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| (L-R) Lut Malaluan, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, guest player Zoi Faki, Kat Tolentino, Maddie Madayag, and Deanna Wong displaying their solidarity with the Philippine Olympic Team during the PVL Reinforced Conference games (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Premier Volleyball League) |
As Team Philippines gears up for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) found a unique way to show their support. A week before the country’s top athletes compete on the world stage, the Cignal HD Spikers and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans donned special shirts during their warmups in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference on the evening of July 18, 2024. Each shirt bore the names of Filipino Olympians who are set to represent the nation with pride.
PVL President Richard Palou expressed the league’s commitment to supporting Team Philippines in its Olympic journey, saying, “This is our way of showing our unwavering support for our athletes. We believe in their talent and determination, and we hope our small gesture inspires them to perform their best in these Olympics. Good luck to all our Olympians, and make our country proud!” PVL Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo aired the same support for the Pinoy athletes, saying, “This initiative is part of our broader mission to highlight the dedication and hard work of Filipino athletes across the various sports, as we want our PVL fans and growing volleyball community to go all in on their support in the days leading up to the games in France.”
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| (L-R) Lut Malaluan, Pia General, and Issa Molde proudly donning their support shirts for Team Philippines during the PVL Reinforced Conference games (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Premier Volleyball League) |
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| (L-R) Gel Cayuna (Elreen Ando), Jacqueline Acuna (Nesthy Petecio), Riri Meneses (Hergie Bacyadan), Rose Doria (Carlo Paalam), and Ishie Lalongisip (Carlos Yulo) showcasing the names of Filipino Olympians on their special shirts (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Premier Volleyball League) |
A total of 22 Filipinos will compete in Paris 2024 led by pole vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo, and boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial. Other notable athletes include gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, and Levi Ruivivar; weightlifters Elreen Ando, Vanessa Sarno, and John Ceniza; hurdlers John Tolentino and Lauren Hoffman; golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina; judoka Kiyomi Watanabe; rower Joanie Delgaco; and swimmers Jarod Hatch and Kayla Sanchez. Fencer Sam Catantan and boxers Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan round out the Filipino contingent in France. The Olympic Games Paris 2024 will be carried by Cignal TV as an official broadcaster and will deliver a multi-platform coverage through their free-to-air (TV5, One Sports & RPTV), pay TV (One Sports+ and 24/7 pop-up channels) & OTT (Pilipinas Live & Cignal Play) platforms on July 26-August 11, 2024.
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BRAVE International Combat Week 2024 To Take Place In Pakistan
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| (Image Source: ArabsMMA/BRAVE Combat Federation) |
BRAVE Combat Federation officially announced the return of the BRAVE International Combat Week, the biggest combat sports festival in the world, and the 2024 edition will take place in Pakistan in association with the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). This will be the first time that the marquee event will be held in Pakistan and follows successful outings in Bahrain, Colombia, and Serbia. This year's BRAVE International Combat Week kicks off with BRAVE CF 85 on August 18 followed by the IMMAF Asian MMA Championships, scheduled to happen from August 18-22, both in Lahore.
BRAVE CF 85 will mark the return of BRAVE Combat Federation to Pakistan for the first time since BRAVE CF 17 in 2018 which featured some of the top MMA talent from Pakistan and around the world and was headlined by the showdown between Abdoul Abdouraguimov and Rodrigo Cavalheiro Correia. With the upcoming event, Pakistan joins an elite group of countries that have hosted BRAVE CF more than once while also becoming only the fourth nation worldwide to host BRAVE International Combat Week. At the same time, it will also be the first time that the IMMAF Asian MMA Championship will be held in Pakistan; making it a historic affair for the MMA ecosystem in the country. The five-day Asian MMA spectacle is slated to feature top combat sports athletes from different parts of Asia.
The event further highlights BRAVE Combat Federation’s domination in the Asian Mixed Martial Arts market. The most global MMA organization in the world, which has been on a record-breaking spree in 2024 so far, currently holds the largest market share in Asia both in terms of audience reach and relevance within the continent’s sub-regions. The return to Pakistan will also be part of a busy period for BRAVE Combat Federation which will see the organization travelling around the world in 70 days hosting six events across six countries and two continents including a debut event in China prior to the outing in Pakistan and a debut event in Bulgaria after the event in Pakistan.
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DAZN Group And Tottenham Hotspur Partner To Aggregate Women's Football Content On DAZN Platform
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| (Image Source: Advanced Television/Tottenham Hotspur Women) |
DAZN, the leading global sports entertainment platform, announced a new global partnership with Tottenham Hotspur Women which will provide women's football fans worldwide access to Tottenham Hotspur women’s team content and exclusive Club benefits within DAZN’s free women’s football environment. DAZN and Spurs will also collaborate on marketing and brand partnership initiatives – developing new and innovative ways to connect brands to the Club’s fans globally. It comes at a time when interest and excitement around Tottenham Hotspur Women is accelerating, following a promising first WSL season under Head Coach Robert Vilahamn and their first run to the Women’s FA Cup Final in 2023/24.
In January 2024, DAZN – the Global Home of Women’s Football – made its portfolio of live and on-demand women’s football content free to watch worldwide as part of their New Deal for Women’s Football – an initiative inviting brands, broadcasters and rightsholders to work together to ensure a commercially robust future for women’s football. As part of this approach, DAZN is partnering with leading women’s football clubs, bringing fans access to more premium content. With this partnership, DAZN will create a dedicated Spurs rail within its free women’s football environment. The rail will be launched with 20 pieces of non-live content about the team and its players. Spurs will share new content on a monthly basis, offering fans access to behind-the-scenes footage, player interviews, match previews and other content such as exclusive ticket and merch discounts. Initial content includes interviews with Charlotte Grant, Beth England and Amanda Nilden as well as bloopers and short form quiz content. Content will be available alongside free live and on-demand matches from the top women’s football competitions in the world including UEFA Women’s Champions League, Liga F, D1 Arkema, Serie A Femminile and Frauen Bundesliga.
DAZN CEO of Women's Sports Esmeralda Negron said, “Partnering with Tottenham Hotspur Women is an exciting opportunity to bring fans closer to the action. By aggregating Club content in one place and collaborating with Spurs to offer fans exclusive benefits and experiences, we are creating a platform that not only enhances the fan experience but also offers new opportunities for sponsor engagement, driving mutual growth and success.” Tottenham Hotspur Women Managing Director Andy Rogers said, "Our partnership with DAZN presents a fantastic opportunity to continue growing our fanbase and comes at a perfect time. Following on what was memorable 2023/24 campaign, we know demand for Tottenham Hotspur Women’s content has never been higher and DAZN’s global platform provides another avenue for our fans to get closer to the players and build a bond with the team ahead of the new season.” The partnership between DAZN and Tottenham Hotspur Women marks a significant step in the evolution of sports media and fan engagement. Both organizations are committed to delivering unparalleled access to content for fans, ensuring a front row seat to the thrilling season ahead.
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Global Fight League Launches Four Teams For 2025 Inaugural Season
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| (Image Source: Global Fight League) |
The Global Fight League (GFL) is thrilled to announce that it has successfully raised funds to launch four teams for its inaugural 2025 season, marking a significant milestone in establishing the world’s first professional MMA league with a 50% revenue share for athletes. The GFL will introduce teams based in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas. Each team will compete in a league and team-based model that promises to revolutionize the sport of mixed martial arts. This innovative approach, combined with a 50/50 revenue share model, ensures athletes are fairly compensated as equitable partners.
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of our first four teams, thanks to the tremendous support from the MMA community. This is history in the making for the sport and we are committed to creating a league that prioritizes athlete welfare and fan engagement," said GFL Commissioner Darren Owen. The selection of team names will be determined through a fan-driven poll, giving supporters a unique opportunity to shape the identity of their teams. The GFL aims to foster a deep connection between the teams and their local communities, leveraging civic pride to enhance the fan experience. The GFL will firmly establish a core group of teams while being aggressive with plans for future expansion across the US and other major global markets. The global league structure is designed to thrive with growth.
In preparation for the 2025 season, the GFL is actively securing venues, signing athletes, and finalizing logistical details to ensure a seamless launch. The league is also working on partnerships with media outlets and sponsors to deliver unparalleled coverage and support for the teams and their athletes. Take part in the GFL fan poll and help shape the future of the Global Fight League.
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ABS-CBN Foundation International's 4th Annual TFC Unity Cup Charity Golf Tournament Generates Significant Funds For Bantay Bata
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
ABS-CBN Foundation International is pleased with the success of its 4th Annual TFC Unity Cup charity golf tournament held last July 8, 2024 at the picturesque Cinnabar Hills Golf Club in San Jose, California (CA), U.S.A. The highly anticipated event brought together 104 enthusiastic golfers participating in a Callaway-format tournament to raise funds at-risk children of the Philippines through the Bantay Bata program. The day was filled with excitement as participants engaged in various fundraising activities including Las Vegas Holes, closest to the pin challenges, and a raffle featuring spectacular prizes. Among the coveted raffle items were two electric trikes valued at $4,000 each; two round trip domestic tickets within the Philippines; two regional round trip tickets from the Philippines to Asia; and a round-trip ticket to the Philippines from anywhere in the U.S. All tickets are courtesy of Philippine Airlines.
The tournament concluded with a delightful dinner hosted by Cinnabar Hills Golf Club with a program emceed by Henni Espinosa. The winners of the golf tournament are as follows:
Low Net Division
Champion: Balt Gigante
1st Runner-Up: Cesar Orozco
2nd Runner-Up: Ron Quibilan
Low Gross Division
Champion: Ralph Kho
1st Runner-Up: Tom Hovorka
2nd Runner-Up, Ron Valencia
ABS-CBN Foundation International Ambassador Noriel Adricula won the round-trip ticket to the Philippines. Thanks to the generosity of the participants and sponsors, the 4th Annual TFC Unity Cup successfully raised an estimated $30,000 for Bantay Bata, a program dedicated to providing aid and support to abused and disadvantaged children in the Philippines. ABS-CBN Foundation International Managing Director Lisa Cabahug is thrilled with the success of this year's TFC Unity Cup and is grateful to everyone who participated and supported the cause. According to Cabahug, "The funds raised will make a significant impact in the lives of many children and we look forward to continuing this tradition of community and generosity in the years to come."
The Foundation would like to acknowledge the many volunteers who helped make the event a success: ABS-CBN Global COO Jun Del Rosario, Pam Castillo, Budith Palmero, Sam Simbulan, Cris Licudine, Gilbert Talavera, Romeo Marquez, Malou Garcia, Henni Espinosa, Noriel Adricula, Ezequiel Licudine, Gabriel Gancayco, Nel Messermith, Eugene Antonio, and Chris of Docs & Images. Enrique Olives also assisted Tournament Director Tony Limgenco in overseeing the tourney. The 4th Annual TFC Unity Cup is brought to you by Seafood City, Philippine Airlines, the Philippine Department of Tourism, Goldilocks, Mango Tours, and Docs and Images, TFC, Manila Box, Tindahan Pinoy, Bayanihan Cargo, Heavenly Ice Cream, R&H Aesthetics, Tapsilog Bistro, Gerry’s Grill, Peninsula Golf, Dr. Precilla Agritelley, Jerry Gutierrez, and Tina Desuasido. For more information about ABS-CBN Foundation International and its initiatives, please visit abs-cbncares.org.
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Battle Of The South Offers A New Fun Run Experience
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Podium Sports) |
To keep in step with what is described as a new ‘running era’ in the country, the forthcoming Battle of the South will give participants a new experience by competing in a team event. At a recent edition of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Smart/PLDT, MILO, and ArenaPlus and held inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the event's race ambassador Ana Therese Cruzate said, “As runners, it’s easier to stay on track with your goals when you run as part of a group. We wanted to extend this benefit into an actual competition by allowing runners to identify with their organization and compete as part of a team, they can push themselves more to achieve their race day goals."
The Battle Of The South scheduled to be held on September 7, 2024 at The Levels in Filinvest Alabang, Muntinlupa City will feature individual and team events comprising of 3K, 5K and 10K runs and an exciting 1K pet race. However, Cruzate, who was joined at the forum by New Era Philippines Marketing Officer Beaujet Salting and Zelli de la Cruz, marketing manager of PH's exclusive distributor of ON shoes Dani Group, said that the team events are only limited to 5K and 10K and upon registration, runners must specify whether they are competing in the individual or team event where the times of the five fastest male and female entries per team will count in determining the top finishers in the race organized by Podium Sports.
Cruzate also told the forum that all finishers will receive dog tags engraved with “5K Finisher” or “10K Finisher". Runners will also be given race singlets with their names printed on the back of their team or organization logo on the front. Registration for Battle Of The South is still ongoing and can be accessed via https://podiumsports.info/pages/battle-of-the-south with fees pegging at Php1,350 for 10K, Php1,250 for 5K, Php1,250 for 3K, and Php950 for 1K pet race. Races start at 5:00 am for 10K, 5:15 am for 5K, 5:30 am for 3K and 7:00 am for the 1K pet race.
