Creamline overcomes ZUS Coffee, stays perfect

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

Dec 12, 2024 07:28 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Creamline leaned on its veteran poise as it turned back ZUS Coffee with a hard-earned 25-22, 28-30, 26-24, 17-25, 15-13 victory to remain unscathed in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday, Dec. 12. 

Creamline leaned on its veteran poise as it turned back ZUS Coffee with a hard-earned 25-22, 28-30, 26-24, 17-25, 15-13 victory to remain unscathed in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Alyssa Valdez flashes her vintage form and scores 17 points for Creamline. (PVL Images)

Skipper Alyssa Valdez rediscovered her old touch and carried the cudgels for the Cool Smashers, firing 17 points on 16 attacks and one block.

The win stretched Creamline’s streak to four games, tying with Cignal at the helm.

Despite stumbling in the fourth set that put their backs against the wall, the Cool Smashers still held their ground and unleashed fiery assaults entering the pivotal fifth frame.

But the Thunderbelles refused to give up, grabbing an 11-9 lead with Thea Gagate at the forefront of their attack.

It turned out to be ZUS Coffee’s last stand as Creamline pounced on the Thunderbelles to grab the triumph.

Bernadeth Pons also paced with 17 points for Creamline, which overcame ZUS Coffee’s solid net defense after posting 11 blocks. 

Jema Galanza also sizzled with 15 points while Michele Gumabao was equally unstoppable with 14 points.

Kate Santiago and Gagate had 19 and 16 points, respectively, while Michele Gamit and Glaudine Troncoso combined for 24 points for ZUS Coffee, which absorbed its third loss in five games.

Samal 5150 takes spotlight in 2025 triathlon calendar

BY MANILA BULLETIN SPORTS

Dec 1, 2024 08:45 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The Damosa Land 5150 Triathlon is poised to offer a memorable race in Samal, Davao del Norte. Scheduled for Sept. 21, 2025, this inaugural event promises a scenic yet challenging course, solidifying Samal Island's status as a premier destination for wellness and adventure.

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The Damosa Land 5150 Triathlon is poised to offer a memorable race in Samal, Davao del Norte. Scheduled for Sept. 21, 2025, this inaugural event promises a scenic yet challenging course, solidifying Samal Island's status as a premier destination for wellness and adventure.

Bridgeport on Samal Island promises an unforgettable experience for both triathletes and spectators, offering a stunning backdrop of one of the country's most enchanting tropical paradises.

Taking place in the luxurious Bridgeport community, the race features a 1.5km swim in crystal-clear waters, a 40km bike ride along the scenic Samal Circumferential Road, and a 10km run through Samal’s vibrant business center.

A Sprint Distance race, with shorter swim, bike and run segments, will also be held for beginners and seasoned athletes seeking a quicker challenge.

Registration opens on Dec. 3, 2024. For details, visit ironman.com or email sai.mayol@ironman.com.

Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Al David Uy and Damosa Land president Cary Lagdameo emphasized the race’s alignment with Samal’s goals for health, wellness and sustainable tourism.

Organized by The IRONMAN Group, preparations are already in full swing for this blue-ribbon endurance race, to be held in the stunning Bridgeport community, a 13-hectare marina community, offering a stunning race venue with its East Coast Hampton-inspired design and modern amenities.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase the beauty of Samal while promoting the well-being of our community," said Mayor Uy.

The event is part of the 5150 and Sunrise Sprint series, aiming to introduce newcomers to triathlons while challenging experienced competitors.

"Bridgeport blends Samal’s natural beauty with modern amenities, offering athletes and spectators an unparalleled experience," said Lagdameo.

Princess Galura, general manager of IRONMAN Group’s Sunrise Events, Inc., echoed these sentiments, saying: "Samal’s unique charm and warm hospitality make it the perfect location for a world-class race that will leave lasting memories."

Capital1, 3 others launch PVL All-Filipino title bids

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

Nov 11, 2024 02:26 PM 

AT A GLANCE

• Four more teams including Capital1 launch their respective title bids on Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

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Four more teams including Capital1 launch their respective title bids on Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Capital1 hopes to carry the intensity brought by former import Marina Tushova in its All-Filipino Conference campaign. (PVL Images)

The Solar Spikers clash with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the 6:30 p.m. nightcap hoping to make an impact after a seventh place finish in the last Reinforced Conference, while the Nxled Chameleons and the PLDT High Speed Hitters collide at 4 p.m.

Winners of the two matches will join opening-day victors Petro Gazz and Akari in this grueling, six-month conference that promises intense and heated action.

Capital1 seeks to showcase a new look with its mix of seasoned and promising players, and is expected to draw strength from the experience brought by former import Marina Tushova.

“We want to keep that drive and intensity brought by Marina. She set a good example and gave a higher bar of performance and we learned so much from her,” said Capital1 team manager Hollie Reyes.

Veterans Heather Guinoo, Jorelle Singh and Shola Alvarez are set to lead the Solar Spikers along with the young guns like Leila Cruz.

Chery Tiggo, for its part, is moving forward from the departures of star players Eya and EJ Laure, and Buding Duremdes, under a new coach in Normal Miguel and veterans Mylene Paat, Aby Maraño and Ara Galang.

In the other pairing, PLDT is leaning on Fil-Canadian Savi Davison to provide firepower along with seasoned players Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes and Jovie Prado, against another revamped team in Nxled, which has a new coach in Italian Ettore Guidetti.

“The team is a defensive one, so I don’t need to spend too much time on that. They love to dig. Normally, it’s difficult to score on the first attempt against my team, so right now we’re trying to raise the bar in other areas,” said Guidetti, who casts his eyes on May Luna, Lycha Ebon and Jaila Atienza.

 

PFF Women's Cup gets major backer

BY MANILA BULLETIN SPORTS

Oct 18, 2024 03:53 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The Women’s Cup is playing on its second weekend as the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) continues to strengthen its women’s football program to keep the momentum of the country’s qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year.

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The Women’s Cup is playing on its second weekend as the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) continues to strengthen its women’s football program to keep the momentum of the country’s qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year.

The women’s national team members— Isabella Passion, Sofia Harrison, Reena Balajadia, Isabella Bandoja, Olivia McDaniel, Chandler McDaniel, Mary Christine Duran, Hazel Lustan, Hali Long, Inna Palacios, Quinley Quezada and Rhea Chan—with Philippine Football Federation general secretary Angelico Mercader, competitions committee chair Lovely Tababa Lovely Tababa and national team director Freddy Gonzalez and Coca-Cola vice-president for Philippine operations Pablo Medina Noriega.

PFF general secretary Angelico Mercader told Friday’s press conference that the federation’s women’s national team program will always be tops in the agenda and the Women’s Cup is proof of the federation’s mission to achieve its goal.

Coca-Cola, Mercader said, is an important partner for the endeavor. 

“We’re very happy that for the second consecutive year, Coca-Cola has been a great supporter of the Women’s Cup heading to next year’s Women’s League that gives our women players the opportunity to play in a high level of competition,” said Mercader in the press conference at the Coca-Cola Philippine headquarters at the Bonifacio Global City.

Six teams—Kaya Football Club (FC) Iloilo, Stallion Laguna FC, Manila Digger FC, Beach Hut, Tuloy FC and Azzuri SC—are seeing action in the Women’s Cup that plays 10 match days at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on weekends.

Manila Digger beat Stallion Laguna, 2-1, and Beach Hut defeated Azzuri SC, 5-1, last weekend to kick off action in the event that is a prelude to the bigger PFF Women’s League Mercader said could be held in the first half of 2025.

Coca-Cola vice-president for Philippine operations Pablo Medina Noriega said that Filipino players have already proven that they can compete on the global after making it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year.

“Coca-Cola has always been a strong supporter of women in sports,” Noriega said. “So what we all aspire to do with the PFF is to help improve and provide these young women with the opportunities and resources so they can succeed both in and out of the pitch.”

The women’s national team, called Filipinas, made an impact in the World Cup when they beat co-host New Zealand, 1-0, a victory that resonated in football’s global stage.

With Mercader and Noriega in the press conference were PFF national team director Freddy Gonzalez and competitions committee chair Lovely Tababa as well as national players Isabella Passion, Sofia Harrison, Reena Balajadia, Isabella Bandoja, Olivia McDaniel, Chandler McDaniel, Mary Christine Duran, Hazel Lustan, Hali Long, Inna Palacios, Quinley Quezada and Rhea Chan.

PH skating chief eyes first Filipina in Winter Olympics

BY MARK REY MONTEJO

Sep 28, 2024 10:55 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Philippine Skating Union president Nikkie Cheng is eyeing something that has never happened in the country’s sports history -- a Filipina competing in the Winter Olympics.

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Philippine Skating Union president Nikkie Cheng is eyeing something that has never happened in the country’s sports history -- a Filipina competing in the Winter Olympics.

Isabella Gamez (Ballet Photo Manila)

Cheng has already set her sights on figure skater Isabella Gamez and her Fil-Russian partner Alexander Korovin as the pair tries their luck to secure berths to the 2026 Winter Games slated in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

“Actually, we’re approaching the Asian Winter Games in February 2025 and we are also approaching the 2026 Winter Olympics,” said Cheng. 

“So, in the last few years, I have been very vocal about this. We really want the first Filipina in the Winter Olympics and we hope na yung figure skater natin na si Isabella Gamez kasama ang kanyang partner ay makalahok sa susunod na Winter Olympics,” she added.

The 25-year-old Gamez, the grandniece of former Senator and basketball player Freddie Webb, has been making waves throughout the years with Korovin since their debut in 2022.

They will shoot for that chance in the 2025 World Championships set in March and, if unsuccessful, another tournament in Germany that offers Olympic berths is also lined up later next year.

Fil-American alpine skier Asa Miller was the last to compete in the said quadrennial event when he saw action in the 2022 Beijing edition. He also competed with figure skater Michael Christian Martinez in 2018 Pyongyang. 

Also eyeing an Olympic berth is Peter Groseclose, who saw action in the Winter Youth Olympics earlier this year in short track speed skating.

“We're very happy that Peter has been performing well in the world stage and also inspiring the youth of this sport,” Cheng said. “So, siya rin ang very high chances that we will see in the next Olympics for the Winter calendar naman.

While Cheng is looking at the elite stage, she has also been very active in promoting the sport nationwide.

The country is actually hosting the Southeast Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy, which officially kicked off at the SM Skating Rink inside the Mall of Asia on Saturday, Sept. 28.

The two-day tournament features 90 skaters age 6 to 24 years old from Asian countries including Vietnam, Singapore, China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, India, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and host Philippines.

The competition aims to promote and grow the sport not only in the country but also in the Southeast Asian region.

Pinay chessers snare Group B gold in Chess Olympiad

BY MANILA BULLETIN SPORTS

Sep 23, 2024 03:18 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The Philippines blanked Brazil, 4-0, and achieved so many breakthroughs in the women’s division of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad that just came to a close Sunday, Sept. 22, at the BOK Sports Hall here.

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BUDAPEST—The Philippines blanked Brazil, 4-0, and achieved so many breakthroughs in the women’s division of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad that just came to a close Sunday, Sept. 22, at the BOK Sports Hall here.

GM Eugene Torre, far left, along with Filipina chessers who bag gold in  Group B gold in Chess Olympiad

Shania Mae Mendoza, Janelle Mae Frayna, Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Ruelle Canino pulled off victories across all boards as the Filipinas finished tied for 22nd place with 14 match points with 14 others and 24th overall after tiebreaks were applied.

That sealed the country, which was bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission and backed by NCFP chief Butch Pichay, the gold medal in Group B, confined to the 35th to the 70th ranked countries in the 181-country field, ahead of Montenegro and Latvia.

It was the first mint for the country since the women’s squad of Sheerie Joey Lomibao, Catherine Pereña, Sherily Cua and Beverly Mendoza struck gold in Group C in the 2006 Turin edition.

It was also the Filipinas’ best finish since the squad of Girme Fontanilla, Mila Emperado and Cristina Santos-Fidaer’s 22nd-place effort in 1988 in Thessaloniki, Greece.

“This is a milestone in Philippine chess history, a legacy that will not be forgotten for the generations to come,” said national women’s coach Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, who also thanked delegation head Atty. Ruel Canobas, women’s team manager Atty. Nikki de Vega and Far Eastern University chair Aurelio Montinolam III for their support.
The Filipinas also surpassed their 36th-place performance two years ago in Chennai, India.

Apart from these feats, all five players earned plus rating points with Canino, the 16-year-old wonder girl from Cagayan de Oro and FEU, raking in 102 whopping rating points after scoring six points in eight games at board four. 

Canino will rise to 2260, which will include rating points she accumulated in several tournaments in Europe months before.

She barely missed sealing her first Woman International Master norm by just one game.

Frayna was the best scorer with eight points out of 11 with plus 27 rating points, while Mendoza, from Sta. Rosa, Laguna, had 5.5 out of 10 with 36.2 rating points while manning the top board.

Fronda, who is from Muntinlupa, had 6.5 out of 10 and was a plus 0.60 while Bernadette Galas three of five with plus 8.8.

The Filipinas’ effort somehow soothed the pain of the 59th place finish by the men’s team of Julio Catalino Sadorra, Daniel Quizon, Paulo Bersamina, John Paul Gomez and Jan Emmanuel Garcia and mentored by Eugene Torre with 12 points.

The country was actually tied for 15th spot with Sadorra running third and in medal contention in the individual board one race after the ninth round of this 11-round tilt but dropped their last two outings to Georgia, 2.5-1.5, and Hungary B, 3-1.

Sadorra eventually ended up 13th at board one but still had a strong performance rating of 2715 after scoring 6.5 points out of nine.

India topped both open and women’s events as well as the Gaprindashvili Cup, a plum for a country with the highest combined score of both its men’s and women’s teams.

Lady chessers stun Argentina in Chess Olympiad

 BY MANILA BULLETIN SPORTS

Sep 19, 2024 04:30 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Janelle Mae Frayna struck the hardest and delivered a methodical but hard-earned victory on board two that lifted the Philippines to a stunning 2.5-1.15 victory over Argentina and straight into a big group at No. 15 after seven rounds of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at the BOK Sports Hall here Wednesday, Sept. 18.

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BUDAPEST—Janelle Mae Frayna struck the hardest and delivered a methodical but hard-earned victory on board two that lifted the Philippines to a stunning 2.5-1.15 victory over Argentina and straight into a big group at No. 15 after seven rounds of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at the BOK Sports Hall here Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Janelle Mae Frayna (NCFP)

The country’s first and only Woman Grandmaster to date had actually seized a pawn and positional edge early after outplaying Maria Jose Campos in the opening of their English duel but had to fight for it brick for brick to extract the full point after 66 moves.

When it was over, the enlisted Army woman emerged a bishop up that sealed the Filipinas, whose trip is bankrolled by the PSC through chair Richard Bachmann and Ed Hayco and backed by NCFP chief Butch Pichay, the win and a share of 15th spot with 13 others with 10 match points. 

Wunderkind Ruelle Canino was the first to deliver the point by pulling the rug from under WGM Claudia Amura, the Argentines’ former top board player, in 39 moves of another English showdown at board four.

Shania Mae Mendoza then blew her winning chances in a defeat to WGM Candela Francisco Guecamburu at board one and Jan Jodilyn Fronda showed nerves of steel in splitting the point with Anapaola Borda Rodas at board three that knotted the count at 1.5.

Then Frayna delivered the coup de grace with her magnificence at board three.

The result earned the country an eighth-round duel with 16th seed Turkey for a chance at reclaiming its place in the top 10 of this 11-round tournament.

“It gets tougher and tougher from here on pero laban lang,” said national women’s team coach GM Jayson Gonzales, who was accompanied by men’s non-playing captain GM Eugene Torre and delegation head Atty. Ruel Canobas.
Meanwhile, GM Julio Catalino Sadorra drew with super GM Ante Brkic at top board to avert a humiliating sweep at the hands of Croatia, which hammered out a 3.5-.5 win in the men’s side.

That sent the Filipinos in a group at No. 44 with eight points and would battle South Africa next.

The Filipinos actually looked good after Sadorra’s draw—a 31-move standoff in a Cozio variation of the Ruy Lopez.

But John Paul Gomez, Daniel Quizon and Pau Bersamina fell one after the other that resulted in that excruciating defeat.

Junior PGT champ outshines pros with gutsy 73

BY MANILA BULLETIN SPORTS

Sep 18, 2024 09:53 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• In a remarkable display of poise and skill, 13-year-old Yunju An upstaged a seasoned field at the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, carding a gritty 73 under wet conditions to take a two-shot lead at the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic here on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

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ANTIPOLO – In a remarkable display of poise and skill, 13-year-old Yunju An upstaged a seasoned field at the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, carding a gritty 73 under wet conditions to take a two-shot lead at the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic here on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

An Yunju (PGT)

The young Korean golf sensation, fresh from a victory in the Junior PGT Luzon Series 6 at Mount Malarayat, proved her mettle once again on the Nicklaus course, despite challenging weather and an hour-long delay.

Yunju, the only amateur among the 19-player field, started strong with a birdie on the opening hole but stumbled with bogeys on holes 2, 9, and 14. Nonetheless, her steady play allowed her to climb to the top of the leaderboard in the opening round of the 54-hole tournament, the seventh leg of the LPGT circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. 

“I just took a break and was able to prepare,” Yunju said through an interpreter, reflecting on her time off after her victory in Lipa City, Batangas.

However, despite her inspiring start, she expressed slight disappointment, saying, “I couldn’t hit a lot of birdies,” vowing to stay focused in the upcoming rounds.

Jiwon Lee, coming off a victory at Splendido Taal in her LPGT debut, surged early with two birdies and two bogeys in her first nine holes. But bogeys on Nos. 12 and 14, followed by a double bogey on the par-5 16th, dropped her to joint second with a 75, tied with Florence Bisera and Apple Fudolin.

Bisera, a former LPGT champion at South Pacific, was steady through the first 10 holes, but a costly double bogey on the 12th left her with a 36-39 card, while Fudolin, despite birdieing the eighth and 16th, finished the day with a 38-37 round. 

Meanwhile, Sarah Ababa, who also birdied the first hole, found herself sharing the lead despite three bogeys over the next nine holes. However, three additional bogeys in the final five holes dropped her to a tie for fifth, alongside Chihiro Ikeda, Miya Legaspi and Kayla Nocum, all of whom carded 76s.

Veterans Seoyun Kim and Gretchen Villacencio posted matching 77s, while Kristine Fleetwood recorded a 78 to round out the top contenders.

Mikha Fortuna struggled with five bogeys in her final seven holes, finishing with a 79, tied with Velinda Castil, Laurea Duque and Pamela Mariano, while Mafy Singson also had a rough day, carding an 80.

However, it was Harmie Constantino, a three-leg LPGT winner and one of the pre-tournament favorites, who endured the most difficult round. She shot an error-filled 82, marred by six bogeys and a double bogey on the front nine, and failed to recover on the back nine.

With two rounds left, local veterans and previous winners, including Lee, are expected to make a push. But Yunju remains focused on capitalizing on her solid opening round and extending her lead over the shaky field.