Calvin Oftana exploded for 32 points against ROS. PBA ImagesBy Ivan SaldajenoMAKATI--TNT banked on an explosive second half to turn back Rain Or Shine, 116-99, in their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal series opener on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.The Tropang Giga began pulling away from the Elasto Painters after scoring 32 third-quarter points to go up, 85-79 ..read more

BLRW is all smiles after escaping TNCZ4 in the MDL PH quarterfinals. MoontonBy Ivan SaldajenoMAKATI--Blacklist-Rough World Era survived a brave stand from TNCZ4 to score a 2-0 sweep at the start of the MDL Philippines Season 3 Playoffs on Friday night at the Shooting Gallery Studios.Being the third-seeded team after the regular season with the right to pick their quarterfinal foe, Joshua Alfaro ..read more

Allein Maliksi led Meralco in spoiling Robert Bolick's explosion. PBA ImagesBy Ivan SaldajenoMAKATI--Meralco survived an explosion from Robert Bolick and took down NLEX, 97-93, at the start of the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.Despite conceding 48 points from Bolick, the Bolts tightened up their defense on him down the stretch as the ..read more

Smart Omega Empress booked the first seat in the Silab finals. MoontonBy Ivan SaldajenoMAKATI--Smart Omega Empress secured a place in the final of Silab: Road to MWI after sweeping Onic ZOL, 2-0, in the first semifinal on Friday night at the Shooting Gallery Studio.Omega's experience in closing out games proved vital down the stretch as the club survived Onic's threats.Onic came close to a ..read more

Robert Bolick is pulling away in the BPC race. PBA Images (file photo)By Ivan SaldajenoMANILA--Robert Bolick is way ahead of the pack in the race for the PBA Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference, but Stephen Holt and June Mar Fajardo are also in the thick of things.Based on the statistical points amassed after the elimination, which were released to the media on Friday, the NLEX spitfire ..read more

Ariana Markey and Choe Rim-Jong chase for the ball. PFFBy Ivan SaldajenoMANILA--The under-17 Filipinas ran into a brick wall that is North Korea as the latter dominated anew in the AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup with a 6-0 win on Thursday at the Bali United Training Center.North Korea easily solved the Filipinas' defense-oriented formation and drew first blood in the 17th minute off Jon Il-Chong's ..read more

Ateneo secured two prized recruits as they look to reclaim the UAAP men's basketball title.By Dugout PhilippinesMANILA--Ateneo de Manila University has secured the commitments of two promising young prospects: Femi Edu and Kristian Porter.Both are set to join the Blue Eagles program and will be eligible starting UAAP Season 87.Femi, 18, is the younger brother of Gilas Pilipinas Men pool member AJ ..read more

Kaya Iloilo will play Patrick Reichelt and Jeff Tabinas' clubs in the Shopee Cup group stages. PFL (file photo)By Ivan SaldajenoMANILA--Kaya Iloilo was grouped with some friends following Thursday's group draw for the Shopee Cup in Ho Chi Minh.The reigning PFL champion, led by national team standout Jarvey Gayoso, was drawn into Group B along with Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur City, Thailand's Buriram ..read more

Juami Tiongson exploded at the right time for playoff-bound Terrafirma. PBA ImagesBy Ivan SaldajenoMANILA--After eight years, Terrafirma is back in the PBA quarterfinals.The Dyip finally sealed their place in the Philippine Cup playoffs after ousting the NorthPort Batang Pier through a 104-96 win in their play-in game on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Despite letting NorthPort go on ..read more

Jarvey Gayoso struck four against Air Force in their final home match of the season. PFL (file photo)By Ivan SaldajenoMANILA--Kaya Iloilo capped a two-match home stand with a 9-0 blasting of Air Force to take the top spot in the PFL on Wednesday night at the Campo Alcantara in Pavia, Iloilo.Jarvey Gayoso sparked Kaya Iloilo's offense by assisting on Marwin Angeles' opening goal in the 14th minute ..read more