Jasha Gamao

The Philippines has officially broken into the top three of the Sanya 2026 Asian Beach Games, securing the third spot in the overall medal standings as of April 28. 

With a disciplined performance across multiple disciplines, the Filipino contingent has amassed a total of seven medals, including three golds, two silvers, and two bronzes. 

This surge places the Philippines directly behind regional powerhouses China and Thailand, signaling a dominant start for the national athletes in this year’s continental beach showcase.

The current ranking highlights the country’s growing prowess in coastal sports as they outpace formidable competitors like Vietnam and South Korea. 

This momentum serves as a critical benchmark for the Philippine Sports Commission, proving the athletes' readiness to compete at the highest level. 

As the games continue in Sanya, the Philippines remains locked in a tight race to maintain its podium position and build further prestige ahead of the country's hosting of the 2028 Asian Beach Games in Cebu.

SANYA, China — The Philippine women’s athletics team ignited the track on Sunday, at the Sanya 2026 Asian Beach Games, sprinting to a sensational silver medal in the 4x60m relay. 

The powerhouse quartet of Kristina Knott, Shane Ponce, Lianne Pama, and Jessica Laurance clocked a blistering 29.73 seconds, narrowly missing the top spot but cementing their status as continental elites. 

Their explosive performance on the sand highlighted a high-stakes final where the Filipina sprinters displayed flawless baton exchanges and raw speed to outpace a crowded field of Asia's best.

This podium finish serves as the exclamation point for a dominant Philippine Athletics campaign in Sanya.

 By consistently finding the podium across multiple events, Team Pilipinas has proven its versatility and grit, transitioning their track-and-field prowess onto the challenging beach terrain to secure their place among the region’s sporting heavyweights.

MANILA—OP Bagong Pilipinas dominated the paint and controlled the glass to secure an 88–71 victory over the DENR Lawin Patrollers last Sunday, at the Paco Arena in Manila. 

The win marks the second consecutive triumph for the OP squad in the UNTV Cup Season 12 elimination round, while the Lawin Patrollers suffered their second loss of the season. 

From the opening tip, OP Bagong Pilipinas utilized a physical approach, relying on disciplined box-outs and aggressive rebounding to dictate the tempo and prevent second-chance opportunities for their opponents.

While the DENR Lawin Patrollers attempted to stay in the hunt through their signature long-range shooting, their touch from beyond the arc went cold, leaving them unable to bridge the double-digit gap. 

Rocky Antonares earned Best Player of the Game honors with a monster double-double performance, dominating the interior with 18 points and 18 rebounds. 

His relentless energy on the boards served as the backbone of the OP defense, effectively neutralizing the Lawin Patrollers' speed and securing a crucial win for the "Bagong Pilipinas" campaign.

MANILA—The COMELEC Vanguards made a resounding statement at the Paco Arena on Sunday, dismantling the DOJ Radiance with a dominant 88–49 victory. 

After suffering a tough loss in their season opener against the PNP Responders, the Vanguards entered the court with a clear sense of urgency and defensive intensity. 

From the opening tip-off, COMELEC dictated the tempo, utilizing a high-octane offense and a suffocating defense that left the Radiance struggling to find any rhythm. 

By the final whistle, the Vanguards had built a massive 39-point cushion, effectively erasing the memory of their previous defeat and establishing themselves as a serious threat in UNTV Cup Season 12.

The charge was led by Vincent Curador, who earned Best Player of the Game honors with an efficient and versatile performance. 

Curador filled out the stat sheet, leading all scorers with 16 points while nearly securing a double-double by snatching 9 rebounds. 

His impact wasn't limited to scoring; he also contributed 1 assist and 1 steal, anchoring the Vanguards' transition play and proving to be the focal point of their dominant second-half surge. 

With this convincing win in the bag, COMELEC moves forward with renewed momentum, while DOJ is left to regroup after the lopsided affair.

MANILA—The Senate Defenders staged a thrilling fourth-quarter surge to override the PhilHealth Health Insurers, 62–57, in their UNTV Cup Season 12 clash on Sunday at the Paco Arena. 

For the majority of the match, Health Insurers dictated the pace, utilizing a disciplined tempo to maintain control from the opening tip through the third period. 

However, the Defenders refused to fold, flipping the script in the final frame with a defensive lockdown and a clinical offensive execution that left the Health Insurers reeling.

Jojo Duncil proved why he is a force to be reckoned with, earning Best Player of the Game honors after a masterful all-around performance. 

Duncil exploded for 26 points, while contributing 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals to lead the Senate charge. 

His scoring outburst in the clutch served as the catalyst for the Defenders' comeback, effectively erasing PhilHealth's long-standing lead and securing a hard-fought win for the legislative squad.

In a post-game interview, Duncil credited the victory to the team’s resilience and evolving chemistry under a new system. 

“Nakapag-adjust na kami nung mga third and fourth eh, syempre one week pa lang si Coach Japs, nag-aadjust pa lahat kami.”

"We were just able to adjust our game in the third and fourth quarters," Duncil noted, acknowledging that the roster is still acclimating to the plays of new head coach John Paul Cuan. 

The transition has been eased by the deep-rooted connection between the two; Duncil and Cuan share a storied history dating back to their collegiate days at the University of Santo Tomas. 

“Gamay na ako ni Coach Japs eh, noong araw talagang matagal pinagsamahan namin niyan tsaka si Coach Dizon.”

"Coach Japs and I are very familiar with each other; we go a long way back, along with Coach Dizon.", Duncil emphasized that this long-standing familiarity was pivotal in executing the late-game adjustments that ultimately sealed the game.