Tag: year

Almonte aims to redeem self in PVL after down year with Adamson

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Lucille Almonte, center, during the PVL Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Lucille Almonte is raring to redeem herself after a subpar final year with Adamson in the UAAP as she hopes to prove her worth in PVL.

Almonte, who had a reduced playing time when Adamson missed the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four, may not have the best exit in her collegiate career but she’s hoping to move forward and regain her lethal offensive form in the pros.

“My mindset is to work harder because the games here in the pros have a different intensity. So I have to continue striving and making sacrifices,” Almonte, who is among the 46 aspirants in the upcoming PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel, told the reporters in Filipino after the first day of the combine at GameVille Ball Park in Mandaluyong City.

READ: Unheralded player from Marinduque chases PVL dream

The former Adamson captain said her coaches, led by JP Yude, encouraged her to turn pro for a chance to take her game to the next level.

“My coaches told me that I have to turn pro.  So I can spread my wings in the PVL. And I also need to come out of my comfort zone,” said Almonte, who played three seasons in the UAAP.

Her batchmates Louie Romero, Rizza Cruz, and Kate Santiago as well as one-and-done star Trisha Tubu are already in the pros after they left Adamson last year following a bronze medal finish in the UAAP Season 85.

READ: Julia Coronel shines in PVL Rookie Draft combine

Almonte chose to stay with her teammates and showed her loyalty to the school. But now, she’s moving on to the next chapter of her career with her fellow Lady Falcons AA Adolfo, Ishie Lalongisip, Nikka Yandoc, Angge Alcantara, Karen Verdeflor, and Sharya Ancheta.

After a tiring first day at the combine, the reality of being a pro player has sunk into Almonte’s mind and she’s up for the challenge of competing with her fellow aspirants for a PVL roster spot.

“This draft combine may be tiring but this is the reality of being a pro player. This will boost our confidence since this is the biggest volleyball league in the country,” Almonte said. “I hope everyone gets a chance and opportunity to play for the PVL teams.”



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Ryan Garcia suspended for year; win over Haney ruled no-contest

On: By: admin


FILE–Ryan Garcia (white trunks) knocks down Devin Haney (gray trunks) during their WBC Super Lightweight title bout at Barclays Center on April 20, 2024 in New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP

Ryan Garcia was suspended for a year by the New York State Athletic Commission, which also ruled Thursday that his April 20 victory over Devin Haney would be considered a no-contest after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

The commission also said Garcia would have to forfeit the $1 million he made on the fight and pay a $10,000 fine.

Garcia would be eligible to fight again in New York state after April 20, 2025, if he passes a drug test, the commission ruled.

READ: Ryan Garcia failed drug test before Devin Haney win, ESPN reports

“The Commission will continue to hold athletes to the highest professional standards and protect the integrity of all sports under our jurisdiction,” NYSAC said in the statement.

Though the suspension applies only to fights in New York state, athletic commissions typically abide by rulings in other jurisdictions.

Garcia said several times on X, previously known as Twitter, before news of the suspension that he was retiring from boxing and later even posted that he wants to talk to UFC president Dana White about joining that organization.

READ: Ryan Garcia’s B-sample also tests positive for banned substance

“I really hope boxing good without me,” Garcia posted. “I fought everyone and was willing to. They have turned there (sic) back on me. I’m innocent. I stand by that I don’t care what everyone says. Gun yo my head I say I didn’t take PED’s.”

Garcia’s attorneys said in a statement he “was a victim of substance contamination” and that the boxer has repeatedly passed drug tests, even when not in training for a fight.

The statement said: “… he never intentionally took any banned substance. It’s simply not in his nature.”

ESPN previously reported that Garcia’s A-sample tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Ostarine the day before and the day of the bout with Haney, citing a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association letter. Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator, and its use can stimulate muscle growth. It is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The results of the test weren’t known until later.

Ryan Garcia defeated Haney by majority decision in New York. Garcia knocked Haney down three times and handed the WBC super lightweight champion his first loss, but did not win the title because he was over the weight limit.



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Haney thanked the commission in an interview with ESPN.

“The facts are the facts and I wasn’t on an even playing field,” Haney said. “Happy I was able to receive justice for what happened. It’s all part of my story and it’s only going to make me better. I look to enjoy this time with my family and friends and see what’s next.”