EJ Obiena seeks to defend Asian Games pole vault crown

Manila Times - Sep 28, 2026

ERNEST John "EJ" Obiena seeks to retain his men's pole vault title and deliver the Philippines another gold medal in the 20th Asian Games in Japan on Tuesday. Expected to rule the continental meet anew, Obiena competes against 11 other pole vaulters at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium at 5:20 p.m. in Manila. This Asiad appears to be Obiena's last tournament for his season. "One more for this season," Obiena wrote on his social media pages on Monday. "Asian Games tomorrow at 18:20 local time," added the 6-foot-2 pole vaulter who owns the Asian record of 6.0-m clearance. The challenge for Obiena is not only to defend his title but also to surpass the meet record of 5.90-m clearance he set at the 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China. Obiena sports a season-best clearance of 5.91 m, set on Aug. 18 at the Golden Sand Meet in Poland, where he soared past 5.90 m for the first time since the Paris Olympics. Seizing gold in the Polish meet, Obiena achieved another 5.90 m clearance in the Zurich Diamond League to place fifth and qualify for the World Championships next year. Obiena last saw action at the Domspringen Wesel in Germany where aced 5.75 m for a silver...

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Eumir Marcial hails SportsPlus’ unwavering support for Filipino athletes

Sep 28, 2026

Eumir Marcial hails SportsPlus’ unwavering support for Filipino athletes

MANILA, Philippines — Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial has a heavyweight in his corner. SportsPlus, the country’s premier sportsbook, has partnered with the Filipino boxing star for his last two professional bouts, supporting him as he continues his pursuit of a world championship. Marcial, 8-0 with 5 knockouts as a professional, is coming off a highlight-reel victory after stopping Omar Huerta via third-round knockout earlier this month in California, USA. Reflecting on his professional journey, Marcial credited SportsPlus for playing an important role in his development inside and outside the ring. “First of all, I’m truly honored and grateful that SportsPlus PH believed in me and did not hesitate to support me. They made me feel that I can become a world champion someday as a professional boxer,” Marcial said. “They are there to help and support me as I take every step in my career. From the 50th Anniversary of Thrilla in Manila to my fight against Huerta, they have been there, backing me and supporting me every step of the way.” Beyond his own partnership with SportsPlus, the 30-year-old Marcial, who hails from Lunzuran, Zamboanga City, also acknowledged the company’s broader support for Filipino athletes through its partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). “I’m also very happy because they don’t just support me in my professional fights. They also support us national athletes through their partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee,” Marcial said. “SportsPlus also supports the grassroots program that I’m building right now. Every time I need support, they are there. They believe Filipino athletes deserve recognition not only in the Philippines, but around the world,” he continued. “They also believe that through sports, you can build a better future and achieve success. That’s why SportsPlus’ trust and support mean so much to me. They are not just a sponsor; they truly believe in me, in Filipino athletes, and in Philippine sports.” At 5-foot-11, Marcial also cross-trains in basketball and is part of the Zamboanga SiKat roster in the ongoing SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season. But while Marcial enjoys being on the basketball court, his primary focus remains boxing. “I hope this journey with SportsPlus continues until we finally win the world championship belt,” said Marcial, who has been promised a world title shot next year by PBC and his longtime adviser and matchmaker Sean Gibbons. SportsPlus Head of Brand Marketing Paul Macalindong expressed equal enthusiasm about the partnership. “SportsPlus and Eumir Marcial’s partnership is built on shared values of integrity, excellence, and a deep commitment to sports. We believe in the potential of Filipino athletes, and we firmly believe that Eumir has what it takes to become a world champion,” Macalindong said. Marcial has already demonstrated the talent, determination, and resilience required to compete at the highest level. With SportsPlus continuing to support his professional journey, the Filipino boxing star remains focused on the ultimate goal—a world championship. TMT

Zamboanga batters Imus, keeps South playoff bid in MPBL

Sep 28, 2026

Zamboanga batters Imus, keeps South playoff bid in MPBL

MANILA, Philippines — Zamboanga SiKat asserted its superiority over Imus Yangkee, 86-61, on Monday to keep its playoff drive going in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Calapan City Coliseum in Oriental Mindoro. Improving on their 102-82 thumping of the Yangkees in their first encounter this year, the Zamboanguenos led by as many as 31 points (62-31) to arrange a knockout match with either the Mindoro Tamaraws or the Basilan Steel, who are battling each other in the second game, for the eighth and last quarterfinal slot in the South Division. All 15 Zamboanga players scored, led by Brandon Wilson with 12 points plus rebounds; Levi Hernandez, with 10 points plus 6 rebounds; Joseph Gabayni, with 7 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists; John Arthur Calisay, with 7 points and 4 rebounds; and Robin Rono, with 7 points and 4 assists. It was Paeng Are, the MPBL's first One Versus One champion, who was chosen the SportsPlus best player with 12 assists, 3 steals, 3 points and 2 rebounds. Zamboanga, with Calisay and Puray outscoring the entire Imus crew, 13-11 stormed ahead at halftime, 56-31, and never looked back. The Zamboanguenos ruled the boards, 61-40, and turned that into more points in the paint, 44-20. Imus concluded its campaign this year, putting to waste Dylan Darbin's 17 points and Ian Pardo's 16. The MPBL first held its games in Calapan in 2023 at the nearby Sentrong Pangkabataan Gym. Pola Mayor Jennifer "Ina Alegre" Cruz, team owner of the Mindoro Tamaraws, and Calapan City Mayor Doy Leachon led thousands of spectators who filled the newly inaugurated coliseum. TMT