Petecio takes on ‘elder’ role for Filipino Olympians

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Weightlifters Vanessa Sarno and Elreen Ando, boxers Aira Villegas, Hergie Bacyadan, Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, rower Joanie Delgaco and weightlifter John Febuar Ceniza left Saturday for a training camp in France. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Nesthy Petecio has fully embraced her role as the eldest sibling in the present batch of Filipino athletes bound for the Paris Olympics.

And what made it superbly special is the affectionate treatment that the Tokyo Olympics boxing silver medalist has instilled within their clique.

“We treat each other as family. I want my fellow Olympians to be as close to each other as possible,’’ Petecio told the Inquirer during the sendoff ceremony at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Petecio, on her second straight tour of duty to the global sports spectacle, left for the Metz training camp in France on Saturday along with eight other athletes, roughly five weeks before the opening of the Games.

Gymnast Carlos Yulo, rower Joanie Delgaco, weightlifters Elreen Ando, John Ceniza, Vanessa Sarno and boxers Carlo Paalam, Hergie Bacyadan and Aira Villegas also received a parting gift of P500,000 each from Sen. Bong Go.

Joining the eight athletes at the monthlong camp in Metz, a three-hour train ride from Paris, are pole vaulter EJ Obiena, fencer Samantha Catantan, boxer Eumir Marcial and gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Jung-Ruivivar.

Petecio and Paalam have been designated the nation’s flag bearers during the opening rites as Team Philippines aims to accomplish a similar objective of capturing a gold medal achieved by weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in 2020 Tokyo.

“We know there’s an attractive incentive waiting for us. But we don’t only fight for those incentives. We fight to reach the dreams of our families and give pride and honor to our country,’’ said Petecio.



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Carlos Yulo focusing on pommel horse as Paris Olympics nears

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FILE–Southeast Asian Games – Artistic Gymnastics – Olympic Marquee, Phnom Penh, Cambodia – May 8, 2023 Philippines’ Carlos Yulo in action during the men’s qualification REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

MANILA, Philippines—Carlos Yulo will be competing in various events in his latest Olympic bid and if there’s one particular event that he is worried about ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, it’s the pommel horse.

Seeking perfection, Yulo admitted he still has some work to do in the pommel horse with a month to go before the Games.

“For all around, I’ll be joining six events so I’ll see what I can improve on in practice but I’m having difficulty in the pommel horse,” said Yulo in Filipino during the Philippine delegation’s send-off ceremony at Ayuntamiento de Manila in Intramuros on Friday.

READ: ‘Grateful’ Carlos Yulo wants more after Asian meet success

“I’m also more focused on injury prevention in practice, I’m strengthening my endurance and building my muscles because I really shrank after the Asian Championships having done a lot to try and improve my skills. So I need [to lift] weights but right now I’m super healthy and I’m grateful that I have no injuries.”

While the floor exercise is Yulo’s pet event, the pommel horse isn’t really his strong suit.

The last time the 24-year-old Yulo made the podium in the said event was in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, where he won silver.

READ: Carlos Yulo adds two more golds as PH rises to 2nd

“I’m trying to see where I can improve. I became experimental so what happened before [in previous competitions] isn’t that good but they’re all good experiences.”

“Despite those results, I took it as a learning experience.”

Yulo is also well aware of his competition in Paris.

“I feel like all those top-level athletes are proven and tested and they have a lot of experiences like me so maybe I’ll practice to be more confident in performing and have trust in myself and all things I’ve been practicing.”



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U18 squad eyes sweep for promotion, redemption

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Gabby Ramos against Indonesia defenders Fiba U18 Women’s Asia Cup Seaba Qualifiers. –FIBA BASKETBALL

Gilas Pilipinas is back in the Fiba U18 Women’s Asia Cup and will be shooting for redemption—and Division A promotion—nearly two years after a heartbreaking loss that had the squad settling for third place.

The young Nationals, coached by longtime women’s program mentor Julie Amos, arrived in Shenzhen, China, on Saturday (Manila time). Still sore from a friendly with the La Salle Lady Archers and a long trip from the airport to the Chinese city, they immediately rolled their sleeves and got to work, eager to erase the heartaches of the past.

“Even though coming from an early flight, we were able to rest a bit and get back to training,” Amos told the Inquirer. “We had our first training today at 2 p.m. and [we hope to do it tomorrow] 2 p.m. again before June 24.”

The Philippines’ path will first go through the Maldives, a side they picked apart with methodical precision in their last meeting, 110-28, in the previous edition of the tournament held in Bangalore, India.

The clash is set at 4:30 p.m. at Futian Sports Park with the likes of Naomi Panganiban, Gabriella Ramos, and Tiff Reyes expected to match their strong showing during the Asia Cup qualifiers in Thailand last May.

2022 heartache

Amos noted her charges’ zest but knows all too well that it will all be for naught without the proper mindset.

“We all know that this will be a tough competition. And for us to be able to win, to face all [sorts of] adversities, we have to be ready mentally and physically,” she said. “Being resilient and determined is what [we need to do] in this tournament. The girls are excited and ready.”

Gilas is also slotted with Syria and Lebanon in Group B.

The Philippines was on track to reach the you-or-me finale during the 2022 showcase, but ran into a tough-as-nails Malaysian side that prevailed in overtime, 66-65. Gilas, then starred by the likes of Kate Bobadilla, Kristian Yumul, and Louna Ozar, played Samoa to wind up in third place.

A sweep of the Shenzhen showcase will finally send the Philippines to Division A, where continental powerhouses China, Japan and Australia compete.



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After soaring into PBA lore, Newsome hopes to make the same impact for Gilas Pilipinas

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Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome during Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Last week saw Chris Newsome weave himself into PBA lore with a shot that ended Meralco’s long wait for a championship.

But next week will see Newsome test himself once more against some of the best international basketball has to offer, with a bigger role expected of him for Gilas Pilipinas in the OIympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

“I’m a natural competitor, and I want to see what I’m capable of,” said Newsome, who is seen as a key cog in Gilas’ daunting task facing host Latvia and Georgia in Riga for the final phase of qualification for the Paris Games.

Odds are stacked against Gilas, with Latvia and Georgia seen as the two sides progressing past Group A of the OQT phase which starts July 2.

But Newsome will head to the OQT with confidence at a high level following a performance that keyed Meralco’s triumph over San Miguel and end the franchise’s 14-year wait for a PBA crown.

Important presence

His heroic role, ending with a baseline jumper in Game 6 that sealed the championship, capped off a season in which Newsome has been playing at a level never before seen since he entered the league in 2015.

Much of the credit is on his important presence in Gilas’ victory in the Hangzhou Asian Games, a result that ended the Philippines’ 61-year gold medal drought.

“It definitely helped me going up against [some of] the best in the world,” he said. “It helped me understand where I am as a player and what skills that I have to work on.”

Winning a PBA title and his newfound status as one of the country’s best players, however, can’t satisfy Newsome, who’ll now try to not only put Gilas in a position to give both European countries a run for their money, but also hold his own against the players he’ll go up against.

“Sometimes, I fail. But I’m okay with failing, because I know I did my best,” he said. “Even with this [PBA] championship, I have so much to improve on.”

Gilas is wrapping its short camp at Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, and is scheduled to take on the Taiwan Mustangs of The Asian Tournament on Monday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.



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Then it’s off to Europe for Gilas for tune-up matches with Turkey and Poland in the leadup to the OQT.

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

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Japan team celebrates in the VNL 2024 Week 3 game against France. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Yuki Ishikawa took matters into his own hands to help depleted Japan complete an epic comeback-from-behind 17-25, 19-25, 25-16, 25-23, 15-10 win over Olympic champion France in the Volleyball Nations League on Saturday evening before a roaring crowd at Mall of Asia Arena.

With Ran Takahashi flying home to Japan due to a nagging injury and Yuji Nishida sitting out after the second set due to abdomen pain, Ishikawa willed Japan back from two sets down, with 33 points off 31 spikes, one ace, and a block in front of 11,879 fans.

“First two sets, we were not working well. At the same time, we made too many mistakes, especially in our attacks. After the third set, we worked on our chemistry, our attack, and defense,” said the Japan skipper. “We have to push all the time. First and second sets we were a little bit nervous.”

READ: Japan’s Ran Takahashi leaves Manila to treat knee injury

“[33 points] is not important for me. What’s important is the team, so our teammates played very well, so I had to make the right plays,” he added.

Kento Miyaura, who came off the bench, also stepped up with 19 points built on 16 spikes, two aces, and a block as Japan improved to 8-3 in fifth place with one last assignment remaining against the USA on Sunday at 7 p.m.

Miyaura powered the Japanese to an early 10-5 start in the fifth set before Ishikawa delivered the killer blows to complete the comeback win against the 2022 VNL champions.

READ: VNL 2024: Japan bounces back with sweep of Netherlands

“It’s our last game in the Philippines, so we will do our best every time, and we will continue to play well,” said Ishikawa of USA. “It’s a really, really tough game for sure. United States plays fast, so our service needs to be well.”

Akihiro Yamauchi and Kentaro Takahashi added six points each as Japan won the second of its third assignment in their third consecutive VNL Manila leg.

France absorbed its second straight defeat in Manila, sliding to a 7-4 record in sixth place after a tough loss to the also-ran Iran.

Jean Patry led the balanced attack of the French Spikers with 21 points off 18 attacks, two aces, and a block. Trevor Clevenot backstopped him with 15 points, while Yacine Loati and Nicolas Le Goff had 11 and 10 points, respectively.



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France tries to end its skid against Brazil on Sunday at 3 p.m. 

Boston salutes Celtics’ record 18th NBA championship with parade

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Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum celebrates the team’s NBA basketball championship during a duck boat parade Friday, June 21, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

BOSTON — The Celtics entered the season vowing to turn recent playoff heartbreaks into happiness.

Eight months later, they toasted the franchise’s 18th NBA championship in what has become the signature Boston celebration, joined Friday by a huge crowd for a duck boat parade to mark the 13th championship won this century by one of the city’s franchises in the four biggest U.S. sports leagues.

The Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox and Bruins have all commemorated championships by jumping aboard the duck boats — amphibious vehicles usually ridden by sightseeing tourists.

In Boston, firing up the boats for a slow cruise down city streets has become synonymous with its feeling of sports supremacy. Friday’s parade was the latest component of what has been a rolling salute to the Celtics since they finished off the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the NBA Finals on Monday night.

Starting at TD Garden, the procession lasted about 90 minutes, turning first onto Causeway Street in front of the arena, past City Hall, through Boston Common, down Boylston Street and ending at Hynes Convention Center.

READ: Celtics look to become first repeat NBA champion since 2008

Along the way, there were plenty of moments for the city to salute a franchise that just broke a tie with the rival Los Angeles Lakers for the most titles in league history. Fans marked the moment by hanging on light posts, flashing homemade signs or standing on subway entrances.

“It’s unbelievable. It still doesn’t seem true. But just trying to stay in the moment,” All-Star Jayson Tatum said during a pre-parade rally at the Garden.

Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck gave fans an early treat about 90 minutes before the trade began.

He was attempting to drive to the arena with the Larry O’Brien Trophy and newly made 2024 championship banner along with his wife, Emilia Fazzalari, and their daughter.

They couldn’t get through because of traffic and barricades. So they walked a half-mile down Causeway Street, passing by a sea of fans while carrying the trophy and banner.

Inside the Garden, the rally included players and their family members, members of the Celtics organization, arena staff, season ticket holders and guests including Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

After celebrating in the locker room Monday night by spraying Champagne and posing for pictures with the trophy, the team flew to Miami for a private party.

When the Celtics returned Wednesday, coach Joe Mazzulla took the party back to people, allowing fans to see the trophy up close — and in some cases touch it — while he carried it through Boston’s famed North End.

“I drove all the way from Ohio (Wednesday) because we were coming for the parade,” Celtics fan Jason Hawkins told Boston’s ABC affiliate, WCVB-TV. “I touched trophy, man. I got video of it.”

The golden basketball was on display for all to see Friday as players, flanked by Celtics personnel and members of their families, waved and interacted with fans.

The Celtics broke every huddle this season by saying, “Together.”

Jaylen Brown said Friday the theme for this year’s team was unity.

“Whatever it took for us to win, that’s what I was willing to do,” Brown said.

As much as the day was a celebration of that team-first mantra that Mazzulla championed this season, it was also the culmination of mission that stars Brown and Tatum began after each was drafted third overall — Brown in 2016 and Tatum a year later.

The duo made it to four conference finals and one NBA Finals — a loss to the Golden State Warriors in 2022 — before finally reaching the league pinnacle. Brown earned Finals MVP honors, which he said also belonged to his “partner in crime.”

While the city had to wait nearly two decades for this celebration, the Celtics are in a solid position to try to become the NBA’s first back-to-back champions since the Warriors in 2018.

All five starters — Tatum, Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis — are under contract for next season. After having secured long-term extensions with Brown, Holiday and Porzingis, the Celtics are expected to do the same with Tatum and White this summer.



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Reserve Luke Kornet didn’t let fans forget the Celtics’ history of titles, leading fans on a count from one to 18 at the end of the parade route.

Their message to the city is clear: Keep the duck boats gassed up.

Team USA has ‘fun’ interaction with ‘friendly’ Alas Pilipinas

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Members of Alas Pilipinas and Team USA.–Photo from Alas Pilipinas volley Instagram

MANILA, Philippines — The stars of Team USA were thrilled to interact with the members of the Alas Pilipinas men’s and women’s squads on Friday evening at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati.

Alas players Bryan Bagunas and his teammates had a chance to meet USA’s TJ Defalco and Matt Anderson and even libero Erik Shoji, who watched Bagunas’ heroics in the Philippines’ historic silver medal run in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. 

Shoji posted a series of YouTube vlogs in 2020, reacting to the Philippine men’s volleyball team’s matches in the SEA Games including its five-set thriller against Thailand in the semifinal.

READ: VNL 2024: USA star Taylor Averill wants to come back, explore PH

“It was really fun. I’ve watched Bryan Bagunas before on YouTube and the team in the SEA Games 2019. It was fun to watch those players. I know they’re so popular here and it was nice to meet him [Bryan]. I’ve seen him play, so, I know how good he is for sure,” said the USA libero of Bagunas, who is now playing in Chinese Taipei.

Besides Bagunas, Shoji was pleased to meet the other members of the squad, taking photos and sharing volleyball tips.

“We met them for maybe five minutes before, then we had the interview and then we talked for five to 10 minutes after. They were fun, you know, I love the Filipino people, the energy they have, it’s so—I’m from Hawaii, and we have similar kind of energies so, it’s been so fun and we just love interacting any time we can,” he said.

Alas setters Jia De Guzman and Owa Retamar also got the opportunity to talk and take a selfie with USA star setter and captain Micah Christenson.

“We talked to the two guy players, there was the setter and we talked about setting a little bit and then the three women’s team players, we shared food together like we’re friends. It was really informal, felt really friendly and that’s the best thing,” Christenson said. 

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

Christenson shared he also encouraged Alas to cheer for them when they wrap up their VNL campaign against fellow fan-favorite Japan on Sunday evening.

“It was awesome just to get to talk to them, listen to their experience and talk about how who they’re gonna cheer for if it’s gonna be Japan or us tomorrow. So we put a little pressure on them to cheer for us. But that was great they’re all really good people and it’s cool that we’re able to meet them,” said the setter.

Alas players shared their pictures with the USA stars, relishing their time to meet the VNL runner-up and Olympic-bound Americans. 

Defalco said their short but precious dinner with Alas Pilipinas made their first Manila stint more special aside from the warm support from Filipino fans.



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“It was awesome to see the Manila team, especially in a country like this is amazing. To see some of the culture and get exposed to it is awesome. I had a really great time,” Defalco said. “We kind of conversed with all of them. Little pieces here and there. It was just kind of a quick turnaround to get to know each other, and answer some questions and that was it. It was a great time.”

Canada sweeps Manila leg but coach wants more

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Stephen Maar and Canada celebrate a point against Netherlands in the VNL.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Canada may have swept four matches in the Manila Leg to book a spot in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Final Eight but it wasn’t perfect for coach Tuomas Sammelvuo as he urges his wards to stay hungry.

Canada turned to Stephen Maar and Eric Loeppky to seal a spot in the Final Eight after overcoming the Netherlands in five sets, 21-25, 25-22, 28-26, 14-25, 15-9, on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

But coach Sammelvuo said they won’t stop working on their lapses, which were still exploited by the Netherlands, led by the league’s top scorer Nimir Abdel-Aziz.

READ: VNL 2024: As Paris Olympics nears, Canada focused on improvement

“It’s never perfect but of course four wins, huge performance from the players. I’m very happy for them and we qualified for the Final Eight. That’s amazing,” said the Finnish coach of Canada. “I think we got confidence after a few wins and now we finished the end part of VNL with eight wins. That’s very very good. Now we focus on the Final Eight, we’ll keep on practicing and get ready for the quarterfinals.”

Maar powered the Canadians with 18 points off 15 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Loeppky delivered the goods anew with 14 points, while Xander Ketrzynski and Lucas Van Berkel added nine points each. 

“Fourth game in five days, five-setter, crazy environment, we wanted that win so bad and so did they. They wanted to win for him and we wanted to win for us. It went to be a really tough match mentally and also physically,” said Loeppky. “I think we needed this game. We really needed to be put in a tough situation to be able to come together and win as a team I think that’s huge for us. This one was tough, so it’s really important for us moving forward because all we have left is the Final Eight and the Olympics so all those games are going to be like this.”

READ: VNL 2024: Canada sweeps Germany for back-to-back wins

Sammelvuo was happy for his players’ improvement after finishing the preliminary round as the No.4 seed with an 8-4 record as they will also play in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“We have improved I think we’re qualified in the Olympic games and last October was a big step for us in terms of confidence. After that many players had a very good season in their clubs and we have been working, being humble and trying to improve. We’ll never stop,” said the Canada coach, who is also eyeing to return in Manila for the FIVB World Championship next year. 

“Amazing. Good crowd. Next year, the world championship is here. So I hope we’ll come back here,” he added.

 The Netherlands ended up winless in Manila with a 3-9 record despite another 37-point explosion from Abdel-Aziz highlighted by six aces. Maarten Van Garderen had 17 points.



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PLDT’s Kianna Dy still day-to-day, no timeline for return

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Kianna Dy.–Photo from PLDT High Speed Hitters

MANILA, Philippines — Kianna Dy’s availability remains day-to-day ahead of PLDT’s upcoming campaign in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference in July.

Dy, who has been missing the action since last year’s Invitational Conference due to a knee injury, is not giving a timeline on when she will make her debut as a High Speed Hitter but she assured that she is “doing good.”

“With my injury, we’re going day-by-day. And I just don’t want to give a specific date when I’m going to play because ayaw kong paasahin din yung sarili ko and also the supporters. So, we just go day-by-day and see what happens,” Dy told reporters during PLDT’s fan meet in the Volleyball Nations League on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: PVL: Kianna Dy can’t wait to play against former teammates

The star opposite spiker is crossing her fingers that she can play in the midseason conference with returning Russian import Elena Samoilenko, whom she faced in 2022 when she was still with F2 Logistics.

“She’s really nice. I’ve actually played against her the last time, so… [we’re] preparing for the next league and hopefully I get to join her play,” said Dy, who signed with PLDT with Majoy Baron and Kim Fajardo after F2 Logistics’ disbandment.

PLDT, led by Filipino-Canadian Savi Davison, is raring to end a three-conference semis drought after falling short in the All-Filipino Conference with an 8-3 record in fifth place.

READ: PVL: Kianna Dy says familiarity big factor in choosing PLDT

The top four of Reinforced will also qualify in the PVL Invitational Conference in September with two foreign guest teams.

Dy, whose with Fajardo, Erika Santos, Kiesha Bedonia, and Rachel Austerio, is enjoying the VNL fever with her teammates as she can’t wait to watch the clash of her favorite team Japan against USA on Sunday. 

“I actually am very excited to watch Japan, the next game because you know, they’re real-life Haikyu and I grew up watching Haikyuu so I’m very excited to watch them play,” said Dy, referring to a volleyball anime series “Haikyu!!”. “VNL is such a big event and we’re very proud to support the VNL and you know it’s high-play here so it’s nice watching players from other countries play here.”



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Alas Pilipinas name Italian Angiolino Frigoni as new coach

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Alas Pilipinas men during the AVC Challenge Cup. —AVC PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Alas Pilipinas men’s team will have a new coach in seasoned Italian tactician Angiolino Frigoni, according to Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tats Suzara.

Suzara on Saturday bared that Frigoni has taken over the Philippine men’s volleyball team program, succeeding Brazilian Sergio Veloso, who will be now the program director for the boys and girls grassroots.

“We have a new Italian coach. He’s a two-time Olympic coach Frigoni. He’s here to share with us his expertise and to bring our team and elevate their skills next year,” said Suzara during the penultimate day of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 3 at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: Alas Pilipinas finish 10th in AVC Challenge Cup

In time for the Alas’ participation in the FIVB World Championship next year in Manila, the Filipino Spikers get a timely boost from an Olympian coach, who is a decorated volleyball personality in the world.

Frigoni will have a chance to develop Alas stars Marck Espejo, Bryan Bagunas, setter Owa Retamar, and other Filipino players.

Suzara said Veloso will handle the grassroots after two years with the men’s team, ending his stint in the AVC Challenge Cup for Bahrain.

The Brazilian will form a team and coaching staff as the country participates in the under-18 boys in Bahrain and under-20 women in the AIMAG in Bangkok in November.

READ: Alas Pilipinas men beat Indonesia, advance to battle for 9th

“Sergio will now be the director for the junior development so we’re now setting up a junior development program. Sergio will be in charge of the under 18, under 20,” Suzara said. “He’s basically in charge of feeding the senior national team with very young players. He’s focused more on the upcoming university players to play in the national team

“He needs to get a pool of coaches to help him. He will start recruiting players in the province he’ll go to Cebu in the Palarong Pambansa and other national tournaments,” he added.

Suzara said that Veloso should retain Japanese coach Taka Minowa for the girls’ team, which won bronze in the Princess Cup and joined the Asian U18 women’s in Thailand.

The PNVF will be in the US for 10 days to discover Filipino-American talents for men’s and women’s indoor volleyball as well as for beach volleyball.



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