Stephen Loman enters 2026 married, motivated, and ready to return to BRAVE CF after a two-year hiatus, combining personal happiness with professional drive.
![Real Madrid cruise past Betis 5–1 thanks to a brilliant hat-trick performance from Gonzalo Garcia. [photo credit: Gonzalo Garcia Instagram]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot_498.png)
Garcia Hits Hat-Trick as Real Madrid Rout Betis 5–1
Real Madrid stayed in the La Liga title race as young forward Gonzalo Garcia scored a hat-trick in a 5–1 win over Real Betis. Atletico Madrid dropped points in a 1–1 draw with Real Sociedad, while Levante and Girona enjoyed important victories.
![Filipino surfers gear up to compete against elite international longboarders on home waves. [WSL photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/la-union_WSL-Photo-1024x526.png)
PH opens 2026 WSL pathway with historic La Union Longboard Pro
The Philippines starts the year by hosting a first-of-its-kind World Surf League Longboard International Qualifying event in La Union, offering surfers a direct route to the 2026 WSL Longboard Tour.
![A milestone moment for Philippine football and women’s sports worldwide. [PSC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/7be673ee-2fce-4b2e-beb8-0406dbbe297b-1024x682.jpg)
Philippines’ historic FIFA futsal women’s world cup delivers legacy beyond the pitch
The Philippines’ staging of the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025 highlighted not only world-class hosting, but a nationwide show of unity, leadership, and long-term commitment to women’s football.
![Scottie Thompson attacks the lane during Ginebra’s win over the Beermen. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PBA-IMAGES1911-1024x615.jpg)
PBA Philippine Cup: Ginebra bench mob outworks San Miguel in Game 1 Excerpt:
RJ Abarrientos powered a dominant Barangay Ginebra second unit that outplayed San Miguel Beer’s reserves, lifting the Gin Kings to a 99-90 Game 1 win in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
![Calvin Oftana attacks the basket during TNT’s fourth-quarter surge against Meralco. [PBA Images]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PBA-IMAGES440-1024x683.jpg)
PBA Philippine Cup: TNT storms back from 21 down to stun Meralco in Game 1
A second-half defensive overhaul fueled TNT Tropang 5G’s stunning comeback from 21 points down as it defeated the Meralco Bolts, 100-95, in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
![Kobe Bryant watching Manny Pacquiao’s sparring session at Wild Card Boxing Club in 2011. [photo credit: Chris Farina of Top Rank | Tempo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot_495.png)
When Kobe Bryant Came to Watch Manny Pacquiao Train
In November 2011, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant made a rare visit to Manny Pacquiao’s Wild Card Boxing Club workout, highlighting a unique crossover between basketball and boxing.
![PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio with Philta officials and Local Organizing Committee [PSC photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/att.js-Y6ngdJEBIpi6VVb1wWyrzoCKWlOHfYuUSEiFYF60.jpeg)
Paris Olympic silver medalist Krevic, world No. 45 Maria top early PH Open field
Former world No. 2 Donna Krevic and German veteran Tatjana Maria headline the early entry list for the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open, the country’s first WTA 125 tournament set to begin Jan. 26 in Manila.
POC lines up SEA Plus Youth Games, Asian Beach Games hosting for 2027–2028
Just days into the new year, the Philippine Olympic Committee confirmed plans to host two major international events, securing the SEA Plus Youth Games in late 2027 and targeting the Asian Beach Games for early 2028 as part of a wider sports tourism push.
Tolentino pushes new SEA Plus Youth Games to fast-track Olympic-ready talent
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino is leading the creation of the Southeast Asian Plus Youth Games, a new grassroots multi-sport platform designed to prepare young athletes for the Asian Youth Games and the Youth Olympic Games.