Titleholder National University had to earn its way back to the win column of the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament, downing University of the Philippines in a hard-fought three-set affair, 25-21, 27-25, 25-20, Saturday, Apr. 1, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
![Nico Almendras [UAAP images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/UAAP-85-MVB-NU-vs.-UP-Nico-Almendras-7108-1024x683.jpg)
UAAP Season 85 Men’s Volleyball: Bulldogs add to woes of Fighting Maroons
Reigning champion National University needed four sets to defeat the luckless University of the Philippines, 25-14, 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, and remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, Apr. 1.
![Jau Umandal [Spiikers' Turf photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ST-2023-Cignal-vs.-Cotabato-G2-Jau-Umandal-6030-1024x683.jpg)
Spikers’ Turf: Umandal crowned MVP
AMC-Cotabato’s Jau Umandal was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Friday night, Mar. 31.

PSC’s Gaston up for the challenge
Before the month ended, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) headed by chairman Richard Bachmann formally welcomed Commissioner Matthew “Fritz” Gaston to the PSC family when the latter reported for duty Friday, Mar. 31 at the PSC Main Administrative Building inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

POC seals deal with ASICS as Team PHL official outfitter
Members of Team Philippines will again be clad in ASICS national team kits following the renewal of partnership between the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) led by president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and SONAK Chief Technology Officer Kabir Buxani on Friday, Mar. 31.

DLSU gains commitment of DLSZ’s Melencio, LSGH’s Alian
Two homegrown talents from the La Salle system have opted to study at and play for De La Salle University.

Spikers’ Turf: Cotabato yields to Cignal but advances to finals
Cignal clipped Cotabato, 25-17, 25-21, 22-25, 25-23, at the close of the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference semifinals at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Monday night (Mar. 27) but the latter still advanced to the championship by nipping Iloilo in the tiebreak for the other finals slot.

Spikers’ Turf: AJAA Spikers down D’Navigators
Imus-Ivy Tuason Photography toppled Iloilo, 25-23, 11-25, 25-20, 25-15, but still dropped from Finals contention in the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference round-robin semifinals, Monday, Mar. 27, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Chooks 3×3 pushes PH to world No. 19 ranking
Despite fielding a relatively overhauled all-Filipino line-up and losing Philippine No. 2 and prized big man Brandon Ramirez early in the tourney due to a knee injury, the Manila Chooks! 3×3 squad passed its initial test with flying colors.

Cambodia SEAG Torch Relay sparkles in Tagaytay City
The spirit and festivity of the Southeast Asian Games returned to Tagaytay City on a cool and breezy Monday (Mar. 27) morning with athletes and sports and foreign dignitaries taking turns at celebrating the Torch Relay for Cambodia’s hosting of the Games’ 32nd edition in May.