MIDDLE blocker Maddie Madayag has opted to suit up for the Kurobe Aqua Fairies of the Japan SV.League.

The Aqua Fairies announced on their website last Monday night that they have signed the 5-foot-11 Choco Mucho standout as their import for the next campaign.

The Aqua Fairies previously signed Dindin Santiago-Manabat back in the 2019-20 season.

Madayag’s stint with Kurobe will be her first international foray as a pro after proving her worth with the Flying Titans, where she served as the skipper.

A former Ateneo Blue Eagle, Madayag, 26, bagged the Best Middle Blocker in the season-opening All-Filipino Conference of the PVL and also won the same award in the VTV Cup in Vietnam.

Choco Mucho is backing Madayag’s move.

“Join us in sending our captain, Maddie Madayag, all the best as she takes on Japan with the Kurobe Aqua Fairies! We’re incredibly proud of you, Maddie, for seizing this amazing opportunity in your career. Your Choco Mucho Flying Titans fam is with you every step of the way,” the Flying Titans posted on X, formerly, Twitter.

“We can’t wait to welcome you back stronger than ever.”

Madayag was one of the three foreign guest players acquired by the Aqua Fairies, the others being Dutch opposite spiker Iris Scholten and German outside hitter Lena Strigot.

The Aqua Fairies finished 11th last season with a 4-18 slate.

Madayag is the second Filipina in the SV.League after setter Jia De Guzman of the Denso Airybees.

DUE to the inclement weather, the Premier Volleyball League winner-take-all finals yesterday between the unbeaten Akari Chargers and the Creamline Cool Smashers at the Araneta Coliseum was postponed.

The match will now be played on Sept. 4 (Wednesday) at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, along with the battle for third between Cignal and PLDT.

“Due to severe weather conditions caused by Tropical Storm ‘Enteng,’ the one-game finale between Akari and Creamline has been moved to Sept. 4,” Sports Vision said. “Our top priority is the safety of our players and fans.”

Typhoon “Enteng” caused widespread flooding in Metro Manila, including the roads leading to the Cubao venue, making travel hazardous for participants and spectators.

The PVL has upheld the first referee’s decision regarding the non-call on a net touch during PLDT’s heated semifinal match against Akari last Thursday. The league cited FIVB Rule 11.3.2, which allows players to touch the net as long as it doesn’t interfere with the play.

Akari went on to claim the victory, positioning the overachieving Chargers just one win away from completing a Cinderella-like run to the championship via sweep.

The PLDT management has reluctantly accepted the PVL’s ruling late Sunday. In a statement, the team expressed gratitude to its fans for their unwavering support and reiterated its commitment to upholding the integrity of the sport.

As the rescheduled finals approach, fans eagerly anticipate the conclusion of what has been one of the most thrilling and unpredictable PVL Reinforced Conference editions in recent years.

THE future has been certainly secured for double Olympic gold medalist Carlos Edriel Yulo.

Yulo was awarded P5 million by the DigiPlus Interactive Corp. and ArenaPlus in an event dubbed “DigiPlus Astig Ka, Carlos” last Saturday at the Cinema 11 of the Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City.

Along with Gymnastics Association of the Philippines chief Cynthia Carrion, Yulo personally accepted the cash incentive and a plaque of appreciation from DigiPlus and ArenaPlus for his exploits in the Paris Games.

Yulo, 24, said he will use his prizes for his training camps as he eyes a stint in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, and help GAP with its grassroot programs.

“(Para) sa mga training camps naman din po, gusto ko din po talagang mag-training sa United Kingdom and (with Jake Jarman) kasi gusto kong kumuha ng technique nila and siyempre mag-share din (ako) ng knowledge with them,” Yulo said. “Siyempre sa GAP, makatulong din ako kay ma’am Cynthia sa binuild niya and mas matulungan and mas maparami pa po iyong mga bata na sumali talaga sa gymnastics.”

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. chairman Eusobio Tanco praised Yulo not only for his Olympic mints but also for donning the country’s tricolors.

“Today, we celebrate not just an athlete but a true champion who made history. Carlos, ikaw ang tunay na astig. Carlos’ victory in the Paris Olympics is not just a personal triumph, they are a beacon of hope and possibilities for every aspiring Filipino athlete dreaming of making it, making their mark in the world stage,” Tanco said. “From the moment we signed Carlos as our brand ambassador in March this year, buong puso kaming nagbigay ng suporta kay Carlos. Believing in his full potential. Sa pre-Olympics send-off event ng ArenaPlus, sabi ni Carlos ‘pagbubutihan ko po’ and he has truly brought home not just one gold but two so, thank you Carlos and congratulations.

“We look forward to continuing this journey together. Maraming salamat sa inyong pagmamahal sa ating bayan and I personally thank you for representing our country with such commitment and dedication.”

Yulo also renewed his contract with DigiPlus as the ArenaPlus’ ambassador.

He is expected to return to Paris this month for an event and support Filipino Paralympians.

“Of course, po, I’m very excited. May konting vacation na mangyayari po sa akin so very happy and very blessed po and siyempre, makakapanood po ako ng Paralympics,” he said.

“First time ko po makakapanood po ng Paralympics ganoong event po so super excited and nilo-look forward ko po na makita iyong ibang teammates po.”

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas made short work of Emilio Aguinaldo College yesterday 25-18, 25-17, 25-19 for its fourth straight win and boosted its playoffs hopes in the V-League Collegiate Challenge men’s division at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Golden Spikers moved closer to a semifinals seat after they improved to 4-2, thanks to Paul Colinares who fired 11 points, six from kill blocks, while Jay Rack De La Noche and Jan Macam combined for 20 markers.

GBoy De Vega also had nine points, eight excellent receptions and four digs while setter Dux Yambao had 15 excellent sets and three points for the España-based spikers.

Despite the win, UST coach Odjie Mamon was still not pleased and emphasized that the Golden Spikers need to raise their game some more.

“I still haven’t seen the things I like to see, so more work pa kami,” the veteran tactician said after the 76-minute action.

The Golden Spikers will face the Ateneo Blue Eagles in their final elimination match on Sept. 18 at the same venue.

“We will play according to our needs. So, ang priority muna namin is to build our team moving forward,” Mamon added.

Jan Abor was the lone General in double digits with 11 points.

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas drubbed Letran 25-23, 25-12, 20-25, 25-18 yesterday for its third straight win in the preliminaries of the V-League Collegiate Challenge men’s division at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Trevor Valera and Al-Buhkarie Sali led the Golden Spikers with 14 points each while GBoy De Vega had an all-around outing of 11 markers, 12 excellent receptions and four digs in the almost two-hour showdown.

The Espana-based crew improved to 3-2 in a tie with National University.

UST coach Odjie Mamon, who returned to the team after his stint as a member of the coaching staff of the Alas Pilipinas men’s volleyball team, said there’s a lot left to be desired.

“Not the things I wanted to see. I have two days to review and make them focus again on what I’m trying to teach them,” Mamon said. “We are still focusing sa amin muna kasi may binago ako sa sistema so that’s one thing we should master.

“Tapos siguro saka kami magpre-prepare na sa kalaban,” he added.

Vince Himzon showed the show for the Knights with 16 points.

Letran slipped to 2-3.

OUT to show its real worth in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship next year, the Alas Pilipinas men’s volleyball squad will have a loaded build-up next month.

The Filipino spikers will face Japan V.League’s contender Osaka Blueton in a series of friendly matches.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation announced yesterday the upcoming friendlies as the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals slated Sept. 7 and 8 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

“We are all excited about this historic hosting because Filipino fans will get the opportunity to witness elite volleyball action from 32 teams,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said.

Alas is expected to be led by Michaelo Buddin along with Josh Ybanez, Louie Ramirez, and Kim Malabunga and will test their mettle against the six-time Japan V.League champion Blueton, formerly known as the Panasonic Panthers.

The Blueton are stacked with top players this season with Japan national team stars Yuji Nishida, Akihiro Yamauchi, Tomohiro Yamamoto, Shoma Tomita, Larry Ik Evbade-Dan, and former national team skipper Kunihiro Shimizu.

Over the weekend, the Angiolino Frigoni-led Alas men’s squad bagged a second bronze medal in the 4th Southeast Asian V.League after a third place finish in the second Leg of the competition held in Indonesia.

Buddin also shone for Alas, stepping up in lieu of Bryan Bagunas who missed the tourney’s second Leg due an undisclosed injury. Buddin was named as the second leg’s First Best Outside Hitter.

The country will be the sole host of the global tilt at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Arena.

The tourney’s draw will be held on Sept. 14.

The Alas women’s tea, will also have a couple of exhibitions on the same dates as Eya Laure, Cherry Ann Rondina, Thea Gagate and the Filipina spikers face Japan V.League Saga Hisamitsu Springs.

WITH veteran setter Kim Fajardo and Russian import Elena Samoilenko showing the way, PLDT hacked out a thrilling 25-23, 25-27, 15-25, 25-18, 15-9 victory over Chery Tiggo yesterday in their knockout quarterfinals duel at The Arena in San Juan.

Samoilenko racked up a team-high 37 points along with 15 excellent receptions to lead the scoring load for the High Speed Hitters while Fajardo dished out 23 excellent sets and two markers.

Outside hitters Fiola Ceballos chipped in 12 markers, 14 excellent receptions and eight digs for PLDT.

Middle blocker Majoy Baron and wing spiker Keisha Bedonia also combined for 17 points for the High Speed Hitters.

The hard-earned win allowed PLDT to return to the semifinals after a similar stint in the All-Filipino tilt last year.

“Basta going to this game, ang pinaka ni-remind ko lang sa kanila na naalala ko na deserve namin iyong situation ngayon na nakaabot kami ng game na ito. So, dinaanan namin ng maayos, nagtrabaho kami ng maayos,” High Speed Hitters coach Rald Ricafort said.

“Iyon nga, iyong napag-usapan namin nung sa last game na Choco (Mucho) na no bearing inilaban pa rin namin kasi gusto namin mapasok iyong culture na lahat ng games pinagtatrabahuhan.

“So, iyon na iyong pinakahugot na namin na iyon na iyong naging preparation namin going into this game. Pero iyon nga, masaya na iyong composure na hinanap sa amin noong last game namin with Chery, lumitaw this game. So down na kami… pero inilaban. So, credits talaga sa players at the same time doon sa staff namin na nagtrabaho talaga nang maigi,” he added.

American reinforcement Kath Bell had 40 markers, 15 excellent receptions and nine digs for the Crossovers while Ara Galang had 12 points and 12 digs.