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Detdet Pepito proud as UST rookies shine despite loss

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University of Santo Tomas’ comeback in its opening game of UAAP Season 88 fell short, as back-to-back champion National University defeated them in four sets, 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 26-24.

Despite the heartbreak in front of 15,215 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, Golden Tigresses captain Detdet Pepito saw promising moments from their rookies.

UST High School product Avril Bron contributed 10 points on six attacks, three blocks, and one ace. Meanwhile, Julia Balingit made an impact off the bench with 10 points, proving capable of substituting for Regina Jurado in the opposite position.

Balingit, a recruit from Japan, entered as part of a double-substitution pattern alongside sophomore setter Arlene Waje. Together, they led the Golden Tigresses’ charge in the third-set win and the fourth-frame fight, before ultimately succumbing to NU.

“Excited talaga kami sa mga rookies namin and nakakatuwa kasi kanina nag-perform sila,” said Pepito, who left the game mid-third set due to cramps but returned late in the fourth.

“Yung sinabi lang naman namin sa kanila kagabi, mag-enjoy sila kasi nga hindi talaga lahat nakaka-experience ng ganito sa UAAP.”

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(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

The rookies’ bright debuts weren’t limited to UST.

On the other side of the net, NU’s Sam Cantada delivered a game-high 21 points on 17 attacks, three aces, and one block. Meanwhile, Shan Nunag, the rookie setter for De La Salle University, led her squad to a straight-sets win over Far Eastern University.

“Actually, hindi lang po sa UST makikita ‘yung level ng mga rookies na pumapasok sa UAAP. Nakakatuwa and nakaka-proud,” said the UST defensive specialist.

Still, despite the silver linings, the loss was disappointing for the Golden Tigresses.

Top scorer Angge Poyos, who tallied 18 points, said they will learn from this defeat, particularly in terms of maturity. UST had squandered a 23-19 lead in the fourth set — just two points away from forcing a deciding set.

“Personally, sayang. Sayang ‘yung game kasi andun na kami sana, ‘yun nga kinapos. Siguro ‘yun nga ‘yung sinasabi nila coach, ‘yung maturity and decision making sa court lalo kapag crucial point, crucial match,” said Poyos.

“Need lang namin gawin bumalik ulit sa training and pag-aralan ulit and improve kung ano kailangan i-improve.”

The post Detdet Pepito proud as UST rookies shine despite loss appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

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Sweden, Czech set up World Cup base camp in Texas

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Sweden and Czech Republic have chosen Northern Texas as base camp for the 2026 World Cup.

Sweden, who qualified for the Mundial via the UEFA Playoffs, will train at FC Dallas home ground, the Toyota Stadium in Frisco.

The Czech Republic, on the other hand, will train at the Mansfield new stadium.

They will play their World Cup group games in Mexico and Atlanta, while Sweden will play in Arlington, Mexico and Houston.

The post Sweden, Czech set up World Cup base camp in Texas first appeared on Score Nigeria.

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JC Enarciso rises when it mattered most for Savouge

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Great teams adjust under pressure, and Savouge did just that, pulling off a bold gamble to force an all-or-nothing Game 3 in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals.

Head coach Sydney Calderon turned to usual second-stringer JC Enarciso to orchestrate the offense in place of All-Star starter Vince Imperial, and the move paid off.

Enarciso delivered a masterclass, guiding the Spin Doctors to a 25-22, 25-21, 25-19 sweep of the King Crunchers in Game 2 on Friday evening at the Filoil Centre in San Juan — extending the best-of-three series to a deciding match.

The Perpetual Help product dished out 22 excellent sets, powering an attack that saw four Savouge hitters reach double figures, led by Mark Calado’s 15 points.

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(C) Spikers’ Turf Images

“Siguro di ko naman inisip na do-or-die kasi nga, alam namin na mananalo at mananalo kami. Kasi nga yung hirap namin sa training kahapon, doble, tsaka pinag-aralan talaga namin,” said Enarciso, emphasizing belief backed by preparation.

“Nag-compose lang kami every point, every rotation, every spike, every dig. Lahat ng skills ng volleyball nag-compose lang lahat kami,” he added.

Giles Torres, Louie Ramirez, and JP Bugaoan joined Calado in double-digit scoring with 10 points apiece, while Shawie Caritativo chipped in seven points, along with 15 receptions and six digs.

For Enarciso, his standout performance also stemmed from a disappointing first meeting with Criss Cross, where he felt he let Calderon and Savouge down.

He started in the Spin Doctors’ first-round matchup against the King Crunchers, who swept the match, 25-23, 29-27, 25-17.

“Siguro bumawi lang ako nung elimination round 1, kasi ako yung ginamit against sa kanila. Lumamang kami, pero nagkulang kami sa huli. Yun yung kulang ko nung elimination,” said Enarciso.

“Kaya siguro bumawi ako sa kanila. Nag-compose ako and naka-focus ako kung saan nakakapatay saka doon yung swerte, doon ako pumupunta.”

With the series now level and everything on the line, Enarciso feels determined not to let the opportunity slip away.

Game 3 takes place on Sunday at 4:00 PM at the same San Juan venue, where Criss Cross will aim for back-to-back titles, while Savouge seeks its first-ever championship.

The post JC Enarciso rises when it mattered most for Savouge appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

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Creamline returns to PVL Finals, sets up showdown vs Cignal

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Creamline is back in familiar territory—the Premier Volleyball League Finals.

The Cool Smashers outlasted the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25-23, 14-25, 25-23, 25-19, in a virtual battle for the last remaining Finals spot in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

This marks Creamline’s 15th Finals appearance and its first since the 2024–25 All-Filipino Conference, missing the championship stage in the next three tournaments.

“Siguro number one yung mga players talagang nag-step up, talagang gusto nilang manalo today kasi yung Farm Fresh hindi rin talaga basta-basta veteran team din pero siguro mas gusto ng players ng Creamline na manalo, makabalik sa finals, makalaban yung Cignal,” said Cool Smashers head coach Sherwin Meneses.

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(C) PVL Images

Creamline will face Cignal in the best-of-three Finals beginning Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Game 2 is scheduled for next Thursday, while Game 3—if necessary—will be on April 28. All matches will be held at the Big Dome.

Cignal has won its past two meetings against Creamline in the semifinals and qualifying round, while the Cool Smashers took their preliminary round encounter.

Creamline was comfortably ahead, 19-14, in the third set, but second-stringer Mylene Paat sparked a Farm Fresh rally to tie it at 19.

The Cool Smashers, however, regained their composure and closed out the set, with Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao, Jema Galanza, and Tots Carlos delivering key hits to take a 2-1 set advantage.

Creamline then delivered a strong finishing kick in the fourth, turning a tight 19-17 lead into a 25-19 clincher behind Pangs Panaga, Jema Galanza, and errors from the opposition, sealing the win in two hours and nine minutes.

“Unang-una, sobrang masaya. Kasi hindi rin talaga naging madali yung journey namin na makabalik sa finals ngayong conference. So, sobrang happy, pero yun, hindi pa tapos yung laban. Kailangan namin ulit na maghanda, magtrabaho pa para makuha namin yung goal this conference,” said Pons, who finished with 12 points, 17 receptions, and 17 digs.

Three-time MVP Tots Carlos led the balanced Creamline attack with 15 points and 14 digs, while Jema Galanza and Pangs Panaga added 13 points each.

Jia De Guzman orchestrated the offense with 26 excellent sets and added five points, while Jen Nierva anchored the floor defense with 23 excellent receptions on 29 attempts.

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(C) PVL Images

On the other hand, Farm Fresh will battle PLDT for the bronze medal.

Trisha Tubu spearheaded the Foxies anew with 21 points, while Ces Molina delivered an all-around effort with 19 points on 16 attacks and three aces, along with 20 receptions and 15 digs.

Royse Tubino added 12 points and 14 digs, while Paat contributed 11 points off the bench.

The post Creamline returns to PVL Finals, sets up showdown vs Cignal appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

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