News

PBA: Meralco shuts down Magnolia to remain in playoff race

MANILA, Philippines–Meralco gave Magnolia a dose of its medicine on Sunday with a 74-51 beatdown while keeping itself in the race for a playoff spot in the PBA Philippine Cup. The Bolts held the undermanned Hotshots to their lowest output in franchise history while hiking their win-loss mark to an even 5-5. “I think it was two things: In the first half, they only had 21 points. We played good defense and our guys were on point. And they were...

Macandili glad to see former F2 teammates make it to semis

MANILA, Philippines: The F2 sisterhood is alive as Dawn Macandili-Catindig roots for her former teammates in the semifinals. With Cignal falling short of making it to the next round with a 7-4 win-loss slate, the former F2 Logistics Cargo Movers libero shared how she is happy to see some of her former teammates in the playoffs. "Of course, I am happy for them. I know how badly they wanted to make it to semis, of course, we [Cignal] also wanted...

After tormenting sister team, Cignal ends tourney on a high

Late Thursday, after PLDT had wrapped up a win that was huge in terms of franchise milestones but meaningless when it came to the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, coach Rald Ricafort admitted the goal for the tournament was the same as the goal they would be aiming for in the future. “Get to nine wins,” he said after the High Speed Hitters fashioned out a 22-25, 25-14, 25-22, 27-25 victory over Creamline. That upset got PLDT...

NBA: Damian Lillard status uncertain as Bucks await his MRI results

INDIANAPOLIS — Damian Lillard underwent an MRI to determine the severity of his Achilles tendon injury, and the Milwaukee Bucks could be without the star guard for Game 4 of their NBA playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, coach Doc Rivers said Saturday. Lillard greeted reporters as he strolled through an Indianapolis hotel wearing a walking boot on his right foot, but he did not take questions. Officially, Lillard and two-time league MVP...

Fil-Am hooper Dylan Harper nabs MVP title at Jordan Brand Classic

Filipino American hoops sensation Dylan Harper stole the spotlight yet again as he emerged as the shining star of this year’s edition of Jordan Brand Classic. In the annual showcase of the nation’s top high school hoops talent, 6-foot-4 Harper rose above the competition, snagging the MVP title and leading his team to a victory with an impressive 30-point display. And when the pressure was at its peak, the Rutgers University recruit delivered the...

PBA: San Miguel Beer clinches top seed, rips NLEX

MANILA, Philippines–On a roll from the start of the tournament, San Miguel tapped on that head of steam it built thus far on Sunday night to dispatch undermanned NLEX, 120-103, and claim the No. 1 spot in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations. CJ Perez finished with 30 points and nine rebounds, while seven-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo 20 and 21 for the defending champions who extended their unbeaten start to nine games–11 if one were...

Mike Plania scores first round K.O versus Nicaraguan foe

CEBU CITY, Philippines — “Magic” Mike Plania successfully put himself back on the winning track after an easy work against his Nicaraguan foe on Saturday, April 27 (April 28 Manila Time) in Miami, Florida in the United States. The 27-year-old Plania of General Santos City scored an easy first-round knockout against Martin Diaz of Nicaragua. Plania, who is eyeing a comeback, landed back-to-back left hooks to the body and head of Diaz. READ: Mike...

NBA: Celtics roll past Heat for 2-1 lead

MIAMI — For two days, the Boston Celtics lamented getting beaten on their home floor. And when they finally got to play again, they let out all the frustration. The result: a defensive masterpiece. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown each scored 22 points to lead a balanced approach, and the Celtics soundly beat the Miami Heat 104-84 on Saturday night to a take a 2-1 lead in their NBA Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. “We didn’t make too...

Calvin Abueva hurts right knee, sits out game vs. Meralco

Calvin Abueva is waiting for results of MRI

MotoGP points leader Martin has no answer for "strange" Spanish GP crash

MotoGP standings leader Jorge Martin says he has no obvious explanation for the "strange" crash that forced him out from the lead of the Spanish Grand Prix.

It’s UST vs La Salle,NU opposite FEU

MANILA, Philippines — Onto UAAP Volley Final Four. It’s Santo Tomas versus La Salle as National U and Far Eastern U meet in the other pairing starting this weekend. The Golden Tigresses, at 12-2, spoiled the return of reigning MVP Angel Canino and claimed the No. 2 seed and the last twice-to-beat advantage with a 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-15 repeat win over the reigning champion La Salle Lady Spikers Saturday. The duel, witnessed by more than...

Brownlee-less Pelita nips HK Eastern

JUSTIN Brownlee sat out Pelita Jaya's final game of round 2 of the Basketball Champions League Asia Qualifiers, but the rest of the Indonesia club went on to gut out a 76-71 triumph over a fighting Hong Kong Eastern at the final day of the tournament on Friday night at the BritAma Arena in Jakarta. Brownlee watched from the sidelines as his Indonesian teammates led by their two American reinforcements KJ McDaniels and JaQuori McLaughlin came...

Catantan conquered all odds – POC

MANILA, Philippines: Talk about conquering tough odds and Samantha Kyle Catantan outperformed even herself, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said of the fencer who became the 12th Filipino athlete to officially qualify for the Paris Olympics. "Samantha Catantan rose beyond adversity and proved herself deserving of an Olympic spot," Tolentino said on Sunday just hours after Catantan earned her ticket to...

Men whom Manny retired

There were five fighters whom former eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao retired in his storybook 26-year pro career that began in 1995 and ended in 2021. In all, Pacquiao faced 64 opponents in 72 total bouts with the list including those whom he took on more than once – Juan Manuel Marquez (four), Erik Morales (three), Tim Bradley (three) and Marco Antonio Barrera (two). The five who never fought again after losing to Pacquiao...

Joker's wild card

While all the hype was directed towards the Boston Celtics and their remarkable regular season feats, the true title favorites are keeping a low profile. The Denver Nuggets carry a 3-1 lead over the Los Angeles Lakers. That was not groundbreaking, and some would even say it's expected. But what was noticeable is how they won Game 2. The Lakers were buzzing. Anthony Davis was a beast on both ends of the court. D'Angelo Russell played his best...

San Miguel beats NLEX, moves two wins away from elims sweep

San Miguel gets 30-point production from CJ Perez

Poyos not expecting MVP award, wants UAAP title for UST

MANILA, Philippines — Angge Poyos was serenaded with MVP chants by the University of Santo Tomas faithful on Saturday in the Tigresses’ final elimination game against defending champion La Salle in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament in front of close to 15,000 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum. On the verge of claiming victory in the fourth set, the frenzied UST supporters made sure to give the Tigresses’ super rookie a big boost with...

Gripping triumph nets Catantan Olympic berth

MANILA, Philippines — Nothing, not even a hurting left knee and a point deduction for a red card, could stop Filipino fencer Samantha Catantan from realizing her Olympic dream. Armed with an iron will and a strong heart, Catantan turned back a taller, longer Sofiya Aktayeva of Kazakhstan in a gut-wrenching 15-14 victory in the women’s foil final of the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates Saturday. That fateful...

Bulldogs want to sprint to UAAP finals; Tigresses just savoring the moment

University of Santo Tomas coach KungFu Reyes has never been shy in saying that he never considered his Golden Tigresses to be a top two team in Season 86 of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament. “We never had any expectations, but since we are already here, we might as well go for it,” Reyes said Saturday night after a classic 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-15 win over La Salle in front of 14, 939 roaring fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum gave them No....

UAAP: Casiey Dongallo ‘humbled’ by Alyssa Valdez comparisons

MANILA, Philippines — Casiey Dongallo drew comparisons to former UAAP MVP Alyssa Valdez after wrapping up her stellar rookie season with University of the East where he emerged as the best scorer of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. Dongallo is honored and humbled after the volleyball fans see the resemblance of her spiking form with Valdez’s hitting abilities. The comparison to one of the best volleyball players who ever saw...

Notable People who died in 2024

Fencer Catantan returns from ACL surgery and punches ticket to Paris

Far from peak form, the odds for Samantha Kyle Catantan securing a slot in the 2024 Paris Olympics were not very enticing. But the Filipino fencing ace dug really deep to rule the Asian and Oceania Olympic Qualification Tournament in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, late Saturday evening and give the Philippines another bet for a second gold medal in the Games. “Winning a medal in the Olympics is very difficult, but it’s not impossible,” Catantan...

Rice Vanguards subdue Tamaraws

MANILA, Philippines — Nueva Ecija flashed its fiery form while Abra and Pangasinan gained traction in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season on Saturday at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan. The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards subdued the Mindoro Tamaraws, 79-68, in the opener for their second straight win that revved up their drive toward regaining the 2022 national title. The Abra Weavers recovered from a flat start...

Ivy Lacsina closes conference dashing with career-high 28 points

MANILA, Philippines: Nxled's prized acquisition Ivy Lacsina goes out in style after posting a new career-high of 28 points to close her Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024 All-Filipino Conference. Lacsina's 28 points were built on 21 attacks, four blocks, and three aces, and she also displayed her defensive side with eight excellent digs, and nine excellent receptions in a tight four-set loss against Petro Gazz, 25-22, 23-25, 23-25, 22-25, last...

Bolts stay in playoff race, hope for best in Black injury

Meralco kept the inside track in making the quarterfinals of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup by holding Magnolia to a franchise-low for points Sunday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. But the Bolts’ 74-51 triumph that put them at 5-5 with a game to play in the eliminations may have come at a hefty price. “We’re praying for AB,” coach Luigi Trillo said, referring to Aaron Black, who went down with a left knee injury in...

Thirdy, Parks shine as teams extend streak in Japan B.League

Playoff next!

Hard work never stops as Kai Sotto comes home after B.League season

Here's where Kai puts in the work when in the country

PVL: PLDT, led by Savi Davison, show promise for next conference

MANILA, Philippines — It was a bittersweet ending to the PVL All-Filipino Conference for PLDT’s Savi Davison as the High Speed Hitters shocked perennial powerhouse Creamline in four sets to end their campaign on a high Thursday night. Davison uncorked 27 points in the breakthrough victory to help PLDT to their first-ever franchise win over the Cool Smashers, 22-25, 25-22, 25-14, 27-25 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. The Fil-Canadian...

PVL: Aby Maraño determined to give back to ‘very committed’ Chery Tiggo

MANILA, Philippines — In her first stint with Chery Tiggo, Aby Maraño is beyond grateful to return to the PVL semifinals with “very talented and passionate” teammates. Although Crossovers were pushed to their limits by the gritty Galeries Tower, they pulled off a 26-24, 23-25, 19-25, 25-12, 15-9 win in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at Philsports Arena to book their second straight trip to the semifinals. Making this semifinals...

Catantan ends 32-year drought in PH fencing

(UPDATE) FUJAIRAH, UAE: Samantha Catantan made her mark in Philippine sports history Saturday when she became the first Filipino woman fencer to turn her dream of competing in the Olympics into a reality. Catantan completed her Cinderella story when she booked a seat to the Paris Olympics by bagging the gold medal in the women's foil event of the Asian & Oceania Olympic Qualification Tournament (OQT) on Saturday afternoon, April 27, at the Zayed...

PBA: Rookie Enoch Valdez’s dream matchup turns to reality

MANILA, Philippines—Before officially joining NLEX in the PBA last year, one of the things Enoch Valdez was looking forward to the most was facing his idol and fellow Lyceum product CJ Perez of San Miguel Beer. Valdez finally got his chance on Sunday when the Road Warriors took on the streaking Beermen in the PBA Philippine Cup. And while NLEX took a 120-103 beating at the hands of San Miguel, Valdez was able to hold his own on the floor. “I was...

Pepito: This is UST's best chance to win UAAP crown

MANILA, Philippines: The UST Golden Tigresses have their best chance to win the UAAP women's volleyball crown for the first time since Season 72 back in 2010. This was the statement that reigning Best Libero and UST team captain Detdet Pepito made after the Golden Tigresses clinched the second seed that came with the last Final Four twice-to-beat incentive in the ongoing Season 86 tournament. Pepito and the Golden Tigresses got their semifinal...

Almazan eager to make amends after Edsa busway incident

Almazan has moved on from the incident

NBA: Clippers hang on to beat Mavs after blowing 31-point lead

DALLAS — Paul George and James Harden each scored 33 points while playing key fourth-quarter roles to help the Los Angeles Clippers hold on after blowing a 31-point lead and beat the Dallas Mavericks 116-111 on Sunday, evening the first-round series at 2-2. The Clippers won again without Kawhi Leonard, who missed the series opener with right knee inflammation before playing in the two Dallas victories. READ MORE: NBA: Pacers hold off Bucks in...

Tolentino game-winner keeps NorthPort alive

Arvin Tolentino’s game-winning jumper not only ended NorthPort’s five-game losing streak, it also prevented his team from potential elimination in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup. His shot with 7.6 seconds left allowed the Batang Pier to come away with a thrilling 115-113 victory over the Blackwater Bossing in Caloocan City and finish the elimination phase of the all-Filipino tournament at 5-6 (win-loss). It’s a huge...

Meralco limits Magnolia to franchise low for its fifth win

Meralco reasserts its mastery of Magnolia

PBA: Barroca stays positive despite Magnolia’s 51-point outing in loss

MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia absorbed one of its worst losses in franchise history in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday but Mark Barroca tried his best to look for a silver lining despite the Hotshots’ poor performance. The Hotshots struggled mightily, scoring just 51 points in a 23-point whipping handed by the Bolts. “I honestly don’t know too… They had a good start, we had a bad one, that’s one of the things that happened,” said Barroca in...

Phillips return comes at best time for Angels

MJ Phillips made her much-awaited return to local club Petro Gazz just in time and helped the Angels end the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference preliminary round at the top. Phillips spent the last year playing in the Korean V-League with Gwangju AI Peppers, who had a lackluster season to finish at the bottom, contrary to the PVL campaign that the Angels are having. “It feels good to be back, honestly. Seeing familiar faces...

DLSU-NU playoff set in men’s volley

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle reasserted its mastery of reigning MVP Josh Ybañez and Santo Tomas, 25-20, 25-27, 25-20, 25-18, and arranged a duel with three-time champion National U for the last twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Green Spikers, who also drubbed the Golden Spikers with a similar four-set win in the first round, finished their campaign at 11-3 in a tie with...

Dongallo looks forward to stronger UE next season

Casiey Dongallo had always talked about bringing change to the University of the East (UE) and with her rookie stint with the Lady Warriors at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament done, she wants to continue what they had started. “I am happy with how we ended the season,” Dongallo said shortly after leading UE’s season-ending match against University of the Philippines (UP). “I...

Chot sees continuity of Gilas program under Cone

MANILA, Philippines: Chot Reyes has been calling the shots as full time head coach of TNT, but there's no doubt that he's still very much involved, even in a non-official capacity with Gilas under coach Tim Cone. You see, Cone used to serve as one of Reyes' key deputies during Gilas' gold medal redemption in last year's Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, followed by the national squad's FIBA World Cup stint in Manila months later....

Thirdy, San-En NeoPhoenix continue to roll ahead of B.League playoffs

Thirdy wins, Kai loses. See full Japan B.League results

Sparkle World Tour, may additional dates sa U.S.A, Canada, at Japan | UB

Unang Balita is the news segment of GMA Network's daily morning program, Unang Hirit. It's anchored by Arnold Clavio, Susan Enriquez, Ivan Mayrina, and Mariz Umali, and airs on GMA-7 Mondays to Fridays at 5:30 AM (PHL Time). For more videos from Unang Balita, visit http://www.gmanetwork.com/unangbalita. #GMAIntegratedNews #KapusoStream Breaking news and stories from the Philippines and abroad: GMA Integrated News Portal: http://www.gmanews.tv Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gmanews TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gmanews Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/gmanews Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/gmanews GMA Network Kapuso programs on GMA Pinoy TV: https://gmapinoytv.com/subscribe

NBA: Thunder cruise to 3-0 advantage vs Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS — Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams was on his hands and knees after taking a hard shot to the eye on the opening possession of a pivotal playoff game. By the third quarter, Williams was draining a pair of 3-pointers during a 9-0 run that had the New Orleans Pelicans reeling. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points, Williams and Josh Giddey each had 21 and the Thunder beat the Pelicans 106-85 on Saturday to take a 3-0...

UAAP: Canino’s return not enough as La Salle misses out on bonus

MANILA, Philippines — Despite Angel Canino’s comeback, La Salle yielded the twice-to-beat advantage to University of Santo Tomas ahead of their Final Four duel next week in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. Canino returned to action after recovering from a cut in her right forearm and delivered 13 points — all from attacks — but it wasn’t enough as La Salle got swept by UST in the elimination round with a 22-25, 25-23, 25-16,...

Ross confident streaking Beermen have playoffs gear

San Miguel Beer has been on cruise control in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup, taking down one opponent after another on its path geared towards what it hopes is a successful title defense. Following a 98-91 triumph over defensive titan Magnolia on Friday night, the Beermen have now won eight straight games in the league’s premier conference and are one victory from matching TNT’s nine-game wipeout of the elimination...

De Brito bares wishlist of players for AVC Challenge Cup

MANILA, Philippines — In his last hurrah as Philippine women’s volleyball team coach, Jorge Souza De Brito has a wishlist of 21 players composed of PVL and UAAP stars for the country’s hosting of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup from May 22 to 29. De Brito is hoping to have the current best players in the country before he bids farewell to the program when his contract expires on June 30. “It’s a chance to make something...

Can the Oklahoma City Thunder actually win the 2024 NBA title?

Lakers finally solve Nuggets, avoid sweep

MANILA, Philippines — Anthony Davis had 25 points and 23 rebounds, and LeBron James scored 30 points as the Los Angeles Lakers avoided elimination in a first-round Western Conference playoff series with a 119-108 Game 4 victory over the visiting Denver Nuggets on Saturday. D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves each scored 21 points as the Lakers avoided being swept by the Nuggets for the second straight year. They head back to Denver for Game 5 on...

Tapales returns

MANILA, Philippines — Marlon Tapales, the former unified and two-division world champion, returns to the ring against Nattapong Jankaew of Thailand on May 10 with the WBC Asia Continental super bantamweight title at stake at the Midas Hotel and Casino. The 32-year-old Tapales is making his return after losing his IBF and WBA titles at 122 pounds to Japan’s Naoya “Monster” Inoue last December in Tokyo. He is hoping to improve his 37-4 record with...