Sports

Brianna Nikola Ang (6th from left) with the Bacolod City officials led by Mayor Greg Gasataya (7th from left) at the Bacolod Independence Day rites.*Ronnie Baldonado photoMayor Greg Gasataya emphasized that unity and courage helped Filipino revolutionaries win freedom and remain essential in addressing today’s challenges at the 128th Philippine Independence Day celebration in Bacolod City on Friday, June 12. “We enjoy freedom because of the courage and unity of our ancestors,”  he said.Gasataya added that patriotism today means serving others with honesty, compassion, and dedication to the common good, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.Gasataya also highlighted the important role of the youth in nation-building, citing guest speaker...

The youth will take center stage in Bacolod City’s 128th Independence Day celebration at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) on Friday, June 12,  with volleyball standout Brianna Nikola Ang joining the event.Ang, captain of the Bacolod Tay Tung High School volleyball team that won the Palarong Pambansa championship in 2024, will be among the featured guests.This year’s celebration carries the theme “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, at Kasaysayan” and aims to give young people a platform to express their ideas and aspirations, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office, said.Councilor Homer Bais, chair of the Adlaw sang Paghanduraw Celebration Committee, said this year’s Independence Day program will differ from previous commemorations by highlighting the role ...

Ana Marie Aguilar in action during the ICTSI Negros Junior PGT Championship at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club on Tuesday *Contributed photoHomegrown talent Ana Marie Aguilar topped the girls' 7-10 division in the ICTSI Negros Junior PGT Championship at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Bacolod City on Tuesday, June 9, to secure a place in the Elite Finals.She carded a final-round 82 and a 158 total, capping an incredible two-week blitz after dominating the Bacolod leg in Murcia last week. Vanya Go had an 85 for a 159, while Jia Ho had an 81 to tie Zoey Mascariñas, who faltered with an 84, at 165.“I definitely felt the pressure when I fell one or two down, but I just stayed confident and focused on my game,” said the 10-year-old Aguilar from St. Schola...

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson during the sendoff of the Palarong Pambansa athletes in May.* Richard Malihan photoThe Negros Occidental provincial government will distribute cash incentives this week to the province's winning athletes from the recent Palarong Pambansa.Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced that gold medalists will receive ₱15,000 each, silver medalists will get ₱8,000 each, and bronze medalists will take home ₱5,000.Athletes who won in team events will also receive their respective incentives individually.Lacson expressed satisfaction with the delegation's performance, particularly in athletics. He attributed this success to the provincial government’s dedicated athletics program based at the Panaad Stadium."The results show we should continue with i...

The Gilas Pilipinas girls capture the gold in the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Southeast Asia Basketball Association qualifiers that culminated Saturday night (June 6, 2026) at STI West Negros University in Bacolod City.*PNA/Nanette Guadalquiver photoThe Gilas Pilipinas girls booked a ticket to the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup 2026 after sweeping the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) qualifiers held from June 2 to 6 at STI West Negros University Gym here.On Saturday night, the Philippines defeated Indonesia, 88-62, to cap a four-game unbeaten run in the five-nation tournament.In a post-match interview, Gilas Women Youth head coach Alexander "Sandy" Arespacochaga took pride in the Gilas girls' determination to not only win, but also to play well."I'm very happy na ganu...

Mhark Fernando III at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club on Friday.*Pilipinas Golf photoZamboagueño Mhark Fernando III secured the ICTSI Bacolod Junior PGT Championship, beating local favorite Eddie Gonzales Jr. by one stroke at Bacolod Golf and Country Club on Friday, June 5.He carded a 73 for a 154 total, while Gonzales posted a 71 to finish at 155.“I stayed patient and just played my game. When the situation got tough, I didn't force things," Fernando, the son of a former national champion and touring pro, said in a news release.“After I double-bogeyed the 10th, I got nervous, but I just calmed myself down, focused on hitting fairways and greens, and settled for two-putts,” he added.Fernando locked down a crucial 15 points, hiking his total to 33. He jumped from joint...

The Gilas Pilipinas Women U18* photo courtesy of Samahang Basketbol ng PilipinasGilas Pilipinas Women U18 overcame early jitters before unleashing a dominant performance to crush Vietnam, 93-42, and open its campaign on a high note in the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers at the STI West Negros University Gym in Bacolod City on Tuesday, July 2.The young Filipinas led by just five points, 19-14, after the opening quarter, then tightened the screws defensively and found their rhythm offensively to open the game up.The dominant win gave newly appointed head coach Sandy Arespacochaga a successful debut in the women’s program.UAAP Season 88 Girls’ Basketball Most Valuable Player Rhiane Perez led the Filipinas with 16 points, seven rebounds and four steals while Tiffany ...

Jonel Metoda Jr. added another gold for the Visayan Vipers after ruling the Elementary Boys Javelin Throw with a 52.67-meter throw.*The Negros Island Region leads the early medal tally of the 2026 Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur, based on partial and official results as of 9:43 a.m. Tuesday, May 26.NIR ranked first overall with four gold medals, one silver, and one bronze in the first days of the national games.Western Visayas followed in second place with three gold, four silver, and four bronze medals.CALABARZON ranked third with three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals, while the National Capital Region placed fourth with three gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.NIR’s strong early performance came after Sagaynon athlete Marjen Iwayan delivered the reg...

The NIR athletes in Agusan del Sur.*The Negros Island Region’s (NIR) Visayan Vipers are hoping for victories at the 66th Palarong Pambansa, which opens in Agusan del Sur on Sunday, May 24.This will be the first time that the athletes under the newly created NIR will see action in the Palarong Pambansa, and they are hopeful, Ramir Uytico, Department of Education (DepEd) NIR director, said on Friday.“We are hoping for the best for the NIR athletes,” he said.The screening of athletes and coaches was conducted by the National Screening and Accreditation Committee in Agusan on Friday.New events for the 2026 Palarong Pambansa include weightlifting, football for secondary girls, and futsal for elementary girls, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.Demonstration sports ...