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| Former UAAP athlete and Ateneo de Manila University women's basketball team head coach and assistant athletic director Erika Dy (center) formally signed her appointment as the new Executive Director of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Inc. alongside SBP vice president Ricky Vargas (left) and president Al Panlilio. (Image Source: ABS-CBN News/Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas) |
The Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP) has officially appointed former Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) women's basketball team player and head coach Erika Dy as executive director. Previously served as deputy event director of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Dy will now supervise the strategic planning of the national basketball association and lead the implementation of its programs in line with FIBA’s continued push to grow the sport in the country.
In a statement released last January 8, 2024, SBP President Alfredo S. Panlilio said, “We’re very excited to work with Erika as she brings new energy into the federation. We worked closely with her during the FIBA Basketball World Cup and saw up close what she brought to the table. With her experience as a basketball player, a coach, a sports advocate, and one of the primary implementers of the World Cup, we know she is capable of broadening the imprint of the SBP." Following the formal signing of her appointment, Dy shared, “It’s an honor to be entrusted by the SBP with this role. Basketball has been a huge part of my life and I’m thankful to be given the opportunity to give back to the sport and the basketball community. The SBP has done so much since its founding led by chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan and it is exciting to join the federation at such a pivotal time,” Dy added.
Dy was also ADMU's assistant athletic director and served in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) as chairperson of its Licensing Committee and managing director. Dy, who holds a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from Columbia University, is also a California-licensed attorney. She was appointed FIBA Legal Commission chair in October last year. Dy is already working alongside Head of Coaches’ Academy Jong Uichico, Grassroots Program Director Norman Black, 3x3 Program Director Eric Altamirano and Institutional Support Director Anton Gonzales.
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Strong Group Athletics Joins Premier Volleyball League
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| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/Strong Group Athletics) |
Strong Group Athletics (SGA) is thrilled to announce its entry into the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) as the eleventh team of the Philippines' premiere 'pay to play' professional volleyball league. SGA will be taking over the Gerflor franchise and will officially become the “sister team” of the Farm Fresh Foxies.
PVL President Richard Palou expressed his gratitude to SGA owner Frank Lao for the significant contributions to the league, stating, “We are truly thankful to Frank Lao and Strong Group Athletics for not only helping pay the salaries of the Gerflor Defenders last year but also for taking the bold step of starting a second team in the PVL. This shows their strong commitment to the development and success of volleyball in the Philippines.” Frank Lao, owner of Strong Group Athletics, emphasized the logical decision to establish a second team in the PVL, stating, “Putting up a second team in the Premier Volleyball League is a no-brainer for us. The PVL has been a consistent source of entertainment for fans of all ages, and we are excited to contribute to the league in whatever way we can. Having a second team will lead to more opportunities for Filipino volleyball players and coaches. We believe in the potential of our athletes, and by providing additional platforms for them to showcase their talents, we are contributing to the growth of volleyball in the country.”
In addition to its involvement in the PVL, Strong Group Athletics proudly supports women’s volleyball teams at University of the East, University of the Philippines, College of Saint Benilde, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran. SGA remains committed to promoting the sport at all levels and nurturing the development of future volleyball stars.
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24th Elorde Awards Night To Be Known As 1st Pacquiao Elorde Awards Night
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| Shown in photo, from left: former world title challenger Miguel Elorde, former eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, Liza and Johnny Elorde (Image Source: Manila Standard/Manny Pacquiao) |
On its 24th anniversary staging slated to be held on March 25, 2024 at Okada Manila, the highly prestigious Elorde Awards Night will now be known as the Pacquiao Elorde Awards Night. Manny Pacquiao, an eight-time world champion and a multi-time Elorde Fighter of the Year awardee himself, expressed his intention to be part of the Elordes’ great deed of honoring Filipino boxers for over two decades, saying in a statement, “I am deeply honored to continue the legacy of Flash Elorde, not only in boxing but also for providing hopes and inspirations for upcoming and current Filipino boxers, athletes who continuously fight abroad to bring home glory to the Filipino people."
The former senator and owner/founder of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) added, “Known for their love and appreciation to Filipino boxers which I also do with the MP Promotions, I think the collaboration with the Elordes are going to be huge in the long run not only with boxers but also with other Filipino athletes." Liza Elorde, the wife of the great Johnny Elorde who is the son of the great Filipino boxer Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, said they are eyeing to give recognition also to other sports starting next year although boxing will always be prioritized. “It’s high time we collaborated with Pacquiao since he’s the greatest boxer in the new era, while dad Gabriel “Flash” Elorde in the old era. So people will always remember not just only their accomplishments and name, but also their generosity to the people,” Elorde said.
For this year, Pacquiao and the Elordes would still focus on giving awards and citations like the prestigious Boxer of the Year, Fight of the Year, Most Promising Boxer, Best Manager, Trainer, Referee, Judge and Special Awards to benefactors, boxing’s most influential people and best amateur fighters, among others. But next year, the Elordes and Pacquiao will also award selected non-boxing athletes who excelled inhigh level world competitions such as the Olympics. Elorde explained, “We decided to give recognition next year to the other athletes to inspire more the younger generation of athletes to persevere and give their best for the country. Most of the young generation today are inspired by Pacquiao who was inspired then by the great story of Flash Elorde.”
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PH Sports Commission Partners With PRISAA For Grassroots Program
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| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/Philippine Sports Commission) |
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has partnered with the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) to strengthen the sports agency’s grassroots program. PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann and PRISAA National Chairman Rev. Fr. Vicente Uy signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) during the 2024 PRISAA National Congress held last January 12, 2024 at the University of Sto. Tomas in Legazpi City, Albay. Also present were PSC Commissioner Edward Hayco, who oversees the agency's grassroots sports development program, and PSC Executive Director Paulo Francisco Tatad.
In a statement, Bachmann said, “We recognize the pivotal role that organizations like PRISAA play in shaping the landscape of Philippine sports. Their commitment to providing a platform for young talents to compete, learn, and grow through the PRISAA National Games is commendable. As we begin this partnership, we aspire to build a comprehensive and inclusive sports ecosystem that nurtures talent from the grassroots level upward. The PSC needs platforms like this to help us find the next athlete, to grow sports, and to help fix training facilities."
Under the agreement, PRISAA, in collaboration with the PSC, shall initiate the conduct of training courses and lectures for technical officials and coaches under the PRISAA system with the help of national sports associations. Among the programs are Talent Identification, Adopt An Athlete Initiative, and Certification Courses for PRISAA coaches and technical officials. The PSC, on the other hand, will form a Technical Working Group (TWG) for the implementation of these grassroots sports initiatives and take the necessary steps to ensure the sustainability of projects. “This partnership is significant for PRISAA. This will pave the way for us to closely collaborate with PSC in empowering our grassroots program of different regions nationwide,” said PRISAA National Vice Chairman Rev. Fr. Jessie Pasquin.
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BRAVE CF Announces Landmark Partnership With Leading Regional Promotion WFC For European Development
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| (Image Source: Arabian Business/BRAVE Combat Federation) |
BRAVE Combat Federation (BRAVE CF) has announced a landmark partnership deal with Slovenian organization WFC aimed at accelerating the development of a mixed martial arts (MMA) ecosystem in the country with a strategy geared towards elevating the sport in the continent of Europe. The most global organization in the sport, BRAVE CF holds the number one market share in Europe, having hosted events in 13 countries in the continent, including several shows in Slovenia. BRAVE CF has also played a key role in fostering the top talent worldwide coming from Europe including Khamzat Chimaev, Ilia Topuria, Benoit St. Denis, Muhammad Mokaev, and many others.
The partnership will serve to develop Slovenian talents such as Haris Aksalic and David Forster who have excelled in BRAVE CF during 2023 as well as the formation of a European league in the foreseeable future. BRAVE CF President Mohammed Shahid celebrated the deal as another milestone in the organization’s presence in Europe and is looking forward to building a sustainable business model for mixed martial arts in the continent. ‘’BRAVE CF’s global strategy is to change mixed martial arts from an event business to a sports business model. Europe is a massive market and building a sustainable business model for the continent is key for the development of MMA worldwide. This is an exciting announcement for European fans and everyone associated with the sport in the continent. We will continue to work hard on developing the best talents in the world and give fighters from Europe the opportunity to showcase their talents on a global platform," said Shahid.
WFC President Zlatko Mahic, on the other hand, spoke of his excitement at partnering up with BRAVE Combat Federation and is looking forward to lending his long-time experience with European MMA to the benefit of the partnership. ‘’I’ve been involved in the European MMA industry for a long time and we’re seeing the growth and efforts of BRAVE Combat Federation around the world. We have achieved a great deal here in Slovenia as well, so I believe that together we can take the sport to new heights here and in Europe as well. We believe this will contribute to the development of European talents and the creation of a proper sports economy for MMA in Europe. I’m excited to get started, share my experience and work together with BRAVE CF," commented Mahic.
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GosuGamers Launches GosuBattles, Gosu Community Series In PH
| (Image Source: PinoyGamer.ph/GosuGamers) |
GosuGamers, the heartbeat of eSports, is thrilled to announce the launch of GosuBattles and the much-anticipated Gosu Community Series for the first time, hosted for the Philippines community. GosuBattles stands as the epicenter of eSports where gamers, fans, and organizers converge for exhilarating tournaments and immersive quests. On the other hand, the Gosu Community Series (GCS) is GosuGamers' proprietary tournament IP designed to bring together diverse gaming communities, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie.
First up in this exciting e-project partnership is the GCS Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Philippines (PH) Cup, a captivating eSports online tournament dedicated to various gaming communities, specifically tailored for the MLBB community in the Philippines. The GCS MLBB PH Cup will have monthly tournaments where gamers can participate in monthly tournaments, promising continuous excitement throughout the quarter. The entire tournament flow will be seamlessly facilitated by the GosuGamers team through its state-of-the-art automated platform and channels, ensuring a smooth and fair gaming experience for all participants.
With a total prize pool of 41,300 Diamonds (MLBB's in-game currency) at stake, the GCS MLBB PH Cup is open to players residing in the Philippines. GosuGamers is excited to bring this electrifying event to the MLBB community, offering not just a competition but an immersive gaming experience. For more information and to register for the GCS MLBB PH Cup which will be held on January 27, 2024, please visit https://bit.ly/GCS-JAN-MLBB.
