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Big 4 Volleyball tilt marks successful inaugural season, eyes bigger tourneys soon
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Big Four Volleyball Tournament wrapped up last weekend successfully at the Warehouse Sports Lab in Mandaue City. This grassroots volleyball tournament saw inaugural champions being crowned. The Subangdaku Trojans emerged as champions in the 13-under and the girls 14-17 divisions, while Cabancalan National High School ruled the 14-17 boys division. .....»»
Lady Bullpups sweep way to glory
Local bet National U-Nazareth School survived the 51-point eruption of Naomi Panganiban for the fancied Fil-Am Nation Select Girls 1, 78-73, to reign supreme in the Manila Live Girls Under-19 Championships powered by the Smart-National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena......»»
Ybanez drops career-high 34 points, rallies Golden Spikers past Bulldogs
Josh Ybanez erupted for the UST Golden Spikers as he led a comeback over defending champions National University Bulldogs, 28-30, 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-9, in the UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum......»»
Sinulog 2024: National athletes, kids perform Philippine martial arts Eskrima
Award-winning national athletes, Southeast Asian Games champions and children joined hands as they performed a combination of martial arts and dance at the recently concluded Sinulog sa Sugbo 2024 in South Road Properties (SRP), Cebu City......»»
All set for Beach Pro Tour
Olympic and world champions and top-ranked athletes take centerstage in the Philippine leg of the prestigious Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge that starts with the qualifiers tomorrow in Nuvali in Santa Rosa City......»»
Biggest-ever Asian Games ready for liftoff in China after Covid delay
The biggest Asian Games in history, boasting about 12,000 competitors -- more than the Olympics -- will open on Saturday in the Chinese city of Hangzhou after a year's delay because of Covid. Athletes including world and Olympic champions will fight for medals in 40 sports from athletics, swimming and football to eSports and bridge. Nine sports, among them boxing, break dancing and tennis, will serve as qualifiers for next year's Paris Olympics. The Games were supposed to take place last September but were postponed because of China's strict zero-Covid rules, before China's ruling Communist Party abruptly abandoned the policy. The 19th edition of the Games, which were first held in New Delhi in 1951, throws together competitors from 45 countries and territories across Asia and the Middle East. For China, which hosted the 2022 Winter Olympics in a Covid-secure "bubble" in Beijing, it is a chance to show off its organizational, sporting and technological prowess after the pandemic years cut the country off from the sporting world. "We have overcome a lot of challenges but we are now fully conditioned to hold a successful Games," Chen Weiqiang, chief spokesperson for the Games, said on Wednesday. Sport meets politics The Games will be staged at 54 venues -- 14 newly constructed -- mostly in Hangzhou but also extending to cities as far afield as Wenzhou, 300 kilometres (180 miles) south. The centerpiece is the "Big Lotus" Olympic stadium with a capacity of up to 80,000 where athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies will be staged. President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and meet Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad there, along with other visiting leaders, Chinese state media says. Assad is making his first visit to ally China since the war erupted in Syria in 2011. Russian President Vladimir Putin likewise attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, along with Xi, and weeks later launched the invasion of Ukraine. Hangzhou, a city of 12 million people an hour's bullet train from Shanghai, is famed in China for its ancient temples, gardens and its beloved West Lake. It is also the unofficial home of China's tech industry, notably the birth place of Jack Ma's Alibaba. The Games will showcase some of the latest tech to come out of the city, including driverless buses, robot dogs and facial recognition. China medal dash Hosts China have topped the medals table at every Asian Games since 1982 and are expected to do so again by the time the curtain comes down on October 8. They should reign in swimming, with Qin Haiyang fresh from his heroics at the world championships, where he announced himself as the new undisputed breaststroke king. The 24-year-old swept all three men's events and set a new world record in the 200m. In athletics, another of the most closely watched sports, India's Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra will defend his Asian Games javelin crown. His nearest competitor should be world silver medalist Arshad Nadeem from arch-rivals Pakistan and the countries are also on a collision course in cricket and hockey. ESports, in what is seen as a step toward Olympic inclusion one day, will make its full Asian Games debut having been a demonstration sport five years ago. Lee Sang-hyeok, better known as "Faker", has god-like status in League of Legends and will lead the South Korean charge at the futuristic-looking China Hangzhou Esports Centre. There is an added incentive which has caused controversy in South Korea -- winning gold will exempt them from having to do military service. A feature of the Asian Games is that it includes sports that are a little more quirky than the Olympics. Xiangqi -- also known as "Chinese chess" -- the card game bridge and the ancient wrestling discipline of kurash are all on the menu. Although the Games officially open on Saturday, the sporting action began on Tuesday, when North Korea returned to major international competition for the first time since the pandemic with a 2-0 win over Taiwan in men's football. The post Biggest-ever Asian Games ready for liftoff in China after Covid delay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
FIBA World Cup experience: Springboard to greater heights
Congratulations are in order for the whole Gilas Pilipinas Team for their monumental win versus China (96-75), ending our FIBA World Cup 2023 campaign on a hopeful note. I have always believed in the capabilities of our athletes who have shown their mettle in international sports competitions. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, I am rallying all Filipinos to support our long-term roadmap to elevate the standing of our athletes in the global arena in all sporting events. Filipinos have excelled in the global stage not just in basketball, billiards, or boxing which are relatively the more popular sports in the country. Take for example Carlos Yulo in gymnastics, EJ Obiena in pole vaulting, Hidilyn Diaz in weightlifting, the late Lydia de Vega in track and field, and, of course, the Filipinas Football team who made us proud during the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup. Our very own Alex Eala is also a rising star in the world of tennis. We have many talented athletes, and we should support them in their quest to give honor to the country. However, success in any sporting event does not come easily. Any athlete will tell you that sports entails discipline, many hours of hard work, and even years of sacrifices. Hence, our efforts to strengthen our chances on the global stage must start at the grassroots level. This is the rationale behind RA 11470 or the National Academy of Sports or NAS law, which I authored and co-sponsored, and signed into law by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2020. The NAS System will provide scholarships to qualified student-athletes from all regions and will allow them to balance academics and sports training by utilizing the state-of-the-art facilities at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. I am also advocating the approval of Senate Bill No. 423 or the Philippine National Games or PNG Act, to institutionalize the conduct of the PNG every two years as this will allow us to discover those with athletic potential at the grassroots level. We have talented athletes, but the government must invest in providing them with opportunities to compete if we want to produce champions on both the national and international stages. I am pushing for SBN 2116, which will amend Section 8 of RA 10699 or the “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.” This will increase the incentives for para-athletes who will win medals in international competitions and make our approach more inclusive to all athletes regardless of their physical limitations. Our efforts to achieve victory in sports must reflect the diversity of our country. The government, together with the private sector and other stakeholders, must consistently provide all the support that our teams need to compete at the global level. Our focus must be on creating opportunities for all aspiring athletes, regardless of geographic or economic background, to excel in their chosen fields. Hence, we should bring our sports development programs closer to those who have the potentials and aspirations to represent our country and bring pride to every Filipino. More importantly, sports is not only a physical game but a means to uplift lives, keep our youth away from vices like illegal drugs, and strengthen camaraderie in our communities. Let us elevate sports as a viable tool in harnessing our citizens into disciplined, productive and patriotic individuals reflective of our Filipino pride. In the same way that we unite to support our athletes, let us also unite to support fellow Filipinos in need. That is why I have continued to engage with various sectors of society to listen to their concerns and help provide solutions to their daily struggles. Filipinos inherently have a “never say die” attitude, especially in sports which is reflective of our resilience as a society. But aside from this commendable trait, our resilience also stems from our inherent compassion for each other. Our “Tapang at Malasakit” must continue so that together, we can uplift the lives of Filipinos. As a Senator and public servant, I remain steadfast in supporting our athletes to reach greater heights while also exerting efforts to help bring government programs and services closer to those in need to provide them with opportunities for a better life. The post FIBA World Cup experience: Springboard to greater heights appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Magician Efren
Author’s Note. Back in my high school days, it was normal for us students to skip classes to play billiards at the “Pink House” along Katipunan Ave. across the Ateneo campus. Our dean of discipline, Mr. Vergara, whom we dubbed Garaver, would raid the Pink House regularly to round us back to the corral. So, I can rightfully say that I speak with authority on the subject of billiards. Efren can make billiards magic because he shoots with his mind, not his hands. In truth, billiards is more of a cerebral rather than a physical game, an intellectual game rather than plain geometry and angles. That is why Efren, the Magician is revered by everyone, especially global billiard pros and commentators. He would ponder silently while chalking his cue stick and his mind would be racing through complex possibilities with lightning speed before finally making his move without hesitation. Billiards is the merging of the physics of motion and momentum and the metaphysics of “feel” and psychic power. Especially in eight-ball, it requires analysis and strategy as to where to place the cue ball for the next shot, what Filipinos call “preparacion” — a Spanish word. This is the expertise of Efren the Magician, or Efren “Bata” (The Kid) Reyes, rightfully the greatest pool player in the world today, according to pool commentators and pros. He makes his “preparacion” with ease. This has made him the first non-American to win the US Open Pool Championship. TV anchors would normally predict how Efren would play his “preparacion,” but many times they would be wrong because Efren thinks out of the box. He would go for a complex three-rail bank shot with ease instead of the more obvious straight shot. Indeed, Filipino pool players, led by Efren, are noted worldwide for the unique way they play, and how they are changing the way pool is played on the global level. The great champions from Europe and America have started adopting the unorthodox way Filipinos play. There is today a radical Filipino pool culture respected in the global arena. Efren is especially noted for casually shifting from his right hand to his left to shoot, which is a unique Filipino playing style. He is an expert in masse, giving the cue ball enough of a spin to curve around or jump over an obstructing ball by hitting the cue ball at a steep angle using a shorter cue stick. Another expertise of Efren is the “safety shot,” hiding the cue ball from the target ball, if he has no open shot to make. Rather than risk a dangerous shot to pocket the ball, this defensive strategy often leaves the opponent with an impossible shot. Efren can maneuver and hide the cue ball from the target ball with ease. Efren’s charisma abroad is phenomenal. They all love the way he scratches his head when he makes a blunder. You would not know if he made a mistake or played his magic, because, either way, he has on this sheepish smile. He would giggle if he did a “tsamba,” a lucky accident of sinking a ball in an unintended pocket. He brims with humility even in his greatness. Filipinos are good at billiards partly perhaps because it is a poor man’s game, as Efren was as a kid. One can spend hours in the billiard hall. Time just melts away. It is called making “istambay,” a corruption of the English word “stand by.” Just hanging around the pool hall all day and learning lessons from the experts, like Efren did as a kid. In contrast, sports like basketball and swimming are essentially more expensive to go into. Billiards is an “easy” and “cheap” sport because it is essentially entertainment, but at the same time cerebral. It can be expensive only if you gamble. Efren is known as the richest pool player of all time. He has earned about $2 million or P100 million as of February 2023. He is in the Guinness World Records. He and Francisco Bustamante hold the records for the greatest number of victories in pool in 2006 and 2009, respectively; followed by Li Hewen and Fu Jianbo of China in 2007 and 2010, respectively. (Source: guinnessworldrecords.com) At the age of 68, Efren still has not retired. Unlike in boxing or basketball where great athletes retire early, in pool, which requires little physical effort, there are a few rare great pros who are septuagenarians. Wikipedia lists Efren’s titles and achievements at a phenomenal 137, as of this writing. The post Magician Efren appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Filipiniana for football femmes
Members of the FILIPINAS Football team that played to worldwide recognition at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup visited Tesoro’s to be gifted custom-made Filipino attire. [caption id="attachment_172200" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Sofia Harrison (Defender) getting measured by Bella Pangolino for her Ladies’ Barong Tagalog.[/caption] Team Filipinas is an “unlikely story of an unlikely achievement” of how female athletes recruited from at home and from the Filipino diaspora all over the world were cobbled together into a team that was the first to qualify in the FIFA World Cup and even scored a goal against the more experienced FIFA-hosting team of New Zealand. FILIPINAS was formed by volunteer recruiters who dedicated years of free time and effort scouring rosters of Filipino faces and names in rosters all over the world, inviting them to be part of the team. All the young ladies are Filipinos coming from here and other nations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Norway and Sweden, to name a few. Each one is a volunteer, giving of their time and effort to train and practice wherever the team may be. Isabella “Belay” Fernando, the team’s administrator, said their team manager Jefferson Cheng’s wholehearted support has done wonders for the team. There was also generous support from the Philippine Football Federation, the Philippine Sports Commission and PAGCOR. Touching base with their roots After the tournament, most of the players got to come here to visit their home country. At Tesoros, they were amazed by the store’s wide assortment of both traditional and modern-day Filipino clothing. Beng Tesoro, Tesoro’s stores CEO, said it felt appropriate to gift the apparel to the players as a memento of their visit, an attire signifying they are Filipino. In an increasingly internationally mingled society, there is a counter-movement to express one’s ethnicity, and one’s roots, to stand out in the midst of globalization homogeneity. Providing touchstones as positive markers of identity is more important than ever. We already have a good track record in international beauty contests; we can also attain international recognition in sports that we have a fighting chance in. Moreover, sports do not just foster excellent physical conditioning but teamwork, leadership, and discipline as well. Hence, Tesoro’s welcomes and lauds the FILIPINAS Team for their achievement and looks forward to meeting future Filipino sports champions which is consistent with Tesoro’s’ values which, for nearly eight decades, always championed Filipino arts and crafts, the showcase of the best that the Filipino can do. The post Filipiniana for football femmes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go leads Senate in congratulating Filipino champions of 2023 World Cup of Pool
On 16 August, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go sponsored a Senate resolution congratulating and commending James Aranas and Johann Chua for winning the 2023 World Cup of Pool. The 2023 World Cup of Pool, a prestigious pool doubles tournament participated in by 32 teams representing different countries, was held in Spain from 27 June to 2 July 2023. In a thrilling showdown, the Filipino duo bested Germany’s Joshua Filler and Moritz Neuhausen, 11-7, in the finals at the Pazo de Feiras E Congresos in Lugo, Spain. The victory not only showcased the outstanding talents of the athletes but also ended the country's decade-long title drought, marking the fourth World Cup of Pool championship for the Philippines since 2013. “This triumph holds a special significance,” stated Go. “Their quest to victory was not achieved overnight, for it was the outcome of thorough preparation, unyielding commitment, and relentless perseverance.” Go, chairperson of the Committee on Sports, praised Aranas and Chua as beacons of inspiration, reminding Filipino athletes to pursue their dreams with “unwavering determination and passion.” He also extended recognition to the coaching staff and trainers, emphasizing their vital role in the athletes' success. In an impassioned moment, Go reflected on the hardships the athletes endure, saying, “Hindi po biro ang kanilang sakripisyo na ginagawa tuwing sila ay mag-eensayo." "Ang iba po sakanila ay kailangan mahiwalay sa kanilang mga pamilya at mahal sa buhay para lang makamit ang kanilang mga pangarap," added Go. The senator further emphasized the need to prioritize and advocate for the welfare of athletes, maintaining the advancements attained in the global sports arena. He called for united support and collaboration to honor and uplift the nation through sports. Concluding his speech, Go addressed the champions directly, saying, “Once again, I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to the both of you for exhibiting exceptional skill and talent." "Your unwavering determination and dedication have set a remarkable example for all of us, demonstrating what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance. We look forward to your future achievements and continued success. Mabuhay kayo!” concluded Go. A sports advocate and enthusiast himself, Go called for additional support for aspiring Filipino athletes during the deliberation for the 2023 budgets of the Philippine Sports Commission and the Games and Amusement Board. The senator is also an ardent supporter of long-term and grassroots sports development in the country. Go authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in 2020. The NAS is a government-run academy aimed at developing the country’s future athletes by offering quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports. The said law is in line with Go’s vision of providing a dedicated learning facility where promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting quality education. The NAS Main Campus is located at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac. As one of his priority measures in the 19th Congress, Go also filed Senate Bill No. 423, or the proposed Philippine National Games Act of 2022, to provide a structure for a more comprehensive national sports program, linking grassroots sports promotion to national sports development. Go is also the author of Senate Bill No. 2116, which seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10699 or the "National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act”, which was tackled by the Senate Committee on Sports during the hearing. He emphasized the need to further recognize para-athletics on the same footing as other international competitions. The post Bong Go leads Senate in congratulating Filipino champions of 2023 World Cup of Pool appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Compete with integrity, BBM tells Palaro athletes
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday called on the athletes, coaches, and trainers of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa to compete with excellence, fairness and integrity. “As you take part in your chosen sport, remember you are already champions, and now you represent your respective schools and localities,” Marcos said in his speech during the 2023 Palarong Pambansa opening ceremony. “Compete with excellence, fairness, and integrity. It is also my hope that you will enjoy every moment of this competition and make memories during this competition that you will keep close to your heart for the rest of your life,” Marcos said. Marcos also welcomed the coaches, trainers, and support staff who are helping the athletes prepare for the games. He assured them of the government’s continued support for sports development. “This administration believes in the transformative power of sports, not only in improving one’s strength and agility but also in building up character and discipline,” Marcos said. The Chief Executive also urged the Department of Education to keep harnessing the talents and sportsmanship of Filipino student-athletes. The President also called on local government units to encourage school participation in sports competitions, adding they can help students learn discipline, resilience and teamwork. “You serve as exemplars of excellence, integrity, and sportsmanship by showing your peers and your fellow Filipinos the result of your discipline, your training, your hard work, and the many sacrifices you had to make to make it here today,” the Chief Executive said. Marcos concluded his speech by inviting all Filipinos to watch the games and cheer for their favorite teams. He said that many of the participants will one day compete in international competitions. The 2023 Palarong Pambansa is being held in Marikina City, the “Shoe Capital of the Philippines,” from 29 July to 5 August. The games feature over 9,000 student-athletes, coaches, and officials across the Philippines. The post Compete with integrity, BBM tells Palaro athletes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PBBM to Palaro athletes: ‘Compete with excellence, fairness, integrity’
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on the athletes, coaches, and trainers of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa to compete with excellence, fairness, and integrity in his speech during the annual sports meet's opening ceremony. "As you take part in your chosen sport, remember you are already champions, and now you represent your respective schools and localities," Marcos said. "Compete with excellence, fairness, and integrity. It is also my hope that you will enjoy every moment in this competition and make memories during this competition that you will keep close to your heart for the rest of your life," he added. Marcos also welcomed the coaches, trainers and support staff who are helping the athletes prepare for the games. He assured them of the government's continued support for sports development. "This administration believes in the transformative power of sports, not only in improving one's strength and agility, but also in building up character and discipline," Marcos said. The Chief Executive also urged the Department of Education to keep harnessing the talents and sportsmanship of the Filipino student-athletes. "Continue to leverage your reach and resources to provide them with the support, training and opportunities that they thrive on and on which they will succeed," Marcos said. Marcos also called on the local government units to encourage school participation in sports competitions. He said that sports can help students learn the importance of discipline, resilience and teamwork. "You serve as exemplars of excellence, integrity and sportsmanship by showing your peers and your fellow Filipinos the result of your discipline, your training, your hard work and the many sacrifices you had to make to make it here today," the Chief Executive said. Marcos concluded his speech by inviting all Filipinos to watch the games and cheer for their favorite teams. He said that he is confident that many of the participants will one day be competing in international competitions. "I'm certain many of our participants here one day, we will be watching in international competitions, as we have become a force in terms of international sports and these kinds of events," Marcos said. The 2023 Palarong Pambansa is being held in Marikina City, the "Shoe Capital of the Philippines," from 29 July to 5 August. The games feature over 9,000 student-athletes, coaches and officials from all over the Philippines. The post PBBM to Palaro athletes: ‘Compete with excellence, fairness, integrity’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
California Academy standouts commit to UE
University of the East has received the much-awaited commitments from five of the top high school volleyball prospects in the game today. Casiey Dongallo, Jelaica Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, Grace Fernandez, and Claire Castillo from California Academy will join the Lady Warriors. All five student-athletes will be eligible to play starting UAAP Season 86. The quintet made their commitments to Strong Group Athletics founder Frank Lao and head coach Jerry Yee on Tuesday at Gloria Maris Restaurant Greenhills in San Juan. Lady Warriors team manager Jared Lao expressed, "Having the Cali Babies commit to our team is such a crucial part of our rebuilding process. We all know what they can bring to the table, and as a team, we are very excited to have them be part of our journey." UE has also tapped California Academy head coach Obet Vital to be one of the assistants of Yee. Over the past three years, California Academy has made a name for itself as one of the country's top high school volleyball programs. Under the guidance of Jerry Yee and later on, Vital, the Cal Babies were able to hold their own against Premier Volleyball League teams in the 2021 PNVF Champions League for Women, finishing in fifth place. It earned Dongallo and Gajero invites to join the pool of the Philippine Women's National Volleyball Team. California Academy then dominated the 2023 PNVF Under-18 Girls' Tournament and the Shakey’s Girls Invitational Volleyball League. During the PNVF U18 tournament, Madriaga was named the Best Setter, while Dongallo was the MVP of the Shakey's tournament. Gajero was recognized as the Best Outside Spiker, Fernandez as the Best Libero, and Madriaga remained as the Best Setter. UE is coming off a last-place finish in UAAP Season 85, ending with a 1-13 record. The post California Academy standouts commit to UE appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
United States women’s star Rapinoe to retire at end of season
United States women's team star Megan Rapinoe announced on social media on Saturday that she would be retiring from football at the end of this season. "It is with a deep sense of peace & gratitude that I have decided this will be my final season playing this beautiful game," the 38-year-old posted. "I never could have imagined the ways in which soccer would shape and change my life forever," she added. The two-time World Cup winner, well known for her activism, is part of the USA squad for the upcoming women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Rapinoe plays in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) for Seattle based OL Reign -- their season concludes in November. The winger currently has 199 caps over a span of 17 years playing for her country and also won an Olympic gold medal in London in 2012. She was awarded the Best FIFA Women's Player in 2019 but her fame came as much for her espousal of causes and her campaigning as for her skills on the field. Rapinoe publicly came out as gay in July 2012 and has been a high-profile campaigner on social issues including LGBTQ+ rights, racial inequality and gender and pay equality. She was a leading voice in the US women's team's successful fight for equal pay and conditions which resulted in a law suit and eventual new collective agreement being struck in 2021. Rapinoe made headlines in 2016 when she took a knee during the national anthem in solidarity with NFL player Colin Kaepernick. "I've been able to have such an incredible career, and this game has brought me all over the world and allowed me to meet so many amazing people," said Rapinoe. "I feel incredibly grateful to have played as long as I have, to be as successful as we've been, and to have been a part of a generation of players who undoubtedly left the game better than they found it." "To be able to play one last World Cup and one last NWSL season and go out on my own terms is incredibly special," she added. Last July she received the highest civilian honour in the United States when President Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Rapinoe was the first footballer to receive the award and one of just six female athletes or coaches. "Beyond the World Cup title to Olympic medals, Megan is a champion for essential American truth that everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect," Biden said at the award ceremony. "She helped lead the change for perhaps the most important victory for anyone on our soccer team or any soccer team: equal pay for women." US women's team coach Vlatko Andonovski said Rapinoe remained an important part of the team for the World Cup which starts on July 20. "Megan Rapinoe is one of the most important players in women's soccer history and a personality like no other," he said. "She has produced so many memorable moments for her team and the fans on the field that will be remembered for a very long time, but her impact on people as a human being may be even more important. "It's been a wonderful experience to coach her in the NWSL and for the national team and I'm looking forward to her being an important part of our team at the World Cup." The Californian has spent most of her career playing in domestic leagues but had a brief spell in Australia with W-League team Sydney FC in 2011 and two years later played for French club Lyon, reaching the final of the Champions League. At the 2019 World Cup in France, she scored in the 2-0 win over the Netherlands in the final and was named Player of the Match. She won the Golden Boot as top scorer and Golden Ball for best player in the tournament. sev/jc © Agence France-Presse The post United States women’s star Rapinoe to retire at end of season appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The gold that mattered most
The sight of Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes pumping his fist in the air in midcourt while looking at the boisterous Cambodian crowd that supported their so-called national team peppered with naturalized players must have said it all. Redemption was written all over Chot’s face as the Filipinos finally slayed the ghost of their 68-79 debacle at the hands of the same team the first time they met last week in the basketball competitions of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. The 80-69 revenge win over the host Cambodians came like a soothing balm for the wounded egos of the perennial regional champions who were roundly criticized after missing the gold two years ago and then again this year after bowing down to erstwhile doormat Cambodia. Less than 24 hours earlier, the gutsy Philippine five got back at Indonesia, the team that stripped them of the gold in the 2021 Vietnam Games, marking only the second time a Philippine squad failed to bring home the bacon in their favorite national pastime. “I know a lot of people doubted this time the first time we lost, what I didn’t tell you was that after the loss, I told them that ‘this is the loss that we could afford.’ We needed that loss, actually,” Chot said in the din of the celebration, marking the 19th time that the Philippines won the gold medal in men’s basketball. “The players did a hell of a job, they stuck together. We kept this Cambodian team of five, six Americans below 70 points,” he said referring to Cambodia’s naturalized players who surprised the Filipinos with a first-ever win last Thursday. The issue of naturalized players participating in the SEA Games, particularly in basketball, is a topic that has generated debates and differing opinions. While some argue that the presence of naturalized players undermines the integrity and spirit of the competition, others believe that it adds a new level of competitiveness and helps raise the overall standard of play. Critics argue that the inclusion of naturalized players creates an unfair advantage for certain countries. The disparity in skill and experience between naturalized players and those who have grown up within the country’s basketball development system can lead to lopsided contests, potentially diminishing the value of the competition. The increased reliance on naturalized players has reduced opportunities for local talents to represent their country at the Games. It has also hindered the growth and development of homegrown athletes who would otherwise have a chance to compete and gain experience on an international stage. Some contend that the essence of the SEA Games lies in promoting national pride and showcasing the skills of athletes who embody the spirit of their respective nations. The presence of naturalized players can dilute this sense of national identity and representation. In many international competitions, including the Olympics, the use of naturalized players has been a common practice. While adapting to this trend aligns the SEA Games with global sporting norms, it is probably still essential to find a balance that takes into consideration the perspectives of both sides. Establishing eligibility criteria and limitations on the number of naturalized players in a team could be a potential solution. This would allow for the participation of naturalized players while ensuring that local athletes continue to have ample opportunities to represent their country and develop their skills. Whether the presence of naturalized players has turned the SEA Games into a “sham” depends on individual viewpoints. It is therefore crucial for sports authorities to strike a balance between the inclusion of naturalized players and providing opportunities for local talents which we believe is key to maintaining the spirit and relevance of the SEA Games. e-mail:mannyangeles27@gmail.com The post The gold that mattered most appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Denice and Drex Zamboanga destined to be world champions, says coach
Two of the most exciting athletes in the promotion, the Zamboanga siblings reaching the pinnacle of their respective divisions is an inevitability — that is, at least to their mentor from Marrok Force in Bangkok......»»
Exatln Mexico: The athlete who eliminated Ernesto Czares gets a terrible blow to let go of reality?
Tremendous horror taken by the followers of the program Exatln Mexico After not taking a heavy blow, the most prominent athletes in the Champions League.....»»
Globe gives support to pro boxer Martin
Always on the lookout for promising athletes and potential world champions, Globe pledges its support to boxer Carl Jammes Martin as he takes on a veteran fighter from the South in a bantamweight showdown in the Omega Pro Sports International’s two-part “bubble” boxing action on December 18 in Cebu City......»»
SEA GAMES: The silver that glittered like gold
When the editorial staff of ABS-CBN Sports was tasked to come up with our most memorable coverage, it didn’t take long for this writer to respond. The Philippine men’s volleyball team’s Southeast Asian Games semifinal match was the first thing that came to mind. Pesonally, that game against the highly-fancied Thailand squad topped all the countless volleyball matches that I’ve covered in my career. I’m at a loss for words on how to describe the emotions I felt that chilly night of December 8, 2019. Around 6,700 fans filled the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City not knowing that what they were about to witness was something historic. A magical night that would take away the frustrations they felt the day before when the more popular women’s team finished the preliminary round winless. For us sportswriters covering that assignment, we knew the Filipinos were up for a tough ride. Thailand ruled the last four editions of the event. On the other hand, the Philippines’ last significant outing in the biennial meet was a bronze medal finish back in 1991 – or when the current national team’s oldest member, setter Jessie Lopez was just five-years old. Did we doubt our own team? Let’s just say we prayed to the high heavens to give us something positive to write about. But don’t get us wrong. Those who followed the formation and preparation of the squad knew it would yield results come the SEA Games. After all, in all three batches of the Nationals that participated in the regional sports meet since 2015, this particular team had the longest time to prepare – around eight months to be exact. The team’s composition itself looked really promising. For the first time, two of country’s best hitters in Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, who both have experience playing in the Japan V. League, donned the tricolors together. Espejo returned after skipping the 2017 edition so did his teammates in the 2015 squad Rex Intal and setter Ish Polvorosa. Bagunas was on his second tour of duty along with team captain John Vic De Guzman, Mark Alfafara, RanRan Abdilla and libero Jack Kalingking. Head coach Dante Alinsunurin, who was appointed to handle the team after Oliver Almadro and Sammy Acaylar in 2015 and 2017, respectively, tapped an old hand in Lopez and injected young bloods in playmaker Owa Retamar, Jau Umandal, Kim Malabunga, Ricky Marcos and Francis Saura. As part of their buildup the Nationals joined the Thailand Open Sealect Tuna Championship July last year. The Filipinos achieved a great feat when they won bronze. Fans were able to witness the Nationals’ campaign via YouTube streaming while we volleyball writers, got to file our full stories through the help of De Guzman and Bagunas (God bless their beautiful hearts) who supplied us with game stats and granted postgame interviews. It’s just a shame I never got to cover the team’s training in Japan when the Nationals’ preparation went on full throttle. (Note: A little confusion in the training camp coverage assignments had me flying to Japan with the women’s squad and Lance Agcaoili of Spin.ph joining the men’s team. But it was a great experience, nonetheless, and I’m grateful for Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. for the opportunity.) I was as confused as the other sportswriters present during the draw for the group stage a couple of months before the SEA Games when Alinsunurin chose to join the four-team bracket with Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Those three teams are considered contenders every SEA Games edition. And earning a semifinal spot would be harder compared to the other group composed of Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore. Fortunately, the gamble was worth it. Espejo and Bagunas were superb offensively, Malabunga and Retamar made their presence felt and the Nationals’ blocking shocked Cambodia and Vietnam as the Filipinos swept them both to secure a semis seat. Then came the steamrolling Indonesians. Honestly, I thought the Nationals would sweep their way to the group’s top seeding. That way the PHI’s would've avoided a semis clash with Thailand. Forced to take on the defending champions, the Filipinos found themselves down in the first set. They got back in the second frame before yielding the third. And when the Thais came to match point, 24-21, in the fourth we all thought it was over. Fans were slowly emptying the bleachers not wanting to see the impending defeat. I was already waiting for the final score. Ready break the result. Then a miracle happened. The Nationals nibbled on the Thais' lead to force a deuce. After another deadlock, the Filipinos stole the set. The fifth frame was classic story of ‘who wants it more will win.’ An extended set made it even more dramatic. I vividly remember that sequence when Bagunas hammered the game-clinching kill off a lob from Lopez. After that all that I can recall was me pumping my fist up in the air and slapping the hardest high-fives I ever did with those inside the press room while howling like a madman. The national team assured itself of a silver after 42 years. A silver after four freaking decades. They did it. Of course, the Indonesians bullied their way to winning the gold medal in a sweep of the inexperienced Filipinos. But who cares, the host team exceeded its podium expectations. That silver that glittered like gold made that coverage truly memorable. But it never crossed my mind that it would be the last important volleyball event that I will get to report. (Note: It would’ve been the UAAP if not for the health crisis that put all sporting events to a halt. Sad.) And that’s why I ended up writing these last few paragraphs. A farewell from this section. From my first article for this website back on December 1, 2014 – a post-mortem of Petron’s breakthrough title in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix – to my last published story, these were all written with only one thing in mind: in the service of the Filipino sports fan worldwide. Our run may have not been perfect, of course, we had our flaws. We had our fair share of criticisms from fans, athletes, sports personalities and sometimes even from our partner leagues and properties. We accepted our shortcomings. We tried to be better. But we are proud of what we did. We take pride with how we delivered sports stories through various digital executions that showcased sports beyond the confines of competition. On midnight of September 1 while most of you lay sound asleep, deep in slumber, hopefully, having a good dream and hours away from waking up looking forward to a better day, this website will be snapped out of existence. More than half a decade of sharing stories to the Filipino sports fan will be seeing its last presence online on Monday – a holiday to celebrate the nation’s heroes. This website will then hear its final buzzer, its final whistle. Thousands of articles – written with passion, dedication and love – will be taken down as this website goes offline together with majority of ABS-CBN Sports’ social media accounts. But soon, hopefully, it will once again see the light of day. We do hope that you will remember us, for we will remember all of you who made us your Kapamilya. -- 30 -- --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles Mark Escarlote has served as a sub-section editor for ABS-CBN Sports' website since 2014. He is among thousands of ABS-CBN employees who will be retrenched on August 31, 2020. .....»»
SEA GAMES: The silver that glittered like gold
When the editorial staff of ABS-CBN Sports was tasked to come up with our most memorable coverage, it didn’t take long for this writer to respond. The Philippine men’s volleyball team’s Southeast Asian Games semifinal match was the first thing that came to mind. Pesonally, that game against the highly-fancied Thailand squad topped all the countless volleyball matches that I’ve covered in my career. I’m at a loss for words on how to describe the emotions I felt that chilly night of December 8, 2019. Around 6,700 fans filled the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City not knowing that what they were about to witness was something historic. A magical night that would take away the frustrations they felt the day before when the more popular women’s team finished the preliminary round winless. For us sportswriters covering that assignment, we knew the Filipinos were up for a tough ride. Thailand ruled the last four editions of the event. On the other hand, the Philippines’ last significant outing in the biennial meet was a bronze medal finish back in 1991 – or when the current national team’s oldest member, setter Jessie Lopez was just five-years old. Did we doubt our own team? Let’s just say we prayed to the high heavens to give us something positive to write about. But don’t get us wrong. Those who followed the formation and preparation of the squad knew it would yield results come the SEA Games. After all, in all three batches of the Nationals that participated in the regional sports meet since 2015, this particular team had the longest time to prepare – around eight months to be exact. The team’s composition itself looked really promising. For the first time, two of country’s best hitters in Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, who both have experience playing in the Japan V. League, donned the tricolors together. Espejo returned after skipping the 2017 edition so did his teammates in the 2015 squad Rex Intal and setter Ish Polvorosa. Bagunas was on his second tour of duty along with team captain John Vic De Guzman, Mark Alfafara, RanRan Abdilla and libero Jack Kalingking. Head coach Dante Alinsunurin, who was appointed to handle the team after Oliver Almadro and Sammy Acaylar in 2015 and 2017, respectively, tapped an old hand in Lopez and injected young bloods in playmaker Owa Retamar, Jau Umandal, Kim Malabunga, Ricky Marcos and Francis Saura. As part of their buildup the Nationals joined the Thailand Open Sealect Tuna Championship July last year. The Filipinos achieved a great feat when they won bronze. Fans were able to witness the Nationals’ campaign via YouTube streaming while we volleyball writers, got to file our full stories through the help of De Guzman and Bagunas (God bless their beautiful hearts) who supplied us with game stats and granted postgame interviews. It’s just a shame I never got to cover the team’s training in Japan when the Nationals’ preparation went on full throttle. (Note: A little confusion in the training camp coverage assignments had me flying to Japan with the women’s squad and Lance Agcaoili of Spin.ph joining the men’s team. But it was a great experience, nonetheless, and I’m grateful for Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. for the opportunity.) I was as confused as the other sportswriters present during the draw for the group stage a couple of months before the SEA Games when Alinsunurin chose to join the four-team bracket with Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia. Those three teams are considered contenders every SEA Games edition. And earning a semifinal spot would be harder compared to the other group composed of Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore. Fortunately, the gamble was worth it. Espejo and Bagunas were superb offensively, Malabunga and Retamar made their presence felt and the Nationals’ blocking shocked Cambodia and Vietnam as the Filipinos swept them both to secure a semis seat. Then came the steamrolling Indonesians. Honestly, I thought the Nationals would sweep their way to the group’s top seeding. That way the PHI’s would've avoided a semis clash with Thailand. Forced to take on the defending champions, the Filipinos found themselves down in the first set. They got back in the second frame before yielding the third. And when the Thais came to match point, 24-21, in the fourth we all thought it was over. Fans were slowly emptying the bleachers not wanting to see the impending defeat. I was already waiting for the final score. Ready break the result. Then a miracle happened. The Nationals nibbled on the Thais' lead to force a deuce. After another deadlock, the Filipinos stole the set. The fifth frame was classic story of ‘who wants it more will win.’ An extended set made it even more dramatic. I vividly remember that sequence when Bagunas hammered the game-clinching kill off a lob from Lopez. After that all that I can recall was me pumping my fist up in the air and slapping the hardest high-fives I ever did with those inside the press room while howling like a madman. The national team assured itself of a silver after 42 years. A silver after four freaking decades. They did it. Of course, the Indonesians bullied their way to winning the gold medal in a sweep of the inexperienced Filipinos. But who cares, the host team exceeded its podium expectations. That silver that glittered like gold made that coverage truly memorable. But it never crossed my mind that it would be the last important volleyball event that I will get to report. (Note: It would’ve been the UAAP if not for the health crisis that put all sporting events to a halt. Sad.) And that’s why I ended up writing these last few paragraphs. A farewell from this section. From my first article for this website back on December 1, 2014 – a post-mortem of Petron’s breakthrough title in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix – to my last published story, these were all written with only one thing in mind: in the service of the Filipino sports fan worldwide. Our run may have not been perfect, of course, we had our flaws. We had our fair share of criticisms from fans, athletes, sports personalities and sometimes even from our partner leagues and properties. We accepted our shortcomings. We tried to be better. But we are proud of what we did. We take pride with how we delivered sports stories through various digital executions that showcased sports beyond the confines of competition. On midnight of September 1 while most of you lay sound asleep, deep in slumber, hopefully, having a good dream and hours away from waking up looking forward to a better day, this website will be snapped out of existence. More than half a decade of sharing stories to the Filipino sports fan will be seeing its last presence online on Monday – a holiday to celebrate the nation’s heroes. This website will then hear its final buzzer, its final whistle. Thousands of articles – written with passion, dedication and love – will be taken down as this website goes offline together with majority of ABS-CBN Sports’ social media accounts. But soon, hopefully, it will once again see the light of day. We do hope that you will remember us, for we will remember all of you who made us your Kapamilya. -- 30 -- --- Follow this writer on Twitter, @fromtheriles Mark Escarlote has served as a sub-section editor for ABS-CBN Sports' website since 2014. He is among thousands of ABS-CBN employees who will be retrenched on August 31, 2020. .....»»