PHILIPPINE champion Ceres-Negros FC began its 2019 AFC Cup campaign on a winning note, defeating Myanmar’s Shan United FC, 3-2, in their Group G opener on Tuesday night at the Panaad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City.

ONE of the celebrated athletes in 2018 after helping the Philippines to two gold medals in the Asian Games in Indonesia, amateur golfer Yuka Saso said she is looking forward to continue making the country proud as she competes in various tournaments even as she said she is hoping for an improved program for the sport of golf.

Mr. Florencio “Campo” Campomanes was the moving spirit behind the participation of the Philippine national team in the 1956 Moscow Olympiad. He did everything -- organized the team, arranged for funding, coordinated with the Russian organizers and a hundred and one other tiny details.

The Celtics didn’t sound too alarmed when they lost on the road to the lowly Bulls over the weekend. Forget that their opponents were third to last in the so-called Leastern Conference. Or that they had hitherto waxed the very same hosts by a record score. Or that it was their second straight setback coming off All-Star weekend. As far as they were concerned, it was an off-night that could easily be explained away. “You’re going to have clunkers in the (National Basketball Association),” head coach Brad Stevens argued. Meanwhile, top dog Kyrie Irving exhibited supreme confidence in declaring that the seemingly lethargic play wouldn’t be carrying over to the playoffs. “Because I’m here,” he noted.

FOLLOWING a two-week break to give way to the campaign of the national team in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the Philippine Basketball Association returns today with a double-header set at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

THE number of winless teams in Season 81 women’s volleyball of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines gets narrowed as struggling University of the East Lady Warriors and Adamson Lady Falcons collide in league action today at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

REIGNING Copa Paulino Alcantara champion Kaya FC-Iloilo gets its 2019 AFC Cup campaign rolling today, taking on Lao Toyota FC in opening Group H action at the New Laos National Stadium in Vientiane.

THE PHILIPPINE Sportswriters Association is set to acknowledge the best of Philippine sports in the previous year at the SMC-PSA Annual Awards Night late yesterday.

CEBU CITY -- The 33^rd Philippine Airlines Seniors Interclub golf team championships get under way Wednesday with defending champion Canlubang and 16-time titlist Luisita kicking off their showdown at the Alta Vista Golf Club, a mountain course designed by Gary Player.

AFTER conquering the 9,262-ft Mount Apo in just six hours, 27-year-old Filipina mountaineer Carla Kaya Tumaliuan is setting her sights next on Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain.

LOS ANGELES -- James Harden and Chris Paul combined for 48 points and the host Houston Rockets withstood a career night from Atlanta Hawks rookie guard Trae Young in their 119-111 win on Monday.

The Philippine national men’s basketball team ended its campaign in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers with a positive result, earning for the country a return trip to the quadrennial basketball spectacle later this year.