2026 Asian Games
Rizal Memorial Stadium overhaul fuels Philippine baseball’s revival
Adamson head coach Orlando Binarao still remembers a question posed to him years ago in Taiwan: “Why doesn’t the Philippines have professional baseball players in Asia’s top-tier leagues?”
For a country with undeniable talent, the absence of Filipino players in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, South Korea’s KBO League, or Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League has long been a puzzle. Binarao believes the answer lies not in the players’ ability, but in the facilities that develop them.
“I believe the renovation of the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium will help us to finally see a Filipino baseball player compete professionally at the international level,” said Binarao.
“We have very good players. If we have the facilities, equipment, support, and a good program, our team will be really successful.”
The Philippine Sports Commission is throwing its full support behind the national team with a full-scale renovation of the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium, which is scheduled for completion by October 31.
The project marks the venue’s first major overhaul since it opened in 1934, ushering in a new era for Philippine baseball.
“Our objective is to finish the facelift in 100 days and bring the stadium to global standards,” said PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio.
Gregorio said the grandstand will be retrofitted to accommodate 10,000 spectators, while a digital scoreboard will be installed on the historic outfield wall. The stadium will also feature an all-weather artificial turf built to international standards.
“This is about giving Filipino baseball a true home worthy of its history and future,” Gregorio added.
The timing could not be more fitting. Just weeks after the renovation is completed, the stadium will host the East Asia Cup from November 26 to December 6, organized by the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association and presented by the PSC.
“This renovation is a turning point for Philippine baseball. Hosting the East Asia Cup in a world-class stadium will inspire our athletes and show the region that we are serious about competing at the highest level,” said PABA Secretary General Mike Asuncion.
Asuncion added that the initiative goes beyond renovating the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium, revealing that additional baseball fields will also be built in identified areas to provide more venues for young athletes to train and compete.
The Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium is steeped in history. During its inaugural exhibition game in December 1934, Lou Gehrig blasted the stadium’s first home run, followed by Babe Ruth with the second.
American League great Jimmie Foxx also played on its diamond. Their achievements remain immortalized on the stadium’s walls, serving as reminders of the sport’s rich heritage and Manila’s place in baseball history.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For Binarao — who suited up for the national team in the 1990s before steering the squad to titles in the 2018 East Asia Cup and the 2019 Southeast Asian Games — the renovation is about far more than upgrading a facility. It is an investment in the country’s long-term international ambitions.
“Our previous games against Japan, Korea, and Taipei could have gone either way because the scores were very close. The goal now is to beat them,” Binarao said.
“The renovation of the baseball stadium is a really big help for us to accomplish our goals.”
Fresh off winning the gold medal at last year’s Southeast Asian Games by defeating host Thailand behind team captain Romeo Jasmin, the 24-man national squad has already shifted its focus to the Asian Games in September.
While Binarao is tempering expectations and not promising a gold medal, he remains confident that the Philippines can challenge Asia’s baseball powerhouses.
Leading the national team are veteran catcher Steven Manaig, leadoff hitter Jenald Pareja, and Mark Beronilla, one of the younger players on the roster who also serves as a coach at De La Salle-Zobel.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Batting coach Iking Jimenez — whose name is also etched on the stadium wall after hitting a memorable home run in international competition — continues to lend his expertise to the team.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
They are joined by UST coach Jeffrey Santiago, a future Hall of Famer and former standout who once attracted interest from Major League Baseball; and coach Vladi Eguia, a former University of the Philippines pitcher.
With the full backing of the PSC and PABA, the rebirth of the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium represents far more than a renovated ballpark.
It is a statement that Philippine baseball is ready to take the next step on the international stage — with the long-term vision of producing players capable of breaking into Asia’s professional leagues as the country strengthens its place in the regional baseball circuit, and perhaps one day, even Major League Baseball.
The post Rizal Memorial Stadium overhaul fuels Philippine baseball’s revival appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
The Filipinas and the Philippine Men’s Under-23 National Football Team are set for challenging campaigns at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya-Aichi, Japan, after learning their respective group-stage opponents during Thursday’s official draw.
The Filipinas, fresh off qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup — their second consecutive appearance on football’s biggest stage — and currently ranked No. 39 in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, were drawn into Group G alongside world No. 16 China, No. 51 Uzbekistan, and No. 81 Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, the men’s under-23 team, ranked No. 135 and the lowest-ranked team in its group, landed in Group C, where it will face No. 50 Uzbekistan, No. 99 Vietnam, and No. 133 Kuwait. The squad returns to the Asian Games after securing a late berth in the tournament.
Matches for both national squads will take place from September 14 to October 3 in seven venues across the Chubu and Kansai regions.
On the other hand, the senior men’s national team will compete in two regional tournaments.
The team formerly known as the Azkals will look to finally win the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 in the next few weeks.
They will also participate in the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, scheduled from September 21 to October 6.
The draw comes as both squads continue their preparations for the Asian Games.
The Filipinas aim to build on their recent rise on the international stage following another World Cup qualification, while the U23 men’s team looks to measure itself against some of Asia’s top opposition.
In the women’s tournament, hosts Japan headline Group A together with North Korea, India, and Singapore. Group C features Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, while Group D is composed of Australia, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, and Nepal.
On the men’s side, hosts Japan lead Group A alongside North Korea, Palestine, and Yemen. Group B consists of South Korea, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Malaysia, while Group D features China, Iran, Indonesia, and Tajikistan.
The post Filipinas draw China, Uzbekistan in Asian Games appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
Alas Pilipinas faces a daunting challenge on the continental stage after both the men’s and women’s teams were drawn into tough groups for the volleyball competition of the Nagoya-Aichi 2026 Asian Games this September.
Alas Women, ranked No. 61 in the FIVB World Rankings, landed in Group B alongside No. 7 China and No. 39 Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, the No. 96-ranked Alas Men were drawn into Group D with No. 26 South Korea, No. 35 China, and No. 60 Chinese Taipei.
The draw comes as both national teams continue their preparations for the Asian Games. The men’s squad is currently competing in the second leg of the 2026 SEA V.League, while the women’s team is set to begin its campaign in the same tournament later this month.
In the women’s tournament, host Japan (No. 6) headlines Group A, which also includes No. 60 Indonesia and No. 69 Nepal.
Thailand (No. 17) leads Group C together with No. 38 Chinese Taipei, No. 99 Kyrgyzstan, and No. 111 Mongolia.
Group D features No. 28 Vietnam, No. 30 South Korea, No. 109 Hong Kong, and unranked Qatar.
On the men’s side, world No. 4 Japan tops Pool A, where it will face No. 46 Pakistan, No. 63 Kazakhstan, and No. 124 Uzbekistan.
Pool B consists of No. 19 Iran, No. 42 Indonesia, No. 61 Thailand, and No. 76 Kyrgyzstan.
Pool C, meanwhile, is made up of No. 24 Qatar, No. 44 India, No. 66 Vietnam, and No. 92 Hong Kong.
The post Alas Men, Women face China in tough Asian Games group draw appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
A total of 17 members of the 22-player Alas Pilipinas Women pool have begun intensive preparations for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with the team now on its third day of training.
Already in camp are Creamline’s Jia De Guzman and Jennifer Nierva, PLDT’s Dell Palomata, ZUS Coffee’s Thea Gagate, Akari’s Mars Alba and Justine Jazareno, and Capital1’s Bella Belen, Vanie Gandler, and Erika Santos.
Also taking part in the training sessions are Choco Mucho’s Dawn Catindig and Eya Laure, along with National University’s Arah Panique, Shaira Jardio, Celine Marsh, Vange Alinsug, Niña Ytang, and Alyssa Solomon.
(C) Alas Volleyball
Still expected to join the team are Akari’s Fifi Sharma, La Salle standouts Angel Canino and Amie Provido, and PLDT’s Alleiah Malaluan, who continues to recover from a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Adamson rookie Shaina Nitura remains sidelined as she recovers from surgery, while Nxled setter Gel Cayuna has already begged off from national team duties, according to Chameleons head coach Ettore Guidetti.
The pool, under the supervision of the Philippine Olympic Committee and coached by Japanese mentor Taka Minowa, has been holding weekday training sessions from 12 noon to 3 p.m., alternating between Gameville in Mandaluyong City and MPire Center in Quezon City before eventually moving camp to the Philippine Sports Commission’s PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
(C) Alas Volleyball
Alas Pilipinas Women will first compete in the Southeast Asian V.League, with Week 1 scheduled in Ninh Binh, Vietnam, from August 1 to 3 and Week 2 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from August 7 to 9. The team will then shift its focus to the Asian Games, which will be held from September 19 to October 4.
Meanwhile, the Alas Pilipinas Men have already arrived in Candon City for the Men’s SEA V.League, which will take place from July 15 to 19 at the Candon City Arena.
Both national teams are currently operating under the supervision of the POC following the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s suspension by the FIVB.
The world governing body has also reiterated its national team calendar, requiring players to prioritize international duty during the designated national team season—May 4 to October 4 for the women and May 18 to October 18 for the men—before returning to their respective domestic leagues once the national team window concludes.
The post Alas Women begin Asian Games training with 17 in camp appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.
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