Bright future ahead for Azkals and football 7s in PH

Greg Cunanan buried the biggest basket of the game to help Lyceum of the Philippine University get one over its perennial tormentor San Beda University, 64-62, in the NCAA Season 100 on Tuesday.

Paul George, the nine-time NBA All-Star who joined Philadelphia as a free-agent in the off-season, hyper-extended his left knee in a pre-season victory over the Atlanta Hawks, the team said Monday.

The 8th edition of the Speed-Chess IIEE-Bayanihan Knockout Armageddon Tournament or SIKAT will be held in Pakil, Laguna on November 9, 2024. The event in Pakil was pushed by 2020 IIEE national president Rod Pecolera, who has roots in the said town where he intends to share his expertise and engineering services. "Playing chess is the right one direction for all the youngster and all commoners in the community of Pakil," said Pecolera. The champions in the previous editions of SIKAT include Fide Master Noel Dela Cruz, Fide Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca, National Master Marlon Bernardino, Kevin Arquero and Sherwin Tiu. All SIKAT champions and the runners-ups (from the losers bracket) will meet again in the Armageddon Battle of Champions (ABC) during the Philippine Sports Expo to be held in SMX MOA on November 28-30 as part of the activities during the 49th IIEE National Convention. In Pakil, a 20-board simultaneous chess exhibition games will be played by Daniel Quizon, the country's newest chess grandmaster. Another set of simultaneous games will be performed by Bernardino, who recently topped a tournament in Laos. Actor Jao Mapa, who is also a chess enthusiast, will play a one-on-one game with Pecolera, who is also being called by close friends as Direk Rowell for having a resemblance to actor/director Rowell Santiago. Meanwhilem in the second conference of Season 4 of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), the IIEE-PSME Quezon City Simba's Tribe won over Arriba Iriga, 12-9. The Simba's Tribe is bannered by NM Bernardino, NM Nicomedes Alisangco, Jellie Ann Magro, Danilo Ponay, Norman Madriaga and the twins Francis and Freddie Talaboc. In the IIEE National Chess Olympiad Season 6, the IIEE Metro Central team led by NM Bernardino claimed its third win against IIEE Metro South, 33-21, to take the top spot in the 20-team tournament. GEP won over Metro East (47-35) in the other match up in Group D.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard will miss the entire preseason due to a right knee injury that calls into question his availability for the start of the regular season.

La Salle moved on from the alleged “spit-or-not?” incident that dominated the most recent conversation on the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament. It didn’t take long for University of the Philippines (UP) to do the same. “I let that go,” said UP’s Reyland Torres, one of the prime figures of the controversy where Archers

Eric Jed Olivarez secured his spot in the finals of the Rep. Edwin Olivarez National Open tennis championship with a gritty win over Loucas Fernandez, 6-0, 7-6(0), at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque last Monday, Oct. 14.

Rain or Shine import Aaron Fuller knew that it isn’t impossible to get out of a 0-3 hole in a best-of-seven semifinal series. But against a traditional powerhouse looking to keep its lofty perch in the PBA Governors’ Cup? Fuller chose not to go through the trouble of fighting through that deficit during the PBA

The supreme art of war, the Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu wrote, is to subdue the enemy without fighting. A thorough beating handed to a semifinal foe, a series of dagger looks and five seconds in the title bout were all Hergie Bacyadan needed to force China’s Teng Jinwei to surrender the gold in the Asian

Atlanta Hawks Last season: 36-46, 10th in Eastern Conference. Coach: Quin Snyder (3rd season with Hawks, 11th overall, 418-321). Departures: G Dejounte Murray, G AJ Griffin, F Saddiq Bey, F Fernando Bruno, G Wesley Matthews Additions: G-F Zaccharie Risacher, G Dyson Daniels, PF-C Larry Nance Jr., F David Roddy, C Cody Zeller, G-F Nikola Djurisic, F Dominick Barlow BetMGM championship odds: 500-1 What to expect Landing Risacher with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft after having Jalen Johnson emerge in his third season gives the Hawks reason for hope. That may not be enough to rescue a roster that could be facing more turnover following the decision to trade Trae Young's backcourt partner Dejounte Murray to New Orleans for four veterans and two future first-round draft picks. Young remains the figurehead of the franchise as he enters his seventh season, but the 6-foot-9 Risacher already has demonstrated in the preseason he can add flash and excitement to the team. Risacher made a bounce pass between his legs to the trailing Clint Capela for a fast-break layup while scoring 18 points in the preseason opening win over Indiana. Risacher will play an immediate prominent role on the wing. Strengths and weaknesses The good: Even after trading Murray, the Hawks have options with Bogdan Bogdanovic, De'Andre Hunter, Daniels and Risacher on the wing. Daniels also should boost the defense, while Nance adds needed size inside. Jalen Johnson's role as an emerging go-to scoring complement to Young should only be solidified following the trade of Murray. The not-so-good: Decisions must be made about Capela, who can be a free agent next season, and Hunter, whose struggles with injuries have prevented him from sharing the scoring lead with Young. A slow start by the team could lead to more moves which could make the trade of Murray look like only the start of a roster overhaul. Players to watch Snyder says he has been impressed by Risacher's work ethic and feel for the game, and a big rookie season by the 19-year-old French star could accelerate the team's path for a return to the playoffs. Johnson played like a rising All-Star by averaging 16 points and 8.7 rebounds last season. With Murray gone, Kobe Bufkin should play behind Young. Onyeka Okongwu already has earned an even share of playing time with Capela and could be ready to take over the starting job at center.

SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA—The Philippine Azkals were busy doing whatever they can to shake off the disappointment of losing a heartbreaker to Japan in the final of the Asia 7s Championship when Misagh Bahadoran took it upon himself to address the team. “Don’t cry now, cry after the game,” Bahadoran said inside the Azkals tent after

Charlotte Hornets Last season: 21-61, missed playoff for eight straight season Coach: Charles Lee (first-time NBA head coach, hired May 9). Departures: F Davis Bertans, F Aleksej Pokusevski, G Bryce McGowens. Additions: G Josh Green, F Taj Gibson, F Tidjane Salaun, G K.J. Simpson. BetMGM championship odds: 1000-1. What to expect It's the start of a new era in Charlotte with Charles Lee taking over as head coach. Lee won NBA titles as an assistant coach in Milwaukee and Boston, so he has a winning pedigree that has resonated with players. He has been stressing the importance of defense since his arrival — and that goes for everyone, including point guard LaMelo Ball. The Hornets ranked near the bottom of the league in most defensive categories a season ago, including rebounding and 3-point defense. This is a team that has some firepower on offense with Ball, Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges, but will need to stay healthy if it hopes to snap a league-long eight-year playoff drought. Strengths and weaknesses The good: Charlotte has a quality young core in Ball, Miller, Bridges and center Mark Williams and Josh Green as its starting five, so there is reason to be optimistic about the future. Depth has been an issue, but the Hornets are getting better with Vasi Micic, Grant Williams, Tre Mann, Cody Martin and Seth Curry coming off the bench. The problem over the last two seasons has been keeping guys on the floor. If the Hornets buy into Lee's defense-first approach and can stay healthy then the playoffs are not out of question. The not-so-good: The Hornets lack a quality center who can get them a big basket inside when they need it. The 7-foot Williams is long and plays good defense, but neither he nor backup Nick Richards is particularly known for their scoring. That means Charlotte's offense mainly comes from outside of the paint and from a lot 3-pointers. Ball and Miller both can fill it up. On-ball defense has been issue for this team, but the addition of Green and the return of Martin from an injury should help. Players to watch All eyes will be on Ball this year to see if he can stay on the court and return to an All-Star level. Ball has managed to play in just 58 of 164 games over the past two seasons due to ankle injuries. He plans to wear braces to begin the season. When he's played, Ball has been really good. He averaged 23.9 points and 8 assists per game in 2023-24 and is a 37.4% career shooter from 3-point range. Without a healthy Ball, it's hard to imagine the Hornets going far.

Milwaukee Bucks Last season: 49-33, lost to Indiana in first round of playoffs. Coach: Doc Rivers (2nd season with Bucks, 26th season overall, 1,896-1,114) Departures: F Thanasis Antetokounmpo, G Malik Beasley, G Patrick Beverley, F Jae Crowder, F Danilo Gallinari Additions: G AJ Johnson, F Taurean Prince, F Tyler Smith, G Gary Trent Jr., G Delon Wright BetMGM championship odds: 14-1 What to expect The Bucks once again have one of the league's top trios in two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, seven-time all-NBA guard Damian Lillard and three-time All-Star Khris Middleton. The trick is keeping all of them healthy. Antetokounmpo didn't play at all in Milwaukee's first-round playoff loss to Indiana last season and missed multiple games in Milwaukee's 2023 first-round playoff exit. Middleton has played a combined 74 games over the last two regular seasons. Milwaukee is hopeful that it will fare better this year now that it's had more time to adapt to Lillard and Rivers. The Bucks acquired Lillard shortly before training camp last year. Rivers was working as an ABC broadcaster until he got hired in late January after the Bucks fired Adrian Griffin. The Bucks often lacked cohesiveness as they adjusted to so much change. That shouldn't bea problem this season. Strengths and weaknesses The good: Antetokounmpo remains one of the league's top two or three players. Lillard didn't work out much while awaiting a trade in the summer of 2023 because he didn't want to risk getting hurt. He will open this season in much better shape. Middleton says he's feeling fine after undergoing offseason surgery on each of his ankles. Even as they struggled last season, the Bucks were dominant whenever Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Middleton and 7-footer Brook Lopez were on the floor together. They should have that combination on the floor more often this season. The not-so-good: Depth remains a major issue. Given their salary-cap constraints, the Bucks did well in adding Prince, Trent and Wright as veteran free agents. But this remains a very top-heavy roster, so the Bucks can't afford to have Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Middleton or Lopez miss significant time. The Bucks must replace Beasley, who made 77 starts with Milwaukee last season before signing with the Detroit Pistons. Age also is a major concern. Middleton is 33, Lillard 34 and Lopez 36. Players to watch Lillard was a seven-time all-NBA guard in 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, but he didn't get a single all-NBA vote his first year in Milwaukee. The Bucks need him to regain that all-NBA form. Middleton has to stay healthy. The Bucks also must have Antetokounmpo continue playing like one of the best players on the planet. Off the bench, the Bucks would love to see Bobby Portis pick up where he left off last year, and they'd also benefit from a bounce-back season by Pat Connaughton.

Juan Soto homered during New York’s three-run third inning, Carlos Rodón got his first postseason win and the Yankees took advantage of Cleveland’s wildness in a 5-2 victory on Monday night, Oct. 14, in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series.

Oklahoma City Thunder Last season: 57-25, lost to Dallas in second round of playoffs. Coach: Mark Daigneault (5th season, 143-175). Departures: G Josh Giddey, G Lindy Waters III. Additions: G Alex Caruso, C Isaiah Hartenstein. BetMGM championship odds: +650. What to expect Oklahoma City returns nearly the entire core of a team that earned the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs last season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was runner-up for the league MVP award after averaging 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.2 assists. At age 26, he's just hitting his prime. His confidence is at an all-time high after dominating at the Olympics for Canada. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are potential All-Stars. The Thunder addressed their rebounding issue by adding Isaiah Hartenstein from the New York Knicks. Add the reigning NBA Coach of the Year in Mark Daigneault, and it appears the Thunder's quick rise from lottery team two years ago could continue. A trip to the NBA Finals and a championship are legitimate possibilities. Strengths and weaknesses The good: Oklahoma City is equally tough on offense and defense. The Thunder feature the versatile, high-scoring Gilgeous-Alexander on offense, with Williams and Holmgren as capable secondary ballhandlers and floor spacers. On defense, Oklahoma City has added Alex Caruso, a veteran who can share the defensive stopper role with Lu Dort, and Hartenstein, a rebounder and rim protector with some bulk. Oklahoma City's depth was exceptional last season, and most of the top reserves are back. The not-so-good: The Thunder had great chemistry last season, but now they will have to work in two significant pieces in Caruso and Hartenstein. That could take some time and might cost them some games early if the blending process isn't smooth. The Thunder also lost their best passer in Giddey — a maestro who took pressure off Gilgeous-Alexander — in the trade with Chicago that brought Caruso. And Oklahoma City will not sneak up on anyone. This is the first time in years that the Thunder open the season as a target. It's unclear how the team will handle its new position in the league. Players to watch Holmgren is perhaps the closest thing to San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama that anyone else has in the league, and he's surrounded by talent. He's the ideal new-age player – on offense, a 7-foot-1 big man who is a skilled passer, shooter and ballhandler and on defense, a rim protector who can guard all positions. G Cason Wallace also could see more minutes with Giddey gone. He made the All-Rookie second team last season, despite playing limited minutes because of Oklahoma City's depth.

Dallas Mavericks Last season: 50-32, lost to Boston in NBA Finals. Coach: Jason Kidd (fifth season with Mavericks, 10th season overall, 323-296). Departures: F Derrick Jones Jr., G Josh Green, G Tim Hardaway Jr. Aadditions: G Klay Thompson, F Naji Marshall, G Spencer Dinwiddie, G Quentin Grimes. BetMGM championship odds: 12-1. What to expect The Mavericks addressed their biggest scoring need by adding Thompson in a sign-and-trade after their first trip to the NBA Finals since winning their only title in 2011. Dallas will expect nothing less than another deep playoff run with Thompson playing alongside fellow stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. It will be an adjustment for Thompson, though. He spent his first 13 seasons with the Golden State Warriors and helped them win four championships. Thompson is coming off his lowest scoring average since his second season, and the five-time All-Star shot less than 40% from 3-point range for just the second time in his career. Strengths and weaknesses The good: Playing with Doncic and Irving should mean a lot of great looks for Thompson, and the pick-and-roll could be dangerous if Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford stay healthy. Lively and Gafford showed in the playoffs they can be a potent tandem in the middle. Lively is among the most promising big men in the league after debuting as a 19-year-old and having a strong rookie year coming out of Duke. He did miss time with injuries, though. The not-so-good: Dallas' most important defensive player last season was Jones, and the club hoped to bring him back. Instead, Jones signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Clippers, who lost to the Mavs in the first round of the playoffs. That will leave plenty to prove on defense for a team with the offensive star power of Doncic, Irving and Thompson. Grimes, acquired from Detroit for Hardaway, could play a role along with Marshall, a free agent pickup. Players to watch Plenty of eyes will be on Thompson in his first season without Splash Brother Stephen Curry, not to mention star forward Draymond Green. How Thompson, Doncic and Irving complement each other will be one of the bigger storylines in the NBA. The return Dinwiddie is intriguing. He played a big role in the Mavs' run to the 2022 Western Conference finals as an addition at the trade deadline. Now he's back after a season-plus away when Dinwiddie was shipped to Brooklyn in the blockbuster deal for Irving.

It was a few minutes after Denver's reign as NBA champion had come to an end last spring. The Minnesota Timberwolves were celebrating, their music and screams loud enough to be heard inside the room where Nuggets coach Michael Malone was somberly going through his final postgame news conference of the season. In that moment, it was official: Another season was going by without the NBA having a back-to-back champion, and Malone was left to state what has become obvious. "It is hard. It is hard. It is hard to repeat," Malone said. "It's hard to win." He's right. And there's never been an era in NBA history where it's been harder. Here are the last six NBA champions, in order: Toronto, the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee, Golden State, Denver and now Boston. That's six different title-winning franchises in six seasons, a run of parity that the league has seen only once before — nearly a half-century ago. The days of dynasties may be on hold for now, replaced by a time when, for a variety of reasons, it's more difficult than usual to get to the NBA mountaintop and stay there. It's the Celtics' turn to try to buck that trend. "It's always hard to win one," said Boston guard Jrue Holiday, who won a title with Milwaukee in 2021 and was part of the Bucks team that was ousted in Round 2 a year later. "But then to win back-to-back is even harder." The NBA doesn't seem to mind. This is the Parity Era and the current collective bargaining agreement figures to make it even tougher for teams to be dynastic — a swift change from the four-year run spanning 2015 through 2018 when Cleveland and Golden State got to the finals annually. In simple terms, the more that teams spend, the harder it is now to make moves, especially moves involving big-contract players. The latest CBA, which went into effect last year, includes two aprons over the luxury tax figure. Go over the first apron, your roster flexibility is hampered. Go over the second one, and it's severely hampered. It could be argued there haven't been rule changes this significant since the league changed the lottery odds and added a play-in tournament to discourage tanking. An example: it recently took Minnesota and New York several days to complete a deal a couple weeks ago after agreeing on the parameters — Karl-Anthony Towns going to the Knicks, Julius Randle and Donte DiVencenzo going to the Wolves — because the financial particulars needed to be very precise. "The new rules ... some of the consequences are unintended, quite frankly," Wolves President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly was quoted by ESPN saying. "I don't know if anyone intended to make it this challenging to make moves, to make trades when you're above certain aprons." No, that's exactly what the NBA wanted. "I don't want to say nothing is lost, but to me, I don't think our system, by definition, will prevent repeat championships," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. "I think that, yes, it makes it less likely, but we didn't set out to say, 'Let's make sure there's a different champion every year.' I think, again, it goes more to equality of opportunity. But I think in the same vein, I think there's real incentive for players to stay in markets." Nobody would say all 30 teams enter this season with a realistic title chance. But there are more true hopefuls than there were just a few seasons ago. Last year, 12 teams entered the year with title odds of 25-1 or shorter. Six years earlier, at the peak of the Warriors-Cavs run, there were only three such teams. "The league's looking for parity," Washington general manager Will Dawkins said. "And flattening the lottery odds, adding in the second apron, all of those things are things that are supposed to contribute to that." None of the previous five champions, not including the reigning Celtics (the overwhelming favorite to win this season's title, according to BetMGM Sportsbook), even made it back to the finals the following season. That matches the longest such drought in NBA history, last done when the champions from 1973 through 1977 — in order, New York, Boston, Golden State, Boston again and then Portland — were all ousted in the conference finals or earlier. A few years ago, most teams probably didn't think they had a realistic chance. That's different row. "I just think all of it is setting up to be more competitive, more teams going for it. And that's when it gets fun, when there's not much difference between teams," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. "It'll be how teams can manage all those different emotions and the competitive spirit throughout the course of a season. It gets uncomfortable at times. I love it. It's awesome for the league, it's great for viewership, it's great for the fans. It's ultimately what you want."

San Beda University and Mapua University, the two finalists last season, will look to tighten their grip on the second spot when they tackle separate foes on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 100.

“It was everything and more,” James said Monday, Oct. 14, before Los Angeles departed for two preseason games this week against Curry’s Golden State Warriors.

The Quezon Huskers waxed hot in the second half to batter the Negros Muscovados, 94-66, on Monday, Oct. 14, and advance to the South Division semifinals in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum in Zamboanga City.

Việt Nam's unexpected performance over the last few months leaves much work to do before their AFF Cup campaign kicks off in early December.

MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas fell victim to University of the Philippines at the start of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball second round. The loss extended the Growling Tigers’ losing streak against the Fighting Maroons to eight dating back to 2022 when Goldwin Monteverde took over as UP’s head coach. Despite the defeat, UST

Los Angeles pitcher Jack Flaherty dominated over seven scoreless innings and the Dodgers shut out the New York Mets 9-0 on Sunday in Game 1 of Major League Baseball’s National League Championship Series. Mookie Betts delivered a three-run double. Max Muncy drove in two runs and Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani singled in a run and

MANILA, Philippines—National University may have lost another game in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament but Reinhard Jumamoy kept a positive outlook after the buzzer. Following the Bulldogs’ close 70-68 loss to Ateneo at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Jumamoy expressed pride in going up against fellow Cebuano and Blue Eagles rookie Jared Bahay. “I

The Philippine Men's National Football Team struck true, 3-0, to defeat Tajikistan and claim the bronze medal in the 50th King's Cup on Monday in Songkhla, Thailand.

DEFENDING champion San Beda University looks to extend its winning streak when it faces win-hungry Lyceum of the Philippines University in the NCAA 100 men's basketball tournament on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City. The Red Lions avenged their first-round loss against the Arellano University (3-7) last October 12, to pick up their fourth straight win, and tally a 7-3 win-loss card, while the Pirates opened their first round with a victory against Colegio de San Juan de Letran to keep their Final Four hopes alive (5-5). In their first-round meet, San Beda gave opening day blues to Lyceum after a 79-63 win, opening their title defense bid on a high note. Former Far Eastern University player Bryan Sajonia stepped up for the Red Lions with his 18-point outing against the Pirates, showing that the team is well all right without star shooter Jacob Cortez, who already transferred to De La Salle University. Lyceum's veterans Mclaude Guadaña and John Barba tried to lift their squad with their 22 and 13 points, respectively, but it was not enough to overcome the Red Lions. In San Beda's game against Arellano in the second round, Bismarck Lina showed that he is ready and fully recovered from his anterior cruciate ligament injury after chipping in 19 points, and nine rebounds to lift his squad. "I am very happy, I warned the team about how the other teams are battling now for position, especially now in the second round, we saw what happened yesterday, the bottom teams took down the top teams since the other teams are looking for the slot. I am just happy that the team responded to that warning," head coach Yuri Escueta said. With head tactician Escueta having more cards to play in Round 2 of the season, Lyceum's head coach Gilbert Malabanan also pulled up one from his deck as John Bravo, who missed seven games in the first round due to his spine injury played, and made an impactful performance of 10 points, and eight rebounds against Letran. "We have a goal, and we need to do everything that we can control, since we have goal in mind, and we are slowly working on that in our practices," Malabanan said. The Pirates look to muster all their strength in facing the defending champions to have better chances of making it to the Final Four with veteran John Barba, the current top scorer of the league, leading the team. However, Lyceum needs more players to step up as San Beda has lofty snipers in its lineup with second-stringers Penny Estacio, Emman Tagle, and AJ Royo's efficient three-point shooting. The clash begins at 11 a.m. At 2:30 p.m. the dark horse Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) (5-5) looks to take its second straight win against Mapua University (7-3). Mapua seeks to bolster its Final Four bid and improved to 8-3 with Clint Escamis, and promising rookie Chris Hubilla leading the squad. However, EAC's King Gurtiza will try once more to live up to his name and assert his dominance, with the help of Kyle Ochavo's veteran moves inside the court.

(UPDATE) SIXTEEN Filipino jiu-jitsu practitioners scored gold medals at the recent Sports Jiu-jitsu International Federation World Championship in Nagoya, Japan. Headlining the champions was Brielle Bartolome, who won both in the gi and no gi divisions. Playing as a kindergarten featherweight in the no gi category, Bartolome submitted Peng Nian of China via armbar to win the gold in the first round. Bartolome then outpointed Nishimoto Wakana of Japan to rule the kindergarten gi rooster-weight division gold medal. Also dominating the field was youth light featherweight no gi fighter Marcus de la Cruz, who submitted all his opponents en route to the gold. He defeated China's Ma Haisen in the final round. Youth gi featherweight champion Cesca Lepiten also submitted all her opponents to capture the gold, winning her last two including the final against Kimura Alana Liu via armbar in the second round. Pre-teen no gi middleweight Thiago Bartolome also submitted his way to the championship after forcing Laptev Maksim to tap out after an Americana hold. "I am very happy that our Philippine Junior Grappling Team comprised of different Deftac chapters are showing everyone how hard they work and how good they really are," Deftac and Universal Reality Combat Championship founder and president Alvin Aguilar said. Aguilar said all the medalists are members of the Wrestling Association of the Philippines-RP Junior Grappling Team. Also going home as champions were Claudia Lepiten in the toddler gi light featherweights, Tessa Joson in the junior teen featherweights, Ali Joson in the kindergarten no gi rooster-weights, Tomas Joson in the youth rooster-weights, Ethan Ramos in the pre-teen lightweights, and Uno Ordona in the pre-teen medium heavyweights.

University of the Philippines player Reyland Torres broke his silence on Sunday after the incident involving him and De La Salle University head coach Topex Robinson during the two teams' match last October 6.

(UPDATE) THE country's top lady golfers are gearing up for a thrilling final stretch in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour as they brace for a fierce battle in the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge, which reels off on Tuesday at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Murcia, Negros Occidental. With the season nearing its conclusion, and only the Match Play Championship at The Country Club in Laguna next month remaining, the contenders are eager to make their mark in this second-to-last 54-hole stroke play tournament of the year. Despite tempered expectations, each player is determined to make a strong bid for the title. Sarah Ababa, fresh off a gritty win in Iloilo, where she secured her second crown of the season, is looking to carry over her momentum. However, she is downplaying her chances of back-to-back victories, opting instead to focus on a steady game plan. She will once again be joined by her father-caddie, Edgar, a partnership that has led to two wins this year, including a home victory in Davao last March. "I'm just hoping for another solid performance, but I'm keeping my expectations in check," said Ababa in Filipino, acknowledging the challenge posed by the strong field. Among those contenders is veteran Chihiro Ikeda, whose missed birdie opportunities down the stretch in Iloilo cost her a playoff chance against Ababa. Mafy Singson, who carded a closing 68 in Iloilo to finish tied for third with Mikha Fortuna, is optimistic about her chances of claiming her first professional title after scoring two LPGT victories as an amateur. Fortuna, the reigning Match Play champion, also looks to ride the wave of her strong finish in Iloilo and contend this week and in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Challenge next week. Attention will also be on Chanelle Avaricio and Daniella Uy, two of the tour's heavy hitters. Both faltered in the second round in Iloilo, with Avaricio finishing fifth and Uy rallying with a 69 to secure sixth place. They will be looking to shake off those missteps and return to form on a course that rewards calculated risks but punishes any errors. Princess Superal, a former Asia-Pacific champion, is eager to make a strong comeback. After a promising start in Iloilo, she stumbled with a final round 77, dropping her to a tie for seventh with Kayla Nocum and Forest Hills runner-up Gretchen Villacencio.

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas roared back from two sets down for a reverse sweep over University of the East, 23-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17, 15-9, to emerge unbeaten in Pool B of the 2024 Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Angge Poyos took over in the fifth set, banging in crucial hits as the Growling Tigresses pulled away early to complete a four-game sweep of the opening pool stage and build momentum heading into the next round. The sophomore winger scored eight of her game-high 28 points in the deciding frame including the match-clinching spike from the left corner to finish off the erstwhile undefeated Lady Warriors in the thrilling two-hour, 27-minute match in the tournament backed by Shakey's Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R and B Milk Tea and Summit Water. Poyos smashed in 25 attacks and three kill blocks. Regina Jurado added 15 points while Jonna Perdido finished with 14 markers for UST, which halted UE's three-game romp. Poyos went on a tear at the start of the deciding frame, scoring four hits in the Tigresses' hot 5-0 start. The Lady Warriors tried to push back with Casiey Dongallo scoring a kill to cut their deficit to three, 11-8, only for UST to answer with three straight points punctuated by a Jurado attack. Dongallo saved a match point but it was too late as Poyos fired back to seal the deal. Jelai Gajero and Dongallo paced UE with 14 points each and a combined 27 kills while KC Cepada had 11 markers. The Tigresses will battle Far Eastern University and the second ranked teams in Pool A and C in another round-robin play for one of the two twice-to-beat quarterfinals advantages at stake.

(UPDATE) UP Fighting Maroons' Reyland Torres said the spitting controversy between him and De La Salle coach Topex Robinson that started in their game on Oct. 6, 2024 is already water under the bridge. "I just focused on our team," said Torres on Sunday as he and the Maroons defeated the UST Growling Tigers, 83-73, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. "I already let go of it (spitting controversy). What's more important to me is my team, each one of us. I'm over and done with it. I'm onto the next game. We have a goal as a team and that's what I'm going to focus on." Torres logged four points, five assists, and three rebounds for UP which bounced back from its loss to La Salle last timeout compounded by that spitting controversy, where rumors spread that Robinson spat on Torres in the third frame of their game. Robinson denied the allegation on Saturday when his La Salle beat UE, 77-68, but admitted to shouting at Torres and apologized for it. The UAAP released a statement on the same day, saying that if found no conclusive evidence to support the allegations hurled on Robinson as well as those that said Torres used profane language against the coach. The league, however, issued a stern warning for both parties due to unsportsmanlike conduct they showed. The UAAP found that Torres passed on Robinson in very close proximity and the latter responded with language unbecoming of a coach. Torres accepted the league's decision. "I'm okay with it. I think they carefully thought about it and they were fair. It's hard to be in their position. I'm thankful for their decision. I'll just leave things to God." Torres managed to move on from the controversy immediately thanks to the support of his teammates. "They were there for me. They told me to let go of it, we're on to the next game, a loss is a loss. We focused on this game, not thinking of the previous one. I wouldn't compromise my team with that incident. I just focused on my team."

LOS ANGELES, United States — Los Angeles pitcher Jack Flaherty dominated over seven scoreless innings and the Dodgers shut out the New York Mets, 9-0, on Sunday (Monday in Manila) in Game 1 of Major League Baseball's National League Championship Series. Mookie Betts delivered a three-run double. Max Muncy drove in two runs and Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani singled in a run and electrified the Dodger Stadium crowd with a hit that threatened to clear the outfield wall. But it was more stellar pitching, backed by lockdown defense and a disciplined performance at the plate that propelled the Dodgers to victory in game one of the best-of-seven series. The Dodgers pitchers have now tied the major league post-season record of 33 consecutive scoreless innings, set by the Baltimore Orioles over the first four games of the 1996 World Series against the Dodgers. "Each and every one of the pitchers has been doing their job exceptionally well and it's really setting the tone for the offensive part of the game to be able to feel comfortable and score runs," Ohtani said. The Dodgers will try to double their series lead when they host Game 2 on Monday. The winner of the series will advance to the World Series to face either the New York Yankees or Cleveland Guardians, who open the American League Championship Series on Monday. It started with Flaherty, who retired the first nine batters he faced, giving up two hits and two walks with six strikeouts before departing with the Dodgers up 6-0. Meanwhile, Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga lasted just four outs, his inability to throw strikes proving costly. After retiring Ohtani to start the bottom of the first, Senga walked three straight batters to load the bases then gave up a single to Muncy that scored two runs. He walked Gavin Lux to open the second. Lux advanced to second on a sacrifice fly and scored when Ohtani cracked a sharp single to right field, spelling the end of Senga's day. "He just didn't have it together," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. The Dodgers put up three more runs in the fourth inning off Mets reliever David Peterson, who walked Enrique Hernandez to open the inning. Hernandez scored on a single by Tommy Edman and Ohtani then belted the ball to center field for a hit that was originally scored a double. Edman raced around for a run as Ohtani reached second on what was later ruled a throwing error — one of three by New York. Ohtani, serenaded with chants of "MVP" whenever he was at the plate, scored on a bloop single to left field by Freddy Freeman and it was 6-0 Dodgers. Flaherty got through the fifth without giving up a run with help from the Dodgers defense. Mets designated hitter Jesse Winker led off the inning with a single. Jose Iglesias followed with a single and when Winker hesitated trying for third he was caught for the first out of another scoreless inning. Betts boosted the score in the bottom of the eighth, belting a bases-loaded double to left field that scored all three runners and made it 9-0 — the most lopsided shutout win in Dodgers playoff history.

LOS ANGELES, United States — Rookie Matt McCarty grabbed his first US PGA Tour title Sunday (Monday in Manila), firing a four-under par 67 for a three-stroke victory in the Black Desert Championship at Ivins, Utah. The 26-year-old left-hander from Arizona saw his Korn Ferry Tour success translate quickly. He was making his third career PGA Tour start but just his second since earning automatic promotion with three wins on the developmental circuit this year. He became the first player since Jason Gore in 2005 to win on the PGA Tour in the same season that they were promoted via the three-victory route. "To do it like this, I don't know how you can expect it," he said. "It was a lot of fun (and a) pretty surreal moment." McCarty fired an eagle and four birdies against two bogeys on the par-71 Black Desert resort course, his 23-under total of 261 putting him three clear of Germany's Stephan Jaeger, who posted a 68 for 264. McCarty started the day with a two-shot lead and with two birdies on the front nine was still two in front through 11 holes. Then came some nervy moments with a three-putt bogey at the 12th and an errant tee shot on the way to a par at 13. But McCarty pushed his lead to three strokes with an eagle at the short par-four 14th, where his tee shot bounced in front of the green and rolled within four feet of the pin. He added an eight-foot birdie at the 16th and, after missing a short par putt at the par-three 17th, birdied the par-five 18th for the fourth straight day. "It was good," he said. "Hard fought — a lot of tough pins with the wind picking up. (I was) just able to get my spots well enough and kind of hang in there and have a lot of stress-free pars." US veteran Lucas Glover, whose six tour titles include the 2009 US Open, had nine birdies in his nine-under 62 that left him tied for third with Kevin Streelman (69) on 265. Germany's Matti Schmid had seven birdies and an eagle in a 62 that left him alone in fifth on 266.

MANILA, Philippines — University of the Philippines coach Goldwin Monteverde is proud to see Terrence Fortea finally flourishing after being hit by injuries in his first three years in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament. Fortea hit a pair of big three-point shots in the final minute to complete UP’s fourth-quarter comeback with an 83-73 win

NEW YORK — Former NBA stars Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups were among 13 inductees to the Basketball Hall of Fame that were enshrined in ceremonies on Sunday (Monday in Manila). Carter was known for high-leaping dunks during a 22-season NBA career while Billups won an NBA title with Detroit in 2004, taking NBA Finals Most Valuable Player honors. Legend Jerry West, already in the Hall as a player and member of the 1960 US Olympic team, was inducted again as a contributor for his work as an executive, becoming the first member of the Hall enshrined as a player and contributor. He died in June at age 86. Others inducted included former NBA standouts Michael Cooper, Walter Davis and Dick Barnett, Australian star Michelle Timms, US college coaches Bo Ryan and Harley Redin, US high school coach Charles Smith, WNBA star Seimone Augustus and contributors Doug Collins and Herb Simon. Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star, averaged 15.2 points and 5.4 assists over a 17-year NBA career and is the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers but recalled tough early days. "I dedicated everything I had to the game — it just didn't translate fast enough," he said. "Stayed focused, stayed humble... I just kept fighting, kept scratching and it turned around. "From the time I was drafted to this weekend, it was a tough road for me. I learned so much about me. It kind of made me who I am." Carter, an eight-time NBA All-Star, was the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner and won Olympic gold with the US squad in 2000 at Sydney. He averaged 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists a game. "I played the game because I loved it," Carter said. "It wasn't about chasing rings. You look at the stops that I had, they weren't championship-caliber teams. But I went for an opportunity to play. I felt like I could still be a veteran." Cooper won five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and was on eight NBA All-Defensive First Teams, taking the 1987 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. He also coached the Los Angeles Sparks to WNBA titles in 2001 and 2002. Davis was a six-time NBA All-Star in a 15-year career and is the all-time scoring leader in Phoenix Suns history. He won 1976 Olympic gold and was the 1978 NBA Rookie of the Year, Barnett played 14 NBA seasons in the 1960s and 1970s, taking league titles with New York in 1970 and 1973. Timms became known as one of the world's best guards while playing for the Australian Opals, helping them win Olympic bronze in 1996 and silver in 2000. She played five seasons in the WNBA. Augustus was a four-time champion and eight-time All-Star in 15 WNBA seasons, 14 with the Minnesota Lynx.

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts — Honored for his devotion to a basketball team that doesn't have a Hall of Fame history, Billy Crystal couldn't help but note the irony. "How strange to be getting a ring before any of the Clippers," he said. The actor is being added to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery and took part in a ceremony Sunday (Monday in Manila) along with fellow entertainer and filmmaker Spike Lee and Philadelphia businessman Alan Horwitz. Longtime Lakers fan Jack Nicholson is also being added but the three-time Academy Award winner was not able to attend. Crystal wore a sports jacket and slacks, while Lee and Horwitz dressed as if they were sitting courtside. Lee, with an orange vest over a New York sweatshirt and topped by a black Knicks bucket hat, sparred with the opposition as if he was in his seat at Madison Square Garden. "I saw some Boston Celtic green. Uh-uh," he said, before showing the fans that he had brought coach Red Holzman's 1973 NBA championship ring, the last one won by the Knicks. "It's been a long time, but I think this year it's going to be orange-and-blue skies," Lee said. Horwitz, known as the 76ers' Sixth Man, wore a 76ers sweatshirt, a blue Sixers hat and blue-and-white colored sneakers. He got choked up while thinking about how proud his mother would have been had she known about his honor. Their time as basketball fans goes back more than five decades. Horwitz watched the Philadelphia Warriors when Wilt Chamberlain was a rookie in 1959. Crystal was in high school a couple of years earlier when he was drawn to another high schooler, Larry Brown, who would later be enshrined after winning championships as a coach in college and the NBA. Lee was in the arena when the Knicks won their first championship in 1970 and Crystal was at MSG plenty of times himself, having started out as a Knicks fan. He went to Lakers games when he moved across the country, before someone recommended he check out a Clippers game. "And I said, 'Why?'" Crystal said. But he enjoyed it and has remained with them ever since, even though the team has never rewarded him with a championship. Lee has had Knicks season tickets since 1985, when they drafted Patrick Ewing, though it took a while to get to the prime real estate he occupies now. "Every film I moved down," he said. While Lee is talking title this season, Crystal doesn't have such high expectations for the Clippers. But he noted that the devoted fans stick with their teams no matter what. Not that it's always easy. A baby started crying as he spoke. "That's how we felt for the last 30 years," Crystal said.

Allen Ricardo decided to choose optimism over panic as Colegio de San Juan de Letran suddenly found itself in a freefall in NCAA Season 100.

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas roared back from two sets down to fend off University of the East, 23-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17, 15-9, and stay unbeaten in Pool B of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.    Angge Poyos took over in the fifth set,

Fiery Australian Nick Kyrgios plans to make a comeback at Abu Dhabi in December with his goal to win a Grand Slam and “shut up” those who doubt him. The one-time world number 13 has played just one ATP Tour singles match in two years after suffering knee, foot and wrist injuries. The 29-year-old has

MANILA, Philippines — Bismarck Lina showed no rust after being sidelined for nine months due to his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury. The former University of the Philippines (UP) hooper flaunted his form and sent out a statement that he is fully recovered after chipping in a game-high scoring of 20 points, and seven rebounds to help San Beda University avenge its first-round loss over the Arellano University in the NCAA 100 men's basketball tournament. The 6-foot-five player made sure to pay back San Beda's faith in him by giving his all in the game. "I have been waiting [to play] for a long time, and I won't waste any opportunity. In every game I am giving my best and my all to give back the trust of my coaches," Lina said. With the loaded lineup of UP, Lina had only limited minutes and decided to transfer to San Beda after his two-year stay (UAAP Season 84 and 85). "When I was in UP I wasn't given that much time to play, that's why I am putting more work if I am not chipped in. When I was given to play in the 3x3 Gilas national team, I had that confidence, then I translated here in the NCAA," he added. Now that he has been given another opportunity to show his potential, he shared that he never stopped putting in the work despite having an injury. "I did my therapy, and took care of myself, I did weights, and focused on my recovery everyday. That's what I did every day." Lina also had the opportunity to go against San Beda's finals rival Mapua University in the closing round and shared why he chose the Red Lions' den. "San Beda has a great system, and they are the team with the most championships, so I chose them," he added. "I am patient with my growth, and I always trust the system." Head coach Yuri Escueta also told during the first round that they are looking forward to adding Lina to the lineup to brace for the tougher challenge posed by the other teams. "I always try to use 12-13 players every game, and Bismarck is part of that for sure, his minutes are just a little bit restricted for now, but we want him to feel NCAA," Escueta said. Lina will try to show his newfound footing once more when San Beda faces Lyceum of the Philippines University on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

Novak Djokovic insisted Sunday that he plans “to compete and play next season” despite suffering another loss at the hands of world number one Jannik Sinner. The 37-year-old Serb, the holder of a men’s record 24 Grand Slam titles, went down 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 to the Italian in the final of the Shanghai Masters. It