De La Salle University Secures Semifinal Spot with Five-Set Victory Over FEU in V-League Challenge

MANILA — De La Salle University triumphed over Far Eastern University (FEU) in a closely contested five-set encounter, winning 29-27, 25-14, 12-25, 21-25, 15-13 at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center on Saturday night. This victory secured La Salle's position as the first team to advance to the semifinals of the V-League Collegiate Challenge. Issa Ousseini, the middle blocker from Cameroon, led the Green Spikers with an impressive 23 points, which included 19 attacks, three blocks, and one service ace. His efforts propelled La Salle to their fifth consecutive win. Another key contributor was Chris Hernandez, who scored 16 points with 13 attacks, two blocks, and one ace, while also delivering 21 excellent receptions. La Salle is set to face rival Ateneo de Manila University, who holds a 3-2 record, on September 6 at 12 p.m. The decisive moment came with the score tied 13-all in the final set. Team captain JJ Rodriguez blocked Mikko Espartero’s attack, followed by a successful spike from Eugene Gloria, sealing the match after two hours and 29 minutes of intense play. La Salle's coach, Jose Roque, attributed their success to the youthful composition of the team, stating, \"Maybe one thing (that works) now is the mere fact that we're young, so they seem united. There's no seniority, it's like they see it as one team and understand each other.\" He added, \"Maybe that's what gave us the edge in these games; that we were able to do our job in a way that was easier for them to understand. Rather than seniors, there are very young people.\" For the Tamaraws, Dryx Saavedra and Mikko Espartero were pivotal in their efforts to stage a comeback during the third and fourth sets. Saavedra finished with 21 points from 19 attacks and two blocks, while Lirick Mendoza contributed 17 points, including seven blocks. Amet Bituin added 12 points, and Espartero managed nine points along with 15 excellent receptions and seven digs. This loss marked FEU's first defeat in four games during the tournament. The Green Spikers’ decisive win marks a significant milestone as they aim for the championship in the ongoing V-League Collegiate Challenge.

Nestor Ranido Triumphs as SUGBU’s August Bowler of the Month

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Nestor Ranido has been named the "Bowler of the Month" by Sugbuanon Bowlers United (SUGBU) following his victory in the August tournament held last Sunday, August 31, at the SM Seaside Bowling and Leisure Center. Earlier in the year, Ranido secured the mixed seniors title at the national-level 2nd SUGBU Open at the same venue. Despite frequent top finishes and podium placements in previous monthly competitions, a win had eluded him—until his decisive performance last weekend. Competing in Division A, Ranido edged out Mel Fines of Division B in the finals. Ranido posted a scratch score of 195, totaling 200 pinfalls after factoring in his 5-pin handicap, while Fines recorded a 173 scratch score with a 15-pin handicap, totaling 188. Both finalists advanced from the semifinals where Fines led with 219 pinfalls and Ranido followed with 188. Frenzy Williams and Romy Mauro from Division C placed third and fourth with 188 and 180 pinfalls respectively. Adding to the top six were Division A’s Ted Convocar with 167 pinfalls and Division B’s Dory Enoveso with 151. In the qualifying rounds, Ted Convocar topped Division A with 1,007 pinfalls, narrowly surpassing Ranido who scored 996. Dory Enoveso (980) and Mel Fines (919) qualified from Division B, while Romy Mauro (850) and Frenzy Williams (840) advanced from Division C. Only the top two bowlers in each division moved forward to the semifinals. Ranido’s breakthrough victory not only earns him the prestigious monthly title but also revives his prospects for the upcoming "Bowler of the Year" competition scheduled later this year. The SUGBU community continues to celebrate strong performances as local bowlers strive for excellence at the SM Seaside Bowling and Leisure Center, a premier venue for competitive bowling in Cebu City.

Amanda Anisimova Stuns Iga Swiatek to Reach U.S. Open Semifinals

At the U.S. Open quarterfinals in New York, Amanda Anisimova delivered a compelling performance to defeat Polish second seed Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-3 on Wednesday. This victory marked a significant turnaround for Anisimova, who had suffered a harsh 6-0, 6-0 loss to Swiatek in the Wimbledon final earlier this year. The eighth-seeded American showcased resilience and skill on Arthur Ashe Stadium's courts, buoyed by the enthusiastic support of the home crowd. Swiatek, a six-time major champion, had entered the tournament as a strong contender following her Cincinnati title win but was unable to find her usual form against an inspired Anisimova. With this win, Anisimova advances to the semifinals, where she will face either 11th-seeded Karolina Muchova from the Czech Republic or four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. Anisimova's triumph is seen as a significant upset and highlights her emerging potential on one of tennis's biggest stages.

Alas Pilipinas Women Set to Compete in SEA V.League Opening Leg in Thailand

The Alas Pilipinas Women’s volleyball team is gearing up for their participation in the SEA V.League, with the first leg of the competition scheduled in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. This tournament marks an important regional showdown where the team will face some of Southeast Asia’s strongest opponents. Returning to the roster are Bella Belen and Angel Canino, who were absent from the recent VTV Cup. They join seasoned players Jia De Guzman, Maddie Madayag, and Dawn Catindig, who are expected to bring valuable experience and leadership to the squad. The complete team roster includes Angel Canino, Bella Belen, Jia De Guzman, Dawn Catindig, Eya Laure, Dell Palomata, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, Mars Alba, Justine Jazareno, Shaina Nitura, Leila Cruz, Cla Loresco, Maddie Madayag, and Vanie Gandler. Alas Pilipinas will face stiff competition in the opening leg, including the reigning gold medalists Indonesia, multiple-time champions Thailand, and formidable Vietnam. The team’s match schedule is as follows: - August 1, 6:00 p.m.: Alas Pilipinas vs. Thailand - August 2, 2:30 p.m.: Alas Pilipinas vs. Vietnam - August 3, 2:30 p.m.: Alas Pilipinas vs. Indonesia These critical encounters will test the team’s skills and cohesion as they aim to make a significant impact in the league.

Jean Patry Leads France to Straight-Set Victory Over South Korea at 2025 Volleyball World Championship

Jean Patry spearheaded France to a dominant 25-12, 25-18, 25-16 victory over South Korea in their opening match of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship held on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The French opposite hitter led all scorers with 16 points, achieved through 11 successful attacks, three aces, and two blocks, helping the reigning Olympic gold medalists secure a strong 1-0 start in Pool C. Supporting Patry’s impactful performance were Trevor Clevenot and Nicolas Le Goff, who contributed nine and eight points respectively, as France dismantled South Korea in just 62 minutes. Reflecting on the game, Clevenot said, \"I think we played a good game against a good team. We played good volleyball—defense and receptions—and we just focused on the game. That’s the most important.\" Clevenot was particularly impressive in the third set, scoring consecutive points to extend France's lead to 10-6. Setter Antoine Brizard then reinforced the advantage with two successive aces, pushing the margin to 17-11. Patry continued to dominate with a powerful left-wing strike, followed by middle blocker Barthélémy Chinenyeze who thwarted a Korean attack, expanding the lead to 19-12. Yacine Louati advanced France to match point, and Théo Faure sealed the win with a decisive final attack. On the Korean side, Heo Subong was the top scorer with nine points, supported by Im Donghyeok’s seven. With this convincing performance, France, ranked World No. 4, demonstrated their championship potential early in the tournament.

2nd Vice Mayor Jay Sigue's Cup Inter-High School Basketball League Kicks Off in Toledo City

Starting Sunday, September 14, 2025, the 2nd Vice Mayor Jay Sigue's Cup Inter-High School Basketball League officially commences at the Sangi Basketball Court in Toledo City, Cebu. The competition will showcase 12 participating school teams from Toledo City battling for the championship and the opportunity to spotlight promising young basketball players. The defending champions, Bato National High School, enter the tournament prepared to defend their title, alongside other contenders such as Toledo National Vocational School, Luray II National High School, Magdugo National High School, Matab-ang National High School, Media Once National High School, DAS National High School, Consolatrix College, Westbay Learning Center, Leaton School, St. Bernard School, and PEGAFI. Tournament commissioner Carlos Alipio emphasized the league’s goal of providing students with valuable exposure to competitive play and harnessing potential athletic talent. "Our objective is to develop student-athletes by giving them a platform to showcase their skills and gain experience," Alipio stated. The two-month-long competition is structured into two brackets following a single round-robin elimination format. The top four teams from each bracket will advance to the quarterfinals, which will determine the semifinalists. Besides trophies, monetary prizes will be awarded to the top teams: the champion will receive PHP 10,000; the runner-up, PHP 7,000; and the third and fourth-placed teams will receive PHP 5,000 and PHP 3,000 respectively. Individual awards will also be presented, including recognitions for the mythical five and the Most Valuable Player (MVP), as revealed by Alipio. Notably, several players with experience in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) are participating in the league. These include standout athletes such as Roderick Cambarijan from the University of the Visayas (UV), Champ Brigoli from the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), and Cyrus Abadies from Cebu Institute of Technology-University. This prestigious league continues to serve as a crucial platform for young basketball talents within Cebu to demonstrate excellence and advance their athletic careers.

Alex Eala Secures Maiden WTA Title at Guadalajara 125 Open

Metro Manila, Philippines – Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala claimed her inaugural Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) championship after a hard-fought victory over Hungary’s Panna Udvardy in the final of the Guadalajara 125 Open on Sunday, September 7 (Manila time) in Mexico. The 20-year-old, currently ranked 75th globally and the tournament’s last remaining seeded player, displayed resilience and determination to overcome Udvardy with a 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 win. This triumph marked a satisfying reversal for Eala, who had previously fallen to the world No. 134 Udvardy earlier this year during the Round of 16 at the Oeiras Ladies Open in April. This win represents Eala’s second appearance in a WTA final this year. She finished as runner-up at the Eastbourne Open in the United Kingdom in June, where she narrowly lost to Australia’s Maya Joint. The WTA 125 tournament tier is recognized as the second-highest level in women’s professional tennis, ranking just below the main WTA Tour events that include the Grand Slams, WTA Finals, and WTA 1000, 500, and 250 tournaments, but above the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour. Eala’s landmark victory not only signifies a major breakthrough in her career but also highlights her potential to ascend the ranks of the sport internationally.

Aurora Gaming Secures Third Straight Win in MPL PH Season 16 with 2-1 Victory Over Twisted Minds

Aurora Gaming continued its impressive run in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Philippines Season 16 by edging out Twisted Minds in a competitive 2-1 match on Friday at the Green Sun Hotel, marking its third consecutive victory. After a surprising 0-2 upset against Team Falcons at the start of the season, Aurora has bounced back with commanding wins over top teams including Team Liquid and Onic Philippines, improving its record to 3-1 and rising to third place in the rankings. In the opening game against Twisted Minds, Aurora relied heavily on midlaner Kenneth "Yue" Tadeo’s Kimmy and gold laner Jan "Domengkite" Delmundo’s Harith, dominating the field with a 13-4 kill advantage. Both players exhibited flawless performances, with Yue notching six kills and five assists, and Domengkite contributing four kills and seven assists. Twisted Minds, however, bounced back in Game 2 as jungler Michael "MPtheKing" Endino displayed exceptional skill on Lancelot. His standout play included eliminating key opponents Dylan "Light" Catipon and Jonard "Demonkite" Caranto, setting the stage for Twisted Minds to even the series. Game 3 saw Edward "Edward" Dapadap step up for Aurora with his signature Lapu-Lapu hero. Edward initiated a decisive team fight by taking on four Twisted Minds players, leading to a crucial three-man wipe and securing the match victory. His outstanding 5-kill, 6-assist, zero-death performance earned him the MVP honors as Aurora solidified its resurgence. In another match, Onic Philippines rebounded from a previous defeat with a commanding 2-0 sweep against Team Falcons. Jungler Cyric "K1NGKONG" Perez was instrumental, delivering nine kills and four assists on Fanny in the first game, and following with five kills and seven assists on Hayabusa in the second. This win elevated Onic Philippines to a 3-1 record, placing them at the summit of the standings. Meanwhile, Team Falcons faced their fourth straight loss, slipping to 1-4. With these results, the MPL Philippines Season 16 continues to heat up as teams jockey for playoff positioning.

Alex Eala Set to Face Kayla Day in Guadalajara 125 Open Semifinals

Alex Eala from the Philippines is scheduled to compete against American Kayla Day in the semifinals of the Guadalajara 125 Open in Mexico, with the match set for Saturday at 2 a.m. Philippine time. Eala secured her spot in the semifinals after impressive back-to-back victories on Friday, winning first against American Varvara Lepchenko in the Round of 16, followed just hours later by a triumph over Italy’s Nicole Fossa Huergo in the quarterfinals. On the other side, Kayla Day advanced by defeating Emiliana Arango in the quarterfinal match. According to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), this showdown marks Eala’s third appearance in the semifinals of a WTA tournament this year, having previously reached this stage at the Miami Open in March and the Eastbourne Open in July. The upcoming semifinal promises a competitive contest between two rising talents on the tennis circuit.

Roy Jones Jr. Receives 1988 Olympic Gold Medal in Gesture of Sportsmanship from Former Opponent

In a remarkable act of reconciliation, Roy Jones Jr. has finally been presented with the Olympic gold medal he was controversially denied after the 1988 Seoul Games. Hall of Fame boxer Jones shared a touching video on Wednesday showing South Korean fighter Park Si-hun visiting his home in Pensacola, Florida, to hand over the light middleweight gold medal. Through Park's son, who acted as translator, Park expressed remorse, stating, \"I had the gold medal, but I want to give it back to you. It belongs to you.\" The emotional moment left Jones visibly moved, as he covered his face and responded, \"Wow, that is crazy.\" The bout between Jones and Park remains one of boxing's most debated Olympic matches. Despite appearing to dominate the fight, Jones lost by a narrow 3-2 judges' decision, a verdict met with immediate outcry and ongoing controversy. While Jones did not secure the gold at the time, he was awarded the prestigious Val Barker Trophy, recognizing him as the best boxer of the 1988 Games. Jones later achieved greatness as a four-division world champion and is celebrated as one of boxing's finest pound-for-pound athletes. Reflecting on the moment, Jones wrote on Instagram, \"In 1988, I was robbed of the gold medal in what became one of the biggest controversies in boxing history. By the grace of God, a couple of years ago, the man who won that medal made the trip from South Korea to my home to return it to me, feeling it was rightfully mine. I hope you enjoy this moment as much as I did.\" This extraordinary gesture closes a chapter on a historic Olympic dispute, underscoring the enduring spirit of sportsmanship.