Tag: Cup

Alas Pilipinas at FIVB Challenger Cup

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Alas Pilipinas women’s team faces a tough test in the FIVB Challenger Cup, another world-class volleyball event hosted by the Philippines, from July 4 to 7 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The eight qualified teams – the host Philippines, Argentina, Belgium, Czechia, Kenya, Puerto Rico, Sweden and AVC Challenge Cup champion Vietnam – battle in the knockout quarterfinal round on July 4 and July 5.

READ: Alas Pilipinas women draw tough first FIVB assignment

This is followed by the do-or-die semifinal and final rounds.

The winner of the tournament–which was first held in 2018–qualifies for the Volleyball of Nations League (VNL) in 2025.

Alas Pilipinas at FIVB Challenger Cup schedule

Here is the schedule of all the games in the FIVB Challenger’s Cup including Alas Pilipinas’ assignment in the quarterfinals.

July 4,  Thursday

  • 3pm – Puerto Rico vs Kenya
    6:30pm – Belgium vs Sweden

July 5, Friday

  • 3pm –  Czechia Republic vs Argentina
    6:30pm – Philippines vs Vietnam

July 6, Saturday

  • 3pm – semifinals
    6:30pm – semifinals

July 7, Sunday

  • 3pm – battle for third
    6:30pm – Final

Alas Pilipinas roster for FIVB Challenger Cup

There were a few changes to the Alas Pilipinas roster that won the bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup 2024 last month, with the addition of pros and UAAP stars.

Here is the Philippines roster for the FIVB Challenger Cup from the FIVB official website.

  • Faith Nisperos – O
  • Fifi Sharma – MB
  • Vannie Gandler – OH
  • Bella Belen – OH
  • Dawn Macandili-Catindig – L
  • Julia Coronel – S
  • Eya Laure – OH
  • Jen Nierva – L
  • Jia de Guzman – S
  • Angel Canino – O
  • Dell Palomata – MB
  • Alyssa Solomon – O
  • Arah Panique – O
  • Thea Gagate – MB
  • Sisi Rondina – OH
  • Cherry Nunag – MB
  • Jema Galanza – L


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Gilas Pilipinas women set sights on Jones Cup after U18 success

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Gilas Pilipinas girls at the PSA Forum following their triumphant stint in the Fiba U18 Asia Cup.-PSA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The hard work continues for the successful Gilas women’s program following its masterful conquest of the Fiba U18 Asia Cup Division B in Shenzhen, China last week.

Program director Pat Aquino said the Gilas women (senior) take over when they see action in the Jones Cup in Taiwan set July 13 to 21 and the pre-qualifiers for the next Fiba World Cup set in Rwanda scheduled Aug 19 to 25.

“Then there’s the next SEA Games (2025). Kailangan makuha ulit natin ang gold sa SEA Games,” Aquino said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

READ: Gilas girls earn Division A promotion after whipping Lebanon

Aquino and head coach Julie Amos graced the forum along with members of the U18 team that swept Division B of the Asia Cup and earned a spot in Division A for 2026.

The development was welcome news for the Gilas program after its senior team, the Gilas women, previously made it to Division A as well as the U16 team in the Asia Cup.

“This is the future of our women’s basketball. Tingin ko wala na akong problema for the next years or so. We should continue the program for the 16-under and 18-under with the help of SBP (Sahahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) president Al Panlilio and executive director Erika Dy,” added Aquino.

However, Amos, a former key player for the national team, said all but one of the members of this U18 team will no longer be eligible for 2026.

“Isa na lang ang matititra (Tiffany Reyes) so I hope the SBP continues to help us,” she said during the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and ArenaPLus, the Philippines’ 24/7 sports app.

READ: Tough draw for Gilas women in Fiba World PreQualifiers

“But we have a good problem because more players are asking how they can join the team. It’s just a matter of identifying the talents that will fit the program,” Amos said.

Moving up to Division A for the U18 team was not a complete surprise, according to Aquino.

“We were expecting it. I knew the girls can do it. And it’s a mark for us now around Asia that we can play against the level of China, Japan and Korea,” he said of the campaign in Shenzhen where the Gilas girls went undefeated including a convincing win over Lebanon in the final.

Among the players who graced the forum were team captain Ava Fajardo, Naomi Panganiban, Margarette Duenas, Sophia Canindo, Gabby Ramos, Reyes, Alyssa Rodriguez, Alicia Villanueva and Audrey Lapasaran, Ashlyn Abong, Jolzyne Impreso, and Venice Quinte. With them was former champion coach Ryan Gregorio, special assistant to the SBP president.

Aquino said it’s bittersweet that most of the U18 players that ruled the Shenzhen meet will no longer be eligible for the 2026 edition.

“I hope that someday they can all represent the senior team,” he said.



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“And hopefully we’ll find new faces na magpapatuloy sa ating mga programa. Pero mas malaki na yung pool natin. Lumalaki ng lumalaki,” Aquino added.

Gilas Pilipinas boys lose big anew in Fiba U17 World Cup

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Photo from Fiba

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas Boys still can’t catch a break in the Fiba U17 World Cup.

After absorbing a demoralizing 107-48 loss to Lithuania on Saturday, Gilas swallowed another crushing defeat, this time at the hands of Spain.

Spain made easy work of the Gilas boys, 96-34, in Group A of the tournament at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey late Sunday night (Manila time).

Gilas boys get crushed by Lithuania in Fiba U17 World Cup 

The young Nationals never stood a chance after falling, 30-2, in the opening period.

Joaquin Ludovice was the only Gilas player to score in the first frame after making a layup at the 5:17 mark that came following Spain’s 16-0 start.

Gilas, which is missing its best player in Kieffer Alas due to a knee injury, just didn’t have enough firepower to make it a game against powerhouse Spain.

READ: Kieffer Alas out of Gilas boys lineup for Fiba U17 World Cup

Spain dominated the rebounding department, 71-22, and held the Philippines to only 22 percent shooting from the field.

Bonn Daja was the lone double-digit scorer for Gilas with 12 points. He also grabbed five rebounds.

Maximo Garcia-Plata led Spain with a near-triple-double effort, collecting 15 points, seven rebounds and nine assists while Ignacio Campoy posted 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Two more players hit double-digits for Spain with Guillermo Del Pino and Eric Del Castillo scoring 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Gilas looks to end its campaign on a positive note when it faces Puerto Rico on Tuesday.



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Gilas Girls enter Fiba U18 Asia Cup Finals, closer to promotion

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Gilas Pilipinas girls’ Ava Fajardo during a Fiba U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B game against Samoa. –FIBA PHOTO

Gilas Pilipinas bucked a wobbly second quarter and then played full of zest the rest of the way to dismantle Samoa, 71-47, in the Final Four of the Fiba U18 Women’s Asia Cup Division B on Saturday.

The Young Nationals regained their bearings in the third period and held the Samoans just eight points in the final period of the clash at Futian Sports Park in Shenzen, China to inch closer to a promotion to the tournament’s top-flight division.

Ava Fajardo, one of the noteworthy players from the Gilas Girls program pipeline from last year, delivered 19 points to lead all of the Filipinos in a victory that exorcised the demons of two years ago.

READ: Gilas girls crush Maldives by 123 points in Fiba U18 Asia Cup

The Philippines faltered against Malaysia in overtime in the same phase during the Bangalore, India edition of the showcase in 2022, eventually settling for a third-place finish and falling short of a Division A ticket after crushing left and right early into the tournament.

The Philippines enjoyed leads as big as 26 points and was in control of the contest save for the first 2:12 of the opening frame, where the Filipinos were trying to rediscover their groove after a two-day break.

Naomi Panganiban added 12 points, while Sophia Canindo and Alicia Villanueva chipped in 11 each for the Julie Amos squad that will now face the winner of the other semifinal duel featuring Lebanon and Iran.

READ: Gilas girls return to work, shoot for promotion in China

The Philippines picked apart Lebanon, 89-63, in their previous encounter in the group phase last Tuesday.

Iran, meanwhile, was the finest squad of Group A, sweeping its way into the semifinal phase.

The Lebanese and Iranians tangle as of this writing at the same venue.



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Mylaani Sione led the way for the Samoans with 18 points. Kira-May Filemu added 12 points, but was the only other player to finish for the squad, which will be relegated to the battle for 3rd place.

Gilas boys get crushed by Lithuania in Fiba U17 World Cup opener

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Gilas Pilipinas boys’ CJ Amos against a Lithuanian defender in the Fiba U17 World Cup. –FIBA BASKETBALL

MANILA, Philippines—Lithuania proved to be too much to handle for the Gilas Pilipinas Boys, scoring a dominant 107-48 win in Group A of the Fiba Under-17 World Cup at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday (Manila time).

Backed by a strong opening, the Lithuanians dealt the Philippines an insurmountable lead that Gilas couldn’t come close to cutting down for the remainder of the game.

Already holding a 46-29 at the intermission, Lithuania torched the Philippines with a 13-2 run to open the third period capped off by a Majus Bulanovas triple at the 7:34 mark.

 SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba U17 Basketball World Cup

The third quarter was Gilas’ worst frame as the Filipinos only scored seven points while the Lithuanians fired on all cylinders with 35.

Height is might and the Lithuanians showed just that, as they demolished the Philippines in the rebounding department, 61-32.

Lithuania hounded the Gilas boys on defense with 10 steals and eight blocks overall, as a team, limiting the Nationals to a measly 21.9 percent field goal shooting clip while shooting 53.5 percent as a squad.

READ: Kieffer Alas out of Gilas boys roster for Fiba U17 World Cup

With Kieffer Alas out of the lineup due to a knee injury, CJ Amos led the Philippines with 10 points and three assists but to no avail. Kurt Velasquez struggled mightily for his eight points, sinking just three of his 14 tries from the field for Gilas.

Arturas Butajevas finished just a rebound shy of a double-double with 22 points and nine rebounds for Lithuania. Kajus Mikalauskas scored 15 while Erikas Sirgedas and Dovydas Buika finished with 14 and 12 points, respectively.

Up next for the Gilas Boys is Spain at the same venue on Sunday at 8:30 pm.



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Kieffer Alas out of Gilas boys lineup for Fiba U17 World Cup

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Gilas Pilipinas Boys’ Kieffer Alas is named in the All-Star Five at the Fiba U16 Asian Championship in Doha, Qatar.–FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas boys will compete in the 2024 Fiba Under-17 World Cup in Istanbul without its star guard Kieffer Alas.

In Fiba’s final roster released ahead of Saturday’s opening game day, Alas was not part of the lineup due to a knee injury he suffered in the Gilas boys’  last tune-up game against Canada.

“On initial examination by our team doctor, he had a functionally stable knee and the official result of his MRI determined Kieffer has a sprained ACL,” said head coach Josh Reyes. “His knee is swollen and he’ll be out for three weeks. We will be monitoring his situation closely.”

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba U17 World Cup

Alas, a member of the UAAP Season 86 boys’ basketball Mythical Five, will sit out the competition but fellow La Salle Zobel standout Irus Chua will still add a hue of Green and White to the roster.

“It’s a tough break for us but the rest of the team is motivated to play together. We’re praying for good results on Kieffer’s MRI but we have to move forward and quickly figure out how to play without him,” Reyes said.

READ: Kieffer Alas makes Fiba Asia U16 All-Star Five

“Kieffer was doing a great job in playmaking, rebounding, and playing defense and this is his value to the squad, more than his scoring.”

Dominic Arejola took Alas’ spot for the Gilas boys, who will play Lithuania on Saturday in their first assignment in the World Cup.

University of Santo Tomas talents Joaquin Ludovice and Kurt Velasquez were also included in the lineup.

Ludovice made noise not too long ago by cracking the NBTC 24 list, an annual ladder of the best high-school players in the country. He was listed as the 20th-best high school player.

They will be joined by 5-foot-11 athletic guard Elijah Williams, Blue Eagle star Mason Amos’ younger brother CJ and lanky 6-foot-4 wing Edryn Morales.

Also joining the pack are Davao Bulldog Bonn Daja, the tallest man in the lineup at 6-foot-6 in Paul Diao, UP Integrated School Talent Jaime Gomez de Liaño and California-bred Samuel Alegre.

Rounding out the lineup is Noah Banal, who, alongside Williams, Amos, Morales, Daja, Diao, de Liaño, and Alegre finished fourth in the U16 Asian Championship.



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Gilas is grouped in Pool A with Spain, Puerto Rico and Lithuania.

Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba U17 World Cup

On: By: admin


Schedule, roster for Fiba Under-17 World Basketball Cup.

Gilas Pilipinas boys team begins its campaign in the 2024 Fiba Under-17 Basketball World Cup, which will run from June 29 to July 7 in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Philippines is bracketed with Lithuania, Spain and Puerto Rico in Group A.

China, USA, France, and Guinea round out Group B while Argentina, host Türkiye, New Zealand, Italy headline Group C. Egypt, Germany, Canada, Australia are slotted in Group D.

READ: Gilas boys get tough draw for 2024 Fiba U17 World Cup

The Gilas boys earned their spot in the World Cup after a semifinal stint in the Fiba U16 Asian Championship last year.

This is the Philippines’ third appearance in the U17 World Cup after Gilas’ first two campaigns in 2014 and 2018.

Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba U17 Basketball World Cup Group stage schedule

Gilas Pilipinas plays a round-robin format with teams in its group in the group phase from June 29 to July 2.

All four teams per group advance to the next round, where Groups A and B and Group C and D will face each other in a crossover format. The match-ups are based on their group phase ranking.

June 29, Saturday

  • 5:30pm – Lithuania vs Gilas Pilipinas

June 30, Sunday

  • 8:30pm – Gilas Pilipinas vs Spain

July 2, Tuesday

  • 8pm – Gilas Pilipinas vs Puerto Rico

July 3, Wednesday

July 5, Friday

July 6, Saturday

July 7, Sunday



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Philippines’ roster at Fiba U17 Basketball World Cup

  • 0 – Noah Banal
  • 1 – Joaquin Gabriel Ludovice
  • 2 – Elijah Mark Williams
  • 5 – Paul Cyron Diao
  • 6 – Irus Chua
  • 8 – Bonn Ervin Daja
  • 11 – Kurt Nathan Velasquez
  • 12 – Dominic Joaquin Arejola
  • 13 – Samuel Alegre
  • 25 – Cletz David Amos
  • 26 – Edryn Morales
  • 38 – Jaime Lorenzo Gomez de Liano

Kieffer Alas, who starred in the Gilas U16 run, was replaced due to injury.

China’s 7-foot-3 player Zhang Ziyu dominating Fiba U18 Asia Cup

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The photo taken on June 25, 2024 shows 2.20m (seven feet, three inches) Chinese basketball player Zhang Ziyu and her teammates listening to their coach’s instructions during their 2024 FIBA Under-18 Women’s Asia Cup match between China and New Zealand in Shenzhen. (Photo by AFP)

A 17-year-old Chinese basketball player has been tipped for the top and drawn comparisons to Yao Ming after using her startling height advantage to dominate an international tournament.

Zhang Ziyu stands 7-foot-3 (2.20 meters), according to Fiba, the basketball’s governing body.

But Chinese media reported earlier this year that she was even taller at 7-foot-6 (2.28m)

READ: Yao Ming vows to support China basketball players after online abuse

Either way, she has used her height to help the hosts to two comfortable wins at this week’s U18 Women’s Asia Cup in Shenzhen and drawn attention beyond China after footage of her emerged online.

Against Indonesia on Monday, Zhang netted 19 points in 13 minutes after coming off the bench in a big 109-50 victory.

Video footage showed her towering over her opponents, with some of the Indonesian players barely coming up to the chest of Zhang, who hardly has to jump to reach the basket.

READ: Yao Ming slams China ‘slackers’ after Asian Games basketball flop

China then beat New Zealand 90-68 on Tuesday, with the teenager posting a team-high 36 points. She also led in rebounds with 13.

Social media users compared her to former NBA star Yao, who was 2.29m tall and China’s greatest basketball player of all time.

The WNBA requires foreign players to be aged at least 20, but many observers are already speculating about Zhang’s potential future career in the United States.

“Generational dominance,” one user on X commented.

“She’s got a good touch around the rim,” another wrote.



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“Most tall people just chuck the ball at it, hoping it goes in, but she has good form and knows what she’s doing.”

Gilas crushes Maldives by 123 points in Fiba U18 Asia Cup

On: By: admin


Gilas Pilipinas’ Alicia Villanueva against the Maldives in the Fiba U18 Asia Cup in China on Monday. –Fiba Asia Photo

MANILA, Philippines–Gilas Pilipinas picked Maldives with methodical precision on Monday, 141-18, for a rousing start in the Fiba U18 Asia Cup Division B in Shenzen, China.

The young Nationals came out of the gates hard, racing to a 22-0 lead to take early control of the contest at Futian Sports Park.

Alicia Villanueva, who starred for the Philippines in last month’s Asia Cup Qualifiers held in Thailand, picked up where she left off with 18 points.

READ: Gilas U18 squad eyes sweep for promotion, redemption

Jolzyne Impreso chipped in 18 points as well, with seven more of Julie Amos’ charges scoring at least 12 points in the blowout which was a repeat of the two nations’ last encounter in the previous edition of the meet held in India two years ago.

Gilas put the game beyond doubt as early as the second quarter where the Filipinas went on a 47-0 rampage for a 99-14 edge in the next period.

The Philippines will next face Lebanon, another country it easily beat the last time.

Gilas Girls are shooting for a Division A promotion, which will send them to the main tournament where top-flight countries like China, Japan, and Australia are playing.



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Dave Ildefonso Strong Group team for Jones Cup

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FILE–Dave Ildefonso is joining the Strong Group-Pilipinas for the Jones Cup. Photo from Suwon KT Sonicboom

MANILA, Philippines — Dave Ildefonso is reuniting with his Ateneo teammate Ange Kouame as he completes the Strong Group-Pilipinas roster for the 43rd William Jones Cup from July 13 to 21, 2024 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Ildefonso, armed with his two-year experience in the Korean Basketball League with Suwon KT, on Saturday was welcomed by the Philippine club, which also tapped UAAP Season 84 Kouame as one of its many foreign players.

“I’m really excited to be on the same team with Ange again,” said Ildefonso, who will be playing with the Gilas naturalized center for the first time since winning the UAAP Season 85. “I know what he can bring to the team and how valuable he is as a player. He’ll definitely have a big role to play for SGA.”

READ: Dave Ildefonso missing home, weighing options aside from KBL

Ildefonso, the son of PBA legend and Converge assistant coach Danny, will be teaming up with overseas players Kiefer Ravena, Angelo Kouame, Rhenz Abando, Jordan Heading, and RJ Abarrientos.

“My top priority in joining SGA is to help the team which is being handled by one of my friends in Ateneo Jacob (Lao) win the championship in any way possible,” said the KBL Asian import. “Representing the country is always a privilege, and I intend to make the most of an opportunity like this.”

DJ Fenner, Chris McCollough, Caelan Tiongson, and Tajuan Agee will reinforce the Filipinos, who will also be represented by young guns Jonathan Manalili, Allen Liwag, and Tony Ynot.

READ: Kouame, Abarrientos boost Strong Group’s Jones Cup roster

Ildefonso is also reuniting with Strong Group coach Charles Tiu, who previously coached him in the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup and the Dubai International Basketball Tournament in 2020 under the Mighty Sports banner. 

“I’ve always been a fan of Dave’s game,” said Tiu. “I’m looking forward to seeing the improvement in his game from his time abroad. Hopefully, we can help boost his confidence for his next career step.”



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