Tag: return

Fiba OQT stint signals return of PH as a serious global force

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The Filipinos certainly made heads turn in Latvia. — PHOTOS FROM FIBA.COM

Gilas Pilipinas may have lost its all-important match against Brazil in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Latvia on Saturday, but the National Five, however, can now boast of something Philippine basketball wasn’t able to speak of for decades.

After a masterful conquest of world No. 6 Latvia on its home turf and a pair of plucky stands against the Georgian and Brazilian national sides backstopped by NBA-caliber talent, Gilas Pilipinas—years written off as a doormat on the global stage—proved that it belongs.

“It’s, kinda like a ‘now we know’ moment—[that] ‘Now, we know we can compete,’” national coach Tim Cone said on Saturday night, shortly after the 71-60 loss to the world No. 12 Cariocas who dashed Gilas’ dreams of returning to the Olympic Games in Paris.

Cone—like the millions following Gilas’ bid at home—would’ve wanted his crew to keep writing their improbable surprise story in Riga. But the Nationals had very few answers for the physical play of the enemy who also rediscovered their offensive groove just when the Filipinos lost theirs.

“They played us with a real physical brand of basketball,” he said of the South American powerhouse that advanced to face the Latvians in the finale on Sunday night.

“We were making tough shots in the first half and they were missing a lot of open shots. We knew that if we didn’t turn that around, it was going to get difficult for us in the second half,” Cone went on. “And we continued to [take] tough shots and they weren’t going in anymore. And then they started hitting open shots.

“I think we just kind of panicked a little bit. We started doing a lot of one-on-one, we weren’t moving the ball like we normally do. We just didn’t bring our best.”

Leaving a mark

The botched campaign will sting for a while for Gilas, but there is no denying the inevitable mark left by the squad led by Justin Brownlee, June Mar Fajardo, Dwight Ramos, and Chris Newsome.

“Of course, we want to get to the Olympics. It was the ultimate goal,” Newsome said. “But again, this is another stepping stone for us as a program to try to improve and continue to get better. You know, there’s a lot of positives that you can take away from this trip, from this tournament.”

“[I’m] definitely not happy,” said Brownlee. “[I’m] grateful for the opportunity, though. It’s been an honor to come here, to this country, and be able to showcase Filipino basketball and I want to thank Latvia for that.”

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio, who was with the contingent throughout the tournament, was among those ecstatic to see how Cone’s intrepid charges fared in its first two outings. Expectedly, he was just as devastated to see the run end on Saturday.

But Panlilio, who knows a thing or two about fighting through adversity having conquered cancer himself, knows that Gilas’ latest setback could very well be a fortuitous setup for a comeback.

“Like in anything—like in life and the corporate world—you learn from adversity and hopefully come out stronger and better moving forward,” he told the Inquirer.

“We understood the goal and set our sights on it—making the Paris Olympics if we can. [The] longer term is to compete in the Fiba Asia Cup, come out as the top team, qualify for the World Cup in 2027, and be the best Asian team that also qualifies us to [the Los Angeles] Olympics.



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“It’s a long-term plan we have embarked on. But each tournament is a building block to the next,” he added. INQ

PVL to use different format in return of Reinforced Conference

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FILE–A shot of the crowd during the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals between Creamline Cool Smashers and Choco Mucho Flying Titans. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The return of the PVL Reinforced Conference features a Pool Play format, dividing 12 teams into two groups as pro volleyball action unfurls on July 16 at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

With the import-laden tournament returning to action for the first time in two years, the PVL will be using a different format, using the serpentine method to separate the teams into two groups — based on their standings in the previous All-Filipino Conference with champion Creamline headlining Pool A, while runner-up Choco Mucho leading Pool B.

Creamline, which will be bolstered by American Erica Staunton, eyes to end a six-year Reinforced Conference title drought with the Khat Bell-led Chery Tiggo, PLDT with returning Russian import Elena Samoilenko, Galeries Tower with Brazilian Monique Helena, and Farm Fresh and Nxled, who have yet to unveil their respective imports.

READ: Cha Cruz-Behag returns to PVL as Petro Gazz assistant coach

Choco Mucho, which will miss Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag due to their Alas Pilipinas duties, parades Greek spiker Zoi Faki and newcomer Dindin Santiago-Manabat in Pool B with three-peat-seeking Petro Gazz, MJ Perez-led Cignal, Akari with Oly Okaro, Capital1 reinforced by Russian Marina Tushova, and ZUS Coffee bringing Japanese spiker Asaka Tamaru.

PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo bared that ZUS Coffee and Farm Fresh were supposed to end up in the same group due to their records but they transferred the Thunderbelles to Pool B to avoid having sister teams in one group.

The Highrisers, who will also pick No. 3 in the inaugural PVL Draft on Monday at Novotel, will tip things off on July 16, facing the new-look Chameleons at 2 p.m.

Bell marks her return in Manila with the Crossovers’ 4 p.m. match against the Foxies, while Creamline and PLDT cap the tripleheader at 6 p.m.

READ: Thea Gagate eager to help ZUS Coffee rise after winless campaign

The group phase will feature two stages, starting with a single round-robin format. In the second round, the top three teams from Pool A will face the bottom three from Pool B in Pool C, while the top three squads from Pool B will compete against the lower-ranked teams of Pool A in Pool D.

Following the preliminaries, teams will be ranked using the FIVB Classification System. The top eight squads will move on to the knockout quarterfinals. The winners advance to the knockout semifinals, qualifying for the Invitational Conference in September with two foreign clubs.

The finalists will clash in a winner-take-all gold medal game. The Reinforced Conference will feature three games on all preliminary game days, paving the way for the Invitational Conference set for September.



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Jewelle Bermillo hopes for fresh start in her PVL return bid

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Libero Jewelle Bermillo is looking to return to the PVL. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Among the 47 rookie aspirants, libero Jewelle Bermillo was the lone player who experienced playing in the PVL when the league was still under semiprofessional status in 2019 with the defunct BaliPure Water Defenders.

Her last PVL action didn’t exactly play out the way she wanted as the former student-athlete from San Sebastian College went viral for the wrong reason when her import teammate Danijela Dzakovic hit her on the nape after a digging miscommunication.

That bizarre scene between teammates has marked Bermillo even until now as she expects to see it again on social media as it will mark its fifth anniversary on June 29.

LIST: Applicants for the first ever PVL Rookie Draft

“The impact is really huge. It’s shocking what happened because it’s the first time it happened,” said Bermillo, who forgave the import right away after she apologized and hugged her after the incident.

“It always comes up. Every month, someone tags me. Especially on June 29 because that’s when it happened, so it’s coming up soon, and someone will tag me again even though it happened five years ago.”

Five years since the incident, Bermillo is hoping to start fresh as she enters the PVL draft and reintroduces herself through her skills and better game in the professional scene.

READ: Danijela Dzakovic gets reprimand from PVL after hitting teammate

“What I brought there is, of course, to be more aggressive, to be more aware of who I’m with inside the court, and the number one thing is communication. Because that’s really what was lost. We had a lack of communication, which is why it happened before,” said the libero.

Reigniting the passion

FILE–Jewelle Bermillo during her time with BaliPure in the PVL Draft 2024

FILE–Jewelle Bermillo during her time with BaliPure in the PVL.

“I hope it doesn’t happen again. I’m really excited because this will be a big help to us, having this reinforcement so we can level up more or bring [the experience] to the national team, and improve our volleyball community even more.”

A lot has changed since Bermillo last played in the PVL. Her previous team is no longer part of the league while the league has grown into a 12-team field.

After playing for the Lady Stags and for Biñan in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association, Bermillo believes joining the pros is still her calling.

“This is my calling.  I want to try to rediscover my passion from before. Maybe now is the time for me to play again.” said Bermillo. “Nowadays, everyone, even the rookies, are really skilled. I can’t say anything because even though they’re rookies, their skills are already at a professional level.”

“I want to enhance or develop my skills further so I can contribute more to the team, wherever I end up playing,” she added.

Seeking to return to the PVL as a pro this time, Bermillo brings her learnings from San Sebastian coach Roger Gorayeb, who also scouted players in the combine for Capital1. 



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“Coach just told me to showcase the skills I’ve learned from him, and of course, whether I get picked or not, not to be ashamed. I should just show who I really am and the skills I have,” Bermillo said. “

“The experience I had with Coach Roger during college, I’ll bring everything I learned from him to the pros. I hope to improve on what I learned from him so I can contribute more to whichever team I join.”

Team USA’s Fil-Am manager relishes PH return at VNL

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USA men’s volleyball team manager David Dantes.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Team USA’s first time playing in Manila for the Volleyball Nations League was also a homecoming for the squad’s Filipino-American team manager David Dantes.

Dantes relished his return to the Philippines after 10 years.

“It’s really great to be back. I think the guys (players ) right now are having a wonderful experience. I think that’s been the best part. [For] most of our team, it’s their first time here and we love it. They love the fans, they love the passion, couldn’t be happier,” said Dantes, whose parents are from Quezon City. 

READ: VNL 2024: Experience makes USA’s Manila stint a ‘great success’

Like his players, Micah Christenson, Erik Shoji, Taylor Averill, and others, Dantes, who was born and raised in California and currently living in Georgia, was also in awe of the love Team USA received from the Filipino fans in their first VNL experience in Manila.

“It’s awesome. We want the sport to be popular everywhere. We want the fans to be as passionate as Filipino fans. So this means the world to us, and especially to our guys,” he said.

Dantes, who was also a coach and director for the University of Georgia, admitted he hasn’t watched Philippine volleyball games but after experiencing the massive Filipino crowd and his former player, Erica Staunton signing with Creamline as an import, he’s looking forward to catching PVL matches back home.

“I will now. Because one of my athletes in Georgia just started for Creamline last week. I will be watching it now because she’ll play,” said the Team USA’s technical support team and men’s sitting team Independent Contract Performance Analyst

“It’s really cool to see where I’m from, where my parents are from love it as passionately [as me]. Obviously, almost makes me want to come back and see the sport grow even more. It’s so cool to see the Philippines growing in the professional sport really quickly, which is great,” he added.

READ: VNL2024: USA star Taylor Averill wants to come back, explore PH

Dantes shares that grassroots development is key to taking Philippine volleyball to greater heights.

“I think it all starts at the grassroots level. Just provide as many opportunities as you can and let the kids, let the youth play as much as they can,” he said.

American libero Shoji shared the same sentiment as Dantes.

“I think it’s growing. Look at this crowd. So, we need more boys and girls playing volleyball and the more people the play, the better you’re gonna get. so, you know, we need more boys and girls playing volleyball in Manila, around the Philippines,” Shoji said. “That’s my hope for the country and little by little, step by step, they’ll get better.”



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USA, which finished with a 5-7 record, may have missed the VNL Final Eight after losing to Japan for the first time on Sunday night at Mall of Asia Arena, but the experience playing before an electric crowd still made the Americans’ stint a memorable one as they head home and gear up for the Paris Olympics.

‘Good to be back,’ says Lewis Hamilton after podium return

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Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton raises his trophy as he celebrates on the podium with Red Bull’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen (R) after the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya on June 23, 2024 in Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona. (Photo by Manaure Quintero / AFP)

Lewis Hamilton may be a seven-time world champion and Formula One record holder but his delight at finally finishing on the podium again after a lengthy barren spell on Sunday was plain to see.

The 39-year-old, in his final season at Mercedes before moving to Ferrari, took third at the Spanish Grand Prix to join in the post-race champagne celebrations for the first time since Mexico in October, 2023 and to extend his record of 198 career podium appearances.

His buoyant race form came on the back of a superb qualifying session after a season when he had been bettered by his teammate George Russell 8-1 arriving in Catalonia.

READ: F1: Verstappen wins Spanish Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton returns to podium

He played down the prospect of ending his long and successful time at Mercedes with a final victory this season, but was upbeat that the team had finally emerged from the doldrums ever since Red Bull stole a march on their rivals with the change in the F1 technical landscape two years ago.

Hamilton, who missed out on a record eighth world title on the last lap of the season in controversial circumstances to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi in 2021, said: “It’s a big boost to finally get a good result and to be back up here.”

The Briton, who shares the record of six wins in Spain with Michael Schumacher, added: “We are slowly slowly getting closer.

“We have to take it with a pinch but I do think we have closed the gap a little bit.

“It’s all hands on deck (back at the Mercedes factory) and we have to keep pushing.

“We have to keep fine tuning the car but we are definitely building momentum.”

READ: F1: ‘One of my worst races,’ says Lewis Hamilton after missing podium

Talking about his recent wretched luck in qualifying up to this weekend he said: “My Saturday has been so bad for the past 15 races, it’s good to have a clean weekend.”

Talking about his upcoming switch to Ferrari Hamilton reflected: “I love Mercedes, I’ve been with them since I was 13.

“The job this year is to work as hard as I can, whatever trajectory the team is on there are things that I can be proud of being a part of.

“It would be nice to sign off with a win – but just being consistent at weekends like this is the target.”



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Hamilton sits eighth in the world championship, on 70 points, 11 behind teammate Russell, who finished fourth in Catalonia.

Red Bull’s Verstappen won Sunday’s race ahead of Lando Norris in a McLaren.

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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Conor McGregor says he will return to UFC after injury recovery

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FILE – Conor McGregor prepares to fight Dustin Poirier in a UFC 264 lightweight mixed martial arts bout July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. McGregor will not compete in UFC 303 on Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Las Vegas. He has indicated he is injured. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

LAS VEGAS — In his first public comments since pulling out of UFC 303 on Thursday because of an undisclosed injury, Conor McGregor called it a postponement rather than a cancellation of his fight with Michael Chandler that had been scheduled for later this month.

McGregor said Saturday that he was injured shortly before his scheduled June 3 news conference in Dublin. The news conference was abruptly canceled, creating speculation that McGregor might not fight in the June 29 bout in Las Vegas.

“The decision to postpone the fight was not made lightly, but one made in consultation with my doctors, the UFC, and my team,” McGregor posted on X.

READ: Conor McGregor says he’s returning to UFC octagon vs Michael Chandler

“My fans and opponent deserve me at my best for this fight and we will get there! Thank you for the messages of support, I am in good spirits and confident I’ll be back!”

Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will face top-ranked challenger Jiri Prochazka in the main event in place of the McGregor-Chandler match.

There also was a change with the co-main event. An injury forced light heavyweight contender Jamahal Hill to drop out, and Carlos Ulberg will face replacement Anthony Smith.



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