Category: Uncategorized

Del Monte aces spice up Binitin leg

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Three crack players from Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon will be carrying the fight for the Mindanao region when the second leg of the ICTSI Junior PGT gets off the ground on Monday at Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Binitin, Murcia.

Developing their games at tough Del Monte, Keith Pagalan, Simon Wahing and Coby Langamin will all be playing in the boys’ premier 16-18 division as they shoot for high finishes to qualify for the national match play championship scheduled later in the year at The Country Club in Laguna.

Winners from four age divisions (boys and girls) are all part of the Bacolod roster, vying not just for consecutive victories but also for ranking points for the finals after the 14-leg nationwide circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Bacolod’s John Rey Oro and Iloilo’s Rhiena Sinfuego aim for back-to-back wins in the boys’ and girls’ 16-18 class, respectively. Both divisions will be over 72 holes.

The spotlight, however, will be on Pagalan and his teammates from Manolo Fortich High School in Bukidnon as they also prepare for the Mindanao Series starting next month.



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Delgaco knows tough task ahead in Paris

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PH rower Joanie Delgaco at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. –JUNE NAVARRO/INQUIRER

Rower Joanie Delgaco believes that winning a medal in the Paris Olympics is a formidable task. But that doesn’t mean she won’t try to.

“Every athlete wants to stand on the medal podium. I’ll certainly do my best and give myself a chance,’’ Delgaco told the Inquirer in Filipino.

Ranked No. 23 in the world, the 26-year-old from Iriga City is trying to improve her clocking in time for the qualifying heats of the women’s 2000-meter single sculls at National Olympic Nautical Stadium on July 27.

“If I’m not fortunate enough to medal, I’ll pursue my next goal of improving my world rankings,’’ said Delgaco, an Asian championships gold medalist.

Delgaco’s best time in the event is seven minutes and 39 seconds, good enough to get past the heats for a semifinal appearance.

Time to beat

A podium performance would mean clocking at least 7:19 in the finals where New Zealand’s Emma Twigg (7:13.97) is the defending champion.

“It would be a great accomplishment for me if I could row faster than my personal best in the Olympics,’’ said Delgaco, the first Filipino woman rower in the global quadrennial Summer Games.

Reaching the Olympics wasn’t only an achievement for Delgaco, who made the national training pool as an 18-year-old.

Making it to Paris erases all the pains of past failures to make the Olympics grade.

“This is my third attempt (to qualify for the Olympics) and I finally made it,’’ said Delgaco, who missed the Tokyo Olympic berth by one second and also had a failed bid for the 2016 edition in Rio De Janeiro.

She joined eight other Filipino Olympians who left Saturday for a monthlong training camp at La Moselle and Les Arenes in Metz, France, where she and the others enter the final stretch of their preparations. INQ



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Ex-barista Bates helps brew winning concoction for Bolts

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Brandon Bates –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Meralco rookie Brandon Bates feels his time working in a coffee shop in his hometown Australia was “the most cathartic job” he has ever done in his life.

“In case you guys still haven’t noticed, I love talking to people, serving people,” he said in a candid chat with the Inquirer.“I’d be up at four or five o’clock in the morning for the opening shift and sometimes, if I have to stay for the whole day, until 4 p.m. then 4:30 for the end of [the shift]. I just love doing it.”

Bates may have to soon reconsider his answer as he is shaping up to become a key figure in the Bolts’ future campaigns following a riveting performance that helped deliver the franchise’s first-ever PBA title.

Picked eighth overall in the last Rookie Draft, the La Salle product who traces his Filipino lineage through his mom, held his own against the league’s premier big men Japeth Aguilar, Christian Standhardinger, and ultimately the highly revered and the PBA’s seven-time MVP, June Mar Fajardo.

Bates said that going up against the PBA’s top-flight frontline talents is going to be transformative for his career—especially considering the frequency of those meetings.

“I think it’s incredibly important [to be] playing against the best of the best in a seven-game series. I’ve learned a lot from it, so hopefully, I’ll be able to take it into my second season,” he said.

Bates played against the Aguilar-Standhardinger tandem for seven grueling games, and then another six tightly contested matches against Fajardo, whose peers call the most dominant of this era.

As rich as the praise heaped upon him, Bates felt he wouldn’t have unlocked such a fine play if not for his teammates. And that is also the same thing that fuels his optimism heading into the next season.

“We have so many other great players. So many other vets who have guided me, who have shown me the ropes, showed me how to play,” he went on. “All things considered, It’s just part of the course.”

Bates has repeatedly likened the progression of his young career to a movie—having gone from serving espresso shots to hitting and blocking them in Asia’s pioneering pro league. INQ



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Elreen Ando’s desire to land Olympic gold fueled by detractors

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Elreen Ann Ando will spearhead the PH weightlifting team in Paris having big shoes to fill. —AFP

With Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, the Philippines’ first and only Olympic gold medalist and sentimental favorite, failing to qualify for the Paris Summer Games that gets going next month, the responsibility of following up on her historic feat falls on three promising weightlifters.

And shouldering the heaviest burden is Elreen Ando, who actually ousted Diaz-Naranjo when they competed for the lone Olympic ticket available for the country in their face-off in the 59-kilogram category of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Cup in Thailand last April.

She will be joined by Asian junior weightlifting champion Vanessa Sarno and John Ceniza in the world’s fashion capital as part of a 15-strong Philippine contingent that will be shooting for the country’s second gold medal.

Ando getting there the way she did, naturally, had nonbelievers coming out in the open.

“I am drawing my strength from my family and people who don’t believe in me—I made them my motivation,” Ando, who was seventh in the 64-kilogram division in the Tokyo Games, said in Filipino.

Diaz-Naranjo and Ando crossed paths in qualifying after their respective events in Tokyo, the 55-kg for Diaz-Naranjo, were scrapped for the Paris edition, with the 59-kg bracket the middle ground for the PH aces.

But Ando proved her worth in Thailand by lifting a total of 228 kg, a personal-high, after clearing 100 kg in snatch and 128 kg in clean and jerk to finish seventh overall and overshadow Diaz-Naranjo’s total of 222 kg for 11th spot.

“When I was slowly losing my touch, I was also losing trust in myself and felt down, depressed and stressed and went through a lot of challenges,” Ando recalled of the time when she saw her chances returning to the Olympics dwindle following a disappointing finish in the Asian championships.

“So I talked to my coach and told him that I still want to compete in the Olympics so we talked and he motivated me to believe that I can still fight,” Ando added. “He was one of those who has a huge trust in me.”

The 25-year-old lifter shattered previous records in the Southeast Asian Games last year en route to a gold medal in her new weight class.

Better version

“I will still try to improve my lift and since it’s free to dream, of course I will be looking for the [Olympic] gold medal,” she said, believing that she is now a stronger version of herself compared to the one in Tokyo.

Sarno, earlier tipped as Diaz-Naranjo’s heir apparent, will be looking to make the most out of her first Olympic appearance behind the support of her family.

The 20-year-old out of Bohol is ranked No. 5 in the 71-kg division after posting a new Philippine record of 110 kg, to break her previous record of 108 kg last year, in snatch also in the IWF Cup to qualify in the Olympics with a 245 kg total lift.

“We are looking to prevent injuries [prior to the Olympics] while slowly improving our personal records,” Sarno said.

Another Cebuano in Ceniza will be making his Olympic debut after qualifying with an impressive 300 kg total lift also in the IWF Cup in the men’s 61-kg category where he finished fourth.



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“While competing, we can’t predict the time when we’ll get [the gold] but we are all doing everything we can to get the gold medal,” Ceniza said. INQ

Cheng, the man behind the scenes for Filipinas, leaves PH national team

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Jeff Cheng (first, front row) takes a selfie with the young Filipinas during happier times. —PHOTO FROM PHILIPPINE WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM/FACEBOOK

The future of the Philippine women’s football team, almost a year removed from a historic debut in the Fifa (International Federation of Football Associations) Women’s World Cup, was put under a cloud of uncertainty following the decision of Jefferson Cheng to relinquish his management role.

Cheng, who has been team manager even when countless achievements were still a dream, made his announcement on Sunday, a decision stemming on the direction of the country’s most successful national football squad.

“For several months, we tried our best to make things work, under new and very different circumstances,” Cheng said in a statement relayed to football beat writers. “Unfortunately, the situation is not workable.”

Cheng did not mention any individual or group with a contrasting vision, but stopped short of mentioning the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) or any of its top brass.

The federation is eight months removed from installing John Gutierrez as successor to long-time president Nonong Araneta.

“Our priorities and goals do not align, and the PWNT (women’s team) organization that we worked hard to develop in the past years is incompatible with current methods,” said Cheng.

Cheng informed his decision to director of national teams Freddy Gonzalez, who admitted that the eventual successor will have big shoes to fill.

Unimaginable heights

Gonzalez, and the PFF, which came out with a separate statement thanking Cheng’s contributions, did not address Cheng’s sentiments.

“It’s a huge challenge, but I have every intention to make sure we keep the program of the women’s national team progressing in the right direction. We must continue building on Jeff’s great work,” said Gonzalez.

Under Cheng, the women’s team reached unimaginable heights, appearing in two Women’s Asian Cups in 2018 and 2022. It was also in 2022 when the team claimed a bronze medal in the pandemic-delayed Southeast Asian Games and the Asean Football Federation Women’s Championship.

The 2022 Asian Cup in India also saw the Filipinas secure a historic berth to the 2023 World Cup following a dramatic quarterfinal victory over Chinese-Taipei via penalty shootout.

At the World Cup in New Zealand, the Filipinas gave themselves a fighting chance as debutants, and produced a stunning win over the cohosts in Wellington on Sarina Bolden’s first-half header.

Alen Stajcic handled the Filipinas during that World Cup stint while fellow Aussie Mark Torcaso has been at the helm since that campaign, steering them to a quarterfinals berth at the Hangzhou Asian Games.



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The youth team was eventually integrated into the program under Cheng, with the U-17s reaching their age-group version of the Asian Cup for the first time a few months ago. INQ

Jeff Cheng steps away as Filipinas manager citing indifference

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Jeff Cheng.–Photo from PFF

Jeff Cheng has announced his departure as team manager of the Philippine women’s football team after a tenure marked by a historic debut in the Fifa Women’s World Cup last year.

Cheng said Sunday he’s stepping away from his role, citing indifference with the current setup, though he stopped short of mentioning any party, particularly the Philippine Football Federation.

The PFF is eight months into the presidency of John Gutierrez, who succeeded long-time chief Nonong Araneta.

READ: Filipinas rise to all-time best No. 38 in Fifa world rankings

It was last Thursday when Cheng informed the PFF, through the director of national teams Freddy Gonzalez, of his decision.

“Last Thursday, I informed the PFF Director of National Teams that I am stepping away from my role as Team Manager of the women’s teams,” Cheng said in a statement relayed to media members.

“For several months, we tried our best to make things work, under new and very different circumstances. Unfortunately, the situation is not workable.

“Our priorities and goals do not align, and the [Philippine women’s national team] organization that we worked hard to develop in the past years is incompatible with current methods.”

Cheng has managed the women’s team program way before the pandemic, achieving countless achievements along the way.

READ: Dan Palami resigns as Azkals manager

The Philippines has made it to two Women’s Asian Cups in 2018 and 2022, the latter edition resulting in a spot in the 2023 World Cup.

The Filipinas produced one victory in the World Cup, defeating co-host New Zealand in the group stage on Sarina Bolden’s first-half header.

Coach Alen Stajcic handled the Filipinas in that incredible run before fellow Aussie Mark Torcaso called the shots in last year’s Hangzhou Asian Games and Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Cheng also handled the program of the women’s youth teams, producing a maiden stint in the Women’s U-17 Asian Cup held this year.



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“I want to thank all of you for the support and kindness that you have shown me,” said Cheng. “It is through you that our efforts have not gone unnoticed and I am grateful to have shared some of the best football experiences with all of you. “

Japan beats USA for first time in Manila finale

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Japan’s Kento Miyaura flexes his muscles during a game against USA in the VNL 2024 in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — With both teams fielding their bench in a much-anticipated final game in Manila, Japan got the better of USA, 25-20, 25-23, 25-19, to end the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 on a high note before an ecstatic 12,424 crowd on Sunday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

Japan coach Philippe Blain may have rested his starters led by captain Yuki Ishikawa and Yuji Nishida but Kento Miyaura sustained his fine play and powered the Japanese second unit for their first win against the Americans in their 19th meeting in the FIVB.

Miyaura, who was a revelation in their five-set comeback over France on Saturday, showed the way with 18 points including five aces to seal their entry to the Final Eight in Poland after finishing with a 9-3 record.

READ: VNL 2024: Kento Miyaura steps up for Takahashi-less Japan in crucial win

The Japanese willed their way back from a 13-17 deficit in the third set with Miyaura scoring four straight points, highlighted by three aces to give them a 24-19 lead before Kai Masato nailed the game-winning hit.

“Today I was the top scorer but sometimes we are in a difficult moment so I tried to find a solution. I had many mistakes in spiking but [I kept on trying] I’m happy to win this,” said Miyaura, who was coming off a 19-point effort in their five-set win over France less than 24 hours ago.

Trailing 22-23 in the second set, Japan fought back with Shoma Tomita nailing an off-the-block hit for the equalizer before Kyle Ensing put them at set point after an attack error. Miyaura drilled their third straight point to complete a comeback and take a 2-0 lead.

READ: VNL 2024: Yuki Ishikawa, Japan rally past Olympic champion France

Masato also turned heads with 16 points built on 12 spikes and four aces, while Taishi Onodera and Larry Ik Evbade-Dan delivered eight points each.

Miyaura thanked the Filipino fans for supporting them every game as the Japanese will bring home another precious memory in their third Manila stint before heading to the final round and the Paris Olympics next month.

“The Filipino fans are pushing us many times. Also, Filipino fans love volleyball. They are making a very nice atmosphere,” he said. 

“The last game was a very difficult game but we won the game so this experience [will help me] in the Olympics.”

After reaching the final last year and settling for a runner-up finish, USA didn’t make it to the Final Eight with a 5-7 record, splitting its four matches in its first Manila leg.



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Micah Christenson only played late in the third set, as American stars Matt Anderson, and TJ Defalco sat out with Taylor Averill and Erik Shoji being the remaining starters in the match.

Ensing led USA with 14 points, while Averill and Jordan Ewert added eight points before shifting their focus to the Olympic games in France.

Experience makes USA’s Manila stint a ‘great success’

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USA huddles during a timeout in a VNL 2024 game against Japan.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Team USA captain Micah Christenson had a first Manila trip to remember despite the Americans missing the Final Eight of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

The United States wrapped up its campaign in Manila with a 25-20, 25-23, 25-19 loss to Japan in a much-awaited clash between the two fan favorites played before an ecstatic 12,424 crowd at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday night.

The Americans, last year’s runners-up will miss the Final Eight with a 5-7 record, but Christenson and his teammates will bring great memories with them as they head back home and gear up for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

READ: VNL 2024: Japan beats USA for first time in Manila finale

“Incredible. It was capped off with an incredible crowd, the last game up here in Manila so, wish we could’ve made it a little longer of a match, but at the same time it was good volleyball, it was really good volleyball out there on the court,” said the star setter, who only played late in the third set as both squads decided to rest most of their key cogs.

“I’m really proud of our guys and how we fought and how we battled. So now, we’re just gonna keep learning from our experience but, our trip in Manila was a great success based on our experience.”

American stars Matt Anderson and TJ Defalco sat the game out as Taylor Averill and Erik Shoji were the remaining starters in the match.

Still, Christenson praised Japan for its solid showing with Kento Miyaura stepping up big time. 

“We showed our level in a lot of the sets, but towards the end of the sets, Japan really turned their serving pressure on especially, Miyaura, at the end of at least the last two sets, he came in with some really big serves,” he said.

READ: VNL 2024: USA posts second straight win ahead of Japan clash

The Americans may have missed the Final Eight in Poland after splitting their four matches in Manila. But they will come home with big smiles on their faces.

Christenson and the United States now shift their focus to the Paris Games, where they hope to take home the gold.

“It’s great. We’re gonna need everybody at the Olympics, so, from the top down, we’re gonna need everybody on this team. So to be able to have the ability to give them experience in a big game, in a sold-out crowd against Japan is a wonderful experience,” he said 



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Tots Alas out for Alas Pilipinas, says coach Jorge de Brito

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Tots Carlos.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Tots Carlos won’t play for Alas Pilipinas in the FIVB Challenger Cup.

And as to why Carlos will skip the national team’s upcoming campaign, coach Jorge Souza De Brito said Rebisco, the Creamline star’s mother company, will provide the details.

“[She] plays good. She’s always been the one who we requested for us for the national team. But at the moment, she’s not there. Rebisco will release something [about the development soon]. What we’re expecting is to bring the guys who are really good at the same time,” De Brito told reporters after watching his home country, Brazil’s game against France in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Carlos was added to the Alas Pilipinas pool after it won bronze in the AVC Challenge Cup last month. However, only Bella Belen, Jema Galanza, and Alyssa Solomon joined the team’s buildup for the VNL qualifier.

READ: Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza added to Alas Pilipinas pool

“It’s always hard, but we’re prepared to go against Vietnam,” said De Brito. “Since we have more time, we can now have better preparations. The expectations are supposed to be always high so we have to work really hard and not just stand there, waiting for the guys to repeat the performance [in the Challenge Cup].”

Alas battles Challenge Cup champion Vietnam on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in a knockout game, seeking to advance to the semifinal.

De Brito believes the team chemistry of the new additions with Best Setter and captain Jia De Guzman and Best Opposite Spiker Angel Canino, as well as Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Cherry Nunag, Dell Palomata, Faith Nisperos, Jennifer Nierva, Arah Panique, Julia Coronel, and Vanie Gandler are getting better.

READ: Tots Carlos grateful for chance to learn in Korea tryout

“They are much better now. It wasn’t lucky at that moment [in the AVC Challenge Cup] but it’s a short time for preparation. I’ll have more [preparation] so we can offer much more for each other and ourselves. I think that’s the way we have to do and expect for this team,” said the Brazilian coach, who got his contract extension until next year’s Southeast Asian Games.

Carlos, a three-time PVL MVP, last saw action for the national team in the past two SEA Games.



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France secures Final Eight slot with win over Brazil

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Theo Faure and France celebrate during a game against Brazil at the VNL in Manila.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Before defending its crown at home in the 2024 Paris Olympics, France eked out a nail-biting 25-23, 27-29, 25-13, 25-19, 18-16 win over Brazil to cap its Manila stint in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The French Spikers pulled the rug from a 1-2 deficit and recovered from a 12-point beatdown in the third set as Theo Faure fired 29 points off 25 attacks, three aces, and a block to secure their spot in the Final Eight in Poland with an 8-4 record.

France coach Andrea Giani got a crucial successful challenge in the fifth set when Adriano Fernandes brought Brazil at match point, 14-13, but was deemed as net touch, bringing the advantage on their side. 

READ: VNL 2024: Yuki Ishikawa, Japan rally past Olympic champion France

However, France committed two crucial service errors before Lucarelli Souza forced a deuce anew at 16-all. Faure sent the French anew at match point before Quentin Jouffroy drilled the game-winning ace to complete the come-from-behind win.

Giani relished his second Manila leg in the past three VNL hosting of the Philippines, as his wards split their four matches, bouncing back from a five-set meltdown to Japan on Saturday.

“It’s the second time for me, and this gym is fantastic. For the fans, it’s perfect because many people, many fans, and this volleyball is a show. It’s important the player and the team used this because it’s a show, and we need to put in the best every time,” France’s coach said.

Although they will be playing in the Final Eight, Giani and his team stressed the importance of defending their Olympic title at home. 

READ: VNL 2024: France halts Iran streak to boost Final Eight push

“The VNL [is] too competitive. The first preparation for the Olympic Games. It’s important for the team to play against a big team. Every match we need to try to win and improve the level and quality,” he said. “I’m very happy because of this tournament, the starting six and the second lineup, they played against great teams here.”

Kevin Tillie also stepped up for France with 14 points, while Jouffroy and Yacine Loati added eight points each.

Brazil, which drew inspiration from Bruno Rezende’s return from injury, seeing limited action, only won a game in Manila, sliding to a 6-6 card,

Souza led the Brazilians with 18 points. Alan Souza had 15 points, while Fernandez and Flavio Resende added 11 and 10 points, respectively.



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