretary-General through email at philcycling.offroad@gmail.com, or through the registration links provided on the event's official Facebook page. The deadline for registration is set for March 15.

PASAY CITY - Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws maintained their unbeaten streak in the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament by securing a convincing win over the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Tamaraws showcased their dominance on the court with set scores of 25-22, 25-17, 25-15, marking their third consecutive victory and propelling them to the top spot in the standings.

According to Philippines News Agency, Jose Javelona led FEU with a total of 11 points, while Martin Bugaoan contributed significantly with nine attacks and two blocks, ensuring a swift victory over the Red Warriors in just one hour and 31 minutes. Javelona expressed gratitude towards their coach for his flexibility and readiness to adjust, which has been pivotal in their successful run so far. Meanwhile, UE's captain John Paul Mangahis fought valiantly, scoring 10 points on attacks, but his efforts were not enough to secure a win for the winless Red Warriors after three matches.

FEU's coach, Eddieson Orcullo, remains hopeful for the team's continued success as they prepare to face the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on March 3, aiming for a 4-0 start. In a related match, UST fell to De La Salle University, with La Salle tying UST for second place at 2-1 in the standings. Noel Michael Kampton and Vince Gerard Maglinao were notable performers for the Green Archers, contributing 18 and 16 points respectively.

In the women's division, FEU also recorded a win against UE, overcoming a challenging match to secure their second victory in three games. Gerzel Mary Petallo and Chenie Tagaod led the Lady Tamaraws with impressive scores, while Casley Monique Dongalio and Kayce Balingit stood out for the Lady Warriors despite the loss.

SAN JUAN CITY — The NCAA Season 99 junior basketball competition saw defending champion Letran assert its dominance with an 83-69 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Sunday. This win positions Letran alongside Mapua University and Perpetual Help at the top of the leaderboard, each showcasing strong performances early in the season.

According to Philippines News Agency, Moses Manalili led Letran with 15 points, nine assists, three rebounds, and a steal, contributing significantly to the team's fifth win in six games. Teammates Jolo Navarro, George Diamante, and Jovel Baliling also made notable contributions, with Navarro recording 14 points and nine rebounds among other stats. The Squires established a commanding lead by halftime, setting the pace for the remainder of the game.

EJ Castillo of the EAC Brigadiers emerged as the game's top scorer with 28 points, despite the team's loss, which marks their fourth in six games. Kelly Coronel also stood out for EAC with a well-rounded performance.

In another closely contested match, Mapua secured a narrow 72-71 victory over Perpetual, thanks to Lawrence Mangubat's impressive 25-point game, including a crucial 11 points in the fourth quarter. This win is a strong rebound for Mapua, following a loss to Letran in their previous game.

Perpetual's Aries Borja, despite the loss, had an impactful game with 18 points and eight rebounds. The Perpetual Altas are now tied in standings with several teams showing competitive spirit early in the season.

Additionally, San Sebastian College edged out Arellano University in an overtime thriller, 102-100, improving their record to 4-2. Ruvic Danag led the charge for San Sebastian with a game-high 34 points, supported by Ben Jimenez and Jhun Penaverde.

Meanwhile, Lyceum of the Philippines University secured its first win of the season, defeating San Beda University 74-64, thanks to Kyle Timbol and Jasper Matienzo's 14-point performances each. This victory ends Lyceum's five-game losing streak and provides a much-needed boost to their season.

The competition continues to heat up as teams vie for supremacy in the NCAA Season 99 junior basketball tournament, with each game bringing unexpected outcomes and standout performances.

BERAKAS — His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah attended the FABD Under-20 Youth Football League match between DPMM FC and WIJAYA FC. The event took place at the Mini Stadium FABD in Berakas on the afternoon of February 18th.

According to Radio Television Brunei, the match featured His Royal Highness' son, Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda 'Abdul Muntaqim, as the captain of DPMM FC. His siblings, Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Muneerah Madhul Bolkiah, Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda Muhammad Aiman, and Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Anak Faathimah Az-Zahraa' Raihaanul Bolkiah, were also present. In a triumphant victory, DPMM FC, donning yellow jerseys, defeated WIJAYA FC with a score of four-nil, with Pengiran Muda 'Abdul Muntaqim scoring the third goal, propelling DPMM FC into the quarter-finals of the tournament.

DOHA — Qatar successfully defended its Asian Cup crown, securing a 3-1 win against Jordan in the final held at Lusail Stadium in Doha on Saturday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Qatar's forward, Akram Afif, played a pivotal role in the victory, opening the scoring with a penalty kick. Jordan's Yazan Al-Naimat leveled the score in the second half, momentarily raising hopes for the Jordanian team and their supporters. However, their aspirations were dashed as Qatar was awarded two additional penalties, both of which were converted by Afif, sealing the win for Qatar. This marked Jordan's debut in the Asian Cup final, but the day belonged to Qatar, which triumphed before a large home crowd.

The match was attended by notable figures, including Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Beyond securing the championship, the Qatar national football team dominated the awards ceremony, claiming all individual and team honors. Afif's exceptional performance throughout the AFC Asian Cup 2023 earned him the Golden Boot for his total of eight goals, as well as the awards for the player of the match and most valuable player of the tournament, celebrated by his teammates lifting him into the air in jubilation after the final whistle.