THE COOP launches an AI-native challenger to iGaming media

JAPAN — Hosts Japan won their third straight Asian Games women's football gold on Friday, edging North Korea on penalties after a 2-2 draw in a dramatic final. Yuzuho Shiokoshi scored the decisive penalty as Japan, who reached the final without conceding a goal, won 5-3 in the shootout to claim the title for the fourth time. North Korea changed their goalkeeper in the final minute of extra time but it was not enough to give them their first gold since 2014. The hosts looked in full control when Mami Ueno gave them the lead in the 32nd minute in Shizuoka. But Jong Kum bundled in an equalizer two minutes into the second half that was eventually given after a VAR check, before Jon Ryong Jong put North Korea ahead in the 69th minute. Japan's Hanon Nishio equalized with four minutes left to send the game into extra time. The teams could not be separated and North Korea brought on substitute goalkeeper Chae Un Gyong to help their cause. Instead it was Japan goalkeeper Shu Ohba who was the hero, stopping Jong's penalty in the only miss of the shootout. North Korea were backed by groups of red-clad supporters among the crowd of over 6,000. Japan and North Korea went into the final having each scored 26 goals in the previous rounds. The two teams had also shared the previous six Asian Games titles, winning three each. Japan coach Michihisa Kano won his first title since replacing Greenland-born Nils Nielsen. Nielsen led Japan to the Asian Cup title in Australia in March but was fired 12 days later. North Korea were looking to extend their astonishing recent run of international success in women's football. They have won three world titles at age-group level in the last two years, and North Korean club Naegohyang Women's FC became Asian champions in May after a final tournament played in South Korea. Women's football is one of the strongest international sports for diplomatically isolated and impoverished North Korea, with their national sides regularly competing at the highest levels in Asia and globally.

Jeus Yape delivered a surprise gold medal for the Philippines in the 2026 Asian Games on Friday as he ruled the mixed virtual taekwondo event in Japan.

NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament San Beda def. San Sebastian, 85-55 Aldous Torculas Player of the Game #NCAASeason102

NAGOYA, Japan — Alexandra Eala admitted on Friday that she gets "overwhelmed sometimes" by the huge weight of expectation placed on her as a trailblazer for tennis in the Philippines. The 21-year-old leaves the Asian Games having fallen short of her ambition to win gold for her country, instead settling for bronze. Eala is followed everywhere by adoring fans eager for a piece of the world number 18, who in August became the first player from the Philippines to win a title on the women's WTA Tour. "I definitely do get overwhelmed sometimes," said Eala. "But I understand that it's such a privilege to be in the position that I'm in and to be able to live out the dreams that I've always had as a kid. "So it's something I've had to accept that it comes with the job, and this is how things are. "I'm ready for the challenge." Eala, who skipped the prestigious China Open in Beijing to play for her country at the Asian Games, said she would take away good memories despite exiting in the semi-finals in a three-set defeat to China's lower-ranked Wang Xinyu. Wang went on to beat compatriot Zhang Shuai to win gold on Friday. "It does come with pressure, but I'm really happy that I was able to compete here," said Eala, who was the top seed. "To be able to share it with the Filipino people is really important," she added. "No regrets. I left everything on the court," said Eala. With Games gold comes direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Eala said it was still her "dream" to play in LA. "There are other ways of qualifying for the Olympics, so I guess it's also an extra motivation," she said. "Competing in the Olympics is definitely a dream of mine. So, if anything, I leave here more motivated."

EJ Castillo dropped 23 points as Emilio Aguinaldo College notched its second straight win at the expense of Lyceum of the Philippines University, 89-79, in the NCAA Season 102 on Friday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

MANILA, Philippines — Olympian Kurt Bryan Barbosa bowed to Kazakhstan’s Tamirlan Tleules, 2-0, and settled for the silver medal in men’s under-58kg taekwondo at the 2026 Asian Games at the Toyohashi City General Gymnasium in Aichi, Japan. After a tight first round, the 27-year-old Barbosa was completely dominated by the 20-year-old Tleules in the match as the Kazakh did not allow the Filipino to score in the second round.

Tokyo Olympian and taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa captured another silver medal for the Philippines in the 2026 Asian Games after falling short against Kazakhstan"s Tamirlan Tlueles in the men"s 58kg final on Friday in Japan.

MANILA, Philippines — Teenager Tachiana Mangin faltered in the gold medal match against world taekwondo champion Jingyue Ma of China in the women’s under-49 kilogram (kg), 2-0, to cop a silver medal in her Asian Games debut on Friday night. The 18-year-old Mangin was outplayed by the 25-year-old Ma, who showed more precise kicks over the Filipina.

Taekwondo jin Tachiana Mangin of the Philippines settled for silver in the 2026 Asian Games after falling short against China"s Ma Jingyue in the women"s 49kg final on Friday in Japan.

NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament   EAC def. Lyceum, 89-79  EJ Castillo Player of the Game #NCAASeason102

Wasting no time in showcasing his budding potential in the seniors division, reigning UAAP high school season and finals Most Valuable Player Cabs Cabonilas is already staking his claim as one of the main protagonists for a stacked Far Eastern University squad.

Kaila Napolis scored a bronze medal in the 2026 Asian Games after defeating Mongolia"s Tsagaanbileg Altangerel in the women"s 52kg bronze medal match on Friday in Japan.