UAAP: Fresh recruits fuel Maroons’ second straight victory

Alexandra Eala received a first-round bye after earning the No. 3 seed in the Singapore Tennis Open.

Eumir Marcial made a triumphant return to the professional ranks, knocking out Omar Huerta in the third round on Sunday morning (Philippine time) at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.

The Philippine women"s soft tennis team officially secured the bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Games after ending its campaign with a 2-0 loss to host Japan on Sunday.

PARIS, France —  Jiri Lehecka downed Learner Tien in a deciding rubber Saturday as the Czech Republic stunned the United States 3-2 in Davis Cup qualifying for a second straight year, while South Korea reached the last eight for the first time. The Czechs knocked out the Americans at the same second qualifying round stage in a decider at Delray Beach a year ago, when Jakub Mensik beat Frances Tiafoe to secure a surprise victory. Tomas Berdych's men repeated the feat in similarly dramatic fashion, to the delight of a raucous home crowd in Prague, as Lehecka clinched a 6-3, 7-5 win over world number 13 Tien. The USA are record 32-time winners of the competition but their wait for a first title since 2007 goes on. The Czechs advance to the November eight-team finals in Bologna, where hosts Italy will bid for a fourth straight title. "The wins in Davis Cup are always a little bit different because this is a team competition," said Lehecka. After starting the day locked at 1-1, the USA nudged ahead as Christian Harrison and Austin Krajicek saved four match points to outlast Adam Pavlasek and Patrik Rikl in a thrilling 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (10/8) win. Mensik then fought back from a set down to keep the tie alive by defeating recent US Open runner-up Ben Shelton 5-7, 6-4, 6-3. Shelton took a tense first set after saving a set point when trailing 5-4, reeling off the last three games. Mensik created a set point at exactly the same stage of the second, but this time made no mistake with a booming forehand to level the match. The 21-year-old, a semi-finalist at this year's French Open, forced the tie into a deciding rubber on his second match point in a tense final game. Lehecka, who beat Shelton in straight sets on Friday, recovered after giving an early break back to take the first set. Tien forged 3-0 ahead as he attempted to force the tie to a final set, but fell away and Lehecka clinched the win on his fourth match point. "I must say it has been a great week. But, most importantly, we made it through as a team," Lehecka said. "Without Jakub winning against Ben, I would not have the chance to play the final match." History-making South Korea  Earlier, South Korea made history by beating India 3-1 in Seoul. Kwon Soon-woo brushed aside Sumit Nagal 6-1, 6-2 to clinch the decisive point for the Koreans, who won both Friday's singles rubbers before India triumphed in the doubles. "I feel very proud for my country and every team I play against, I give my best," said Kwon. Canada beat France 3-1 at Quebec City to reach the last eight. Benjamin Bonzi and Pierre-Hugues Herbert beat Felix Auger-Aliassime and Duncan Chan 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 in doubles to keep France in the fight after two singles losses on Friday. World number five Auger-Aliassime would not be denied, however, as he rallied to defeat France's Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 to ensure Canada advanced. The Canadians last won the Davis Cup in 2022 while France has not hoisted the trophy since 2017. Austria booked their spot as Jurij Rodionov sealed a 3-1 win for the hosts in Vienna with a 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 victory over Zizou Bergs, Belgium's number one in the absence of Alexander Blockx. Newly-crowned US Open champion Alexander Zverev gave Germany a 1-0 lead over Croatia in Halle, making a quick return to action as he beat Matej Dodig 6-4, 7-6 (7/3). But Germany, who have not won the Davis Cup since 1993, were pegged back to end the first day level as Croatian youngster Dino Prizmic brushed aside Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 6-3. Spain continued their tilt at a seventh title by seizing a 2-0 lead over Chile in Santiago courtesy of singles wins for Daniel Merida and Davis Cup debutant Rafael Jodar over Alejandro Tabilo and Cristian Garin, respectively. Britain's Toby Samuel overcame Andres Andrade of Ecuador and Wimbledon semi-finalist Arthur Fery saw off Alvaro Guillen Meza as the hosts took a 2-0 advantage in London.

The Philippines officially begins its campaign in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan on Sunday with the women's soft tennis team already assured of a medal, the Gilas Pilipinas Women eyeing to bolster its quarterfinal bid against Hong Kong, and Alas Pilipinas Women playing in the classification round.

Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson has agreed to terms on a four-year, $60 million contract extension.

READ: UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament – first round MANILA, Philippines—University of the Philippines waited a full year—and one game—to finally see the impact Veejay Pre and James Payosing could make. Pre and Payosing delivered breakout performances as the Fighting Maroons routed Ateneo, 94-75, in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament Saturday night

READ: Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 MANILA, Philippines–Team Philippines has medal opportunities in soft tennis, teqball, wushu and triathlon among a crowded Sept. 20 program at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. The Philippine women’s soft tennis team faces host Japan in the semifinals, putting the squad within reach

READ: Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 MANILA, Philippines — Filipino swimmer Kayla Sanchez enters the Asian Games 2026 in six events as one of the Philippines’ leading medal hopes and part of the country’s attempt to end a swimming podium drought that dates to 1998. Sanchez is entered in

READ: UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament – first round MANILA, Philippines—University of the Philippines clamped down defensively in the second half to pull away from Ateneo, 94-75, and remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Fighting Maroons improved to 2-0 after following up their opening-day

BATANGAS CITY—Magnolia blew out NLEX, 95-81, on Saturday in the latest stop of the PBA On Tour exhibition series at Batangas City Sports Center here. The Hotshots took control from the onset before building a lead that went as high as 25 to defeat the Road Warriors despite the presence of new import Deonte Burton.

READ: Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 MANILA, Philippines — Eumir Marcial’s participation in the Asian Games 2026 remains uncertain, with the Filipino Olympic bronze medalist’s condition after his Sept. 19 professional fight expected to determine whether he can reach Japan for the men’s 80-kilogram boxing competition. Marcial is scheduled