Philippine volleyball appears to be taking the same pathway from disaster to salvation as basketball.

On a scorching Thursday afternoon in Japan, a shot at a shining double glory turned into a mere repeat bronze for the nation’s tennis pride.

Amaya Paz Cojuangco wanted gold. She got silver. For Philippine archery, it weighed like gold.

A Thursday that sparkled ended with a sting.

After a chaotic battle for control – and a fierce test of will and character under ever-changing weather conditions – an emerging star from Sarangani stood tall. Yet a band of proven winners remains in hot pursuit as the third round of the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge delivered as promised: a wild, wild chase.

Answered prayer.

ABAP president Marcus Manalo is confident that Carlo Paalam’s speed and experience will unlock the door leading to the 55kg boxing gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Paalam faces Japan’s Rui Yamaguchi in the final at the Nishio Gymnasium today.

From the six-gold sweep of Manila in 1954 to Rey Saludar’s last stand in Guangzhou in 2010 – Philippine boxing has owned this stage before. It just hasn’t in 16 years.

The STAR Cover (Octiber 2, 2026)