Republic of the Philippines

Pasay City National Science High School

Schools Division Office - Pasay City

by: Nikita Xyzelle B. PariñaCopyedited by: Jeyana Sophia CaparrosPublication by: Ysabel Tagon Tennis isn’t a pastime—it’s a lineage. And Alex is the newest fire. Raised by veterans whose victories shaped her earliest memories, Alex Eala, became the first Filipino to achieve the main draw of the Grand Slam events in the Open Era, ranking 56th in the world; the highest rank reached by a Pinoy tennis player. At the age of 4, a tiny lefty with a paddle played tennis only with a curiosity in mind. This became an interest for her seeing her family as medalists in different sports. She then honed her skills under world-class mentorship at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain from age of 12. Now at 20 years old, with every serve and spin, Alex isn’t simply keeping the tradition alive, she’s building on it. It’s her way of honoring the past, while writing a new chapter with her name on the scoreboard. Her name started to echo in the field of tennis as a trailblazing player during the pandemic. Alex won the Australian Open girls’ double title at 14 and captured the French Open girls’ doubles title a year after. She won a junior Grand Slam singles title at the US Open in 2022. Eala’s fame grew steadily through these achievements, but it was her giant-slaying run in Miami that truly made her a household name in international tennis. In March 2025, Alex Eala electrified the tennis world with a breakthrough performance at the Miami Open. In a string of fearless victories, she toppled three Grand Slam champions, including World No. 2 Iga Świątek and No. 5 Madison Keys, to secure her place in the semifinals. It was a defining moment not only in her career but in Philippine sports history. As the first Filipino to reach the semifinal stage of a WTA 1000 event, her feat sparked pride across the archipelago and marked her transition from rising star to national icon. Like every other young athlete, Alex struggles balancing her training and tournament schedule with education. She constantly clinches the bar to stay in stride with the world’s elite while nurturing her intellect beyond the court. Playing with pride, Eala wears a custom ‘Sampaguita’ inspired hair tie especially made for her by Nike as a homage to the national flower of the Philippines. “Ang sampaguita ay paalala ng aking pinanggalingan at ng kulturang lagi kong dala-dala,” Eala shared on Instagram. Eala’s ‘Sampaguita’ hair tie becomes a quiet declaration of heritage, hope, and resilience. Match by match, she weaves Filipino pride into her presence, showing that ambition and culture blossom together, even in the tiniest, most thoughtful accessories. The 20-year-old has been an inspiration for young players to continue striving as she dictates that there are lots of ‘diamonds in the rough’ in the sport she wishes to gain attention for Filipinos. “I think that tennis in the Philippines has so much potential because even though it’s not as widespread as other sports, I feel like we have a lot of hidden talent. If we can have the support to back it up and the exposure to back it up, then I think Philippine tennis can be a big thing,” said Eala. Eala’s Miami triumph adds another highlight to her career, the one she hopes will spark greater love for tennis across the Philippines. “The only thing I can do to give back to my country is to help inspire change, positive change, and to inspire people to pick up a racket, to watch more tennis, watch more women’s tennis,” Eala added. Alex Eala’s journey is a living testament to the grit and brilliance of the Filipino spirit. Her rise from backyard rallies to global courts reflects not just athletic excellence, but the courage to dream beyond boundaries. Every swing of her racket inspires young Filipinos to believe in their potential, showing that with determination, heritage, and heart, they too can carve their place on the world stage. Her story isn’t just about trophies, it’s about lighting the way for a generation that sees itself in her fire.

via Johann Caleb Li | The QuantumPublication by: Yelena Fabricante The long-awaited Pacquiao-Barrios bout for the WBC Welterweight Title ended in an anticlimactic 114-114 majority draw, with scorecards of 113-115, 114-114, and 114-114, after a neck-and-neck battle this Sunday in front of a sold-out Las Vegas crowd. Pacquiao landed 101 of 577 (17.5%) hits while the younger Barrios held a narrow lead at 120 of 658 (18.2%). Pacquiao (62 wins – 8 losses – 3 draws) sought redemption coming out of retirement, following his loss to Yordenis Ugas via unanimous decision in 2021. The octuple champion aimed to break his 2019 record of being the oldest welterweight titleholder at 40 after defeating Keith Thurman. “Don’t worry, the Pacman is back, and the journey will continue,” the Filipino sensation announced post-fight. Mario “El Azteca” Barrios (29 wins – 2 losses – 2 draws) retained the Welterweight division belt yet again, with his last welterweight title match against Abel Ramos ending in similar fashion. The 30-year-old champion secured the WBC title with a victory over Yordenis Ugas in 2023 followed by defending the belt twice against Fabian Maidana and Ramos in 2024.

via Jorel De Vera | The QuantumPublication by: Sofia Divinagracia Alas Pilipinas succumbed to Chinese Taipei in straight sets in the battle for bronze, 0-3 (17-25, 24-26, 22-25) at the 2025 VTV Cup held at Nhà thi đấu Vĩnh Phúc Gymnasium in Phu Tho, Vietnam yesterday evening, July 5. The team came fresh off of a second-place finish at the AVC Challengers Cup and saw a movement in the lineup with some key players being replaced. However, this placement is still an improvement from last year’s 8th place when the NU Bulldogs represented the country in the tournament.

Publication by: Rianne Dane Lopez From standing by the courtside to chasing stories beyond the scoreboard, our sports journalists go the extra mile to deliver every thrilling moment and every story that champions athletes. Their passion, dedication, and storytelling prowess keep the spirit of the game alive—on and off the field. Today, The Quantum celebrates the relentless efforts of our sports journalists who turn every game into a story worth telling. Happy World Sports Journalists Day!

News by: Johann Caleb LiPublication by: Yelena Fabricante Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder dominated the Indiana Pacers in 103-91 victory in Game 7 of the NBA Finals for the trophy at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma, USA. This championship grants the franchise their first banner after falling short to the James led Miami Heat back in 2012. The Thunder completed an entire rebuild and won a ring 3 years after having one of the worst records in the league, at 24-58 in 2022.

Photos: Reisha Uy Have you witnessed their electrifying moves? Pasay City National Science High School’s Grade 10 students recently demonstrated their remarkable skills in dance yesterday, February 13, 2025, at the school gymnasium. Four sections took turns showcasing their well-rehearsed hip-hop routines captivating the audience with an impressive display of talent and energy. The performances were met with enthusiastic applause, marking a successful event that highlighted the students’ dedication and hard work.

Correspondents: Prince Gabriel Manela, Johann Caleb Li, Aliyah Lopez, Adam Concepcion Four students from Pasay City National Science High School strive against their tormentor during the Division Palaro Chess on December 9 and 10 at Apelo Cruz Elementary School. Gid Alcantara, Neil Josh Icaro, Quendra Ulep, and Reisha Rhysse Uy aim nothing but the best to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. “Mixed emotions, maybe happy and sad at the same time because I didn’t reach my expected results, although I feel happy that I was able to play in Division Palaro. I think for us to win in the next competition, we need constant training since it polishes our strategies during a match,” said Uy. See each photo for game-to-game updates below.

Correspondent: Nikita Xyzelle Pariña, Gabrielle Ayesha Nicolas The Pasay City National Science High School (PNCSciHS) Hustlers grants a winning start to take down struggling Global Montessori School of Manila (GMSM), 74-21, commencing with a 30-0 score during the 1st quarter Basketball Boys Division Palaro 2024 at the Pasay City East High School on Monday, December 9. “I was very happy that we won the game because, in the past few years, we were very far from even having a chance to win. And I’m also proud of my teammates for competing hard and doing their best through the guidance of our coaches,” Darvin Dela Cruz, the MVP of the Hustlers stated. As the Hustlers rides the momentum, a glimmer of hope to win the next match is evident, “We don’t really expect to win against the defending champions, but we hope to put up a good fight against them,” Darvin added.

By: Jorel Cyd De VeraCopyedited by Stacie Marie CatalloPhotos: Reisha Uy, Daniel Quintin Pasay City National Science High School thriumps over South Eastern College during the Volleyball Girls Division Palaro held at the Padre Zamora Elementary School Gym on November 20, 2-1 (18-25, 25-15, 25-17). In an interview, PCNSciHS Volleyball Girls’ Middle Blocker, Jessie Potente, exclaimed that staying focused and having good communication and a positive mindset helped them to stay relaxed during the tight contest. “We made some changes after losing the first set. We talked about our game plan and identified mistakes that should be changed or improved,” she added.