Jasha Gamao

MANILA—The Pag-IBIG Fund Lady Smashers finally broke into the win column of the UNTV Volleyball League Season 4, delivering a clinical performance to sweep the MMDA Lady Spikers last Wednesday, March 11 at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Lady Smashers displayed newfound chemistry and composure, effectively neutralizing MMDA’s frontline to secure their first victory of the preliminary round. 

The win marks a turning point for the squad after a challenging start to the season, injecting much-needed momentum into their campaign for a playoff spot.

Jasmin Dairo emerged as the undisputed star of the match, earning Best Player of the Game honors for her exceptional efficiency. 

Dairo was a force at the net, providing the offensive spark Pag-IBIG needed with a solid 7-point performance, all coming from clinical attacks. 

Her ability to pierce the MMDA defense during critical rallies of the second set gave the Lady Smashers a decisive edge, proving she is a reliable go-to option for the team's offense moving forward.

In a post-game interview with Ms Rheena Villamor-Camara she associated their win to their coaching staff after exhausting all their strategies to grab their first win.

“Thankful pa rin kami sa mga coach namin ngayon kasi grabeng experiment yung ginagawa nila para lang ma-build yung confidence namin, tiwala ay lakas ng loob.”—Jasmin Dairo said.

With this breakthrough, the Lady Smashers have proven they can compete in the league’s mission of "Sports and Charity." 

While the MMDA Lady Spikers showed flashes of resilience, Pag-IBIG’s superior execution in transition and attacking pressure proved to be the difference-maker. 

As the preliminary round intensifies, all eyes will be on Dairo and her teammates to see if they can turn this inaugural win into a streak as they represent their agency for their chosen beneficiaries.

MANILA—The PhilHealth Health Insurers extended their dominant run in the UNTV Volleyball League Season 4, outlasting the NHA Home Masters in a grueling five-set marathon last March 11, 2026 at the Paco Arena in Manila.

PhilHealth showed immense heart to secure a 3-2 victory (25-15, 25-21, 21-25, 23-25, 15-6), marking their third consecutive win of the preliminaries. 

The match was a defensive grind that pushed both squads to their limits, but PhilHealth’s poise in the final frame allowed them to stay perfect and solidify their spot at the top of the standings.

Rochelle Rica was the driving force behind the Health Insurers' narrow escape, earning Best Player of the Game honors with an explosive offensive display. 

Rica was virtually unstoppable at the net, hammering down a staggering 18 points, all of which came from clinical attacks. 

Her ability to find the floor during high-pressure rallies in the fifth set proved to be the difference, as she repeatedly dismantled the NHA frontline to keep the PhilHealth momentum alive.

With this hard-earned result, PhilHealth continues to be the team to beat as they pursue their mission of "Sports and Charity." While the Home Masters put up a valiant effort to force a decider, the Health Insurers' veteran execution under fire ensured their winning streak remained intact. 

PhilHealth now looks toward their next matchup with high confidence, riding the broad shoulders of Rica as they aim to sweep the preliminary round for their chosen beneficiaries.

MANILA—The PNP Lady Patrollers and the BFP Lady Firefighters continued their dominance in the UNTV Volleyball League Season 4 preliminaries, both securing their third consecutive victories last March 8, 2026, at the Paco Arena in Manila. 

The Lady Patrollers dismantled the MMDA Lady Spikers in a convincing 3-0 sweep, maintaining their position at the top of the standings. 

Liezl Paginado earned Best Player of the Game honors for PNP, anchoring the team's offense with a clinical performance that kept the Lady Spikers winless after three outings.

Matching that intensity, the BFP Lady Firefighters doused the DENR Lawin Spikers in another straight-sets demolition (3-0). 

The Firefighters were led by the unstoppable Stephanie Adolfo, who notched her second consecutive Best Player of the Game award. 

Adolfo dominated the net with 13 points built on 11 attacks and 2 blocks, proving to be the league's most consistent offensive threat. 

The win keeps BFP tied with PNP for the best record in the preliminary round at 3-0.

In other tournament action, the COMELEC Suffragettes also secured a 3-0 victory against the DFA Emissaries, climbing to a 2-1 record. 

As the preliminaries heat up, the undefeated runs of PNP and BFP have established them as the teams to beat, while the NHA Home Masters and PhilHealth Health Insurers remain close behind with perfect 2-0 records. 

The league continues to showcase high-level government agency athleticism as teams battle for positioning in the next round.

MANILA—The AFP Lady Gunnar finally broke into the win column of UVL Season 4, surviving a grueling five-set marathon against the Pag-IBIG Fund Lady Smashers, 3-2, at the Paco Arena on March 4, 2026. 

After a shaky start that saw them drop the opening set, the Lady Gunnar displayed veteran composure to outlast the league newcomers. 

The victory provides a crucial morale boost for AFP, while the rookie Lady Smashers continue their search for an elusive first win after falling to a 0-3 record.

May Madulid proved to be the difference-maker, earning Best Player of the Game honors with an explosive 20-point performance. 

Madulid dismantled the Pag-IBIG defense with 18 powerful attacks, complemented by a block and a service ace. 

Her steady hands in the final frame ensured the Lady Gunnar stayed ahead, as they dominated the fifth set with a 15-8 finish to seal the match.

The AFP’s outside attacker admitted that it was hard for them losing their first two games.

“Of course, hindi naman kasi natatapos sa talo lang. So pag nag-stumble ka kailangan mong bumalik, and that’s what we do… It’s been hard for us na for the past two games natalo kami and siguro lacking namin sa past two games namin is nalimutan namin mag enjoy.”—May Madulid said in the post-game interview. 

The seesaw battle saw both teams trade momentum, with set scores of 21-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-17, and 15-8. 

While the Lady Smashers showed flashes of brilliance and pushed the veterans to the limit, their momentum sputtered in the fourth and fifth sets due to the in game injury of their outside spiker Diana Maceda. 

AFP’s superior execution in transition allowed them to capitalize on rookie errors, ultimately securing the win and keeping their postseason hopes alive in the competitive UVL circuit.

PASAY CITY—The Philippine Senate fast-tracked the country’s basketball ambitions on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, as plenary discussions began for the naturalization of two key Gilas Pilipinas prospects. 

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan sponsored House Bill Nos. 6640 and 6641, which seek to grant Filipino citizenship to Senegalese center Maodo “Malick” Diouf and Filipino-American forward Elizabeth Jeanette Means. 

Diouf, a former UAAP MVP, and Means, an NCAA Division II standout, are expected to provide much-needed height and physicality to the national men’s and women’s 3x3 rosters ahead of the upcoming Asian Games.

During the session, lawmakers emphasized that naturalizing these athletes is more than a roster move; it is a strategic investment in the local basketball program. 

Beyond their skills on the court, both athletes have demonstrated a deep commitment to the country—Diouf has resided in the Philippines for seven years and successfully recited the Panatang Makabayan during committee hearings. 

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) remains optimistic that their inclusion will raise the level of domestic competition and secure the Philippines’ status as a powerhouse in international play.