Gabriel Segura ||

Filipino atomweight Jomary “The Zamboanginian Fighter” Torres hopes to recover after a series of tumbles in her latest match against Indian newcomer Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat, who, since her debut in 2019, has been undefeated with 3 wins. The fight, part of an event with other headliners titled “ONE: Big Bang”, will be held on December 4, 2020 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Kallang, Singapore. 

Torres’s career has definitely been a rollercoaster, starting out with 4 straight wins then eclipsed by a 4 match losing streak, leading to the sports public largely viewing her as the underdog. In comparison, Phogat’s career, while significantly shorter, has been nothing short of impressive; her last win by way of a double-leg takedown showcased a grappling technique honed by the Indian national wrestling tournaments.

However, both sides are heavily training in anticipation. Torres has been taking wrestling pointers from fellow countryman Rene Catalan, with whom she shares a background in wushu and sambo, both striking arts which contrast heavily with Phogat’s grappling style, a fact pointed out by Phogat, saying

“She has a strong stand-up game, but I think my wrestling game is better.”

In an interview, Torres says she expects to surprise many fans and aficionados of the sport, and is determined to win for her family.

Gabriel Segura ||

The road to victory is fraught with hardship and failure, as Thirdy Ravena struggles to gain a foothold in the 20-21 Season of B League.

While beginning strong with a hard-fought away win against hosting team Shimane Susanoo Magic with a score of 83-82, the surge was swept away after just a day after as the Magic held the fort with a score of 74-81. The slump continued versus Osaka Evessa at the NeoPhoenix home ground, resulting in a close 84-85 due to a late-game play by Osaka’s Takuya Hashimoto. The most recent game against Alvark Tokyo ended with a decisive loss for San-En, 94-76. 

However, these losses have not stopped Ravena from consistently putting out solid performances. In his debut game, he scored 13 points, not far off from leading scorer Stevan Jelovac with 22 points. He scored 13 and 18 points in the second and third games respectively, but the fourth game unfortunately saw a drop-off in performance as the high-flyer laid low, seeing 4 points and making only 1 out of 8 attempts. 

Despite these losses, Filipino fans were largely not disappointed with Ravena’s performance. 

In an interview after his debut game, Thirdy thanked his Filipino supporters:

“Definitely, I’m very thankful to all the supporters who watched.”

He admitted areas of improvement, singling out his “conditioning”, but added he had enjoyed a “great game.” He stated his commitment and drive, saying “I’m here to do whatever it takes to help the team win and if I have to drive, I have to rebound and if I have to shoot, I’ll do it. I’ll do my best.”

Among his highlights are an impressive layup in the 4^th quarter of his first game, bringing the lead of San-En up to 8 points. 

In his second game, Ravena made an early game contribution, weaving through the Shimane defenses and banking a 2-point shot.

The third game saw back-to-back 3-pointers as Ravena blazed through the early game. 

Jowelson Rangga ||

Red clay staining her pink shoes, Alex Eala brought herself closer to the net. Looking up into the bright French sky, she locked her eyes on the fuzzy, neon green ball her opponent just lobbed at her. Like a spring she coiled for tension, swung back her racket, and delivered a forehand powerful enough to leave skid marks on the powdered bricks coating the tennis court. Her opponent didn’t bother to run for it. 

Eala won that point, and eventually, the game, set, and match.  As the coronavirus pandemic continues to diminish the once cheery benches of Stade Rolland Garros to a tense silence, the 2020 French Open continues its stretch.

 All in the meanwhile, however, high definition cameras ensured that on the other side of the world, her family and her fellow countrymen could see the Philippines represented in one of the most prestigious events in sports.

The 15-year-old Alex hails from a family of athletes, with a mother claiming bronze for swimming in the 1985 SEA games, an ex-PBA commissioner uncle, and a grandfather who pushed her to start playing tennis at the age of four. Throughout the next nine years of her life she was under her lolo’s wing and by her own admission, obtained the mental strength crucial in the sport. 

After making her international debut at the age of eight where she won a tennis tilt for young players in Dallas, Texas, she was able to gain traction in the international junior tennis scene. Eventually attracting the attention of scouts from the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy, a training facility run by the 19-time Grand Slam legend himself situated in Nadal’s hometown of Mallorca, Spain. Eala became one of the lucky few able to attain a scholarship at this elite academy along with her brother, who has since graduated and currently plays tennis for Penn State University in the United States.

Alex eventually made it to the semi-finals of the Parisian tilt, before bowing out in straight sets to Elsa Jacquemont of France. Her historic run however, coupled with her prior win in the 2020 Australian Open junior women’s doubles, propelled her to be, as of November 2020, ranked world no.3 in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) girl’s circuit. More than that however, she made it a point to always take pride in representing the Philippines, wherever she might play and in whatever success she may achieve.

In an interview with the ITF, she has since stated:

“I feel that reflects well on the nation and shows how hard we work. The Filipinos are very underrated [in the sporting world], so to be able to add to their status is good.”

Kyrus Pampanga ||

From the craving enthusiasts to the professionals, individuals from the volleyball scene recommence as they long for the sport amidst COVID-19. With the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) kicking off its league in a bubble, fans are vigorously pursuing to start the season in the Philippine SuperLiga (PSL) and Premier Volleyball League (PVL). 

But with the nation constantly procuring record-breaking cases daily, the question is, how important is it for the sport to resume its grounds? 

Acquiring praises all over the globe, it is with no doubt that the Philippine volleyball took up a notch. But despite the current situation, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) should give approval to the Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas (LVPI) to hone the skills of the young competitors and to attain the yearned Filipino Pride. 

Peaking the interests of the new generation, volleyball has served yet another purpose during these times by helping individuals gain moral strength and mental stability, and as it reopens not only the fans would benefit but also the laborers in that industry. 

Having little body contact from the participants, playing volleyball reduces the chance of infecting Coronavirus compared to basketball, which has already begun its season. Even though it’s in the semi-pro level, Filipino athletes should be allowed to play as they may enhance and reach international-level with proper practice and dedication.

 With the still surging pandemic the country is challenged with, the volleyball industry continues to hope in attaining this rare opportunity that will help boost the value of the sport and assist people from the players, coaches, and fans.

 “Dahil sa long layoff, we could be seeing a lot of change in the sport. There may be some players now who may opt to retire or maybe pursue other interests, kaya nga we’re sending proposals to the IATF since April.”

Joey Ramasanta, LVPI president, stated in an interview.

Jeb Garganera & Gabriel Segura ||

Gilas Pilipinas rides high on a wave after defeating Thailand once more in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers 2021 last November 30, 2020. After an initial matchup which ended decisively for Gilas at 93-61, they maintain a crushing momentum with a score of 93-69. 

Regarding the team composition of Gilas consisting of rookies, Coach Jong Uichico said,

“It’s a welcome challenge, we’re trying the best we can in getting them ready for the international game,”

and added that they needed

“more teaching, but not too complicated.”

Despite being newcomers, Gilas’ first game saw a number of impressive plays; Kobe Paras makes an offhand slam dunk while Justine Baltazar makes precise 2-pointers in a close 1st quarter, however, they sprang into action in the 2nd quarter, with Juan Gomez De Liano, Isaac Go, and the top performer of the game, Dwight Ramos, making 3-pointers, and closing with a 24-point lead. 

Sweeping Thailand further with the same aggression of the last game, Gilas maintained momentum despite the Thais’ increased efforts; a killer synergy was seen between the Gomez De Liano brothers with alternating passes culminating in corner shots and slam dunks. Currently, that gives Gilas a standing of 3-0 including a game earlier this year versus Indonesia, with a score of 100-70.     

With these victories, the rookies have secured a spot in the roster for the next FIBA window, happening in February 18, 2021, their next match versus Indonesia.