Italy Secures Last Round of 16 Spot with Victory Over Ukraine at 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship

In a strong comeback following a defeat to Belgium, Italy triumphed over Ukraine in straight sets, 25-21, 25-22, 25-18, on Thursday at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Alessandro Michieletto led the Italian squad with 13 points, helping the team close the pool phase with a 2-1 record. On the Ukrainian side, Yurii Semeniuk was the top scorer, accumulating 14 points as Ukraine ended the pool play at 1-2. Italy captain Simone Giannelli reflected on the team’s challenging journey, stating, "It’s amazing to be here, to compete for our goal. We knew before we came here [that] our ride in this tournament is very difficult because we’re gonna face a lot of very good teams." With this victory, Italy secured the final berth in the Round of 16 and is set to face Argentina in the knockout stage. Earlier the same day, Belgium continued their flawless run by sweeping Algeria 25-22, 25-20, 25-12, finishing pool play with a perfect 3-0 record. Belgium will meet Finland in the Round of 16. This marks a pivotal moment in the championship as the knockout rounds approach, with highly anticipated matchups on the horizon.

UST Dominates Defending Champion UP with Akowe's Stellar Double-Double in UAAP Season 88 Opener

MANILA, Philippines – The University of Santo Tomas (UST) showcased a commanding performance to open the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament, decisively defeating the defending champions, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, by a 20-point margin, 87-67, on Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. Key to UST's triumph was rookie foreign student-athlete Collins Akowe, who put up a remarkable 29 points and 17 rebounds, marking one of the most impressive debuts in UAAP history. The 6-foot-10 Nigerian center efficiently scored 9-of-15 from the field and converted 11-of-21 free throws, firmly establishing dominance in the paint throughout the game. Speaking after the match, Akowe expressed his motivation, stating, \"It’s a great feeling, just taking advantage of our crowd. I just do what I got to do. I’m representing UST, I have it to take it upon myself, they’re taking care of me so this is the way I can pay them back.\" In addition to Akowe’s standout performance, sharpshooter Kyle Paranada delivered 18 points, stepping up significantly in the absence of suspended star Forthsky Padrigao. Paranada was particularly effective in the first half, scoring 14 of his points early to help UST build a comfortable 57-43 halftime lead. The Fighting Maroons mounted a brief resurgence in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to seven points at 58-51, but were unable to sustain the momentum as UST pulled away in the final frame. This win snapped a nine-game losing streak for UST against UP, dating back to 2019 when UST last defeated UP in Season 82. UST captain Nic Cabañero contributed 9 points and 5 rebounds, while teammates Gelo Crisostomo and rookie Koji Buenaflor added 8 and 7 points, respectively. On the UP side, Mark Belmonte led the scoring with 12 points, closely followed by Harold Alarcon and Jacob Bayla, who both finished with 11 points. Notably, UST's defense contained UP's Rey Remogat, a former UE standout and Season 86 Mythical Five member, limiting him to just 5 points on 2-of-6 shooting in under 10 minutes of play. Final Scores: **UST** – Akowe 29, Paranada 18, Cabañero 9, Crisostomo 8, Buenaflor 7, Calum 4, Llemit 3, Estacio 3, Acido 2, Laure 2, Sevilla 2, Bangco 0, Manding 0, Bucsit 0, Danting 0. **UP** – Belmonte 12, Alarcon 11, Bayla 11, Bayla 6, Torres 6, Nnoruka 5, Fortea 4, Felicilda 4, Abadiano 2, Alter 2, Palanca 2, Briones 2, Stevens 0. Quarter Scores: 31-19, 57-43, 70-57, 87-67.

Manny Bueno Triumphs in SugBU Weekly Shootout Following Heart Surgery Recovery

Months after successfully undergoing heart bypass surgery, seasoned bowler Manny Bueno made an impressive return to competitive play by capturing the Bowler of the Week title on Sunday, September 21, 2025. The event took place at the SM Seaside Bowling Center as part of the Sugbuanon Bowlers United (SugBU) Association Inc. Weekly Sunday Shootout. Bueno clinched the victory with a score of 192 pins in the shootout, surpassing fellow competitors Tessie Dante, who rolled 185, and Edgar Marshall "Egay" Alqueza, who scored 178. This victory marked a significant milestone in Bueno's comeback journey. He qualified for the shootout by leading Division B with a four-game total of 740 pins. Bueno tied with Dory Enoveso, who matched his 740, but advanced due to a superior scratch score of 676 compared to Enoveso's 600. Other top performers in Division B included Vivian Padawan with 707, Chril Ramil with 701, and Joma Avila with 699. Meanwhile, Division A was dominated by Egay Alqueza, who posted a 783 total. Following him were Rene Ceniza (766), Luther Tapaya (755), Heber Alqueza (741), and Rommel Calipay (723). In Division C, Tessie Dante secured the championship with 735 pins, narrowly edging Bebie Mauro, who tallied 731. Also in the top five were Johnna Calipay (691), Flor Hodgkinson (664), and Eric Bucoy (662). In a new development, SugBU introduced a Ladies Division for the first time, aiming to acknowledge the increasing involvement of female bowlers in their events. Johnna Calipay was crowned the inaugural Ladies Division champion, scoring 787 pins. She was followed closely by Tessie Dante (783), Flor Hodgkinson (752), Vivian Padawan (683), and Frenzy Williams (679). SugBU president Egay Alqueza commented on the addition of the Ladies Division, stating, "This new category reflects our commitment to encouraging and recognizing the growing participation of women in our weekly bowling tournaments."

Alexandra Eala Falls to Lulu Sun in Semifinals of Jingshan Tennis Open

Filipina tennis star Alexandra Eala was edged out by New Zealand’s Lulu Sun in a hard-fought semifinal clash at the Jingshan Tennis Open in China, with a final score of 6-3, 4-6, 2-6 on Saturday. After winning the opening set convincingly, Eala struggled to maintain momentum against the resilient Sun, who staged a remarkable comeback. The match began with Eala taking control, securing the first set 6-3. The second set saw both players exchanging powerful shots, locked in a tense 4-4 deadlock. Despite Eala reaching a 40-0 advantage in the ninth game, Sun managed to hold her serve and take the lead at 5-4. Sun then claimed the set by winning the tenth game, forcing the match into a deciding third set. Sun carried her momentum into the final frame, quickly establishing a 4-0 lead. Eala managed to win the fifth game, but Sun responded positively to push ahead 5-1. Although Eala fought to extend the match, an overplayed return gave Sun the match point and ultimately the victory. Prior to her semifinal exit, Eala, the tournament’s top seed, secured wins against Aliona Falei, Mei Yamaguchi, and Lu Jia-jing. The Filipina, fresh off a breakthrough title at the WTA 125 event in Guadalajara, now turns her attention to the Suzhou WTA 125 tournament, beginning Monday. Eala, seeded fourth, is set to face Katarzyna Kawa in the opening round. Reflecting on her performance, a representative noted, \"Alexandra showcased resilience throughout the tournament, and while this loss is disappointing, she remains focused on upcoming opportunities.\"

UST Growling Tigers End Nearly Decade-Long Losing Streak Against La Salle with 93-84 Victory

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers secured a significant 93-84 victory over the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers, breaking a nearly ten-year losing streak in their UAAP Season 88 matchup held at Araneta Coliseum on September 27. This triumph marked the end of a 16-game losing run against La Salle that has persisted since Season 78 in 2015, when UST, led by Kevin Ferrer, last defeated the Green Archers. Four UST players scored in double figures, spearheaded by team captain Nic Cabañero, who led all scorers with 27 points on 11-of-20 shooting. Rookie Collins Akowe continued his impressive form with a dominant double-double of 20 points and 19 rebounds, following his debut performance of 29 points and 17 rebounds in the opening game of the season. Supporting efforts came from sophomore forward Amiel Acido, who contributed 13 points, while senior guard Forthsky Padrigao added 12 points, aided by 9 assists and 3 steals in his return after a suspension. UST assistant coach Peter Martin expressed confidence in the team’s growth, stating, \"The toughest part of the game was when we were down by [12], but you could see that last year’s UST isn\'t the same as this year\'s team. We\'re a lot more confident in this game.\" Down by as much as 12 points late in the third quarter, UST rallied with a 16-6 run to close the period at 72-74, setting the stage for a competitive final quarter. Key plays by Kyle Paranada helped spark a crucial 6-0 rally that pushed UST ahead 85-79 early in the fourth. Though La Salle’s Doy Dungo responded with a three-pointer to narrow the gap, Akowe sealed the win with two critical baskets during an 8-2 run to end the game. La Salle’s Jacob Cortez led his team with 17 points, while Earl Abadam added 11. Mike Phillips registered a all-around performance with 8 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 assists, but it was insufficient to overcome UST’s disciplined effort. With this win, UST improves to a 2-0 start for the first time since Season 82 in 2019, while La Salle falls to 1-1. **Final score:** UST 93 – Cabañero 27, Akowe 20, Acido 13, Padrigao 12, Paranada 9, Crisostomo 5, Llemit 3, Danting 2, Laure 2 DLSU 84 – Cortez 17, Abadam 11, Baclaan 9, Amos 9, Marasigan 9, Phillips 8, Dungo 6, Pablo 4, Gollena 4, Gomez 4, Daep 3

Italy and Bulgaria Clash in Undefeated Showdown at FIVB Men’s World Championship Final

The stage is set at the Mall of Asia Arena for a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship as Italy and Bulgaria, both undefeated, face off Sunday, September 28. The match highlights a battle between Italy’s experienced, four-time world champion team and the rapidly ascending Bulgarian squad making its first final appearance. Ranked ninth globally, Bulgaria enters the final as the underdog against Italy, the world’s No. 2 team. Despite this, star spiker Aleks Nikolov expressed confidence, stating, \"You can expect us to play with zero pressure. The team on the other side is better than us, but that doesn’t matter. It’s one game. We start zero-zero. We’re gonna go out swinging.\" His father and former Bulgarian captain Vladimir Nikolov, himself a bronze medalist in the 2006 World Championship, reflected on the unique nature of this tournament. \"This Championship was very strange because in the world today, there are five teams better than Bulgaria – Italy, France, Poland, Brazil, and Japan, and three out of five teams are not here. So when this happened, when Brazil was eliminated, we started to dream,\" he said. \"I’ve had a pretty successful career and I never had a chance to play in the final of the World Championship. So it’s very special [for our family].\" Italy, chasing its third World Championship title in recent years, continues to demonstrate a high level of performance after defeating world No. 1 Poland to secure their spot in the final. Team captain and reigning world MVP Simone Giannelli emphasized the team’s respect for Bulgaria’s depth, noting, \"We have to be focused, of course, on the Nikolovs because they are amazing, but they are playing with six or seven with the libero, so I want to be respectful with the Bulgarian team and not to speak only about two amazing guys. We know that it will be very difficult for us because [the Bulgarians] are playing very well, for sure, so we have to maintain our level and try to be present on the court.\" The final will be preceded by a special appearance from Brazilian volleyball legend and senator Leila Barros, along with FIVB president Fabio Azevedo, who are set to reveal a surprise at 6 pm. Earlier in the day, Poland will contend with the Czech Republic for the bronze medal at 2:30 pm, aiming to extend its streak on the podium. Following the championship match, Filipino indie folk-pop band Ben&Ben will perform during the awarding and closing ceremonies, marking the conclusion of a remarkable 16-day volleyball festival hosted by the Philippines.

Ateneo Blue Eagles Dominate Adamson Soaring Falcons with a Strong Fourth Quarter Surge

The Ateneo Blue Eagles secured a convincing 77-58 victory over the Adamson Soaring Falcons in their UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball match held Sunday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. With the win, Ateneo improved to a flawless 3-0 record, while Adamson dropped to 1-2. Divine Adili led Ateneo with a team-high 16 points and six rebounds. Coming off the bench, Jaden Lazo added 15 points in just 20 minutes, playing a crucial role during the pivotal stages of the game. The contest remained competitive through three quarters, with Ateneo holding a slim 51-48 advantage heading into the final period. However, the Blue Eagles unleashed a commanding 17-1 run in the fourth quarter, highlighted by eight points from Lazo, which expanded their lead to 68-49 with just over three minutes left. Adamson’s Matty Erolon delivered an impressive 23 points on 7-of-10 shooting, serving as the sole Falcon in double digits. Despite his efforts and contributions from Ray Allen Torres, who scored seven, the Falcons could not overcome Ateneo’s momentum. Additional support came from Kymani Ladi, who posted 14 points and five rebounds, and Ian Espinosa, who contributed 10 points for Ateneo. Defensively and offensively, the Blue Eagles maintained control late in the game, with critical plays from Lazo and Joshua Lazaro sealing the outcome. Looking ahead, Ateneo will aim to preserve their unbeaten streak when they face rivals La Salle next Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Adamson, meanwhile, will seek to even out their record against Far Eastern University in the same venue on October 4.

Rain or Shine Seeks Consecutive Wins Against Titan Ultra in PBA Philippine Cup

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are set to face the Titan Ultra squad on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, aiming to secure back-to-back wins in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup. Following a decisive 110-100 victory over Blackwater last Friday, Rain or Shine looks to strengthen their position with a 3-1 record. In contrast, the Titan Ultra team is striving to end a three-game losing streak that has left them with a 1-3 mark early in the conference. Their recent performances have been marred by poor shooting and defensive lapses, as evidenced in their latest 25-of-82 shooting against Tropang 5G, alongside allowing opponents to shoot 49-of-92 and out-rebound them 59-44. Coach Yeng Guiao expressed optimism after the win over Blackwater, highlighting the team’s improved focus and discipline. He remarked, \"I consider it as a sign of our maturity,\" praising the Elasto Painters for emphasizing rim attacks and opting for higher-percentage shots. The upcoming match presents a critical moment for Titan Ultra, with Calvin Abueva expected to play a pivotal role in the team’s attempt to recover. Meanwhile, Rain or Shine may face challenges with Caelan Tiongson doubtful due to an ongoing hamstring injury. With Guiao stressing the importance of teamwork and composure, Rain or Shine is well-positioned to continue their ascent in the Philippine Cup standings and maintain their winning momentum.

Karl-Anthony Towns Plays Through Injury in Knicks' Victory Over Cavaliers

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns disclosed that he played while managing a Grade 2 quadriceps strain during their 119-111 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, October 23, 2025 (Philippine time) in the NBA. Towns admitted he was uncertain about participating in the game but ultimately chose to compete for the sake of his teammates and fans. \"I didn\'t want to disappoint the fans,\" Towns said. He contributed 19 points and 12 rebounds over 31 minutes of play, demonstrating his resilience despite the injury.

Cignal Overcomes PLDT in Straight Sets to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive in PVL Reinforced Conference

MANILA – Cignal managed a decisive 25-17, 25-22, 25-21 victory against PLDT in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference held Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Despite missing their leading scorer Vanie Gandler due to injury, the Super Spikers halted PLDT's 15-0 run and displayed resilience throughout the match. "I really wanted to bounce back – I missed that winning feeling," said Cignal's ace playmaker Gel Cayuna. She acknowledged a slow start in the opening two games but ultimately contributed significantly, delivering 20 precise sets and scoring six points during the hour-and-22-minute contest. "We worked hard to compensate for our shortcomings earlier, and it finally paid off," Cayuna added. The victory improves Cignal’s record to 1-2, keeping their pursuit of a top-three placement in Pool A well within reach. Erika Santos and Ishie Lalongisip led the offensive charge with 17 and 15 points respectively, bolstering the team’s performance. Cignal now prepares to take on winless Nxled this Saturday at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal. On the opposing side, Savi Davison topped PLDT’s scoring with 14 points, followed by Nastya Bavykina and Kim Dy with 10 and seven points, respectively. PLDT’s defeat allowed Farm Fresh to claim the top position in the pool with a perfect 3-0 record. Reflecting on the win, Cayuna emphasized their determination moving forward: "This victory is deeply satisfying – it truly reflects our mindset and drive. We’re eager to secure more wins and will push even harder in the matches ahead."