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MANILA, Philippines — Olympic bronze medalist Eumir Marcial has a heavyweight in his corner. SportsPlus, the country’s premier sportsbook, has partnered with the Filipino boxing star for his last two professional bouts, supporting him as he continues his pursuit of a world championship. Marcial, 8-0 with 5 knockouts as a professional, is coming off a highlight-reel victory after stopping Omar Huerta via third-round knockout earlier this month in California, USA. Reflecting on his professional journey, Marcial credited SportsPlus for playing an important role in his development inside and outside the ring. “First of all, I’m truly honored and grateful that SportsPlus PH believed in me and did not hesitate to support me. They made me feel that I can become a world champion someday as a professional boxer,” Marcial said. “They are there to help and support me as I take every step in my career. From the 50th Anniversary of Thrilla in Manila to my fight against Huerta, they have been there, backing me and supporting me every step of the way.” Beyond his own partnership with SportsPlus, the 30-year-old Marcial, who hails from Lunzuran, Zamboanga City, also acknowledged the company’s broader support for Filipino athletes through its partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). “I’m also very happy because they don’t just support me in my professional fights. They also support us national athletes through their partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee,” Marcial said. “SportsPlus also supports the grassroots program that I’m building right now. Every time I need support, they are there. They believe Filipino athletes deserve recognition not only in the Philippines, but around the world,” he continued. “They also believe that through sports, you can build a better future and achieve success. That’s why SportsPlus’ trust and support mean so much to me. They are not just a sponsor; they truly believe in me, in Filipino athletes, and in Philippine sports.” At 5-foot-11, Marcial also cross-trains in basketball and is part of the Zamboanga SiKat roster in the ongoing SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season. But while Marcial enjoys being on the basketball court, his primary focus remains boxing. “I hope this journey with SportsPlus continues until we finally win the world championship belt,” said Marcial, who has been promised a world title shot next year by PBC and his longtime adviser and matchmaker Sean Gibbons. SportsPlus Head of Brand Marketing Paul Macalindong expressed equal enthusiasm about the partnership. “SportsPlus and Eumir Marcial’s partnership is built on shared values of integrity, excellence, and a deep commitment to sports. We believe in the potential of Filipino athletes, and we firmly believe that Eumir has what it takes to become a world champion,” Macalindong said. Marcial has already demonstrated the talent, determination, and resilience required to compete at the highest level. With SportsPlus continuing to support his professional journey, the Filipino boxing star remains focused on the ultimate goal—a world championship. TMT

MANILA, Philippines — Zamboanga SiKat asserted its superiority over Imus Yangkee, 86-61, on Monday to keep its playoff drive going in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Calapan City Coliseum in Oriental Mindoro. Improving on their 102-82 thumping of the Yangkees in their first encounter this year, the Zamboanguenos led by as many as 31 points (62-31) to arrange a knockout match with either the Mindoro Tamaraws or the Basilan Steel, who are battling each other in the second game, for the eighth and last quarterfinal slot in the South Division. All 15 Zamboanga players scored, led by Brandon Wilson with 12 points plus rebounds; Levi Hernandez, with 10 points plus 6 rebounds; Joseph Gabayni, with 7 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists; John Arthur Calisay, with 7 points and 4 rebounds; and Robin Rono, with 7 points and 4 assists. It was Paeng Are, the MPBL's first One Versus One champion, who was chosen the SportsPlus best player with 12 assists, 3 steals, 3 points and 2 rebounds. Zamboanga, with Calisay and Puray outscoring the entire Imus crew, 13-11 stormed ahead at halftime, 56-31, and never looked back. The Zamboanguenos ruled the boards, 61-40, and turned that into more points in the paint, 44-20. Imus concluded its campaign this year, putting to waste Dylan Darbin's 17 points and Ian Pardo's 16. The MPBL first held its games in Calapan in 2023 at the nearby Sentrong Pangkabataan Gym. Pola Mayor Jennifer "Ina Alegre" Cruz, team owner of the Mindoro Tamaraws, and Calapan City Mayor Doy Leachon led thousands of spectators who filled the newly inaugurated coliseum. TMT

T-Mc Ongotan dropped a career-high 29 points as Arellano University squeaked past Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 82-81, in the NCAA Season 102 on Monday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

MANILA, Philippines — Arellano University snapped Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s three-game winning streak, 82-82, to stay flawless in Group B of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Monday night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. T-mc Ongotan posted a career-high performance of 29 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals to help the Arellano Chiefs enjoy a 4-0 win-loss record. Karl Flores added 10 markers, while King Vinoya, Basti Valencia, and Ernjay Geronimo added nine points each for the team’s victory. Playing without Titing Manalili, Chad Gammad led the scoring for the Knights with 23 points, while rookie Justine Cargo added 20 points; all went down the drain.

NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament   Arellano def. Letran, 82-81 T-MC Ongotan  Player of the Game #NCAASeason102

CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls have acquired veteran guard Buddy Hield and cash from the Charlotte Hornets for guard Rob Dillingham. The teams announced the trade on Sunday. Hield, 33, is on the move for the second time in five days. He was traded from Atlanta to Charlotte on Tuesday. Hield played for Golden State and Atlanta last season, averaging 7.6 points in 51 games. He was traded from the Warriors to the Hawks in February. Chicago, which went 31-51 last season, is rebuilding under new leadership. Bryson Graham was hired as executive vice president of basketball operations in May, and Tiago Splitter was hired as coach in June. The Bulls selected Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain in the first round of the draft in June. They also signed Norman Powell in free agency. Dillingham, who turns 22 in January, was the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft. He was traded from Minnesota to Chicago in the Ayo Dosunmu deal in February. The North Carolina native averaged 6.3 points and 2.2 assists in 65 games last season. Dillingham joins a Charlotte team that went 44-38 last year in its first winning season since 2021-22. The Hornets beat the Miami Heat 127-126 in the NBA's play-in tournament before being eliminated by the Orlando Magic in their next game.

Alex Eala will team up with Shaira Rivera as the Filipina tandem begins its women's doubles campaign in the 2026 Asian Games on Tuesday.

Alex Eala will square off against Joanna Garland, the highest-ranked player of Chinese Taipei, in the women's singles quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Games tennis competition.

Rookie Jamal Diaz delivered in the clutch as Mapua University broke through in NCAA Season 102 with a 55-54 victory over San Beda University on Monday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

Carlo Paalam kept the Philippines" boxing gold medal hopes alive after beating China"s Zhang Jiamao by split decision in the men"s 55kg quarterfinals at the 2026 Asian Games on Monday.

MANILA, Philippines — Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 Asian Games men’s 55-kilogram (kg) boxing event after defeating Jiamao Zhang of China via split decision on Monday afternoon in Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Paalam almost spent a year outside of the ring and even skipped the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand—proving that he’s hungrier than ever to top his 2018 bronze finish at the Jakarta Asian Games.  The 28-year-old Paalam opened the first round strong after sending his opponent to the ropes, allowing three judges to score in his favor. The 27-year-old Zhang started to counter Paalam’s attack in the second round, dictating the first minute. However, Paalam changed his game plan and landed better blows, showing he was not overwhelmed by China’s attacks. Paalam gained four nods of the judges in the second round. Frustration showed on Zhang’s side as he tackled Paalam to the ground in the third round. However, Paalam remained tactical and threw one-two punches and made more jabs to secure his win.

MANILA, Philippines — The Mapua University suffered a three-game skid before scoring a breakthrough victory against the defending champion San Beda University, 55-54, in Group A of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Monday afternoon at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. Mapua had a tough string of losses and finally cracked through the win column with the late-game heroics of Jamal Diaz, who was responsible to turn things around when San Beda was leading by 54-49 in the last one minute and 25 seconds of the final canto.  Diaz drained a triple with 54 ticks left, as San Beda's Sean Torculas missed a two-point jump shot.  With under 20 seconds left, Diaz delivered another triple with 12 seconds left that allowed Mapua to earn a 55-54 lead.  The Cardinals played hard-nosed defense, preventing San Beda from converting any points in the dying seconds of the match.  Diaz finished with eight points along with five rebounds.  Marc Cuenco led the scoring for Mapua with 19 points.  San Beda was led by Richi Calimag, who poured in 18 points, while Lawrence Hawkins made 13 markers along with eight rebounds.