Kenyans rule One Clark International Marathon

NEW YORK — A'ja Wilson is in a class by herself, winning the AP's WNBA Player of the Year award for an unprecedented third straight year. Wilson received 15 of the 17 first-place votes from a national media panel Sunday. She topped Olivia Miles of Minnesota as well as Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell of Indiana, who all had stellar seasons. “It’s big. It's an honor for me to do it three times in a row. It’s not easy,” Wilson said in a phone interview. “My counterparts in this league are really good. I don’t take it lightly because of how much talent we do have in this league." It's the fourth time that Wilson has won the AP award, breaking a tie with Breanna Stewart for most since the awards were first given in 2016. “That’s got a nice ring to it,” Wilson said. “That’s pretty cool.” The AP voting is done by a 17-member panel that votes on the power poll each week. It’s the 11th year of the awards. The WNBA will announce its postseason awards over the course of the playoffs, which begin Sunday. Wilson is a huge favorite to win the WNBA MVP for the third straight season. Wilson once again led the league in scoring (26.2) while shooting nearly 53% from the field. She also averaged 9.4 rebounds, a career-best 3.2 assists and 1.9 blocks. Angel Reese dethroned Wilson as the AP Defensive Player of the Year. Wilson had won the award in three of the last four seasons. Reese made the most of her move to Atlanta this offseason. She was third in the league in steals and had the versatility to guard most positions defensively. She also topped the league in rebounds for the third consecutive season. Miles had an incredible first season and was honored as the AP Rookie of the Year as a unanimous choice. The No. 2 pick in the draft by the Lynx averaged 19.8 points, 6.0 assists and 4.7 rebounds to help Minnesota finish with the best record in the league. She set the WNBA record for points by a rookie, surpassing Clark's from 2024. Miles was joined on the AP All-Rookie team by Dallas' Azzi Fudd, Chicago's Sydney Taylor, Seattle's Flau'jae Johnson, New York's Pauline Astier and Toronto's Kiki Rice. Wilson, Clark, Miles and Mitchell headlined the AP All-WNBA first team. They were joined by New York's Stewart. Reese was on the second team along with teammate Rhyne Howard, Dallas' Paige Bueckers, Las Vegas' Jackie Young and Golden State's Gabby Williams. Other AP winners included: — Coach of the Year: Cheryl Reeve. It's the third time the Lynx coach has won the award, also being honored in 2020 and 2024. She guided the team to the No. 1 seed in the playoffs while it was missing superstar Napheesa Collier for the first half of the season when she recovered from offseason surgery on both her ankles. Reeve beat out Golden State's Natalie Nakase and Washington's Sydney Johnson. — Comeback Player of the Year: Clark. The Fever guard missed much of last season with a variety of injuries. She came back strong this year, playing in 40 games. She averaged 22.3 points, 8.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds. Washington's Georgia Amoore and Chicago's Courtney Vandersloot also received votes. — Most Improved Player: Jessica Shepard. The Dallas Wings forward came to the team as a free agent and excelled. Shepard averaged career highs in points (14.5), rebounds (11.1), assists (5.3) and minutes (31.7). Shepard had six triple-doubles this season. Washington's Shakira Austin and Seattle Dominique Malonga were next in the balloting. — Sixth Woman of the Year: Janelle Salaun. The Valkyries forward came off the bench in all 40 games she played this season and averaged 12.7 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 39.2% from behind the 3-point line. She led all reserves in scoring this season and the Golden State bench averaged over 36 points a game. Marine Johannes of New York was next in the voting.

He did not win, but in finishing within a whisker of George Russell's triumphant Mercedes on Saturday, Max Verstappen showed he could be a factor in this year's drivers' title race. With at least seven races to go, depending on the survival of the season-ending events in the Middle East, the four-time champion's pace and commitment in his resurgent Red Bull could upset Mercedes' supremacy. As championship leader Kimi Antonelli showed signs of vulnerability in Baku, even with a 66-point cushion, AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from Saturday's dramatic Azerbaijan Grand Prix: - Verstappen remains a force - Having signed a new contract to settle his future and driving a car that is rapidly improving, Verstappen is chasing a long-awaited 72nd victory. He has not won since last year's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and is in danger of completing a season winless for the first time since he joined Red Bull 10 years ago. Given McLaren's inconsistency and Ferrari's recent decline, he and team-mate Isack Hadjar can emerge as the chief threat to Mercedes as the F1 circus flies to Asia for a Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia followed by the Singapore race. "I was close and it was fun," said Verstappen after a strong drive from eighth on the grid to finish less than two-tenths adrift of Russell. "For most of the race, we were on the wrong tires because the medium, unfortunately, didn't work like a lot of people expected. "Once we swapped to the soft, you could see George and I were pulling away. Can we win a race? We'll keep trying, and we'll see what happens!" Hadjar returned from injury to finish third. "The car is great," he said. "This weekend it was the second-fastest. I took it easy to avoid the walls and it was my comeback." "I had the better grip, but honestly I was fine to sit behind Max. Third was my target and I'm satisfied." With a power unit that the team has developed into one of the strongest, Red Bull could shake up the run-in. - Briatore ponders Colapinto future - Alpine team boss Flavio Briatore said he will reflect before deciding what action to take after Franco Colapinto's "rush of blood" crash into his team-mate Pierre Gasly, who then smashed into world champion Lando Norris's McLaren, wiping all three out of the race. It cost Alpine a solid points haul. Norris called for a one-race ban for Colapinto but race stewards settled for a 10-second time penalty, converted into a five-place grid drop for the next race. "I feel very sorry for the team and for Pierre and my apologies also go to Lando and McLaren for ruining their race," said Briatore. "I know that Franco has taken full responsibility for it, as he should -- he braked far too late considering the context of the race and the safety car restart. It was a very poor move for a driver of his experience. "I want to take time to reflect and consider what action should be taken." The Argentine driver was fortunate to keep his seat this year and Briatore will surely consider alternatives for 2027. - Russell can press Antonelli - Kimi Antonelli faces a test of his composure and emotions after Mercedes team-mate Russell ramped up the pressure for the run-in. The 20-year-old Italian's 66-point lead looks solid enough, but Russell returned to winning form with his first 'grand slam' of pole position, fastest lap and leading from lights to flag. "I never lost faith in myself," said Russell, after his eighth career win. "Even in the tough moments. So I am confident and I've been on the front row of the grid in three of the last four races and had three podiums. I can fight for victory now, week in and week out."

China’s 15-year-old Zhu Yuanling won gold in the women’s street skateboarding competition at the Asian Games on Sunday, the latest in a series of young winners at this edition of the continental multi-sport event. Zhu’s win came a day after Japanese primary school student Yuki Kurihara, 11, demolished opponents three times his age on the way to a historic gold in esports. Earlier in the Games, Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi, 13, became one of the faces of the event with three golds, all in record...

Complaints about cramped rooms and small beds surfaced on social media from athletes staying in the modular units, as organizers get flak for not building a traditional Athletes' Village.

MANILA, Philippines -- The Phlippine National Volleyball Federation acknowledged the grievances of Alas Pilipinas team captain Bryan Bagunas in an interview following the national team's 16-25, 25-27, 22-25 opening loss to South Korea in the 20th Asian Games men's volleyball tournament in Japan Sunday. Bagunas said that the team lacked in financial support to the point that players have to shoulder expenses from their personal pockets and even borrow money. "We acknowledge the concerns raised by Mr. Bagunas in his recent interview," the PNVF wrote in a statement.  "We recognize the sacrifices our athletes have made, including having to shoulder their own expenses and, in some instances, borrow money. This is a situation that no National Athlete should ever have to endure." Led by president Frank Lao, the PNVF said that it will work harder to cater to the needs of the athletes.  "Our national athletes deserve a Federation that works just as hard for them as they battle for our country. Our athletes deserve better. Philippine volleyball deserves better. And we will work tirelessly to deliver better." PNVF shared that it inherited financial burden from the previous administration led by Tonyboy Liao, making it hard for the federation to function. "When President Frank Lao assumed leadership of PNVF in August 2026, he inherited a Federation burdened with substantial financial liabilities and outstanding obligations," the PNVF shared. "While there have been reports of funding received by the PNVF from various sources, the current leadership is in the midst of a comprehensive inventory and accounting of its financial records, including reconciling funds previously received and determining their corresponding disbursements.  "We remain committed to establishing a clear and accurate picture of the Federation's financial position and ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of its resources." The PNVF said these problems don't excuse the federation to cater to the urgent needs of the athletes today, though. Hence, Lao used his personal funds to provide allowances to the men's national team. This contradicts Bagunas' claims that the national team has only been receiving allowances from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and not from the PNVF. "President Frank Lao has personally advanced funds to address many of the immediate concerns raised by our National Teams. In particular, before their departure for the Asian Games, President Lao personally provided allowances to the men's national team," the PNVF said. "He also facilitated the necessary ticketing and visa requirements to ensure that certain members of the National Team would be available to participate in the Asian Games.  Furthermore, when the National Team requested an additional round-trip ticket for one of its members, the Federation accommodated the request. These are among the measures undertaken by the current leadership to address the immediate needs of our athletes while working toward more sustainable solutions. Nevertheless, we agree with Mr. Bagunas. These efforts are not enough."

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) admitted to its shortcomings in financially supporting its athletes after Alas Men veteran Bryan Bagunas raised concerns over the lack of allowances in their Asian Games campaign.

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas team captain Bryan Bagunas has voiced deep frustration over the national team's financial struggles, revealing that players have not received their allowances since July and have resorted to borrowing money just to commute to training. The revelation came shortly after the squad's straight-sets loss to Japan, where Bagunas scored a team-high 15 points. Speaking on behalf of the squad, the team captain highlighted how the financial strain is hurting player morale and training attendance, particularly for younger student-athletes. "It’s really sad because we represent the country, but we don’t feel the support meant for us. I’m really affected, especially for the younger players," Bagunas shared. He added that the lack of transportation funds often prevents players from attending practice, sometimes leaving as few as seven or eight athletes on the court. The financial burden has followed the squad overseas. While in Japan for their campaign, players have had to pay out-of-pocket for basic necessities like meals when training schedules clash with hotel dining hours. Outside of basic Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) allowances, Bagunas noted that team members are forced to shoulder their own daily expenses. The current national team roster retains the same core lineup from the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, now competing in the Asian Games. The squad is led by heavy hitters Bagunas and Marck Espejo, outside hitters Buds Buddin and Jude Garcia, and opposite spikers Leo Ordiales and John Lirck Mendoza. The national team's financial complaints follow recent administrative changes within the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), which elected businessman Frank Lao as its new president.

MANILA, Philippines — Working his way back to form over the last two years, Zanieboy Gialon returns to the very venue where he last tasted victory, hoping to put everything together again when the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge blasts off Tuesday (Sept. 29) at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club. Gialon ended a two-year title drought the last time the Philippine Golf Tour visited the country’s oldest golf course, then known as Santa Barbara, in 2024. He turned what was expected to be a tight, furious finish into a runaway six-shot victory over Angelo Que and Ira Alido. Now, two years removed from that successful week in Iloilo, the 37-year-old Davao del Sur native finds himself in a familiar position: contending again, but still searching for that elusive next victory. He has threatened in several tournaments during the current season, only to fall short when it mattered most. But his latest showing in last week’s ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic could provide the boost he needs heading back to a course where he has already proven he can win. Gialon finished solo fourth at Marapara, staying in contention deep into the final round with a two-under 33 on the front nine. He, however, could not sustain the charge, settling for a closing 35 and a 68 to finish three shots behind champion Art Arbole. The result nevertheless marked another encouraging performance for Gialon, who also posted a Top 5 finish at Caliraya Springs, the site of his 2022 triumph. His other results have been less consistent, including a missed cut at Lakewood, a tie for 15th at Pinewoods, a joint 15th at Pradera and a share of 24th at Summit Point. But the Marapara performance could be particularly significant heading to Iloilo. Like the Marapara layout, Iloilo is tight and tricky, with doglegs and hazards that demand patience and sound decision-making. Aggressive play can yield rewards, but misplaced attacks can prove costly on a course where trouble lurks around virtually every corner. That should suit Gialon as he seeks to rekindle the form that carried him to his emphatic victory here two years ago. He will need it, however, with a stellar cast of rivals bringing their own missions to the P2.5-million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Que, the reigning Order of Merit champion, is chasing a third victory of the season as he seeks to strengthen his bid for back-to-back OOM crowns. The three-time Asian Tour winner has already ruled at Caliraya and Summit Point, although he settled for a joint 12th-place finish in Negros. Que could point to fatigue after competing in Taiwan before returning to the Philippines, leaving him little time to practice and reacquaint himself with the Marapara layout. With a full week of rest and preparation, he looms as one of the players to watch from the opening tee shot. Arbole, meanwhile, heads to Iloilo looking to build on the momentum of his breakthrough victory at Negros. After a 14-year wait for his first professional title, the veteran finally found the formula that had eluded him for much of his career. Jhonnel Ababa also comes in with something to prove after fading late against Arbole in Negros and settling for third, extending his own title drought to two years. Young and hungry Jeffren Lumbo, who finished second to Arbole, will likewise be chasing a follow-up to his breakthrough triumph at South Pacific last year, where he outdueled Russell Bautista in a dramatic five-hole playoff. Also in the hunt are proven winners Clyde Mondilla, Tony Lascuña, Rupert Zaragosa, Guido van der Valk and Jaraula, while Bautista continues his pursuit of the elusive victory. But for Gialon, the Iloilo stop carries a more personal significance. Back on the course where he last lifted a PGT trophy, he has another chance to turn promising form into a championship – and finally break the two-year cycle that has followed his last victory. TMT

MANILA, Philippines — San Sebastian College-Recoletos turned to team captain Juna Gonzales in the closing stretch of the deciding set to complete a reverse sweep of Emilio Aguinaldo College, 16-25, 18-25, 27-25, 25-23, 15-6, in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Gonzales scored five of the Lady Stags’ 9-0 sizzler to finish off a stunned Lady Generals side for a good start in Pool C of the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R&B Milk Tea.   Tied at 6 in the deciding frame, Gonzales opened SSC-R’s barrage with a thunderous kill. EAC had no answer to the Lady Stags’ assault as Gonzales continued to pound missiles capped by a hit that put SSC-R at match point. Lady Stags setter Patrixia Abulencia sealed the match with a well-timed kill block over Shamira Pantoja. Gonzales scored all of her 19 points on kills and added four digs for SSC-R.  Kleiner Abraham finished with 13 points while middle blocker Marianne Tayag got 12 markers on nine attacks and three kill blocks for the Lady Stags, whose victory in the two-hour, 25-minute encounter was aided by EAC’s 33 errors. SSC-R saved a match point in the third set and took a 25-24 lead. The Lady Generals forced a deuce but a net-touch infraction followed by a Liana Fabella kill gave the Lady Stags an opening to mount a comeback. Angel Joy Perez paced EAC with 17 points, 16 coming from spikes, while Cara Dayanan scored 15. Angelica Pasaol and Marinel Ramos added 14 and 11 points, respectively, for the Lady Generals. Meanwhile, National University opened its five-peat bid with a 25-14, 25-19, 25-18 demolition of San Beda University in Pool A on Saturday evening. Arah Panique unloaded nine points while Vange Alinsug, Celine Marsh and Harlyn Serneche chipped in seven each as the Lady Bulldogs joined Arellano University on top of the pool standings in the tournament, supported by Smart, PusoP.com and Summit Natural Drinking Water, with the Philippine Sports Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, Mikasa, Asics, Rigour Technology, Jersey Haven, Solar Sports and 12 Beyond Production as technical partners.   Daisy Cagas and Angel Habacon led the Lady Red Spikers with eight and seven points, respectively. Action resumes on October 9. All games are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports. TMT

MANILA, Philippines -- John Cabang Tolentino of the Philippines snared a bronze medal in the 20th Asian Games 110m men's hurdles final at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Japan Sunday evening. Cabang Tolentino clocked 13:48 to claim the last podium spot as he went 0.10 seconds faster than his heats time. Chinese Chen Yuanjiang seized the gold medal with 13.15 seconds as Japanese Rachid Muratake took the silver with 13.29.

John Cabang Tolentino delivered the first athletics medal for the Philippines, capturing the bronze in the men's 110m hurdles finals in the 2026 Asian Games on Sunday in Japan.

Junmilardo Ogayre's medal bid came to an end after he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Uzbekistan's Abdumalik Khalokov in the men's 60kg quarterfinals at the 2026 Asian Games.