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10 Filipino Sports Movies To Have On Your Watchlist

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10 Filipino Sports Movies To Have On Your Watchlist

Grit, determination, and the human spirit all take center stage in these Filipino movies.

Related: These Filipina Athletes Are Breaking Barriers For Women In Sports

It’s one thing to watch a sports game or match on TV, but it’s not the same as watching a sports movie. Sports told through a cinematic angle is something else. Not only can they provide a new perspective on a certain sport and even delve deeper into the action, but sports movies can also teach viewers something that goes beyond the physical aspect of the activity, with stories, characters, and narratives to remember. 

Such is the case for the following Filipino sports movies. Sports as a subject matter in local cinema is nothing new, with some of the earliest going back decades, so these films are a slice of what you can expect. These movies may center on different sports, but they all showcase the highs and lows of competition and the power of the human spirit in more ways than one.  

SUNSHINE 

Sunshine tells the tale of 19-year-old gymnast Sunshine, who has dreams of taking her career to the Olympic stage. But her world suddenly comes crashing down when she learns that she’s pregnant, leading her down a dangerous path as she seeks to terminate the pregnancy. At the heart of the movie is a young woman who is constantly let down by a society that refuses to take women’s health as seriously as it should, but don’t sleep on the film’s gymnastics side. 

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Its opening and closing scenes in particular are dazzling as Maris Racal transforms into a world-class gymnast whose moves will have you transfixed on the screen. The talent, discipline, training, and determination on display are impressive.  

ROOKIE

The star of Cinemalaya 2023, Rookie follows Ace (Pat Tingjuy), a new student in an all-girls’ Catholic school who is asked by her school’s volleyball coach to try out for the team. While Ace initially feels awkward as part of the team, things begin to change when she meets Jana (Aya Fernandez), the team captain, and the two begin to form a friendship that turns into something special. For a country that loves volleyball, it’s lowkey surprising that we don’t have that many volleyball-centric movies. But what else makes Rookie special is its LGBT coming-of-age story that weaves through the protagonist’s athletic and personal journeys.

GG: GOOD GAME

Esports takes the spotlight in this movie starring Donny Pangilinan. He plays Seth, a college student who is more focused on playing video games rather than his studies. Throughout the movie, we follow his struggle to fit in with a family that he never knew while trying to make his dreams as a pro esports player a reality. As part of the rag-tag esports team Tokaw’t Bad Bois, Seth and his crew compete in the Requiem tournament, the movie’s version of a popular online shooter. Part family drama, part gaming flick, the movie handles its subject matter pretty well.

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THELMA

Grit and determination in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds are at the heart of this 2011 drama starring Maja Salvador. She takes on the role of Thelma, an impoverished high school student in Ilocos Norte who is an excellent runner. When tragedy strikes her family, Thelma uses her talents to provide a better life for herself and her family as she literally and figuratively races her way to the top. 

PATINTERO: ANG ALAMAT NI MENG PATALO

A movie about patintero? Yes, and it’s pretty good. Set in the streets of Barangay San Jose, which loves their game of patintero, we meet Meng Francisco. She is seen as the neighborhood loser for her love of the game, but her frequent failure at actually being good at it. But that doesn’t stop her from assembling an unlikely team of fellow losers to compete in the biggest patintero competition in the area. As they strive to get their Ws, the movie proves that there’s actually a lot you can learn from patintero. 

FRIENDLY FIRE

Mikhail Red’s take on the esports scene stars Loisa Andalio as Hazel Sales, a female amateur gamer who plays the shooter game Project: Xandata and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Discovered and recruited by Sonya Wilson (Coleen Garcia), Hazel soon joins Sonya’s professional esports team, dubbed Team Isla. 

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At first, Hazel finds it hard to adjust to the rigorous training and the team dynamics. Further complications arise when the team’s two lead players, Ryan and Yves, are at odds with Hazel after doubting her ability to play Xandata. With esports becoming more and more popular among the new generation, the movie takes a look at the realities of trying to make it professionally in the field. 

BAKIT ‘DI TOTOHANIN

Now if we’re talking classics, this Star Cinema gem from 2001 is for the OG Juday stans. Katong (Judy Ann Santos) finds herself getting in the boxing ring after her mom loses their family’s boxing gym in a gambling bet. Determined to beat the man who won the bet and their gym, she enlists the help of her ex-boyfriend, Paul (Piolo Pascual), to train her for the upcoming match as he’s the best boxing trainer she knows. This obviously won’t lead to any romantic rekindling, right? 

FUCHSIA LIBRE

Despite what some may say, Filipino movies are diverse. For example, did you know that there’s a movie about wrestling that was released just last year? Yup, and it’s called Fuchsia Libre. The action-comedy centers on Oliver, a gay man who takes on the persona of Fuchsia Libre at an underground wrestling tournament. The problem? One of his sponsors, Danilo, happens to be his estranged dad who doesn’t know it’s him under the mask and doesn’t approve of Oliver’s sexual orientation. As he makes his mark on the ring, Oliver must find the strength to tell his father the truth.

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MANGARAP KA

Mark Anthony Fernandez and Claudine Barretto star in this 1995 film, which combines track, college, and young love. Nonoy and Jenny are childhood friends who move to Manila to pursue college at UP, with the former getting a scholarship for being part of the university’s running team. But as they adjust to their new environment, all is not well with vices and hidden feelings complicating their friendship.

THE BASEBALL PLAYER 

Conflict, sports dreams, and aspirations collide in this award-winning movie starring Tommy Alejandrino that took home Best Film at Cinemalaya 2022. In it, we follow Amir, a 17-year-old Moro child soldier pulled into war. However, he dreams of a different life for himself, one where he’s a baseball player. As he pursues his athletic goals, Amir finds himself in a tug-of-war between his baseball life and his old life as a soldier. 

BONUS: TV SHOWS

While not movies, these sports-centric series are also worth watching. 

SUNTOK SA BUWAN: Aga Muhlach and Elijah Canlas play father and son in this boxing drama on redemption.   

HEARTS ON ICE: Described as the Philippines’ first-ever ice skating drama series, the show tells the story of Ponggay (Ashley Ortega), an aspiring figure skater who dreams of becoming a champion for her overbearing mom despite her leg impairment. 

LOVE AT FIRST SPIKE: This digital series on acceptance, growth, and inclusivity follows Uno (Emilio Daez), a hot-headed basketball player who may get his redemption arc after joining the school’s men’s volleyball team.  

Continue Reading: 10 Movies To Watch That Capture A Slice Of The Pinoy Spirit

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Bruins Fall to No. 1-Seed Kentucky in NCAA Second Round

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – The UCLA women’s volleyball team suffered a four-set defeat to No. 1-seed Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night inside Historic Memorial Coliseum.
 
Set scores were 28-30, 16-25, 30-28, 17-25.
 
In a hotly contested matchup featuring two extended deuce sets, UCLA (19-13) was unable to withstand the offensive firepower of Kentucky (27-2). The Wildcats hit an impressive .400 as a team, powered by standout performances from Brooklyn Deleye (30 kills) and Eva Hudson (27 kills).
 
In her final appearance in the Blue and Gold, Cheridyn Leverette rose to the occasion with a team-high 22 kills at a .294 clip. She closes her Bruin career ranked 24th on UCLA’s all-time kills list, cementing her legacy as one of the program’s most consistent offensive threats.
 
Marianna Singletary added 15 kills and two blocks, while Eliana Urzua chipped in 11 kills to give UCLA three attackers in double figures. Setter Kate Duffey orchestrated the offense with 50 assists, her fourth straight match reaching that mark, falling just one dig shy of a double-double.
 
 At libero, Lola Schumacher anchored the defense with 20 digs, her fourth consecutive 20-dig effort.
 
After the teams battled to 14-14 in the third frame, neither side led by more than two points as the teams traded blows. Singletary hammered a from the middle before Leverette found some seams on the pin, but Kentucky would nudge ahead 23-21, forcing a UCLA timeout. However, the Bruins regrouped and fought off two set points with clutch swings from Leverette and Urzua. 
 
The drama escalated into deuce territory. UCLA earned its first set point at 26-25 after a Singletary kill, only to see Kentucky erase it with a quick side-out. The Bruins pressed again, forcing another set point at 28-27, but the Wildcats answered once more. Finally, Leverette delivered the decisive blow, her 16th kill of the night, slamming down the ball to seal a 30-28 victory.
 
In the opening set, UCLA jumped out to a 5-1 lead behind Leverette’s serving run, but Kentucky quickly answered with consecutive scoring bursts to seize momentum. The Bruins rallied late, forcing three set points at 23-22, 26-25, and 28-27, but the Wildcats closed on a decisive 3-0 run to take the opener, 30-28. Singletary tallied seven kills in the frame, with Leverette adding six.
 
UCLA briefly held a 5-4 edge in the second frame, but Kentucky’s 6-1 surge swung control. Leverette reached double-digit kills by the media timeout, yet a seven-point run pushed the Wildcats ahead 21-12 en route to a 25-16 win.
 
Singletary’s back-to-back aces helped UCLA tie the score at 5-5, but Kentucky’s balanced attack proved too much. The Wildcats pulled away 25-17 to clinch the match and advance to the round of 16.
 



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Track and Field Wraps Season Opener

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NORMAN — The Oklahoma men’s and women’s track and field team closed out the OU Winter Field Fest on Friday night at the Mosier Indoor Facility, highlighted by 12 individual event wins.

Floyd Whitaker kicked off the meet with a personal-best jump of 16.40m (53’9.75″) to win the event title and mark No. 6 in the OU history books.

In the men’s weight throw, Brendon See tossed a personal-best 21.05m (69’0.75″), claiming the event title and moving his name up to No. 2 in OU history.

During her debut with the Sooners, Jacelyn Neighbors secured the women’s pole vault title, clearing 19.15m (62’10”).

In her first collegiate track meet, former OU volleyball player Hannah Pfiffner put up a stellar performance, clearing 1.79m (5’6.5″) in the women’s high jump, good for a personal best and tied for No. 7 in OU history.

Kennedy Clarke found success in the women’s weight throw with her mark of 19.15m (62’10”).

Breaking into OU’s top-ten performance list at No. 5, newcomer Kennedy Stringfellow marked 7.77m (25’6″) for the men’s long jump title.

OU’s Tucker Smith claimed the men’s shot put title with his toss of 18.65m (61’2.25″).

Sophomore Samuel Toili finished first in the men’s 60m dash with his personal-best time of 6.81. Newcomer Morgan Little stood out in her first performance for the Sooners, claiming the women’s 60m dash title and staking her name at No. 4 in the OU history books.

In her collegiate debut, freshman Kassidi Watkins claimed the women’s long jump title, marking 6.18m (20’3.5″).

Redshirt-freshman Tyley Dotson nailed a 15.20m (49’10.5″) in the women’s shot put, earning the event title.

Closing out the night, Trey Bartholomew cleared 6.18m (20’3.5″) in men’s high jump, earning himself the event title and moving his name up to No. 3 in the OU record book. Junior Tyson Ritz also etched himself into the history book at No. 9 with his clearance of 2.18m (7’1.75″).

The Sooners collected 26 more personal bests for a total of 34 on the day.


Following the completion of the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener on Dec. 6, Oklahoma returns to action on January 16 at home, hosting the Owen Hewett Invitational.


For more information on Oklahoma Track & Field, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_Track) and like Oklahoma Sooners Track & Field and Cross Country on Facebook.
 





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Pitt Sweeps UMBC to Advance to 10th Straight NCAA Round of 32 Match

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PITTSBURGH – The Pitt volleyball team (27-4, 18-2 ACC) swept UMBC (13-12, 7-3 Big East) 25-10, 25-17, 25-13 on Friday night at the Petersen Events Center. The Panthers set a program NCAA Tournament record with a .518 hitting percentage, and Olivia Babcock broke the single-season program kills record with her 546th of the year, surpassing Wendy Hatlestad’s mark from 2003. With the sweep, Pitt advanced to its 10th straight NCAA Tournament Round of 32.

Pitt opened the first set by building a 15-8 lead heading into the media timeout. UMBC used both timeouts during the next four-point run, sparked by kills from Abbey Emch, Marina Pezelj and Blaire Bayless. Babcock then delivered a 4-0 service run to secure the 25-10 win.

The second set followed a similar script, as the Panthers once again held a 15-8 advantage at the media timeout. UMBC called a timeout at 18-9 after kills from Bre Kelley and Bayless, but Pitt maintained control and closed out the frame, 25-17, on a Retriever hitting error.

The third set was tied 5-5 before Pitt surged ahead with a 7-2 run behind Brooke Mosher’s efficient, balanced distribution. UMBC called timeout at 17-9 in an effort to slow the momentum, but the Panthers continued to roll, taking the set 25-13 and completing the sweep.

Pitt returns tomorrow to face Michigan (22-10, 11-9 Big Ten) in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 at 7 p.m. The match will stream on ESPN+.



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Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field Open Season at GVSU Holiday Open

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ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Kalamazoo College men’s and women’s track and field teams opened indoor season Friday at the GVSU Holiday Open. The competition marked the Hornets’ first track and field meet of any kind since 1980 for men’s, 1981 for women’s, and the first indoor competition since 1939 (men only).

Drew Abbott was the first competitor for Kalamazoo, finishing No. 10 overall and as the top Division III runner in the men’s one-mile run open field at 4:26.08.

In the men’s 400-meter dash, Bram Derksen posted a 53.87-second time, and Elliott Anderson ran his 400m in 55.33.

Allison Mayer became the Hornets’ first official women’s indoor track competitor by running a 10:54.84 3000m. Maya Alkema ran the 5000m in 18:37.56.

On the men’s side in the 5000m, Jack Schneider ran at a time of 15:56.47 and John Lonsway finished at 16:49.87.

Kalamazoo men’s and women’s indoor track and field will travel to Trine for the Sean Brady Invitational after the holiday break on Jan. 17, 2026.

 



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Nebraska volleyball begins national title chase with win over LIU

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Related coverage in the video aboveNebraska volleyball hosted LIU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.Bergen Reilly to Andi Jackson and Nebraska was up 6-2.Jackson would later bump Nebraska’s lead to 15-9.A kill from Taylor Landfair ended set 1, giving Nebraska the 25-11 set victory.Rebekah Allick on the block, and it’s 3-0 Huskers in set 2.Allick and Jackson were leading the Huskers by the end of set 2. Nebraska defeated LIU 25-15 in the second set.A 4-0 run for the Huskers kicked things off in set 3.Nebraska was dominating LIU in set 3.Allick claimed match point for Nebraska.The Huskers got the 25-17 set win and the sweep over LIU.The Huskers will face Kansas State in the second round of the tournament on Saturday at 7 p.m.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

Related coverage in the video above

Nebraska volleyball hosted LIU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

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Bergen Reilly to Andi Jackson and Nebraska was up 6-2.

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Jackson would later bump Nebraska’s lead to 15-9.

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A kill from Taylor Landfair ended set 1, giving Nebraska the 25-11 set victory.

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Rebekah Allick on the block, and it’s 3-0 Huskers in set 2.

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Allick and Jackson were leading the Huskers by the end of set 2. Nebraska defeated LIU 25-15 in the second set.

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A 4-0 run for the Huskers kicked things off in set 3.

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Nebraska was dominating LIU in set 3.

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Allick claimed match point for Nebraska.

The Huskers got the 25-17 set win and the sweep over LIU.

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The Huskers will face Kansas State in the second round of the tournament on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.

NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |





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Track and Field Post Strong Performances at SVSU Holiday Invite

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UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Adrian College track and field team traveled to Saginaw Valley State University for the Holiday Invite, showcasing strong performances across the board.

On the men’s side, Joseph Sheridan set a personal best in the 400m dash with a time of 51.06, earning 23rd place. In the mile, both Jessie Strickland and Nick Doerr set personal records, with Strickland crossing the finish line in 5:06.00 for 21st place and Doerr finishing 22nd in 5:07.95. Brandon Berry soared to a fifth-place finish in the high jump, clearing 1.94m and cementing his place in the program’s top-10. In the long jump, Ian Chavis claimed 10th with a leap of 6.15m (20-2.25), while Forrest Schroeder posted a solid 12th-place mark at 6.09m (19-11.75).

The women’s team also had notable performances. Abigail Raftis ran the 400m dash in 1:06.36 for 26th place, and Alayna Paeth set a personal best in the 800m with a time of 2:38.94, earning 22nd place. In the high jump, Alysia Townsend cleared 1.57m (5-1.75) to finish sixth. The long jump saw Piper Pierce take 23rd with a mark of 4.63m (15-2.5) and Emily Peterson finish 26th at 4.30m (14-1.25).


Up Next: The Bulldogs are back in action on Saturday, January 17th where they will head back to Saginaw Valley State University. The meet is scheduled to kick-off at 10:00 AM.

 



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