Clippers apologize to fans amid Leonard scandal

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — The Baltimore Ravens beat the Dallas Cowboys 34-31 in the NFL's first-ever game in Rio de Janeiro as the Washington Commanders and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota stunned Seattle 33-31 Sunday (Monday in Manila). The first NFL game at Brazil's iconic Maracana, where the build-up had been dominated by concerns over the soccer stadium's patchy surface, proved to be a breathless thriller decided by a final kick. With Derrick Henry at his unstoppable best, rushing for two early touchdowns, the Baltimore Ravens opened a 24-13 lead in the third quarter. The Cowboys scored 15 without reply to edge ahead, before Ravens rookie Matt Hibner grabbed a touchdown back. Deep in the red zone, Dallas could not force a touchdown, but a field goal with seven seconds remaining appeared to force overtime. Instead, Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson hurled the ball 26 yards to Zay Flowers, and immediately called a timeout with one second left on the clock. Tyler Loop converted a 56-yard field goal to prompt wild celebrations. "Major, major credit to those guys straining all the way till the end," said Ravens coach Jesse Minter. "We felt like we had time to maybe get the ball in range. Unbelievable play by Lamar and Zay, and then obviously Tyler Loop." Earlier Sunday, reeling from two losses and an injury to franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Washington Commanders turned to 32-year-old journeyman Mariota. He completed three passing touchdowns to hand the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks their first loss of the season, and snap Seattle's 12-game winning streak. Seattle's loss came despite their own star quarterback Sam Darnold returning from injury to pass for 379 yards and four touchdowns, with two interceptions. Mariota sent early touchdown passes Rachaad White and Treylon Burks, before his 30-yard hurl to Terry McLaurin opened a 14-point advantage. Seattle fought back to 24-24. But after a Commanders field goal, Darnold's pass was picked by Kain Medrano, a special teams player and backup linebacker, who raced 50 yards to make it 33-24. Seahawks pulled back a touchdown but Washington held on. "That was unbelievable... the more that adversity hits, the more that circumstances pin us against the wall, these guys find a way," said Mariota. Tight finishes On a Sunday packed with tight finishes, Jahmyr Gibbs and the Detroit Lions saw off a spirited Jets fightback, winning 31-24. New York's Garrett Wilson took a superb 4th down catch from Geno Smith that was ruled a touchdown on video review, tying the game 24-24. But the joy was short-lived. Gibbs rushed for his third touchdown, Wilson departed injured, and Jets quarterback Smith was sacked on 4th down to snuff out any hope. Cleveland quarterback DeShaun Watson, making his home season debut after being booed by his own fans in the offseason, led the Browns to a last-gasp 21-18 win over Carolina. In the final year of a $230 million five-year contract ravaged by injuries and off-field controversy, Watson threw for two touchdowns, including a go-ahead 14-yard sling to Harold Fannin Jr. under two minutes left. Pittsburgh bagged a late win against Cincinnati. Veteran Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shook off recent offensive woes with three touchdowns. The Bengals took a fourth-quarter lead, but two field goals and a late strip-sack of Joe Burrow sealed the Steelers win 30-27. The Indianapolis Colts needed a 53-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining to beat the Houston Texans 19-17. Bills, Chiefs win The Buffalo Bills defeated the winless Los Angeles Chargers 24-16, despite committing five turnovers. The San Francisco 49ers never trailed the Arizona Cardinals in a 36-30 win featuring four touchdown passes from Brock Purdy and two endzone receptions for George Kittle. Kansas City were comfortable 24-10 winners over Miami, while New England — last year's Super Bowl loser — was thrashed 35-6 by Jacksonville. Quarterback Kyler Murray returned from concussion in a 23-16 Minnesota win at Tampa Bay, while Las Vegas beat New Orleans 35-27. The Tennessee Titans remain 0-3, as quarterback Cam Ward threw a disastrous interception on a potentially winning drive against the New York Giants, who won 12-7.

Despite the rain, a shuffled schedule, and even the possibility of a WTA fine, Alex Eala remains focused on chasing Asian Games gold.

Alexandra Eala opened her campaign in the 2026 Asian Games on a high note, while the Philippine sepak takraw team secured medals for the country on Monday in Japan.

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.