The STANDS - An INQUIRER Sports Newsletter

March 7, 2025

Chennie Tagaod (with ball) has high hopes for the Lady Tamaraws this season. (UAAP MEDIA)

Hey there sports fan, It has been a flurry of activity in the local sports scene, and we kick off with two underrated volleyball stars looking to send their team to a battle for the title. Chennie Tagaod and the FEU Lady Tamaraws are on a mission to break into the UAAP Finals, driven by grit and determination. Tagaod, who has steadily improved her game, emphasized the team's hunger to push past expectations and secure a spot in the championship round.  FEU, after all, is the only team to have beaten the UST Tigresses in the current UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament. The Tigresses have won four straight since losing to the Lady Tamaraws. Meanwhile, in the PVL, Savi Davison is making waves with PLDT. The high-flying open spiker has been an integral part of the team's dominant campaign, and with the championship still in the realm of pissibility, she is set on delivering a title to her squad. Over in basketball, history was made as LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to surpass 50,000 career points. The milestone cements James' legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the game. His latest feat came amidst a pivotal moment for the Los Angeles Lakers, who have been making headlines with their latest roster moves. The Lakers, who are still in championship contention, have seen a shift in momentum, and James has been relishing the recent trade involving Luka Dončić. According to reports, James is clearly reveling in how the move has strengthened their title hopes. Speaking of the NBA, here's a trivie question: Since being drafted No. 3 overall by Philadelphia in 2014, what is the most number of games Joel Embiid has played in a regular season? Check out the answer at the end of this email. Meanwhile, Filipino boxers have received a boost as the International Olympic Committee provisionally recognized World Boxing. The decision brings renewed optimism to the Philippines' boxing community, especially as athletes prepare for upcoming international competitions. With this recognition, Filipino pugilists are hopeful for better representation and opportunities on the global stage. On the local basketball front, Caelan Tiongson made the most of his matchup against Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in Game 3 of the PBA semifinals. The versatile forward showcased his skills in a high-stakes game, proving that he can hold his own against top-tier competition. As the playoffs heat up, Tiongson’s performance could be a key factor in determining his team’s success.

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Arvin Tolentino and the Batang Pier are alive, for now. (PBA IMAGES)

Meanwhile on Plus... For some, moving on from painfil losses is a tough thing to do. For Tim Cone, moving on from wins is just as difficult. And a semifinal hiccup proved him right.    Meanwhile, Alan Frei talks about curling and its future after the country's historic gold in the Asian Winter Games.  What we're up to next: The knockout rounds are done and the PVL All-Filipino heads to its quarterfinal round with some surprising and intriguing matchups. We don't expect Barangay Ginebra to fumble in the semifinals anymore so we're focusing now on how the championship of the PBA Commissioner's Cup will shape up. And, of course, we will keep track of the UAAP women's volleyball tournament.  Number of the Week: 4 Lakers players who have scored at least 30 points and dished off 15 assists in a single game: Jerry West, Magic Johnson, LeBron James and, the latest, Luka Doncic.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “It’s finally happening.” —Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, weightlifting star, on her sport finally being included in the Palarong Pambansa.

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68. That's the answer to the trivia question above. Think you can ace the rest of our weekly sports quiz? Head over to our Viber community and try the test out! Buy the Inquirer at newsstands, subscribe to our digital edition, Inquirer Plus, visit our online site and follow us on socials (Twitter: @inquirersports; FB: facebook.com/inquirersports) for more stories and updates—or to send us questions or suggestions of stories you'd want to read. See you next Friday! Francis Francis T. J. Ochoa is the Sports Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. For comments, suggestions and questions, hit him up on Twitter (@ftjochoaINQ).

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© 2025 PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER, Barangay La Paz, Makati City, Philippines

A German Expat in the Philippines (VII): A Series of Transitions

 

𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐘 𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐎 𝐃𝐄 𝐎𝐑𝐎 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓!

 𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐘 𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐎 𝐃𝐄 𝐎𝐑𝐎 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓!

The race for the coveted Golden Valley crown is intensifying, and our crystal ball has revealed the standout queens who have been making waves!

These ladies have radiated beauty, grace, and an undeniable stage presence— but will our Top Choice align with the ultimate results?

1. Andrea Mizpah Flores | Mawab

2. Sweetsell Rose Nisnisan | Nabunturan

3. Michelle Magallanes | Maco

4. Ashley Nicole Prado | Mabini

5. Athena Kate Guardados | Pantukan

As the competition heats up, the stakes have never been higher!

Who will rise above the rest, seize the spotlight, and carve her name into the storied legacy of Davao de Oro pageantry?

One thing is certain—the path to the crown is adorned with elegance, confidence, and the undeniable charm that defines the true spirit of Davao de Oro's ladies!

Photos | Christian Dean Pate

via Provincial Government of Davao de Oro

Note | This is only the Top Choice of this page and it will not affect the final result of the competition.

#davaoregionpageantryfanpage #DavaoRegionPageantry #BbDavaodeOro2025 #BinibiningDavaodeOro2025 #BinibiningDavaodeOro #DavaodeOro #bulawanfestival2025 #BulawanFestival

All reactions:

20You, Davao Region Pageantry and 18 others

UAAP women’s volleyball: FEU cruises past UE

BY MARK REY MONTEJO

Mar 5, 2025 04:02 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Far Eastern University cruised past University of the East, 25-23, 25-19, 25-20, for its second straight win in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, March 5. 

Far Eastern University cruised past University of the East, 25-23, 25-19, 25-20, for its second straight win in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, March 5.

 Mitzi Panangin stars for FEU. (UAAP Media)

The Lady Tamaraws turned a tight first set into a one-sided affair in the next two frames, with Gerz Petallo pouring in 12 points off 11 kills and one ace with eight excellent digs and six excellent receptions, and Chen Tagaod and Mitzi Panangin registering 11 points each.

Tin Ubaldo, for her part, posted 13 excellent sets with one kill, one block and two aces including the one that served as a game-point.

“Siyempre mas maganda ‘yong ganitong ‘trend, naga-eye kami na makapasok sa Final Four ulit,” said FEU head coach Tina Salak.

“At the end of the day, kailangan naming mag-aim sa goal namin… na ‘di mawala ‘yon,” she added.

Khy Cepada and Nessa Bangayan produced another double-digit scoring effort of 14 points apiece in a losing effort.

The Tamaraws rose to third spot with a 3-2 card while the Warriors suffered their fifth loss in as many outings.

Up next for FEU are the Adamson Lady Falcons this Saturday, March 8, at the same venue.