MANILA, Philippines – The Petron Blaze Spikers made quick work of United VC to keep its record spotless in the 2019 Philippine SuperLiga Grand Prix at the Arena in San Juan on Saturday, March 30.

Petron cruised to 25-14, 25-17, 25-19 behind imports Stephanie Niemer and Katherine Bell to end the preliminaries on a 14-game winning streak and enter the quarterfinals as the No. 1 team. 

Niemer put up 23 points off 21 attacks while Bell had 18 points off 17 kills as the Blaze Spikers dominated from the get-go and did not let United to find its bearings. 

It was a complete offensive showcase for Petron as it tallied 50 attack points, a far cry from United's 30. 

Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani fired 18 points and Kalei Mau added 9 points but their efforts were not enough to prevent United from sliding to 6-7. 

Meanwhile, the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers also pulled off a sweep, dominating the league-worst Foton Tornadoes, 28-26, 25-15, 25-23. 

Imports MJ Perez and Lindsay Stalzer delivered 19 and 12 points, respectively, as the Cargo Movers improved to 9-3 for 2nd place. 

Despite seeing Courtney Felinski and Milagros Collar uncork 18 and 14 points, respectively, the Tornadoes still dropped to 1-11. 

The quarterfinals begin on Saturday, April 6, at the same venue. – Rappler.com

LOS ANGELES, USA – Six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady made his Twitter debut Monday, April 1 with an April Fool's Day joke about "retiring" that delivered a jolt to New England Patriots supporters.

The 41-year-old signal caller, who led the Patriots over the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 for the NFL title in Super Bowl 53 in February, tweeted: "I'm retiring. In my spare time, I'll be tweeting."

I'm retiring. In my spare time, I'll be tweeting #LFG

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) April 1, 2019

He picked April 1, a day when tricksters and jokers revel in deceiving people, for his first tweet on a verified account, and sent his second tweet an hour later to ease some worried minds who didn't recognize the prank.

Tom, as a youth football coaching legend, I find this a selfish way to let your teammates know you are retiring. And as your first tweet you quit? If you played for my team, I’d do what I did with the last player to quit on me - got his dad fired by claiming he drank on the job.

— Three Year Letterman (@3YearLetterman) April 1, 2019

pic.twitter.com/L8GUsD9P6f

— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) April 1, 2019

"Was this a bad joke?" Brady tweeted.

Was this a bad joke?

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) April 1, 2019

It did bring Brady nearly 200,000 followers within 6 hours, but his future has been no laughing matter for Patriots fans, with his stated desire to direct the New England attack until he is 45 even as fans wonder how long he can defy Father Time in a sport that can take a physical toll on men half his age.

Brady, who turns 42 in August, is expected to begin his 20th NFL campaign, all with New England, in September as scheduled by the Patriots, who had some tweets of their own. 

"FUNNY, Tom. @TomBrady joins Twitter, sends #PatriotsNation into panic-mode on #AprilFools Day," the Patriots tweeted.

Another tweet came later with photos of Brady staring at his cell phone and the message: "Our quarterback is 41 and pursuing a career on @Twitter. He loves football, family and Super Bowl rings, and he's just waiting for a chance to blow up. So @Twitter, meet @TomBrady."

Our quarterback is 41 and pursuing a career on @Twitter.

He loves football, family and Super Bowl rings, and he's just waiting for a chance to blow up.

So @Twitter, meet @TomBrady. pic.twitter.com/tBi0HiXQ0V

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 1, 2019

Now that's how the joins Twitter

— Twitter (@Twitter) April 1, 2019

When NFL fans realize this is just an April Fool’s gag pic.twitter.com/NpOdbGMO1m

— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) April 1, 2019

Brady has sparked New England to Super Bowl wins in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017 and this year. His 237 career games won are the most by any quarterback in NFL history. – Rappler.com

BARCELONA, Spain – Lionel Messi will probably play against Villarreal in La Liga this week, because "there's no suitable scenario for resting" the Argentine superstar, Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said on Monday, April 1. 

Barcelona are 10 points clear at the top of the Spanish League ahead of Tuesday's away game, followed by a home tie with second-place Atletico Madrid on Saturday, April 6, and then Manchester United away in a Champions League quarterfinal next Wednesday, April 10. 

"We attach great importance to this game," Valverde said of the Villarreal game before acknowledging that "many people have their sights on the Champions League and also the Atletico game."

"We'll see tomorrow about Leo," Valverde said of his 31-year-old forward who has 31 league goals so far this season.

"The 3 points tomorrow are worth the same as those against Atletico," Valverde said.

"It is a perfect match to win," he said, when asked about rotating his squad. "It does not escape me that our rivals are waiting for a slip to feed their hopes of catching us. We don't want give it any opportunities."

"There are 9 games, if we win 6 we are champions," he added. "But having to win 6 games does not mean we have the league won, we have a lot of work to do."

Valverde said he did not think renewed rumours that Antoine Griezmann was going to leave Atletico for Barcelona would not destabilize either club.

"It's the usual stuff, we're used to it," said Valverde. – Rappler.com

PARIS, France – Simona Halep cut the gap to world No.1 Naomi Osaka in the WTA rankings on Monday, April 1, after the Romanian made the semifinals at the Miami Open last week.

French Open champion Halep, who last held the top spot in January, would have returned to the summit had she reached the final in Florida following Osaka's early exit.

Halep reduced Osaka's lead to 239 points and moved above Petra Kvitova after the Czech fell to eventual champion Ashleigh Barty in the last 8.

Estonia's Anett Kontaveit climbed to a best of 14th as she jumped 5 places following her run to the semi-finals.

WTA rankings on April 1:

1. Naomi Osaka (JPN)  6,021 pts
2. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,782 (+1)
3. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 5,645 (-1)
4. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,580 (+3)
5. Angelique Kerber (GER) 5,165 (-1)
6. Kiki Bertens (NED) 5,050 (+2)
7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 5,020 (-2)
8. Sloane Stephens (USA) 4,287 (-2)
9. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 4,275 (+2)
10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,595 (-1)
11. Serena Williams (USA) 3,461 (-1)
12. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 3,270
13. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,117
14. Anett Kontaveit (EST) 2,845 (+5)
15. Julia Goerges (GER) 2,835
16. Wang Qiang (CHN) 2,812 (+2)
17. Elise Mertens (BEL) 2,800 (-3)
18. Madison Keys (USA) 2,726 (-2)
19. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 2,525 (-2)
20. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 2,460 (+1)

– Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – Twelve of the region’s top 3x3 basketball clubs will collide this weekend for the first-ever FIBA-sanctioned Super Quest.

From April 6 to 7 at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall, teams from Mongolia (No. 2 in the world), China (No. 3), Japan (No. 4), Indonesia (No. 15), Australia (No. 25), New Zealand (No. 29), South Korea (No. 42), Chinese Taipei (No. 60), Vietnam (No. 65), and Hong Kong (No. 79) have already confirmed for the Chooks-to-Go 3x3 Asia Pacific Super Quest.

In February, FIBA tasked Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3, the Philippines' first 3x3 basketball league, to host the level-8 event that will further boost the country's world 3x3 rankings.

"After last year’s success of the FIBA 3×3 World Cup organized by SBP, the initiative of Chooks-to-Go to set up a tournament with international teams from Asia-Pacific qualifying to the FIBA 3×3 World Tour is excellent news," said FIBA 3×3 Managing Director Alex Sanchez.

"It underpins the effort of Chooks-to-Go in organizing dozens of local 3×3 events and will accelerate the development of 3×3 in the Philippines," he added.

Chooks-to-Go President Ronald Mascariñas, for his part, said: "We are looking for tangible ways for the country to find its way to the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. I know it’s hard at this point but we will try everything. We are happy to be chosen to host the first-ever Super Quest."

Representing the Philippines are President's Cup champions Pasig Grindhouse Kings and runners-up Bataan Risers.

The two top-flight Philippine squads will go up against Ulaanbataar of Mongolia, Enerskin of the Korea 3x3 Basketball League, the Saigon Aces of Vietnam, Absolute 3X3 Basketball of Taipei, the Jakarta West Bandits of Indonesia, Tokyo Dime.exe of Japan, TSV Reading Cinema of Australia, Aotearoa of New Zealand, Anytours M1 of Hong Kong, and SSLC of China.

The champion of the Asia Pacific Super Quest will book their ticket to both the FIBA 3X3 World Tour Masters Doha from April 18 to 19, and the Challenger Series in Penang from May 12 to 13. The champion also brings home $20,000. (READ: Munzon raring for international play in Chooks 3X3 Super Quest)

The runners-up will also head to the Doha tournament while pocketing $15,000. The 3rd and 4th place finishers will qualify for the Challenger Series in Kunshan from May 18 to 19, with the former also banking $7,000 and the latter being rewarded with $4,000 for their efforts.

The 5th to 8th placed teams will be given $1,000 as consolation.

"With the Super Quest, we want to show the region that we can compete with the world’s best in 3×3 basketball,” shared league commissioner Eric Altamirano. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Paul Pogba has a "big, big part" to play at Old Trafford despite speculation linking the French World Cup winner with a move to Real Madrid.

Real boss Zinedine Zidane is expected to be busy in the summer transfer market as he tries to reinvigorate a side that crashed out of the Champions League in the last 16 and are lagging 12 points behind leaders Barcelona in La Liga.

United midfielder Pogba last week described Madrid as a "dream club for every player" while on international duty with France and Zidane on Saturday hailed him as "a player who knows how to do everything".

But Solskjaer is determined that Pogba, one of the world's most marketable players, will not be a part of Zidane's rebuilding plans and believes the midfielder simply gave a straight answer to a question. (READ: Solskjaer vows to get best out of Pogba)

"I don"t like to talk about other teams' players," the Norwegian said ahead of his side's Premier League match against Wolves on Tuesday, April 2. "That is one of the challenges of the international break.

"Players are available all the time and it's a different environment and it's more of a general talk.

"Paul is a very nice and polite man and he answered a general question. Of course, Zidane is an icon in France. Zidane is a fantastic manager and he used to be a fantastic player and I played against him.

"So Paul has politely answered that question. But he is happy here. He is going to be a big, big part of things here."

"I have always said that you would like to build your team around him and that has not changed at all."

Director of football?

Solskjaer, appointed as permanent manager last week after an impressive spell as interim boss, said he would be comfortable with the appointment of a director of football to sit between himself and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

"Football has changed and the structure at clubs has changed," he said. "Ed and (co-chairman) Joel (Glazer) and me are looking at how this club can be run as smoothly as possible.

"We will see what we end up with but I am happy talking football with knowledgeable people in the right positions anyway.

"A manager can't do as much as he used to do anyway. The demands of modern football mean that you have to split responsibilities."   

Solskjaer is preparing his team for the rearranged league game at Wolves as the chase for a top-four spot heats up.

United will leapfrog Tottenham into third place if they win at Molineux, with Arsenal and Chelsea also fighting for the remaining two Champions League qualification spots behind Liverpool and Manchester City.

They will have to improve on their last performance against Wolves, a 2-1 FA Cup defeat two weeks ago, the worst performance during Solskjaer's spell in charge.

But the Norwegian is confident of making amends this time.

"We can learn quite a few lessons from that game and we have to," he said. "If we turn up and don't perform to our level against a good team, we will not get the result we deserve." – Rappler.com 

PARIS, France – Roger Federer jumped up one spot to fourth in the ATP rankings released on Monday, April 1 after capturing his 101st career title with his victory over John Isner in Miami.

The Swiss great switched places with Austria's Dominic Thiem, who had briefly climbed to fourth after defeating Federer in the final at Indian Wells two weeks ago.

Rising Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas moved up to a career best of eighth, while Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov cracked the top 20 for the first time following his run to the Miami semi-finals.

Felix Auger-Aliassime, 18, soared 24 places to 33rd after matching compatriot Shapovalov's run to the last four in Florida before losing to defending champion Isner.

Novak Djokovic remains comfortably clear at the top despite crashing out in the last 16 in Miami, with Rafael Nadal still well ahead of third-ranked Alexander Zverev as the Spaniard targets a return from injury for the clay-court season.

ATP rankings on April 1:

1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 11,070 pts
2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,725
3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,040
4. Roger Federer (SUI) 5,590 (+1)
5. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 4,765 (-1)
6. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,200
7. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,115
8. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 3,240 (+2)
9. Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) 3,225 (-1)
10. John Isner (USA) 3,085 (-1)
11. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,015
12. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 2,810
13. Borna Coric (CRO) 2,345
14. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 2,295 (+1)
15. Milos Raonic (CAN) 2,140 (-1)
16. Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 2,021
17. Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 1,930 (+2)
18. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 1,885 (-1)
19. Gael Monfils (FRA) 1,875 (-1)
20. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 1,820 (+3)

Selected:

33. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 1.245 (+24)

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Floyd Mayweather made a surprise visit to Manila and revealed that he may lock horns with Manny Pacquiao in a game of basketball.

"In fact, he's going to play basketball with Manny today," said Dr. Victoria "Vicky" Belo during the press conference. 

"Yeah, in Resorts World," added Mayweather. 

Mayweather – whose undefeated boxing record included his conquest of Boxing’s lone 8-division world champion Pacquiao – will try his luck against the basketball-loving Filipino.

Before the blockbuster fight between the the legends, Pacquiao made his PBA debut as a playing coach for Kai Sorento in 2014.

But Pacquiao made little impact in Kia’s win over Blackwater Elite during his professional basketball debut as he tallied 2 turnovers and a personal foul in just under 7 minutes on the court. 

Mayweather, also a basketball fan, has flashed his shooting skills when he challenged NBA player Isaiah Thomas back in 2015. 

But the American boxer's team was crushed by the Denver Nuggets' point guard. 

In 2016, Mayweather expressed his desire of owning an NBA team. 

The last time both boxing icons engaged in the basketball-related activity was when they met in a Warriors-Lakers game after Pacquiao bested Adrien Broner to retain the WBA welterweight crown. 

The Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch is reportedly still in the works, but nothing is certain yet. – Rappler.com 

MANILA, Philippines – Kaya FC-Iloilo almost absorbed their first defeat of the AFC Cup 2019, but the Filipinos managed to salvage a 1-1 draw against PSM Makassar on Tuesday, April 2, at the Pakansari Stadium in Indonesia.

Eero Markkanen converted a penalty at the 56th minute to give PSM a well-deserved lead following Camelo Tacusalme’s foul inside the penalty box.

Louie Casas, Kaya’s goalkeeper, brilliantly read the left-footed penalty-kick as he was able to touch the ball, but failed to completely grab the ball.

Kaya eventually found the equalizer 3 minutes into added time as Marwin Angeles met team captain Jovin Bedic’s free-kick perfectly. 

Angeles’ lovely control inside the box enabled him to slip one past PSM goalkeeper Rivki Mokodompit and score the game-tying goal.

Both teams are currently tied in Group H with an identical record of one win and two draws. 

The first half started with Kaya earning a free-kick just before the 3-minute mark, but it was easily cleared off by the Indonesian-based squad. 

PSM then produced a lovely counter-attack 3 minutes later after breaking down the Filipinos’ defense, but it yielded no goal after the cross down the left flank swirled way out of the penalty box.

Jordan Mintah almost broke the deadlock as he closed down on an Indonesian defender and stole the ball en route to the penalty box. Mokodompit quickly rushed out and came up with a huge save as the Kaya striker decided to aim low and forego a chip shot in the 10th minute.

At the 30th minute, an off-balanced Darryl Roberts launched a right-footed shot, but it just missed the target and awarded PSM a goal kick.

Roberts almost gave Kaya the lead a few seconds before the referee blew the halftime whistle, but his header off a free-kick did not find the back of the net.

PSM opened the second half with two golden chances to score first in match, but Casas stood tall on both occasions to keep the Indonesians scoreless.

First chance came at the 46-minute mark when Markkanen slithered through the Kaya defense with his brilliant off-ball movement, but he could not get to the through ball fast enough as Casas rushed out of his position to meet the ball.

Two minutes later, Rizky Pellu hit the side-netting after firing a shot inside the box.

Both teams were then given 3 yellow cards inside the next 6 minutes, with the third, being the most crucial of them all as it was the foul that gave PSM the opportunity to end the dry spell.

Markkanen had another chance at the 67-minute mark, but his powerful header just went over the bar. Two minutes later, Kaya found the back of the net, but it was soon disallowed as they were called for offside.

Noel Marcaida, Kaya’s head coach, decided to change things up at the 76th minute mark as Jalsor Soriano, who limped off with an injury, and Connor Tacagni made way for substitutes Chy Villaseñor and Yannick Tuason respectively.

Tuason almost made an immediate impact as he headed in team captain Jovin Bedic’s cross towards the goal at the 81’ mark. It received a massive deflection from the defender, but Mokodompit’s amazing reflexes temporarily kept his team afloat towards the end of the match.

Kaya FC-Iloilo and PSM Makassar will go head-to-head once more in Group H of the AFC Cup 2019 on Holy Wednesday, April 17, at the Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City. – Juro Morilla/Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Floyd Mayweather can change his moniker back to Pretty Boy again.

The retired American boxer made a side trip to Manila after vacationing in Boracay to get a skin tightening treatment from Dr. Victoria “Vicky” Belo.

According to Mayweather, it was thanks to his Filipino assistant that he is now partners with the Belo Medical Group. 

"I was in Maldives, I was in Dubai, and I wanted to get a facial. But my assistant, she’s Filipino, let’s wait 'til you get to the Philippines. We’re already going to Boracay and we have to go to Manila to see Victoria Belo, so I said 'why?' Then she said: ‘She’s the best’," shared Mayweather in the press conference on Tuesday, April 2. 

The retired American boxer was the first to receive the Belo Medical Group's brand new Thermage FLX treatment. 

According to the celebrity dermatologist, the 42-year-old boxer has taken good care of skin that made the treatment run smoothly and show positive results immediately. 

"Today, it was something different," said Mayweather about his Belo experience. "I got shocked a couple of times, but I’d do it again." 

Mayweather's rival Pacquiao and his family are also regular customers of the Belo Medical group. 

A blockbuster rematch between Pacquiao and Mayweather is still in the works, but it is still uncertain when it will be finalized.

Both boxing icons, however, will reportedly be facing off in a basketball game during the American's visit to Manila. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Floyd Mayweather isn't nicknamed "Money" for nothing. 

After splurging on a Belo treatment, the retired American boxer went on a shopping spree in Greenbelt and Glorietta. 

Dressed in a colorful suit, he couldn't go without notice in this boxing-loving country. 

Floyd Mayweather shopping in Rustan’s Makati.

— Ron Lozada (@ronlozada) April 2, 2019

I was 2ft away from @FloydMayweather in Glorietta. Damn ang Pogi niya with his slick coat. Couldn’t take a photo with his bodyguards. Welcome to @iloveglorietta !!! Lol

— JP (@iamjpruiz) April 2, 2019

Mayweather also happened to drop by celebrity stylist Liz Uy's Mood Bake pop-up at Greenbelt 5, where he immediately took a bite of the trending chunky chocolate chip cookies. 

"It's the best," said Mayweather as nodded his head with approval. 

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Either Keith Thurman or Danny Garcia will be Manny Pacquiao’s opponent in his next fight, tentatively set for July 13.

International matchmaker Sean Gibbons informed Philippine media about the latest development on Tuesday, April 2, following reports from the US indicating talks regarding a World Boxing Association welterweight unification bout between Pacquiao, the regular champion, and Thurman, the super titlist, are in their final stages.

A fight between Pacquiao and either Thurman and Garcia in Las Vegas can readily be arranged as they are all under the Premier Boxing Champions of Al Haymon. (READ: If not Mayweather, who's next for Pacquiao?)

In his comeback bout against Josesito Lopez last month, the unbeaten Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs) showed some rust and settled for a majority decision.

Garcia, on the other hand, is slated to tangle with Adrian Granados on April 20 in California and needs to win impressively to overtake Thurman in the Pacquiao derby.

On March 4, 2017, Thurman bested Garcia (34-2, 19 KOs) by split decision to become the unified World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council welterweight champion.

Being a Latino (Puerto Rican), Garcia is a more sellable pay-per-view opponent than Thurman, an American.

Known as a come-forward fighter, Garcia has also beaten several of Pacquiao’s victims like Lucas Matthysse, Brandon Rios and Erick Morales.

The choice of either Thurman or Garcia left early pacesetter Errol Spence out of the picture.

Spence, the International Boxing Federation titlist, who has called out Pacquiao, dominated four-division champion Mikey Garcia on March 16.

While Pacquiao is receptive to the challenge, the 8-division champion has also said he’s willing to take on anybody his promoters put in front of him.

Now, he can focus on Thurman and Garcia.

Of course, Floyd Mayweather Jr. remains to be Pacquiao’s top priority.

Unless Mayweather announced he’s coming out of retirement to do a rematch with him, however, Pacquiao is open to face any other opponent when the Philippine Senate takes a break. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – After making the media wait for over 8 hours, Floyd Mayweather Jr. was a no-show in his press conference at Resorts World Manila on Tuesday night, April 2. 

Originally scheduled to appear at 3 pm, Mayweather made the media wait up to 11 pm at Grand Bar.

In a display of how fickle-minded the superstar athlete can be, Mayweather diverted from his itinerary after attending an earlier event hosted by beauty guru Vickie Belo, taking his sweet time strolling at a mall and having dinner at a restaurant by the Bay, ditching his commitment to the premier gaming hotel.

To their credit, the press relations staff and top brass of Resorts World managed to keep the prolonged stay of those present pleasant with a continuous flow of food and drinks, even giving away tickets to a local play to all listed guests.

Mayweather, the unbeaten former world champion who bested Manny Pacquiao in their Fight of the Century in 2015, arrived via his private jet from Boracay Island, where he spent two days, Tuesday noon for his twin appointments.

While he was able to honor his part of the deal with Belo, Mayweather fell short in his commitment with Resorts World, which has put up a makeshift ring and playing court at Grand Bar for the event. (READ: Mayweather, Pacquiao to face off in a basketball game)

It was not until past 11pm, when Joee Guilas, RWM director for Corporate Communications, finally broke the news that Mayweather won’t be coming at all.

A hotel insider said Mayweather was actually in his suite, but chose not to go down. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo vows to get back at semifinal conqueror Far Eastern University (FEU), while University of the Philippines (UP) aims to return to the win column versus University of the East (UE) in the UAAP women's volleyball tournament. 

Ateneo, still toting just one loss this season (8-1), tries to ride on a huge momentum following a sweep of preseason favorite UP, which they dispatched in straight sets in both elimination-round meetings. 

This time, the Lady Eagles hope to do the same against the squad that sent them packing in the Final Four last season. 

In their first-round clash, the Lady Eagles had a slow start against the Lady Tamaraws but extended the match to a decider where they took control.  

As Kat Tolentino and Maddie Madayag continue to lead the Lady Eagles' frontline, FEU also braces for a different and stronger Ateneo team that has improved in floor defense and playmaking. 

Deanna Wong, for instance, had a difficult time living up to her billing as reigning Best Setter early but had since climbed to 3rd place by dishing out 5.86 sets per frame. 

The first-round FEU win also sparked the momentum of outside hitters Ponggay Gaston and Jules Samonte as they made it to the top 10 receivers of the league, as well as converted libero Kim Gequillana. 

Gaston also ranks 4th on the Best Server list, making 0.37 aces per set. 

But FEU (7-3) – which is vying for a share of second with defending champion La Salle – is an equally veteran team that has managed to stay on course despite losing topscoring rookie Lycha Ebon to injury. 

Ivana Agudo again looks to prove that she can lead FEU's offense while senior playmaker Kyle Negrito, currently tied with National University's Princess Robles as Best Server with 0.53 aces per set, tries to do better in stabilizing FEU's offense and contributing from the service line. 

Ria Duremdes has also helped the Lady Tamaraws' cause as the current leader in the digging department, executing 6.83 digs per set. 

Ateneo and FEU clash on Wednesday, April 3, 4 pm, at the Filoil Flying V Centre. 

Earlier at 2 pm, the UP Lady Maroons (5-4) remain fired up to keep their Final Four bid alive by conquering UE (2-7). 

The Lady Maroons have to do it, though, minus the services of stalwart Isa Molde as she's expected to rest her injured left ankle for one game. 

Still, the Lady Maroons vow to step up in other facets of their game such as in blocking, where Maristela Layug and Lorie Bernardo can take over to limit UE's spikers Me-an Mendrez and Judith Abil. 

UE, however, is no team to mess with as it stretched the match against UP to 5 sets in the season opener. 

Mendrez is coming off a 22-point outburst over FEU while Abil tallied 16 thanks to Lai Bendong's topnotch playmaking that has proven to be more consistent.

Bendong widened the gap in the Best Setter list as she dishes out a league-best 6.86 excellent sets per frame. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Even without stalwart Isa Molde, the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons managed to stay on track of their bid for a Final Four berth.

UP turned back a valiant University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors in 5 sets, 25-23, 20-25, 25-23, 24-26, 15-11, in the UAAP Season 81 women's volleyball tournament on Wednesday, April 3, at the Filoil Flying V Centre. 

UP improved to 6-4 for a share of 4th place while UE fell on the verge of getting booted out of playoff contention with a 2-8 record. 

Marian Buitre stepped up for the injured Molde and led the team with 19 points off 16 attacks and 3 blocks.

UP held a narrow lead in the 5th set but finally pulled away behind Jesma Ramos, 12-9.

After a Tots Carlos block brought UP within a point of a win, UE saved match point twice before the Lady Maroons captain scored a check to end the match.

Despite bouncing back from an Ateneo loss, the Lady Maroons are still not satisfied with their performance, especially after committing 36 errors.

“Sabi nga ni coach, a win is a win pero ayun nga, if yung nakita niyo sa game, mga mistakes namin is mga wala lang sa position. I think we can do better,” said Carlos.

(Coach said a win is a win, but if you watched our game, our mistakes were just because we weren’t in our proper position. I think we can do better.)

Judith Abil and Me-an Mendrez combined for 45 points in a losing effort while Kath Arado made 35 excellent digs and 31 excellent receptions for the Lady Warriors.

UE was two points away from taking the opening frame, but the Lady Maroons unleashed a 5-0 run with Ramos on the service line to take the set. 

The Lady Warriors again had their 4-0 start erased in the 2nd set, but a UP collapse towards the end of the set sparked UE's own 5-0 run as Judith Abil's ace, 25-20, evened the match at one-set apiece. 

UE rode on its second-set momentum with a 6-0 start, but the Lady Maroons rallied back with a 9-3 run to take the lead, 13-11. The Lady Warriors stayed within reach to threaten the Diliman-based squad before Aeishalaine Gannaban's quick ended the set in favor of UP, 25-23.

It was a neck-and-neck battle until the end of the 4th set as Gannaban’s service error gave UE its second set point and Me-an Mendrez’ spike cruised through the block to extend the match to a decider, 26-24. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Adamson pulled off an  upset over Far Eastern University (FEU) as University of Santo Tomas (UST) snapped out of its losing slump in the UAAP Season 81 men’s volleyball on Wednesday, April 3, at the Filoil Flying V Centre. 

The Soaring Falcons overpowered the Tamaraws in a five-set thriller,  25-14, 22-25, 25-23, 16-25, 17-15, while the Growling Tigers took down the University of the Philippines Maroons, 25-17, 18-25, 25-20, 25-15. 

George Labang fired a game-high 24 markers as Leo Miranda collected 15 points, 15 digs and 25 receptions for the Falcons, who wound up tied with Ateneo at No. 3 with a 6-4 card.

Four Tamaraws scored in double figures as George Solis (18), John Paul Bugaoan (15), Jude Garcia (13) and RJ Paler (12) combined for 58 points in the losing effort. 

FEU missed the chance to join defending champion National University (NU) at the pole position and stayed at No. 2 with an 8-2 slate.

Meanwhile, UST ended its four-game losing stretch as rookie sensation Josh Umandal and stalwart Jaron Requinton dropped 20 points each to boost the Tigers’ Final Four campaign in the second round of the season.

Captain Manuel Medina and Jayvee Sumagaysay also added a combined 28 points for the Tigers, who climbed to a share of the 5th seat with La Salle at 4-6. 

Jerry San Pedro led UP with 14 points while Nicolo Consuelo and John Millete scored 13 and 12, respectively. 

The Fighting Maroons remained at the bottom of the standings with a 1-9 record. – Leigh Nald Cabildo/Rappler.com

PARIS, FRANCE – Football legend Pele told Kylian Mbappe that he believes the French World Cup winner can emulate his own achievement of scoring 1,000 career goals.

The 78-year-old Brazilian claims to have netted over 1,000 goals in his career, while Mbappe has so far managed 103 in total, with 92 of those coming at the top level.

"It's possible, I scored exactly 1,025, so 1,000 goals is possible for him," Pele told AFP in Paris, where he met Mbappe at a sponsor event for Hublot watches on Tuesday, April 2 (Wednesday, April 3, Manila time).

Mbappe, who last year became only the second teenager to score in a World Cup final after Pele in France's 4-2 victory over Croatia, played down Pele's comments.

"I think that even if we count the goals on inter-city pitches and goals on the PlayStation, I won't be able to reach the 1,000-goal mark," said the 20-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward.

"We will try to get as close as we can, but I think I'll be a long way off it at the end of my career."

Mbappe has scored 32 goals in all competitions for PSG this season, including 27 from only 24 Ligue 1 appearances.

Pele was only 21 when he won his second World Cup in 1962, adding a third 8 years later.

"There's only one 'King' and he's there," said Mbappe. "I'm just Kylian, I'm trying to do my best to help my team and my national side.

"The comparisons are flattering but I know very well that I will never do what he did."

'I just want to help PSG and France'  

It was not the first time that Mbappe has had to temper comparisons with Pele, after a rush to crown him a future footballing great during the World Cup in Russia, where he scored 4 goals in total.

But the former Monaco striker insists that he is not focused on becoming the best player of modern times.

"When Pele was playing, he didn't think he wanted to be the best player in history, he wanted to have fun, help his country and his club, which he did," he said.

"What I want is to help PSG, the France team and afterwards it will be other people who tell you that you are the best.

"Everyone says that he is the best, but if you are (the best), there's no need to say it. It's not a goal for me."

Pele spent the majority of his career at Santos in his home country, bar a spell in the United States with the New York Cosmos shortly before his retirement.

He told Mbappe, who has been repeatedly linked with a move away from PSG, that the key to smashing goalscoring records is playing in the very best teams.

"People tend to say that goals are the most important thing – I thank God for having scored so many in my career – but we must know that we need to be well-supported, you can't score on your own, you need good teammates, that's very important."

Mbappe and his Paris teammates have only the French Cup left to fight for this season, with the Ligue 1 title all but secured and their Champions League campaign over after a humiliating defeat by Manchester United.– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Bong Ramos will not be returning as head coach for Blackwater.

Ramos has resigned from his post after 3 PBA conferences as Aris Dimaunahan takes over as interim coach for the Elite, team governor Silliman Sy said.

"Yes, he resigned na," Sy said through a Facebook exchange.

After replacing Leo Isaac in the middle of the 2018 Commissioner's Cup, Ramos turned Blackwater into a playoff team in the 2018 Governors' Cup with a 7-4 record. 

But the Elite took multiple blows with trades of key players Poy Erram, Paul Zamar and John Pinto, and it reflected in their performance in the 2019 Philippine Cup as they crashed to the bottom of the standings with a 2-9 card.

Blackwater has more than a month to prepare before the 2019 Commissioner's Cup kicks off in May. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – After a slow start to the season, the Magnolia Hotshots finished the PBA regular season strong after a 102-74 rout of the NLEX Road Warriors in the Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, April 3. 

Paul Lee led the way with 26 points and 5 rebounds as sixth-seed Magnolia arranged a Manila Clasico quarterfinals series against No. 3 Ginebra.

Aldrech Ramos and Mark Barroca backstopped Lee’s eruption, tallying 15 and 14 markers, respectively. Jio Jalalon added 8 points, 5 assists, 4 boards and 3 steals for his usual all-around line. 

“We achieved our goal that is to get the No. 6 spot,” said Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero. “Our defense is a big factor because our goal is to limit NLEX to under 90 points and match their efforts.”

“Happy and proud ako sa ginawa ng players ko. Though mahaba break namin, hindi nawala yung rhythm nila,” he continued.

(I’m happy and proud with what my players did. Though we had a long break, they didn’t lose their rhythm.)

The Hotshots steadily outgunned the Road Warriors from the get-go, transforming a 20-16 first-quarter lead to a 46-30 advantage by halftime. With his feared long-range bombs, Lee spearheaded their 15-3 run to end the 2nd frame. 

Magnolia broke the game wide open from that point, leading as high as 31 points off a PJ Simon jumper at the 6:14 mark of the 4th.

With the Hotshots now tucked away in the quarters, the Alaska Aces remain alive in the playoff hunt while NLEX hopes for a best-case scenario at 7th if ever Ginebra wins against Northport in the second game of the evening.

However, if the red-hot Batang Pier score an upset against the Gin Kings, NLEX will be left to face Alaska in a playoff for the 8th and final postseason spot.

Bong Galanza mustered 10 points, all coming in the 3rd quarter, to lead NLEX in scoring. Kenneth Ighalo added 9 markers while JR Quiñahan chipped in 8 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. 

The Scores 

Magnolia 102 – Lee 26, Ramos 15, Barroca 14, Sangalang 10, Jalalon 8, Herndon 6, Melton 5, Simon 5, Brondial 2, Reavis 2, Gamalinda 2, Dela Rosa 2, Pascual 2, Abundo 0, Calisaan 0.

NLEX 74 – Galanza 10, Ighalo 9, Tallo 8, Quinahan 8, Erram 7, Rios 6, Paniamogan 6, Varilla 6, Magat 6, Soyud 4, Baguio 2, Lao 2, Taulava 0, Tiongson 0, Paredes 0.

Quarters: 20-16, 46-30, 77-54, 102-74.

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Ateneo Lady Eagles continue to show why they're the league's No. 1 team in the UAAP Season 81 women's volleyball tournament. 

Ateneo completed an elimination sweep of last season's semifinal tormentor Far Eastern University (FEU) with a straight-set demolition, 25-21, 25-10, 25-18, on Wednesday, April 3, at the Filoil Flying V Centre. 

The Lady Eagles soared to 9-1 and secured at least a playoff berth in the Final Four while FEU's loss forged a three-way logjam with University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines at 6-4. 

Kat Tolentino and Ponggay Gaston tallied 11 points apiece to lead the Lady Eagles while Deanna Wong dished out 30 excellent sets in all 3 frames.

“Sinabi namin sa sarili namin, sa team, na expect FEU will give us a great fight, instinct sa kanila ang fighter because of their winning tradition. We have to level up our intensity and energy,” said Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro

(We told ourselves to expect FEU to give us a great fight because it’s their instinct to be a fighter because of their winning tradition. We have to level up our intensity and energy.)

FEU had a poor game as Jerrili Malabanan led the scoring with only 8 points while Celine Domingo, who averaged 11.9 points in the season before the game, didn’t contribute any against Ateneo.

The Lady Tamaraws committed a total of 27 errors to virtually gift the game to Ateneo.

It was a neck-and-neck battle early between last year's semifinal rivals, but the Lady Eagles pulled away as Maddie Madayag sparked a 4-0 run to close out the opening frame. 

Ateneo had the upperhand in the 2nd set with a 14-2 start on the way to a 25-10 set drubbing that allowed them to cruise to 2-0 match advantage. 

FEU bounced back with a better showing in the 3rd set as they took an 8-5 lead over Ateneo in the first technical timeout.

But FEU blew its lead with 5 straight errors that fueled the Lady Eagles’ 10-2 run capped by back-to-back aces from Bea de Leon, 16-12.

The Lady Tamaraws couldn't recover from there as the Lady Eagles cruised to seal the win. – Rappler.com