Tag: stars

Track stars could up number of PH bets in Paris to 23

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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. grants a photo opportunity with officials and Philippine Olympians and Philippine Paralympians as they were sent off for Paris Olympics. –HANDOUT PHOTO

The final count of Philippine bets in the Paris Olympics could swell to 23 as three more athletics aces are just awaiting confirmation of inclusion on July 7.

Hurdlers John Cabang and Lauren Hoffman are within reach of Olympic berths after comfortably staying inside the qualification circle in their respective events with sprinter Kristina Knott clinging onto the last available spot in the women’s 200 meters that could propel her to a second straight Olympics appearance.

When they all get in, Team Philippines will bring at least 23 athletes from nine sports in the coming global sports spectacle set from July 26 to August 11 in the world’s fashion capital.

Cabang, a full-blooded Filipino based in Spain, is tucked safely at No. 29 out of 40 qualifiers at the end of the men’s 110m hurdles race for Olympic rankings, capping his qualification journey with a victory in the Spanish Club Championships last month.

He nearly reset his own Philippine record of 13.37 seconds with a 13.38 performance during the meet.

The Filipino-American Hoffman is ranked 36th, well inside the top 40 Olympic qualifiers in the women’s 400m hurdles.

Hoffman, the national standard-bearer in her event at 55.72 seconds, wrapped up the quest for Paris by placing third in the Edmonton Athletics Invitational in Canada on June 13.

‘[N]o easy feat’

“The list of those who made it to Paris will be released a week later. Our athletes have done their best and it was no easy feat,’’ said Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Terry Capistrano.

Bidding for another trip to the Games, Knott is at No. 48, which is the number of Olympic berths to be given away in the women’s 200m.

Out of qualification range after Sunday’s cutoff are former Asian champion and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympian Eric Cray (No. 47 out of 40 in the men’s 400m hurdles), Asian champion Robyn Brown (No. 47 out of 40 in the women’s 400m hurdles) and long jumper Janry Ubas (No. 44 out of 32 qualifiers).

With 23 possible Filipino Olympians in Paris, the number eclipsed the PH athlete delegation of 20 in Tokyo 2020 when weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz captured the first gold medal for the nation. INQ



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USA stars rave about VNL Manila stint, relish Filipino crowd

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USA’s Taylor Averill during a game against Japan in the VNL Manila leg.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philipines — Having a blast in their first time playing in Manila in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) was an understatement for USA stars Taylor Averill and Erik Shoji.

Averill, who expressed his love to Filipino fans on his social media posts, even wore a Team Philippines jacket during the warmup of their match against Japan, which beat them in straight sets on Sunday in front of 12,000 fans at Mall of Asia Arena.

“I’m so honored. This is the coolest jacket. Such a cool token to have of appreciation and I’m blessed to wear it,” said Averill, only one of two starters along with Shoji who played in the US’ final game in Manila.

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

“I’m blessed again for the fans that came out. You guys don’t understand. In the States we don’t get this kind of love for what we do so it means a lot to me. I don’t take it for granted.”

Despite Team USA not making it to the Final Eight with a 5-7 record, the American middle blocker was thrilled to experience the Filipinos’ love for volleyball.

Erik Shoji Team USA VNL 2024 Manila

Team USA’s Erik Shoji.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“I’m so excited to come back here. I’ve had way too much fun here. The volleyball community here is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I’m just so grateful. I don’t know how many. Apparently, it was sold out. Definitely sounded like it. I had a blast. It was so much fun,” said Averill. “I don’t know how many more times I can say it. I freaking love it here. I don’t want to leave. Thanks guys. Appreciate it.”

Shoji also savored the chance to meet the men’s and women’s players of Alas Pilipinas.

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

“It’s the best experience that I think we’ve had in the VNL in a while. Obviously, we wanted to win but the crowd was awesome and It was a stretch game for both teams as you can see but, Japan was a little bit better than us,” the American libero said. “The atmosphere was really intense so we’re hoping for a crowd like this one in here in Manila when we play in Paris.”

Averill urges the Filipino fans to continue supporting Team USA in the Paris Olympics and hopes to reunite with them in the FIVB Men’s World Championship in 2025

“Don’t be afraid to support us from afar this Olympics. We would appreciate your support. Otherwise, we’ll see you guys next year. Thank you so much. I love you guys,” he said.



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Fifi Sharma ‘fangirls’ over Japan, USA stars as VNL wraps up

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Fifi Sharma with VNL stars Torey DeFalco, Yuki Ishiwa and Kento Miyaura. –FIFI SHARMA INSTAGRAM

Akari Chargers’ Fifi Sharma channeled her inner fangirl as she rubbed elbows with the stars of fan-favorite teams Japan and Team USA at the end of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) in Manila on Sunday.

In a series of Instagram Stories, Sharma shared her photos with Japan’s Yuki Ishiwa and Kento Miyaura, and Team USA’s Taylor Averill, Torey DeFalco and Erik Shoji.

“Fangirled like crazy tonight, what a week of great volleyball! (and good looking men),” the Alas Pilipinas player said in the caption.

Sharma, though, saved the best for last and posted her photo with Japan star Ran Takahashi on her Instagram page, eliciting comments from fans and fellow players.

READ: VNL: Micah Christenson, USA grateful for fans’ support in loss

“hard launch @ran.volleyball0902,” Sharma playfully posted in the caption.

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A post shared by Fifi Sharma (@mereophe)

Japan and Team USA, who have gotten a hometown advantage in the Philippines throughout the weeklong event, battled in the last match of the VNL Week 3 and drew a sizeable crowd at Mall of Asia Arena.

With both teams fielding in their second units, the Japanese beat the Americans for the first time in the 25-20, 25-23, 25-19.

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

Local players and fans alike had the opportunity to mingle with the visiting volleyball stars at the Fanzone area throughout the week.

VNL players have had nothing but good things to say for the Filipino fans and the country’s hosting of the tournament for the third time.



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“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 American team captain Micah Christenson.

Earlier in the week, the women’s and men’s teams of Alas Pilipinas had a chance to meet with Team USA  at Shangri-La Hotel in Makati.

Ex-Georgia standout to fill in for ‘borrowed’ Creamline stars

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Erica Staunton is Creamline Cool Smashers’ import for the PVL Reinforced Conference. –CREAMLINE PHOTO

Aiming to finally win a PVL title that has been elusive for the past six seasons, Creamline has signed a versatile spiker in Erica Staunton for the Reinforced Conference that gets off the ground in the second week of July.

With two of its top offensive weapons on loan to the national women’s program, Creamline will obviously ask Staunton to fill a huge void, something she can potentially do with the scouting reports saying she is comfortable playing both the open and opposite spikers positions.

Tots Carlos and Jema Galanza, the Cool Smashers’ fearsome 1-2 punch, could miss a big chunk of the tournament to play for Alas Pilipinas FIVB Challenger Cup and SEA V.League.

The Cool Smashers, who have ruled the All-Filipino Conference in its last four editions, last won an import-laden tournament in 2018 when they were backstopped by Kuttika Kaewpin and Laura Schaudt also in the Reinforced Conference.

With less than a month left before the tournament starts, Staunton is the third import to find a team here after Kath Bell returns for another tour of duty with Chery Tiggo while PLDT brings in Elena Samoilenko.

The 6-foot-1 Staunton played for Georgia University in the US NCAA before having her first taste of pro action in Finland for Oriveden Ponnistus. She is just 23 years old and will be joining a really seasoned Creamline crew that has won a record eight titles.

Petro Gazz is the defending champion, although the Angels have yet to announce if it is bringing back Lindsey Vander Weide, a hard-hitting American who won Finals MVP honors after a sweep of the Cignal HD Spikers in 2022.



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Choco Mucho, Alinsunurin hope to overcome stars’ absence

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Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin in the PVL.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin braces for big adjustments in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference in July as they are set to miss Alas Pilipinas players Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag.

Alinsunurin, who was hailed by the Collegiate Press Corps as the first-ever UAAP Men’s Volleyball Coach of the Year on Monday evening, bared some updates ahead of the upcoming second conference, where former MVP Rondina and veteran middle blocker Nunag will miss the action due to their duties with the Philippine women’s volleyball team.

Although the Alas members won’t play in the midseason conference due to the upcoming FIVB Challenger Cup in July and SEA V.League in August, the two-time PVL silver medalist coach is still hoping to get their players back in the latter part of the Reinforced or in the Invitational Conference in September, where the top four of the import-laden tournament will qualify and play with two guest teams.

READ: Dante Alinsunurin sculpts UAAP title after PVL shortcoming

“They won’t be able to play in the [early part of the conference]. That’s for sure. Because of the competitions in July and August. But we’re hoping that once the SEA V.League is done, they can make it at least in the Invitationals,” Alinsunurin told reporters. “We are currently requesting if they can rejoin our team after those leagues.”

For now, Choco Mucho is seeking to sign free agents, which he didn’t disclose, and draft players in the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft, where the Flying Titans will select the 11th pick.

“We’re hoping to sign free agents and use our draft picks to help our team and fill in the void in the second conference,” Alinsunurin said.

READ: Dante Alinsunurin back with PH men’s volleyball team as assistant

“We want to draft the players who can help us. It’s hard to give a specific position because we’re drafting the second to the least but we’re looking for a middle blocker, an outside hitter, and an opposite spiker.”

Alinsunurin, though, bared that Kat Tolentino, who missed the latter part of the All-Filipino Conference due to an auditory condition, is slowly regaining her form, while Des Cheng and Aduke Ogunsanya are still recovering from their ACL injuries.

“Kat has started [training with us]. At least her movement is back to 50 percent and she’s slowly recovering,” he said. “Des has started training but she’s still working her way back, she’s at 30%, while Aduke is still undergoing rehab.”



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