KAWHI Leonard and the Toronto Raptors have agreed on a two-year contract extension that could be worth $115 million if he plays both seasons, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). The second year of the deal, the 2028–2029 season, is at Leonard’s option, according to the person who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Raptors have yet to announce that the contract has been finalized. ESPN first reported the terms, which were later confirmed by The Toronto Star and other outlets. Leonard, 35, led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA title and is now locked into a new deal with a team with eyes on competing for another title. He is coming off the highest-scoring season of his career, averaging 27.9 points for the Los Angeles Clippers in 65 games a year ago. Leonard will make just over $50 million this season, the last year of his current contract. It was generally assumed that the Raptors would strike a deal to keep Leonard — a seven-time All-Star, two-time NBA champion and two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player — soon after landing him in a trade with the Clippers. The sides agreed to that trade in late June but didn’t complete it until earlier this month, delaying the process because of the NBA’s investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented salary cap rules on Leonard’s behalf. The NBA found four deals that ran afoul of league rules, leading to a one-year suspension of Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, the forfeiture of five first-round draft picks, suspensions of other team personnel and a $30-million fine. Leonard was fined $700,000 by the league but is not facing any suspension.

ANY doubt 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo would continue with Portugal after another World Cup elimination should have ended before the tournament was done. The federation hired a new coach in 72-year-old Jorge Jesus, whose previous job was leading Ronaldo and Al Nassr to a Saudi league title in May. Ronaldo was duly named in the first Jesus squad last week, looking to add to 233 national team games and 146 goals. Portugal is the Nations League champion and starts its defense on Thursday hosting Wales. It should be the first Erling Haaland vs. Ronaldo meeting on Sunday in Oslo. Only one of Ronaldo’s 233 Portugal games was against Norway, in 2011 when Haaland was aged 10. Now 26, Haaland already has 62 goals for Norway, including seven in just five games at the World Cup. On the other hand, Scotland now has a Belgian coach (Sebastian Pocognoli), Belgium a Dutch coach (Mark van Bommel) and the Netherlands a Spanish coach (Xavi Hernández). Xavi has replaced Ronald Koeman for the second time in their careers, having followed the Dutch great into the Barcelona dugout in 2021. Xavi now leads the team he helped beat in the 2010 World Cup final. Italy has not been a World Cup team for 12 years but looked back at its European Championship title win in 2021 to hire Roberto Mancini for a second time. Meanwhile, the 16 top-ranked teams play in four round-robin groups through November. The top two in each group advance to quarterfinals played over two legs in March. A Final Four mini-tournament from June 9 to 13 will be hosted by one of the semifinalists. A further 16 teams play in each of the second-tier League B and third-tier League C, with six low-ranked teams in League D. Russia is still banned from international soccer. The final standings will help some teams enter qualifying playoffs in March 2028 for that year’s European Championship.

For Team Philippines" dressage squad, the road to the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan has been anything but smooth.

Check Team Philippines" schedule for Thursday at the 2026 Asian Games, including Carlos and Karl Eldrew Yulo, Gilas Pilipinas, 3x3, boxing, and more.

The Philippine karate delegation added another medal to the country"s haul at the 2026 Asian Games as Marie June Adriano clinched bronze in the women"s kumite -50kg event on Wednesday.

Alexandra Eala will begin her Singapore Tennis Open campaign on Thursday night against Tatiana Prozorova.

The Collegiate Press Corps has its new set of officers for the 2026-27 athletic season, which covers UAAP Season 89 and NCAA Season 102, following elections held last Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Dương Thúy Vi also brought a bronze medal in the women’s wushu jianshu and qiangshu event.

Filipina weightlifter Rosegie Ramos came up just short of the podium after finishing fourth in the women's 53kg division at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan on Wednesday.

MANILA, Philippines — Filipina weightlifter Rosegie Ramos finished fourth in the women’s 53kg division at the 20th Asian Games on Wednesday. Ramos posted a 203kg total, lifting 93kg in the snatch and 110kg in the clean and jerk. She failed in her third and final clean-and-jerk attempt at 113kg. North Korea’s Kang Hyon-gyong successfully defended her Asian Games title, setting a new Games record with a 223kg total from a 99kg snatch and 124kg clean and jerk. China’s Zhao Jinlan took the silver medal with 218kg, while Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao claimed bronze with 214kg. Ramos is the first of the Philippines’ five weightlifters scheduled to compete at the Asian Games.

Gilas Pilipinas Women 3x3 team's chase for an elusive gold medal continued after it dominated Malaysia, 17-12, to complete a group stage sweep in the 2026 Asian Games.

HOUSTON — Coach Ime Udoka is looking for much more from the Houston Rockets after they won 52 regular-season games before losing in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last two years. “We’re not here to just make the first round, we want to make some real noise,” Udoka said Tuesday as he began his fourth year in Houston. “Everybody’s hungrier for that and to take the next step and not plateau.” The Rockets kicked off the NBA season Tuesday as the first team to hold media day. They’ll open preseason with two games against the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 9 and 11 in Macao, China. Houston’s media day had a much more optimistic tone this year with the return of point guard Fred VanVleet, who missed all last season after tearing an ACL just before last year’s event. “I’m definitely more excited than I was going into last season,” general manager Rafael Stone said. “The way Fred’s injury hit right on the eve of the season, that was hard on everybody and so maybe I was a little bit more nervous. And this year I feel like I know what to expect more from this group, which lends itself to some excitement for me to see what’s going on.” Udoka said VanVleet has been fully cleared for training camp and the point guard can’t wait to get back on the court with his team. “Where I am right now, with the season about 30 days out, I feel really good,” he said. “It’s going to be a process still, so you guys see won’t see the finished product, but I’m in a really good spot.” Along with the return of VanVleet, the Rockets welcome back big man Steven Adams, who was limited to only 32 games last season because of an ankle injury that required surgery. Their biggest offseason addition was 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, who the Rockets hope will make fellow defensive star Amen Thompson take another step in his fourth season. Kevin Durant was healthy throughout the regular season, starting 78 games in his first year in Houston after a blockbuster trade from Phoenix. But he was limited to only one game in the playoffs because of an ankle injury as the Rockets lost to the Lakers in six games. Udoka said he hopes to get Thompson and Durant’s minutes down after the two ranked first and second in minutes played in the regular season last year. That was news to Durant, a 16-time All-Star who turns 38 next week. “It’s been the same message from me for a long time, I’m better on the court,” he said. “The team is better when I’m on the court.” Durant said he isn’t opposed to sitting out in the fourth quarter if the Rockets have the lead but he's opposed to doing so just to get him off his feet. “Not just for the sake of getting my minutes down just because he’s older or he played a lot of minutes,” Durant said. “That’s what I’m supposed to be training for is to play the long haul, play 48 minutes a night. I get the concern, but if the game needs me to be out there, I want to be out there.” Udoka said a big focus this season will be finishing games after more than half of Houston’s 30 losses came in games where they had double-digit leads. Fixing that problem combined with the return of VanVleet and Adams has Stone optimistic that this could be a big year for the Rockets as they chase their first title since winning back-to-back championships in 1994-95. “We obviously had some challenges last year, particularly on the injury front and lost quite a few games that that we thought we could have won and we still had a good year,” Stone said. “So, I think there’s just a lot of meat on the bone for us to improve upon.”

MANILA, Philippines – Yvon Bisera put herself squarely in title contention with a brilliant opening 67 on Wednesday, giving the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour a major boost and raising hopes of a Filipina return to the Taiwan LPGA Tour winner’s circle after nine years. Bisera overcame a shaky start with a spectacular finish, shooting a five-under-par card to trail local aces Joy Chou and Yu Chiang Hou by just one stroke in the Kenda Tires TLPGA Open at Taichung International Golf Club. The in-form Davaoeña shotmaker overcame a three-putt miscue on her opening hole, No. 10, with a birdie on No. 13 before producing the highlight of her round on the par-5 18th, where she chipped in for eagle. She then carried the momentum to the front nine, rattling off three straight birdies from No. 2 to complete a 33-34 card. Her fast start put her in a share of third with Thai ace Nook Sukapan, Malaysian Genevieve Ling, Japanese Harumi Yoshikuwa and Taiwan veteran Ching Huang, just one behind Chou’s flawless 66. Bisera’s opening-round charge came despite battling an illness that affected her long game. She compensated with crisp iron play and steady putting, hitting 16 of 18 greens in regulation. “Medyo pangit 'yung driving ko today, since medyo pangit 'yung kondisyon ng katawan ko. Pero bumawi naman sa iron shots. At natatamaan ko halos lahat ng green,” said Bisera, who missed just two greens. She also had to regroup quickly after the early setback on No. 10, where she three-putted from 18 feet after missing the fairway. “Nahihilo pa talaga ako sa umpisa. But sinabi ko lang na madami pang birdie chances kasi madami pang par-5s na naaabot. Kaya sabi ko, par lang dun sa next hole tapos alam kong makaka-birdie naman,” she said. She was right. After her eagle on No. 18, Bisera birdied Nos. 2, 3 and 4, then closed out the round with pars to move within one shot of the lead in the NT$4-million championship, the 16th leg of the TLPGA and a co-sanctioned event with the LPGT. The 24-year-old, who is coming off two victories and a runner-up finish on the LPGT, is seeking a second overseas victory after breaking through at the Thai Ladies Masters last year. A victory here would also put her in position to become the next Filipina to win on the TLPGA since Pauline del Rosario’s breakthrough in 2017. But Bisera is refusing to look too far ahead. “I don’t want to think about it. But I want to play my game. Gusto ko lang mag-under every day. And if I have a chance, then I will take it,” said Bisera, whose campaign is backed by ICTSI. Chou, meanwhile, seized early control with a pitch-in eagle on No. 2 and five more birdies to finish with a bogey-free 66. “I think I was just pretty much doing what I planned to do, so I wasn't thinking too much about pressure,” said the 27-year-old Chou. “Even with everything, just do what I plan with my game, and yeah, not really thinking too much about the pressure.” Her eagle came on the par-4 second, where she hit her drive to the left side of the fairway before attacking from 90 yards. “I thought it was just going to be close to the pin, but then the player in the same group said, ‘Oh, it went in.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, cool,’” said Chou. “It pretty much just matched my plan and it was a good shot.” She used the bonus to fuel five more birdies while keeping a clean card to grab the first-round lead. Meanwhile, Hou closed with a dominant front-nine run, firing a blistering six-under 30. Shaking off an even-par back nine – marked by a single birdie and bogey – the former prodigy surged up the crowded leaderboard to grab a piece of the lead, fueled by birdies on Nos. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9. Sukapan, fresh from winning the Strait Cup Classic in Tianjin two weeks ago, also opened with a 67. She began with back-to-back birdies from No. 1, recovered from a bogey on No. 5 with birdies on Nos. 10, 12, 16 and 18, and matched Bisera’s five-under card. Ling anchored her round with a solid 33 on the front nine and also finished at 67, while Huang, winner of the Philippine Ladies Masters at Summit Point last February, mounted her charge with four birdies on the back nine for a 35-32. Reigning LPGT Order of Merit champion Sarah Ababa bucked a shaky closing frontside 37 to card a 71 and tie LPGT mainstay Seoyun Kim, who wavered with a late bogey on No. 8, at 23rd. The rest of the LPGT contingent struggled to sustain early momentum as the heat and the undulating layout took their toll. Chihiro Ikeda was two-under through nine holes on the back nine before stumbling with four bogeys against two birdies to finish with a 72, tying Mafy Singson for 32nd. Singson was also two-under through 13 holes before bogeying Nos. 14 and 16, while Ababa faltered with two bogeys at the front to finish with a 38-34. Rev Alcantara shot a 73 for joint 45th, while Kayla Nocum and amateur Lisa Sarines matched 74s for a share of 56th. Lois Kaye Go blew a two-under card after 13 holes with a costly finish, double-bogeying No. 5 and bogeying the next three holes for a 40 on the front nine and a 75, leaving her tied for 67th, alongside Harmie Constantino and Kristine Fleetwood. Amateur Mona Sarines posted a 76 for a share of 78th while Princess Superal limped with a 77 and in danger of missing the cut at joint 84th. With two rounds still to play, however, the spotlight belongs to Bisera, whose eagle-fueled 67 has put her within striking distance of a potential second overseas triumph – and given the Philippines a legitimate early title threat in Taiwan. TMT

Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors have agreed on a two-year contract extension that could be worth $115 million if he plays both seasons, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Tuesday. The second year of the deal, the 2028-29 season, is at Leonard's option, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Raptors have yet to announce that the contract has been finalized. ESPN first reported the terms, which were later confirmed by The Toronto Star and other outlets. Leonard, 35, led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA title and is now locked into a new deal with a team with eyes on competing for another title. He is coming off the highest-scoring season of his career, averaging 27.9 points for the Los Angeles Clippers in 65 games a year ago. Leonard will make just over $50 million this season, the last year of his current contract. It was generally assumed that the Raptors would strike a deal to keep Leonard — a seven-time All-Star, two-time NBA champion and two-time NBA Finals MVP — soon after landing him in a trade with the Clippers. The sides agreed to that trade in late June but didn't complete it until earlier this month, delaying the process because of the NBA's investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented salary cap rules on Leonard's behalf. The NBA found four deals that ran afoul of league rules, leading to a one-year suspension of Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, the forfeiture of five first-round draft picks, suspensions of other team personnel and a $30 million fine. Leonard was fined $700,000 by the league but is not facing any suspension.

Carlos Yulo shone in his pet events to help the Philippines finish sixth in the 2026 Asian Games men's gymnastics team finals on Wednesday at the Nagoya General Gymnasium in Japan.

Despite being miles away from Manila, Alexandra Eala feels right at home in Singapore as she competes in the Singapore Tennis Open.

Sam Catantan missed out on a shot at a medal after falling to South Korea's Jihee Park, 10-15, in the women's individual foil quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

MANILA, Philippines —  Gilas Pilipinas Men 3x3 completed a flawless group stage campaign to barge into the quarterfinals of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, fending off Kazakhstan, 21-15, on Wednesday at the Kinjo Futo Station Square Venue in Japan. With the victory -- the Filipinos' third straight counting wins against Asian No. 1 Mongolia (19-12) and Sri Lanka (21-12) -- Gilas finished on top of Pool A, officially securing their spot in the quarters. Composed of La Salle's Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo, Santo Tomas' Koji Buenaflor and Binan Tatak Gel's Nic Cabanero, the team will take on Chinese Taipei at 5:30 p.m. (Philippine time) on Thursday. "Nandito na," said coach Patrick Fran, pointing to his bag containing the scouting report and video materials on the Taiwanese. "Ready na." Kazakhstan caught the Philippines—supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission—napping early, jumping out to a 4-1 lead powered by a two-pointer from Timur Tangiyev.  But Gilas quickly regained control behind a strong putback from Buenaflor, highlighted earlier by an emphatic two-handed slam, and a timely two-pointer from Cabañero to construct a 13-9 lead. Although Kazakhstan pulled within one at 13-12 following a basket by Artur Junussov, Gilas responded with a key 8-3 closing run to seal the win with 33 seconds remaining. The late surge was spearheaded by collegiate teammates Pablo and Dungo, who erupted with five of Gilas' final eight points, finishing the contest with six points, three rebounds, and two assists. Cabañero again anchored the scoring with seven points, three rebounds, and an assist, an impressive feat considering he was nursing a sprained, swollen right hand he suffered during Gilas' game against Mongolia on Monday. Pablo provided five points, while Buenaflor contributed three points to round out the balanced attack. Timur Tangiyev led Kazakhstan with six points and eight rebounds as his squad fell to 1-2 in group play. Mansur Seilkhanov contributed four points, with Junussov and Alizhan Ydyryszhan adding three and two points, respectively. TMT

MANILA, Philippines – Art Arbole absorbed Jhonnel Ababa’s early charge, endured a costly back-to-back bogey stretch, then produced the biggest swing of the day on No. 15 to seize back the lead and move within 18 holes of a long-awaited Philippine Golf Tour breakthrough. Arbole delivered a gutsy 68 for a 10-under 200 total Wednesday, overcoming bogeys on Nos. 12 and 13 with a clutch birdie on the 15th, where Ababa stumbled to a bogey after struggling with his approach. That two-shot swing turned what had been a one-shot deficit into a one-stroke lead, restoring Arbole’s momentum and putting him tantalizingly close to the title that has eluded him for 14 years in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic on the scorching Marapara course. “Medyo pressured talaga kasi first time kong mag-lead,” said Arbole. “Pero focus lang talaga sa laro. Kahit nag-bogey sa Nos. 12 and 13, sinunod ko lang ang game plan ko,” said Arbole, heaving a sigh of relief after surviving the toughest stretch of his round. The 35-year-old had been virtually flawless for 38 holes, going bogey-free from the back nine of the opening round through No. 11 of the third round while piling up eight birdies. But his remarkable run unraveled in a hurry on Nos. 12 and 13. He hooked his drive into the water hazard on the par-4 12th, then missed a 10-foot par putt from the bunker on the next hole. Instead of allowing the mistakes to derail him, Arbole treated the two bogeys as something he could absorb. “Good bogeys na rin,” he said. Then came No. 15 – and the turning point of the pivotal round. Arbole hit the shots he needed and converted his birdie chance, calling it almost a fortunate break. “Good tee shot, good second shot, tapos good putt. Lucky birdie,” he said. Ababa, meanwhile, struggled on his approach and needed extra work around the green before settling for a bogey. The result was a dramatic two-shot swing: from trailing by one with four holes remaining, Arbole suddenly led by one. He made pars on the final three holes to preserve the advantage, even after leaving himself with birdie opportunities inside six feet on each of the last three holes. There were no regrets. “Enjoy lang. Shot-by-shot lang ang atake,” said Arbole, who knows that one more solid round could finally deliver the breakthrough he has chased since becoming a professional in 2012. Arbole made the cut in his first professional tournament at Spendido Taal that year but finished last. Fourteen years later, he is now 18 holes away from a first PGT victory – and a potential birthday gift with his 36th birthday coming on Sept. 29. The one-stroke lead, however, offers little room for complacency. Ababa stayed firmly in contention at 201 after matching Arbole’s 68, keeping the championship within his reach and setting up a final-round duel for the P448,750 winner’s purse in the P2.5 million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. More importantly for both players, the title represents unfinished business. Arbole is chasing the breakthrough that has remained elusive throughout his career. Ababa, meanwhile, is seeking to end a two-year title drought. “Kailangan sa back nine maganda talaga ang driving para maka-score. Yun ang importante,” said Ababa, who finally put his struggles on the par-5 18th behind him with a par. His back nine, however, yielded a one-over 36, including the costly bogey on No. 15 that erased what had been an impressive front-nine 32. Still, Ababa remained upbeat about his chances. “Maganda ang laro ko ngayon, especially sa irons at putting,” he said. He also had to contend with a cough and cold brought on by the erratic weather, prompting him to skip his usual post-round range and putting session and head straight home to rest. “Siguro kailangan ko talaga ng pahinga. Pahinga lang muna. Baka swertehin bukas,” he said. Luck, however, may only be a small part of the equation in what promises to be a tense final round. With just one stroke separating Arbole and Ababa, every drive, approach and putt could prove decisive on a Marapara layout that has repeatedly shown how quickly fortunes can change. Jeffren Lumbo remained in third at six-under 204 after a 69, four shots off the pace but still within striking distance on a course where no lead has appeared entirely safe. Defending back-to-back champion Rupert Zaragosa carded a 67 to tie Zanieboy Gialon, who fired the day’s best round of 65, at 205. Clyde Mondilla and Randy Garalde matched 69s for joint sixth at 207. Aidric Chan shot a 67 to join Josh Jorge, who carded a 70, and Guido van der Valk, who slipped to a 73, at 208. Angelo Que, the recent Summit Point leg winner and reigning Order of Merit champion, faltered with a double-bogey on No. 7 and struggled to recover on the back nine, closing with two bogeys against a lone birdie for a 71. The stumble left him tied for 21st at 213, 13 strokes off Arbole, effectively ending his title hopes. But all eyes will be on Arbole and Ababa in the final round, with the former carrying not just a one-shot lead but the weight of a14-year wait. TMT

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino karateka June Marie Adriano snared a bronze medal in the 20th Asian Games women's kumite -50kg class after defeating Taiwanese Chung Ya-Chi, 10-3, in the battle for third place at the Toyohashi Gymnasium in Japan on Wednesday. Adriano gave the Philippines its fifth medal in the continental meet following one silver and three bronzes. The 22-year-old Adriano started her campaign with a 4-3 win over Cambodian Srey Phea Chonn followed by a 4-0 victory over South Korean Yang Yewon to enter the semifinal. Adriano yielded to Tsang Yee Ting of Hong Kong, 4-5, in the semis before bouncing back against Chung in the battle for bronze.

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino karateka Marie June Adriano snared a bronze medal in the 20th Asian Games women's kumite -50kg class after defeating Taiwanese Chung Ya-Chi, 10-3, in the battle for third place at the Toyohashi Gymnasium in Japan on Wednesday. Adriano gave the Philippines its fifth medal in the continental meet following one silver and three bronzes. The 22-year-old Adriano started her campaign with a 4-3 win over Cambodian Srey Phea Chonn followed by a 4-0 victory over South Korean Yang Yewon to enter the semifinal. Adriano yielded to Tsang Yee Ting of Hong Kong, 4-5, in the semis before bouncing back against Chung in the battle for bronze.

Young karateka Marie June Adriano powered past Ya-chi Chung of Chinese Taipei to clinch a bronze medal in the 2026 Asian Games women's kumite -50kg on Wednesday at the Toyohashi Gymnasium in Japan.

Gilas Pilipinas Men 3x3 pulled away late to carve out a 21-15 win over Kazakhstan and complete a group stage sweep of the 2026 Asian Games 3x3 men's basketball on Wednesday at the Kinjo Futo Station Square Venue in Japan.

Jean Claude Saclag's silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games came in mixed martial arts, but his path to the podium started years earlier, across three different combat sports.

NAGOYA—Jean Claude Saclag walked into the cage at the 20th Asian Games carrying more than the weight of a nation’s hopes. But Saclag came up a tad short of accomplishing his mission on Tuesday, as the gallant Filipino warrior bowed to Tajikistan’s Otabek Rajabov in the men’s traditional -65-kilogram mixed martial arts final and settled

SINGAPORE—Alex Eala ripped through forehand topspins and chased down drop shots on Tuesday. Eala played with fire in her eyes, holding nothing back. And this was only practice. Her opponent, Russia’s Tatiana Prozorova, will be bracing for that same tenacious Eala in their round-of-16 match on Thursday at OCBC Arena center court. “There’s a lot

Gilas Pilipinas Women replicated what its men counterpart did the previous day by stunning 3×3 powerhouse Mongolia before dominating Macau to open its Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games campaign on Tuesday. Kacey dela Rosa led the charge in a 17-12 beating of Mongolia, scoring crucial baskets late, which set up a massive day for the halfcourt ladies

NAGOYA—The Philippines ended a nearly seven-decade wait for an Asian Games men’s football victory on Tuesday, beating Kuwait, 2-1, on Andres Aldeguer’s stoppage-time penalty at CS Asset Minato Soccer Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. Aldeguer converted from the spot in the 92nd minute after substitute Jax Peña was fouled inside the box by Saleh Almehtab, giving

The Philippine women’s kata. NAGOYA—The Philippines picked up its third bronze medal of the Asian Games on Tuesday after its women’s karate kata team defeated Thailand for the podium spot and somehow found more satisfaction than Jean Claude Saclag did with his silver. There was also a tinge of disappointment as swimmer Kayla Sanchez narrowly