News
Olayemi Raheem takes pride in unexpected UP captaincy
Olayemi Raheem felt the most surprised when the coaching staff named him team captain of the University of the Philippines for the UAAP Season 88 collegiate men’s volleyball tournament.
But surprise quickly turned into resolve.
The Nigerian wing spiker embraced both the responsibility and the challenge that came with the role, immediately showing leadership on and off the court in the Fighting Maroons’ opening game.
Raheem steered UP to a hard-fought 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-11 five-set victory over the UE Red Warriors last Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
More than serving as a vocal presence and steady influence, the 6-foot-3 sophomore led by example. He erupted for 30 points, built on 29 spikes and one block, anchoring the Maroons in crucial stretches of the match.
“At first, I was shocked, honestly. I have never been a captain, coming from a different culture and all,” said Raheem of his unexpected appointment.
Still, he understood that the coaches chose him for a reason — and he feels determined to grow into the leader the team expects him to be.
Raheem even views the role as a personal test, especially as he continues to navigate a language barrier.
“Actually, I feel like it’s a challenge for me, which I took upon myself — kaya nga ako eh — because it’s a way for me to develop as a person and as a player,” he shared.
“I can communicate more with my teammates. It’s really nice, actually, being the captain of the team. It’s a role that influences an individual in terms of leadership.”
Fortunately for Raheem, he does not carry the responsibility alone.
Fellow sophomore and key scorer Tommy Castrodes assured that the team — especially the seniors — is fully behind their new captain as he adjusts to his expanded role.
Castrodes delivered 15 points, nine receptions, and nine digs in the win over UE, while Milven Francisco and Angelo Lipata added 14 and 13 points, respectively.
“Yung mga seniors namin, tinutulungan naman din si Raheem kasi nahihirapan din siya sa Tagalog, pero nakaka-catch up naman,” said Castrodes, noting how the veterans have been helping Raheem overcome the language barrier as he settles into captaincy.
The post Olayemi Raheem takes pride in unexpected UP captaincy appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
News
Sweden, Czech set up World Cup base camp in Texas
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.
News
JC Enarciso rises when it mattered most for Savouge
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.
“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.
News
Creamline returns to PVL Finals, sets up showdown vs Cignal
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.
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.
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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