Philippine Sports Commission chairman Pato Gregorio capped the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships 2026, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, with high praise and forward-looking plans, declaring the five-day meet at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium a resounding success and a vital step in grassroots sports development.

“The seamless organization of this championship shows how far Philippine athletics has come. PATAFA has proven that with vision and discipline, we can stage world-class events right here at home,” said Gregorio.

“PATAFA has a very good, well-defined grassroots and talent identification program,” he added.

The annual ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships, also known as the National Open, serves as the country’s premier track and field competition, designed to sharpen elite athletes while providing a platform for emerging youth and grassroots talents.

This year’s edition, co-presented by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and New Clark City, attracted 1,015 athletes, including 95 competitors from nine countries: the United States, Canada, Samoa, Korea, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Chinese Taipei.

The meet expanded its reach by introducing an Under-20 category alongside the Under-18 and Open/Elite divisions, a move Gregorio described as “a bold investment in the future of our young athletes.”

“We wanted to give more opportunities for youth athletes to compete at a high level. The under-20 bracket ensures continuity in development and prepares them for the international stage,” said PATAFA President Terry Capistrano.

(C) PATAFA

Beyond the competition, Gregorio and Capistrano met with Korea Junior Athletics Federation President Park Hyunchun during a dinner hosted at Royce Hotel.

Capistrano informed the PSC chairman of a verbal agreement between PATAFA and the KJAF for a dual-program partnership, which includes an open invitation for Filipino athletes to train at Yecheon’s premier athletics facilities in South Korea.

“This partnership with Korea is a game-changer. Our athletes will gain access to world-class training environments, and in return, we strengthen ties with one of Asia’s most dynamic athletics programs,” said Capistrano.

PATAFA Secretary General Jasper Tanhueco explained that the partnership is designed as a student-athlete exchange program. Under the arrangement, PATAFA will send high school athletes to compete in Korea, while Korean athletes will travel to the Philippines to participate in local competitions.

“This initiative aims to elevate the level of competition, foster international friendships and cultural exchange, and provide our youth athletes with valuable competitive experience and exposure,” said Tanhueco.

Looking ahead, Capistrano confirmed that PATAFA will host the Asian Under-18 Athletics Championships in April 2027 at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium, further cementing the venue’s role as a regional hub for youth athletics.

“Grassroots development is not just about participation, it’s about building pathways to excellence. What we saw in New Clark City is proof that Philippine athletics is ready to rise,” said Gregorio.

The post Gregorio backs PATAFA’s landmark athletics partnership with Korea appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

CAPAS, Tarlac – Hussein Loraña narrowly missed a new national record while ruling the men’s 800-meter race, while the KG Mercuries, led by former national sprinter Anfernee Lopena, emerged from nowhere to capture the men’s 4×100-meter relay on the penultimate day of the ICTSI Philippine Athletic Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission Saturday night.

In another event-filled day at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium, the 33rd Thailand Southeast Asian Games gold medalist surged from behind in the final 100 meters to overtake erstwhile-frontrunner Oyam Kent Espinosa, clocking one minute and 48.39 seconds.

He was just 0.87 of a second off the seven-year-old national record of 1:47.52 set by Fil-Am Carter Lilly on April 19, 2019, at the Bryan Clay International in Azusa, California, in the meet co-presented by BCDA and New Clark City.

It was the third men’s 800-meter title for the former UAAP Season 86 MVP in the athletic showcase, with the ICTSI Foundation as title sponsor.

A two-time SEA Games men’s 100-meter bronze medalist, Lopena powered a strong start for the KG Mercuries, which was sustained by second and third runners Vicjardi Tapia and Ralp Anthony Lego.

It was left to PRISAA track standout Kent Paul Burdan to anchor the squad and bring home the gold in 40.56 seconds in the championships sponsored by CEL Logistics Inc. and UAAGI Auto Group Inc.

Pinoy Athletics settled for silver (40.57), while the national team (40.70) took bronze in the competition organized by Philippine Athletics, also supported by Pocari Sweat, Clark Water, and Masiv Sports.

However, the night did not go well for the national women’s quartet of Lauren Hoffman, Kristina Knott, Jessica Laurance, and Lianne Diane Palma, after the team was disqualified for a faulty handoff from Knott to Laurance.

Malaysia secured gold (45.63), UST took silver (48.62), and La Salle-Taft (48.90) completed a 1-2-3 finish in the women’s 4×100-meter relay of the tournament, which is also backed by Energya and Cherrylume.

(C) PATAFA

Under a new coach, 33rd SEA Games veteran Fil-Am Sydney Joshua Yap threw the hammer to a personal best of 50.65 meters to claim his first gold in the meet after finishing runner-up in the previous edition.

Aided by closest rival John Celestino Romero’s failure to register a valid mark in the pole vault, Janry Ubas completed a golden double with 6,440 points to capture the decathlon title.

Under the banner of the Philippine Vault Club, Romero took silver (5,865), while UST’s Rolly Royo earned bronze (5,634) in the 10-event discipline.

Early Sunday morning, 33rd SEA Games marathon silver medalists Sonny Wagdos and Artjoy Torregosa — who also competed in a 21K road race at the Manila Marathon the previous day — still had enough energy to top the men’s and women’s 10,000-meter runs, respectively.

Competing in their third event since Tuesday, Wagdos clocked 31:10.64 for his second medal of the trackfest after taking silver behind Yacine Guermali in the men’s 5,000-meter race.

(C) PATAFA

Torregosa added her second gold with a winning time of 36:34.74, following her 5,000-meter title earlier.

“Although sa tingin ko, kaya ko naman na ma-break yung record. Though sa tamahong panahon pa yon,” said Loraña after his near record-breaking performance.

“I am hoping to break it sa Asian Under-23 championships in Ordos, China, next month,” added the athlete ahead of the inaugural Asian U23 meet set from July 9 to 12 in the Chinese city.

“Ang sabi ko sa mga kakampi ko na hindi kami underdog at malakas kami na sa amin ang PRISA triple gold medalist (Burdan) and NCAA best freshman (Tapia),” Lopena said. “We knew we could win this race.”

“Solid team yan,” Clinton Bautista said matter-of-factly of the champion relay squad after he and fellow PH relay members Al Hyan Labita, Kent Francis Jardin, and Kharis Pantonial were left chasing the KG Mercuries.

The post Loraña nearly breaks national record, KG Mercuries rule relay in PH Athletics Championships appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

San Beda-Rizal, Bagong Ilog Volleyball Club, and Kaito Volleyball Academy topped their respective pools to lead the six teams advancing to the Echelon Under-16 Club Invitational second round on Friday at the SM Southmall Events Hall in Las Piñas City.

Joining the pool leaders in the next round, where teams will compete in a single round-robin format, are Parañaque Volleyball Team, Capital1, and PLDT.

The top four squads will advance to the semifinals of the tournament presented by Everyday Volleyball and supported by the City of Parañaque, Milo, Immuni+, McDonald’s, Rexona, Magnus Sports, Toby’s Sports, AveoWorks Solutions Inc., and Mama Lou’s.

The Baby Red Spikers dominated Pool A, cruising to four wins, including two that activated the mercy rule after securing a 15-point lead.

San Beda defeated PVT, 25-17, 20-5, while also beating HDE twice, 25-19, 19-4.

“It’s our first league na sinalihan no, it’s a very new team, so I’m very happy that the girls showed up, performed well, and showed discipline. It’s a very well-organized league. I hope this is the first of many leagues na ibibigay sa grassroots,” said head coach Ray Rosales, who shared that his Baby Red Spikers were formed just three weeks ago.

PVT still sealed its spot in the next round thanks to 25-21, 25-17 wins over the HDE Bulls.

(C) Echelon

Meanwhile, BIVC also finished undefeated in Pool B after 25-21 and 26-24 wins over Capital1, while also taking down Upskill Antipolo, 25-19, 18-3.

Reneez Cornes’ back-to-back hits on a quick attack and a solid block completed the BIVC Lady Phoenix’s comeback from six points down against the Capital1 Solar Sunnies.

“Mixed emotions po kasi this is my first time na mag-coach ng ganitong klaseng league, nagko-coach naman ako sa school pero this is my first time na ganitong setup. Sobrang thankful ako sa team kasi yung isang game, talagang ginawa ng girls ng paraan para makuha ‘yung game,” shared Lady Phoenix head coach Mark Adrian Cabralda.

Capital1, despite being tied with Upskill Antipolo at second with identical 1-3 records, will enter the next round due to superior point differential.

Created to strengthen the grassroots ecosystem of the sport, the inaugural Echelon U16 featured nine teams divided into three pools, with each team playing four games in a double round-robin elimination. The top two squads from each group will advance to the second round to be held on June 13, still at the same venue.

Director Rea Epistola of the Office of the Executive Secretary, Parañaque City Administrator Atty. Ding Soriano, and Parañaque RTC Executive Judge Leilani Dacanay-Grimares graced the opening ceremony of the grassroots tournament organized by Agencia de Echelon.

“Every great athlete starts somewhere. Not in a national training center. Not in an international tournament. But in local communities, school programs, and grassroots competitions like this [Echelon U16 Club Invitational]. This is where confidence is built, this is where talent is discovered, this is where dreams begin,” said Epistola, who also delivered the ceremonial first serve.

(C) Echelon

Kaito finished first in Pool C with a 3-1 record, posting 25-18 and 25-17 victories over Spike & Serve Volleyball Academy, along with a 25-19 win over PLDT.

The Junior High Speed Hitters later avenged their loss to Kaito with a 25-18 victory, finishing with a 2-2 record in second place.

Spike & Serve’s lone win came against PLDT, 25-11.

The post San Beda, Bagong Ilog, Kaito set pace as Echelon U16 moves to next phase appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.