 |
| The proponents of Sharks Billiards Association’s ‘SBA Next’ led by SBA Founder and CEO Hadley Mariano (left) (Image Source: Manila Standard/Sharks Billiards Association) |
Sharks Billiards Association (SBA), the premier local professional billiards league in the Philippines, has officially launched ‘SBA Next’, its off-season league designed to discover, develop, and elevate the next generation of Filipino billiards players, which establishes a clear pathway for aspiring talents by placing them under the mentorship and management of stable owners.
The league will feature regular matches aimed at sharpening skills and preparing players for professional competition with a faster pace and shorter shot clocks that reflect the SBA style of play. The inaugural season SBA Next will begin in July and run until September. At the end of the season, top performers will qualify for the official SBA Draft where they may be selected into professional teams ahead of Season 3 in October. “SBA Next is where future champions are built. This is not just a league, it is a system that finally gives structure to raw Filipino talent,” said SBA Founder and CEO Hadley Mariano. SBA also introduced the Official SBA Pool Hubs, a nationwide network of partner pool halls that brings the league closer to communities across the country. The founding hubs include Cuehub Billiards Sportsbar and Lounge, Break88 Pool Club, 3Cushion Sportsbar, SkyJ Billiard Hall, Dreams Billiard Hall, and the soon-to-open Badkoi Billiards. These venues will serve as local destinations where fans can watch live matches, gather as a community, and engage more deeply with the sport. Pool hall owners will also gain new opportunities to grow their businesses through partnerships and league-supported initiatives.
This initiative marks a shift in how billiards is experienced in the Philippines. What was once a fragmented and largely local activity is now evolving into a more connected national movement. “It has always been our dream to build a system that connects pool halls and fans across the country. We believe this is the beginning of a more organized and sustainable billiards community in the Philippines,” said Mariano. With the launch of SBA Next and the Official Pool Hubs, SBA continues to move closer to its goal of making billiards more accessible, more structured, and more widely followed across the country.
* * * *
MPBL Renews Broadcast Partnership Deal With Solar Sports For Eighth Season
 |
| (Image Source: Journal News Online/Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) |
Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), through its founder and chairman Manny Pacquiao, has renewed its broadcast partnership with Solar Sports in bringing the games closer to local cage fans. Elated by the result of the MPBL games aired by Solar last year, the lone eight-division boxing world champion is looking forward to an even more successful Eighth Season with the infusion of fresh talents and standouts from the country’s top collegiate leagues, stating, “Fans can expect better, more competitive games this year. With Solar as an integral partner, we can look forward to an even more comprehensive coverage not only of the games, but the league’s other activities.”
The broadcast partnership renewal was made possible last March 25, 2026 at the Solar Century Tower in Makati by Pacquiao and Solar Entertainment Corporation President Wilson Tieng alongside MPBL Commissioner Emmer Oreta, MPBL CEO Joe Ramos, MPBL Legal Counsel Glenn Gacal, Solar Entertainment Corporation Chairman William Tieng, Solar Entertainment Corporation Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Kenneth Yumang, and Solar Entertainment Corporation Chief Legal Counsel Valerie Grace Domantay. Ramos concurred and noted that Solar has doubled its MPBL coverage, from six live games weekly last year to 12 in the Eighth Season which begins on April 10, 2026 with simultaneous inaugural ceremonies at the Caloocan Sports Complex for the North Division and the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna for the South Division. The MPBL has also decided to make its National Finals a best-of-seven affair, instead of the best-of-five format since 2019.
According to Yumang, apart from Solar’s free TV, the games will also be aired on partner cable channels which will be announced ahead of the league's Eighth Season opening. Furthermore, the coverage will be expanded to include the activities of the league and the players. Aside from top officials of MPBL and Solar Studios Inc., MPBL players Kymani Ladi (Caloocan), Tucker Molina (Abra), Nicko Elorde (Abra), Mike Are (Zamboanga), Paeng Are (Zamboanga) and Inno Comboy (Batangas) graced and witnessed the event.
* * * *
BIDA Community Run Drives Support For School Kits Nationwide
 |
| (Image Source: Good Morning Baguio/I Am MAD Volunteers Inc.) |
Volunteers of I Am MAD (Making A Difference) Volunteers Inc., along with partners and supporters, gathered before sunrise along Bayshore Avenue at the SM Mall of Asia Complex for the first-ever BIDA (Bigay Ayuda) Eskwela Community Run, an initiative that combines fitness and volunteerism to support education. The run aims to raise donations for the “Bag Of Dreams”, a package of essential school supplies for beneficiaries of the 2026 MAD Camps.
The program, I am MAD’s flagship initiative, brings volunteers to under-resourced schools nationwide to conduct values formation sessions for students and parents, alongside the distribution of school supplies and bags. Proceeds from the run will support students participating in the 2026 MAD Camps across communities in Aklan, Bataan, Camarines Sur, Agusan del Norte, Laguna, and Negros Oriental. Each Bag of Dreams represents a step toward empowering a child’s learning journey. The initiative was made possible through the support of partners PUMA Nitro Run Club, Power Mac Center, Rexona, and Sarangani Electric Company who joined the effort to champion education and youth empowerment. The run is part of I Am MAD’s 16th anniversary celebration, marking sixteen years of “Shining The Light Of Volunteerism” under the campaign theme #BR16HTER. Beyond the run, the organization recently held its annual MAD Meet, its volunteer reunion and anniversary celebration, for the first time in General Santos City. The gathering brought together volunteers from across the country for team-building activities, recognition of exemplary service, and the announcement of key initiatives and volunteer leaders.
Registration is ongoing for MAD Camps, a volunteer-driven outreach program for children aged 10 to 12 years old. Interested volunteers may sign up at bit.ly/MADcamp2026reg while donations may be made through bit.ly/bidadonate. For more information, visit @IamMakingADifference on Facebook or email at iammadph@gmail.com.
(With words by I Am MAD volunteer Timothy Santiago)
* * * *
One La Salle Alumni Basketball League Highlights ‘Champions Of The Animo’
 |
| (Image Source: Manila Standard/La Salle Green Hills Alumni Association) |
The 26th EcoOil One La Salle Alumni Basketball League, presented by SMART Sports, continues to raise the bar for alumni sports competitions in the Philippines as it celebrates its latest season titled “Champions Of The Animo”. Headed by the La Salle Green Hills Alumni Association (LSGHAA), the league has been a cornerstone of the Lasallian community for over two decades. Each year, it continues to grow not only in size but also in prestige, having welcomed a mix of former standouts, seasoned veterans, and rising talents from across generations.
This 26th season marks a historic milestone for the league, reaching a record-breaking 80 teams and over 1,250 participants — its largest turnout to date. Games are held every Sunday throughout the day, primarily at the La Salle Green Hills St. Benilde Gym and Fr. Martinez Activity Center (FMAC) with select matchups also hosted in partner venues such as Gameville Ballpark. This multi-venue setup allows the league to accommodate its growing number of teams while maintaining a high-quality game environment. The competition is divided into four main categories: 39-below, 40-up, Mixed (Open) and the Free Agents Draft League — a unique division designed to promote inclusivity by allowing alumni without teams to still participate and experience competitive basketball. In addition to its 5×5 competitions, the league has also expanded into other formats including the successful staging of a 3×3 basketball tournament in 2024, further broadening opportunities for participation and engagement within the Lasallian community. What sets the league apart is its long-standing commitment to balance and enjoyment. Teams are classified based on skill level, ensuring a more competitive yet fair playing field, where both high-level athletes and recreational players can thrive. Beyond the games, the league continues to evolve as a full-fledged experience. A highlight last season was the introduction of the Awards & Fellowship Night, a celebration that brings players together off the court for an evening of food, drinks, and music, strengthening camaraderie within the Lasallian community.
Since 2018, the league has experienced rapid growth, driven by its push toward a professional-level sporting experience. Participants and fans enjoy livestream broadcasts with commentary, in-game photography, graphic coverage, FIBA Live Stats integration, and a wide array of sponsor-driven activations and giveaways. As the season unfolds, the One La Salle Alumni Basketball League continues to embody its theme — Champions Of The Animo — bringing together competition, community, and Lasallian pride in one of the country’s premier alumni leagues. Organized by Kings Of The Court PH in cooperation with the La Salle Green Hills Alumni Association and co-presented by EcoOil, SMART Sports, and PusoPilipinas, the 26th season is made possible through its sponsors SportsPlus PH, Feel Great with Steph Inlayo, Frankie’s New York Buffalo Wings, Gerry’s Grill, Titan, Star, Bluefire and Zamst Philippines.
* * * *
Over 500 Youth Athletes Gathered For, Competed In Inaugural Vermosa Victory Games
 |
| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Ayala Land Inc.) |
The inaugural Vermosa Victory Games concluded with roaring success at the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, captivating sports fans with high-stakes multisport competition across its world-class facilities. Over 500 athletes aged 5–25 years old competed in cheerleading (high school/college), football (U–6 to U–14), and swimming, filling the Athletics Center, Football Field, and Aquatics Center with energy. Top performers in the football events earned spots in the Inter-Ayala Football Cup while cheer squads dazzled with routines rivaling national qualifiers.
Sports fans were thrilled to cheer on future talents in a festival-like atmosphere — proving Vermosa’s prowess as the Philippines’ premier grassroots venue. Vermosa’s world-class IAAF-, FIFA-, and FINA-certified facilities integrate seamlessly with residential and commercial hubs, making it the perfect venue for ambitious grassroots events like the Vermosa Victory Games — blending elite infrastructure with community accessibility. XMPLR Founder and CEO Robbie De Vera shared, “We’re excited to see our young athletes light up at the Vermosa Victory Games and enjoy Vermosa’s world-class facilities. This is a massive opportunity for them to chase their dreams. Our deep gratitude goes to Ayala Vermosa for recognizing this opportunity and championing grassroots sports development.” For Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub General Manager Lani Tan, “Celebrating eight years of the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, the Vermosa Victory Games is a fitting launch of our grassroots vision: accessible, multisport excellence across the Athletics Center, Aquatics Center, and Football Field — nurturing the next generation of Filipino champions. The Vermosa Victory Games is more than a tournament — it’s the beginning of a long-term commitment to building an active, empowered, and connected sports community in the South. We look forward to working with XMPLR to grow this community.”
“Bringing cheerleading, football, and swimming into one electrifying event raises the stakes and excitement — giving our young athletes a taste of national and international tournaments and accelerating their development in a high-energy, multisport environment,” said Vermosa Victory Games General Manager Ronyth Cada. This triumph cements the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub as the region’s active lifestyle epicenter with upcoming #VermosaActiveLife events such as the Vitality Retreat and Velocity Relay Race.
* * * *
iWant Spotlights Filipino Pride In New Limited Series “Gamechangers”; Features EJ Obiena In Pilot Episode
 |
| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
iWant brings real-life storytelling with “Gamechangers”, a new limited series that highlights Filipinos redefining success and raising the Philippine flag on the global stage now streaming exclusively on the platform. The 30-minute documentary series chronicles the blood, sweat, and vision of inspiring personalities whose determination and bold moves are putting the Philippines on the map and opening doors for the next generation.
The first episode features Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena who shares his journey from growing up in a family of athletes to becoming one of the world’s best pole vaulters. Known as the Asian record holder with a 6.00-meter jump and ranked No. 2 in the world in 2023, EJ has secured a place in the sport’s elite “6-Meter Club”. He currently leads Team PH at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland, representing the country on the global stage. Guided by his father and mentor Emerson Obiena, EJ’s rise is fueled by years of discipline, sacrifice, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Beyond medals, he also hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of Filipino pole vaulters including Hokett delos Santos and Alyana Nicolas. Aside from EJ, watch out for the 2nd episode featuring Veejay Floresca, a trailblazing Filipino fashion designer recognized for her creativity, advocacy, and inspiring journey in the fashion industry. Hear her stories of perseverance, identity, and carving her place in fashion while championing authenticity and inclusivity. Recently, she made headlines after winning “Project Runway Season 21” and debuting at New York Fashion Week — another milestone in her growing global presence.
“Gamechangers: A Limited Series” is produced by Metro Channel and created by Christina N. Lopez, Lala Ventura, and Giselle Interior. The series is directed by Iggy Bilbao with Stacy Alfonso as producer and River Rosal as writer.
