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| Mindanao Civic Center Football Field in top view (Image Source: Manila Standard/Lanao Del Norte Provincial Public Information Office) |
Lanao del Norte, led by its provincial governor Hon. Imelda Q. Dimaporo, has unveiled the infrastructure development plan for the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC). Located in Tubod, Governor Dimaporo recently inaugurated a football turf built by leading sports architecture company E-Sports International that has been certified with the FIFA Quality mark, the first of its kind in Region X. “MCC football field’s compliance with the FIFA quality program marks a significant achievement for the province, paving the way for the development of local athletic talent, boosting tourism and fostering economic growth. This accomplishment underscores our vision to propel Lanao del Norte into sports excellence by equipping our province with world-class, internationally-certified facilities capable of hosting both local and international sporting events,” said Gov. Dimaporo.
The MCC football field is equipped with DUO Shape, an advanced surface recognized for its exceptional performance and safety attributes. This turf system also integrates the latest Flexidrain technology, allowing for faster water drainage — approximately one liter per second per square meter — guaranteeing ideal playing conditions despite heavy rainfall. Furthermore, the surface provides improved cushioning, minimizing impact stress and enhancing player safety, which is a crucial aspect of modern football infrastructure. Both DUO Shape and Flexidrain are made by renowned Italian manufacturer Limonta which is one of only nine FIFA-Preferred Producers for artificial turf. “The MCC football field is truly a world-class venue that the whole country can be proud of and E-Sports is working continuously with the LGU to build more internationally-certified facilities in MCC. We are grateful to the government of Lanao del Norte for giving E-Sports the opportunity to be part of a unified effort to realize their vision of making MCC one of the most comprehensive sports complexes in the Philippines with facilities that are built to last and at par with global standards,” said E-Sports International Managing Director Audris Romauldez.
According to Gov. Dimaporo, an oval track is currently under construction by E-Sports International, which will also be certified by the international governing body for the sport of athletics World Athletics (WA). In 2023, the MCC, a 71-hectare integrated sports complex built in 2011, was declared by the Philippine Senate as a tourist destination, thus securing funding support towards the development of sports infrastructure in MCC while driving tourism and economic opportunities in the province and surrounding areas. Currently, the MCC complex has a trade center, gymnasium, swimming pool, hotel, cafeteria, a stadium of 14,000 seating capacity, and is home to a motocross track. It has hosted various local and international competitions including the Palarong Pambansa.
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RUNRIO Pride Run 2025: A Race Towards Visibility, Equality, And Celebration
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| L-R: SM Supermalls Executive Vice President Joaquin San Agustin, RUNRIO Founder and CEO Rio de la Cruz, Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders (PANTAY) Chairperson Thysz Estrada (Image Source: Manila Standard/RUNRIO) |
Over 8,000 runners have already enlisted for this year’s highly anticipated RUNRIO Pride Run 2025 co-presented by SM Supermalls as it promises to be grander and more inclusive with races set in Manila, Cebu, and Davao. Now in its second year, the Pride Run continues to be a celebration of freedom, identity, and solidarity as it extends its reach beyond Metro Manila, signaling a growing and united movement for LGBTQIA+ visibility across the nation. “We’re happy to share the love through our races, and this year’s Pride Run only motivates us to make this another memorable race for everyone,” said RUNRIO founder and CEO Rio de la Cruz.
Registration has already exceeded the 5,000-strong turnout last year, with runners set to run in 10K, 5K, 3K, and 1K Dog categories. Cebu will be first up at SM Seaside City on June 22, followed by Manila at SM Mall of Asia Complex and Davao at SM Lanang both on June 29. “SM Supermalls’ is committed to fostering inclusive spaces for all and one of the things our runners can expect is that the rainbow colors will light up our malls to show our support,” said SM Supermalls Executive Vice President Joaquin San Agustin. “Events like the Pride Run underscores the importance of sustaining the momentum of pride beyond the race, using visibility in sports to amplify the voices of LGBTQIA+ Filipinos, especially in advocacy and active mobility spaces,” said Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders (PANTAY) Chairperson Thysz Estrada.
Pride Run indeed is more than just a race — it’s about progress, pride, and the ongoing journey toward equality. The Pride Run 2025 has advocacy partner PANTAY, hydration partner Cristalino Spring, official telco partner GOMO, and has Klook, GRWM Cosmetics, Monde Nissin, PopMart, Energen, IKEA, Salonpas, Chlorelief, and Lubie as sponsors, together with hotel partners Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Astrotel, Eurotel, Sogo, and Hotel Dreamworld.
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Sacramento Kings’ Sabonis, Former WNBA Player Jackson Headline NBA Rising Stars In Singapore
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/National Basketball Association) |
The National Basketball Association (NBA) recently announced that three-time NBA All-Star Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings; Lithuania) and two-time WNBA champion Lauren Jackson (Australia) will headline the inaugural NBA Rising Stars Invitational. This is the league’s first regional high-school basketball tournament that will feature boys’ and girls’ teams from 11 countries across Asia-Pacific competing at the Kallang Tennis Hub in Singapore on June 25–29, 2025 as part of a multiday immersive basketball and entertainment festival. Sabonis and Jackson will be joined by current Phoenix Suns players Ryan Dunn (U.S.) and Oso Ighodaro (U.S.) and B.LEAGUE player Keisei Tominaga (Japan). NBA Legend Yao Ming (China) will make special appearances including attending the opening ceremony on June 25. The players and legends will interact with youth participants on-and-off the court throughout the week. The NBA Rising Stars Invitational will also feature live entertainment including performances by the Los Angeles Lakers dance team, the Laker Girls, and Miami Heat mascot Burnie.
Operated by the event agencies of NBA Singapore, the first annual NBA Rising Stars Invitational is part of the league’s multiyear collaboration with Sport Singapore (SportSG) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). The five-day tournament will tip off with round-robin play from June 25-27 before advancing to single-elimination semi-finals and final games on June 28 and 29. The participating players will also take part in skill development, social responsibility programming and off-court activities promoting cultural exchange. Additionally, top individual performers from the event will have the opportunity to attend future NBA basketball development camps, showcases and programs. The participating high-school teams were identified in collaboration with local basketball federations and leagues. In the Philippines, the NBA through its local event agency conducted a local qualifying event to determine its representatives. The following is the complete list of teams competing in the NBA Rising Stars Invitational (teams subject to change):
BOYS' TEAMS
Berwick College, Australia
Tsinghua University High School, China
Nehru World School, India
Jubilee School, Indonesia
Fukuoka University Ohori Senior High School, Japan
Hin Hua High School, Malaysia
Orkhon Aimag 1st High School, Mongolia
National University Nazareth School, Philipines
Anglo-Chinese Junior College, Singapore
United World College South East Asia Dover, Singapore
Yongsan High School, South Korea
Assumption College, Thailand
GIRLS' TEAMS
Flinders Christian Community College, Australia
Tsinghua University High School, China
Delhi Public School Rajnandgaon, India
SMAK Penabur Cirebon, Indonesia
Kyoto Seika Gakuen Senior High School, Japan
Hin Hua High School, Malaysia
Oyunii Undraa High School, Mongolia
National University Nazareth School, Philippines
Hwa Chong Institution, Singapore
Onyang Girls High School, South Korea
Thonburi Watnoinoppakhun School, Thailand
The NBA Rising Stars Invitational is supported by Official Community Partner Karim Family Foundation (KFF). Fans can visit www.nba.com/risingstarsinvitational and follow NBA Rising Stars Invitational on Instagram for the latest news and updates. Visit www.nba.com/RSI-Ticketing to redeem free tickets to the event.
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Active Lifestyle Added To Cart As 10K Runners Joined Lazada Run 2025
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Lazada Philippines) |
Over 10,000 running enthusiasts added a healthy lifestyle to their cart as they participated in the Lazada Run 2025 recently took place at the SM Mall of Asia Complex. The run, a vibrant celebration of fitness, perseverance, and community, saw Dickiyas Mendioro and Jessa Mae Roda top the 21K category in this race organized by RUNRIO. Mendioro clinched the men’s title in one hour, 10 minutes, and 56 seconds, besting Ricky Organiza (1:13:10) and Ritchie Estampador (1:17:50), while Roda topped the women’s side with her time of one hour, 29 minutes, and six seconds, outpacing Maricar Camacho (1:31:15) and April Rose Diaz (1:36:57).
James Darrel Orduña also blazed through the men’s 10K, clocking in at 32 minutes and 19 seconds, ahead of David Keller (33:33) and Jevie Rebutazo (34:00), as Edna Magtubo ran away with the women’s crown with her time of 39 minutes and three seconds to hold off Kim Mangrobang (40:28) and Eloisa Cusi (0:41:25). Karl Oxales ruled the 5K among the males as he finished in 16:40, trailed by Mark Angelo Biagtan (17:12) and Robin Angeles (20:10), while Jonalyn Elijeran got the fastest time among females at 23:59, edging out Queen Michelle Duran (26:12) and Rea Mae Hamiladan (26:51).
There was also a special 5K race for Pop Mart where participants who registered through the shop got special freebies, spicing up an already vibrant raceday. The Lazada Run 2025 was made possible by the Department of Tourism – Love The Philippines, together with adidas, UnionBank, Gatorade, SIP Plus, SIP, NYXSYS Philippines, and SM MOA Complex, with Lanson Place Manila, Hop Inn Hotel, and Nichols Airport Hotel serving as hotel partners.
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PFL Launches New Free Consumer App As Exclusive Home Of Live International League Fights In The U.S.
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| (Image Source: Professional Fighters League) |
The Professional Fighters League recently launched its all new direct-to-consumer (DTC) App, the free vehicle for Americans to watch all PFL International League events and fights live including PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and PFL Africa. Globally, the new PFL App is a comprehensive home for PFL information, entertainment and engagement, including PFL fights and fighter information, advanced analytics, fan rewards and games, and behind-the-scenes content. For the first time and exclusively only on the PFL App, U.S. fans can stream all PFL International League events live and free.
The next PFL International League fights (viewable in the US via the new app) are as follows:
PFL MENA: July 4, 2025 - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - 12:00 pm EST
PFL Europe: July 5, 2025 - Brussels, Belgium - 11:00 am EST
PFL Africa: July 19, 2025 - Cape Town, Africa - 10:30 am EST
In addition to exclusive live content, the PFL App is loaded with features designed to elevate the fan experience:
• PFL Fights Live - Watch Direct In PFL App
• PFL Schedule - What, When, Where
• PFL Fighters - All Fighters, All Details
• PFL Fan Engagement - Test Your MMA Knowledge
• PFL Insider Content - Go Behind The Scenes Or Explore Full Archive
“We’re putting the power directly in the hands of MMA fans. For the first time ever, fans in the U.S. can watch PFL MENA, PFL Europe, PFL Africa, and PFL Pacific live and free, all in one place. The PFL App is a major investment in our global league strategy and in delivering a deeper, more connected and centralized experience for our fans,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray.
ViewLift CEO Rick Allen noted, “PFL has focused on its fans since its launch. We are proud to continue our 7-year alliance with the League and deliver an entirely new experience for those fans: behind-the-scenes access, new ways to expand your fight knowledge and test yourself against others, and … for the very first time … direct US access to live international fights and recaps. Join us in the SmartCage!” Fans in the US can download the new PFL app in the Apple and Google Play stores now. The platform is also available via web and will roll out across OTT devices including Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV later this year.
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Roku Inks North American Streaming Rights Deal With Billy Corgan’s National Wrestling Alliance
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| (Image Source: Deadline/Roku/National Wrestling Alliance/Lightning One Inc.) |
Roku, the #1 TV streaming platform in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) announced a new partnership that exclusively brings the promotion’s live professional wrestling matches to The Roku Channel. Starting on July 29, NWA matches will stream for free in the U.S. every Tuesday at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT on The Roku Channel’s Roku Sports Channel. In Canada and Mexico, audiences will be able to watch for free on The Roku Channel.
“We’re thrilled to call The Roku Channel the streaming home of the National Wrestling Alliance, and as Billy and his team continue to excite audiences, we look forward to tapping into the scale of our platform to bring this historic and storied promotion to millions of viewers,” said Roku Media Head of Sports Joe Franzetta. “When I purchased the National Wrestling Alliance in 2017, it was understood we were inheriting the history and legacy of the most storied brand in all combat sports, so to announce today we have now partnered with the #1 TV streaming platform in North America is indeed a moment to be proud of,” said Billy Corgan, Owner, National Wrestling Alliance. “I look forward to sharing new episodes of ‘NWA Powerrr’ with the incredible audience that Roku brings,” said NWA Owner and President William Patrick “Billy” Corgan.
Established in 1948, the National Wrestling Alliance is one of the oldest and most prestigious professional wrestling brands worldwide. In 2017, internationally renowned recording artist William Patrick Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) acquired the NWA with the vision of reinventing the brand for the modern era while honoring its legacy from the 1980s. The NWA has expanded its programming, starting with the critically acclaimed “Ten Pounds Of Gold” docuseries followed by weekly broadcasts of “NWA Powerrr”. You can follow the NWA across social media platforms such as Meta, X, and YouTube for exclusive content. The Roku Channel is available to stream on Roku devices or TVs and can be easily accessed online at TheRokuChannel.com and on iOS and Android devices, Amazon Fire TVs, Samsung TVs, and Google TVs and other Android TV OS devices.
