Filipina tennis player Alex Eala tallied her first win of the US Open qualifiers in New York in a three-set victory to start her campaign.Coming off back-to-back quarterfinals appearances in two US tournaments, the 19-year-old Filipina defeated Australia’s Maddison Inglis in the first qualifying match, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.Eala’s win set her up with a tough challenge against 15th-seeded Nuria Parrizas-Diaz of Spain in the second round of the qualifiers on Thursday, August 22 (Manila time).This is Eala’s last chance this year to qualify for the first time to the main draw of a pro Grand Slam tournament.

The Philippine men’s football team opened its Merdeka Cup campaign with a loss, 1-2, against host country Malaysia on Wednesday night, September 4, at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.Jefferson Tabinas scored the nation’s first goal on its comeback appearance in the Merdeka meet since 1972. The goal gave the Philippines an early 1-0 lead but Harimau Malaya didn’t stay idle for too long as the Malaysians tied the score after a straight-away shot from Mohammad Syamer Bin Kutty Abba just outside the box in the 43rd minute.A yellow card sanctioned against new comer Matthew Baldisimo after tackling Aiman Hanapi inside the box resulted in a penalty kick in favor of Malaysia at the 73rd minute. With Safawi bin Rashid’s penalty kick landing a goal, the Malaysians successfully triumphed against the Filipino booters to achieve their first lead of the game, 2-1.The Philippines is now relegated for a third place match and will battle Tajikistan on Sunday, September 8. 

Scottie Thompson stood out the best king of the night by posting 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists to exact revenge on George King and the Blackwater Bossing in their rematch at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last night.Thompson’s triple-double led the Barangay Ginebra to a 112-98 victory over the Bossing to gain a solo second in Group with 4-2 slate.

The Philippines’ stunning momentum came to an abrupt stop as it fell to former world champion Armenia, 2.5-1.5, crashing out of the Top 10 after six rounds of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at the BOK Sports Hall in Budapest, Hungary.Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra essayed yet another victory when he sent his second super Grandmaster in Haik Martirosyan to his knees, defeating his Armenian rival with a 63-move win of a Nimzo-Indian on top board. The Philippines’ quest to add another crown in their growing collections was barred when newly minted GM Daniel Quizon, International Master Paulo Bersamina, and GM John Paul Gomez succumbed to their rivals, concluding their games in draws.The stinging result relegated their ranking out of the Top 10. From a share of No. 7, the national men’s team stumbled to a share of No. 21 with eight match points. On the other hand, the Filipinas bounced back after knocking Bolivia, 3-1, with Shania Mae Mendoza, Janelle Mae Frayna, and Jan Jodilyn Fronda posting victories on the top board to take the No. 34 spot with eight points in the team standings. The win pushed the women’s team to a share of 22nd spot with a big group of eight pointers.The Filipino woodpushers will battle 27th-seeded Croatia, while the Filipina team will clash with 26th-seeded Argentina eyeing a win that would keep their hopes contending alive.

Lara Posadas-Wong won a silver medal for the Philippines in the women’s singles at the 7th Asian Tenpin Bowling Champions in Bangkok, Thailand.The national team mainstay demonstrated exceptional skill throughout the competition, tallying 1,353 pinfalls, averaging 225 per game over six rounds. Posadas-Wong conquered a tough 5th game, tallying a final score of 258 just 29 pins behind gold medalist Daphne Tan of Singapore, who scored a total of 1,382 pinfalls. South Korea’s Baek Sung Ja took the bronze medal with 1,340 pinfalls. Meanwhile, Marie Alexis Sy and Dyan Arcel Coronacion placed 13th and 19th, respectively, for the Philippines. Other Filipino athletes participating in the prestigious event include Art Barrientos, Kenneth Chua, Marc Custodio, JP Macatula, MJ San Jose, and Merwin Tan in the men’s squad, as well as Grace Gella, Dale Lazo, Krizziah Macatula, Sy and Coronacion in the women’s team.The competition continues with the doubles, trios, and team-of-5 events.

The National University Lady Bulldogs crumbled the hopes of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses of retaining their crown with a 75-69 win in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball Finals at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, September 21. The Growling Tigresses made an effort to rally past NU in the third quarter with seven points, 68-61, anchored from three straight three-pointers courtesy of Karylle Sierba, Eka Soriano, and Kent Pastrana. Determined to duplicate their win in Game 3, the Tigresses hauled a 14-point deficit led by rookie Gin Relliquette, who basketed a three-pointer to make it 71-64. However, the Lady Bulldogs weathered the late comeback of the Tigresses as they recreated a 9-point separation off Cielo Pagdugagan’s layup at the 2:22 mark, 75-64, to seal NU’s victory.

While the quarterfinals cast is already complete for the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup, the game between Converge and Magnolia on September 23 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium will determine the final match-ups in the playoffs.The two teams are now tied with 5-4 slate, and the winner of their 5:00 pm game will determine which squad will be the No. 3 seed in the next round and will face Group B’s No. 2 seed, San Miguel Beermen in a best-of-five series.Meanwhile, the loser of the match will face the top-seeded Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

The East Asia Super League (EASL) Home and Away launches its 2024-25 season, kicking off a thrilling double-header at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, October 2.Two PBA basketball champions will banner the opening games with the reigning Commissioner’s Cup victors San Miguel Beermen will face Korean Basketball League finalist Suwon KT Sonicboom in the first game of the night, while PBA Philippine Cup winners Meralco Bolts will then take on Macau Black Bears.

San Miguel averted disaster after dispatching the Converge FiberXers in the toe-to-toe Game 5 of their quarterfinals match-up, 109-105, on Sunday night at the Ynares Center, Antipolo.June Mar Fajardo showed why he's an eight-time MVP by producing a monster double-double of 40 points and 24 rebounds to lead the Beermen in entering the semis of the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup.Fajardo went 15-of-27 from the field and shot 10-of-12 from the free throw line to carry much of the load in SMB's triumph.Though having a lot of contributions, JMF said that they all step-up in their do-or-die victory.

Japan B.League squad, Ryukyu Golden Kings survive Meralco’s power surge to get their first win in the East Asia Super League (EASL), 77-74, Wednesday night, October 16, at the Okinawa Arena, Japan.The runner-up of last year’s B.League weathered the storm that the Bolts made in the final 2:50 minutes of play.Meralco came back from a 66-77 deficit through an 8-0 run to cut down the lead to only three points with 41.7 seconds remaining.Allen Durham, who’s playing against his former team for the first time, had a chance to force the game into overtime but his attempt was swatted by Ryukyu import Victor Law.Durham finished the game with 18 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, while his fellow Bolts reinforcement DJ Kennedy produced 30 markers and 12 boards.Chris Newsome led the local unit with 18.The winning team relied on the heroics of Law, who contributed a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds.Jack Cooley, the Golden Kings other import, also got 18 markers along with seven boards, while naturalized player Alex Kirk put up 12.Ryukyu now topped Group B with a 1-0 record, while Meralco split their games to have a 1-1 team standing.The next game assignment for the Bolts will be the Busan KCC Egis of the Korean Basketball League whom they will face on November 13 at the Philsports Arena.

D’Navigators Iloilo wrapped up its 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on a high note after defeating Martelli Meats, 25-17, 25-14, 25-20, on Sunday, December 1, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. The win allowed the D’Navigators to end the tournament on a triumphant note by ending a seven-game losing streak. They finished eighth in a 10-team field with a 2-7 win-loss record. “Despite being at the bottom, maybe we tried our best despite the problems,” head coach Boyet Delmoro said as he lauded his team’s resolve despite the challenges. "The main factor is not being able to practice together. We'll learn from that in the next season. We will plan carefully so that we can be there again (above), because we were number four before. Now, we're far," he added.

Petro Gazz wins another game against PLDT.Petro Gazz got their fourth win in the PVL All-Filipino Conference against PLDT, 12-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-20, on Tuesday night, December 10, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City .Brooke Van Sickle and Myla Pablo led the Angels to victory. Van Sickle poured in 21 points on 18 attacks, two blocks and one service ace, while Pablo added her 19 markers on 17 attacks and two rejections.“We just stayed together. We make things happen in every challenge that we face. We have a good turnaround. We just focused on our game. We know this team can be better and we showed it today,” Van Sickle said.

Barangay Ginebra gave a wonderful Christmas gift to their die-hard fans by defeating the Magnolia Hotshots, 95-92, in their Christmas Manila Clasico duel on Wednesday night, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Magnolia seemed inspired to win their first back-to-back victories in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup as they erected a 55-41 halftime lead and even established a game-high 22-point lead in the third period.But the Gin Kings displayed their never-say-die attitude to put the game in a cliffhanger showdown.

Philippine Sambo Team Primed for Historic Run in Asia-Oceania ChampionshipsThe Philippines is set to take center stage in the international sambo scene as the country's top grapplers begin their campaign in the 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.Backed by months of intensive preparation, the 40-member national team enters the prestigious tournament with high hopes of delivering strong performances against nearly 500 athletes from 22 countries across Asia and Oceania.National head coach Ace Larida expressed confidence in the readiness of the Filipino delegation, emphasizing that the athletes are physically and mentally prepared for the challenge after six months of rigorous training.Hosting the continental competition for the first time in years presents a unique opportunity for Team Philippines to showcase its progress in the combat sport while competing before a home crowd.Leading the national squad are reigning champions Sydney Sy and Aislyn Agnes Yap, who are determined to defend their respective titles. Sy will seek another gold medal in the women's +80kg sport sambo division, while Yap aims to retain her crown in the women's -80kg combat sambo category.Also expected to contend for podium finishes are world-ranked standout Jomary Torres in the women's -50kg combat division and promising young athlete Sophia Novino in the women's -47kg youth class.Another athlete drawing attention is former Southeast Asian Games judo bronze medalist Carl Aneseta, who will make his international sambo debut in the men's +98kg sport sambo event. Aneseta believes his judo background will help him adjust quickly to the demands of the sport as he seeks to make an immediate impact on the international stage.Tournament organizers have also received praise for their preparations. Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio commended the organizing committee led by Pilipinas Sambo Federation President Paolo Tancontian, noting that the event is expected to become another milestone in Philippine sports hosting.The four-day championship not only highlights the country's growing strength in sambo but also reinforces the Philippines' reputation as a premier destination for international sporting events. With athletes arriving from countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, the tournament is expected to provide world-class competition and valuable exposure for local athletes.As competition officially begins, the spotlight now turns to the Filipino grapplers who carry the hopes of the nation and the opportunity to make history on home soil.

After nearly six years of learning and growing in the NBA, Jimmy Alapag believes the time is finally right to come home.The former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) superstar officially faced the media on Tuesday following his appointment as the new head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors, describing his return to the Philippines as a "big move" for both his career and his family.Alapag recently concluded his stint as a player development coach with the NBA's Sacramento Kings in April, bringing with him valuable experience gained at basketball's highest level."I think it just felt like it was the right time," Alapag said during his introductory press conference at Dave & Buster's in Opus Mall, Pasig. "Almost six years in the NBA, I've had an opportunity to see a lot, to learn a lot, and I know how much it's allowed me to grow—not just as a husband, as a father, but also as a coach."The 47-year-old returns to Manila alongside his wife, actress LJ Moreno-Alapag, and their four children. Alapag also shared that their fourth child was born during the family's stay in the United States.Before ultimately accepting the NLEX coaching job, Alapag revealed that Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Erika Dy initially reached out to gauge his interest in joining the Gilas Pilipinas coaching staff.Instead, the six-time PBA champion embraced the opportunity to take charge of an NLEX squad eager to become a contender."To be able to come back home and pour all of that knowledge and all that wisdom that I've gained in the NBA back into Philippine basketball, it felt like now was the right time," said Alapag, who starred with Talk 'N Text from 2003 to 2015.Alapag succeeds veteran mentor Jong Uichico and inherits a talented roster led by Robert Bolick, Kevin Alas, Schonny Winston, LJ Gonzales, and Xyrus Torres.His coaching debut will come immediately on the opening day of the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup on July 10, when the Road Warriors face guest team Macau Giant Pandas in the second game of a doubleheader at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.For Alapag, the return home is more than just another coaching assignment—it marks the beginning of a new chapter, one where he hopes to translate years of NBA experience into success for NLEX and help shape the future of Philippine basketball.

Filipino-American NBA player Jordan Clarkson has re-signed with the defending champion New York Knicks on a one-year, $3.9 million contract.Clarkson averaged 10.8 minutes per game during the Knicks' championship run. His role as a scoring spark off the bench helped ease the workload of the team's starters and provided valuable depth throughout the 2025-2026 NBA season.His impact and influence played a crucial part in helping New York contend for and ultimately win the championship during the previous season.The Knicks captured the 2026 NBA title against the San Antonio Spurs, ending a championship drought that lasted nearly half a century.He also posted on his Instagram account following his extension with the Knicks. "still in this dream, NY! run it back!  love ," he wrote. 

PBA rookie Geo Chiu and the Terrafirma Dyip are off to a good start in the PBA Governor's Cup after defeating the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, 113-100, on July 10 at the Ynares Center.Chiu finished with 19 points and a career-high 23 rebounds, showcasing his dominance on the offensive end while controlling the boards early in his professional basketball career.With that performance, he earned the Best Player and Rebounder of the Game awards.Terrafirma also outclassed Titan on the boards, recording 94 rebounds compared to Ultra's 52, setting a new PBA record for most rebounds in a game.The previous record holder was Gibby's Gin (now Barangay Ginebra), which grabbed 87 rebounds against Toyota in 1983.Import Justin Strings also contributed 25 points, while JM Bravo, Didat Hanapi, Juami Tiongson, and Maverick Ahanmisi added 15, 14, 13, and 11 points, respectively.The Dyip are scheduled to face the NLEX Road Warriors on July 12. NLEX also opened their campaign with a dominant 114-75 victory over the Macau Giant Pandas, with new head coach Jimmy Alapag looking to keep the team's momentum going.

The road back to NCAA relevance has become even more difficult for the San Sebastian Stags.Just months before NCAA Season 102, newly appointed head coach Tony Tan has stepped away from the program, leaving the Golden Stags facing another major adjustment at a crucial time.Taking over on an interim basis is San Sebastian legend Rodney Santos, who was originally expected to be part of Tan’s coaching staff. Santos now inherits a team still searching for answers after a winless campaign in the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.For a proud basketball program with a rich history, another coaching change raises serious questions about stability, direction, and long-term planning.San Sebastian once stood among the NCAA’s elite, but the Stags have struggled to regain their championship form in recent years. The program has gone through multiple coaching changes, making it difficult to establish continuity and build a sustainable system.Tan’s arrival came with optimism, especially after the team announced a partnership with United Prep Canada. But with his sudden departure, the Stags are once again forced to rebuild—both on the court and behind the scenes.Santos now faces a difficult challenge: revive the confidence of a struggling team, install a system in a short period, and restore the identity of a program that once produced champions and legendary players.The Stags’ last NCAA title came in 2009 behind the famed “Pinatubo Trio” of Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang, and Ronald Pascual, under coach Ato Agustin.The question now is simple: Can San Sebastian finally find the stability needed to return to the top, or will another chapter of uncertainty continue?For a program with such a proud legacy, the comeback cannot be built on quick fixes. It needs commitment, consistency, and a clear vision for the future.

Alex Eala's latest victory wasn't simply an upset. It was a statement that her rapid rise is becoming something far more sustainable: she is developing the mentality and tactical maturity required to compete consistently at the highest level.Her 6-2, 7-6(1) victory over defending champion Leylah Fernandez in the Mubadala DC Open quarterfinal qualifiers stands out not merely because of the opponent, but because of how it unfolded.A First Set That Showed IntentFrom the opening games, Eala dictated the match.Fernandez is known for her relentless defense, counterpunching, and ability to turn rallies into battles of endurance. Instead of allowing that rhythm to develop, Eala attacked early, took the ball aggressively, and controlled the pace.Winning the first set 6-2 against the defending champion wasn't a lucky stretch of tennis—it reflected a clear game plan executed with confidence.The Real Story Was the Second SetGreat players are judged less by how they perform when everything is going well than by how they respond when momentum shifts.At 5-1 down in the second set, Eala appeared headed toward a deciding third set. Against an experienced competitor like Fernandez, most young players would mentally reset for another hour of tennis.Instead, Eala produced the match's defining stretch.Winning five consecutive games to lead 6-5 required more than powerful hitting. It demanded emotional control, disciplined shot selection, and belief under pressure.Even after Fernandez forced a tiebreak—a moment that could have erased all of Eala's hard work—the Filipina remained composed, racing to a 3-0 lead before finishing with authority, 7-1.That's the type of closing ability that separates promising talents from legitimate contenders.Revenge Matters—but Growth Matters MoreEarlier this year, Fernandez defeated Eala in Stuttgart.This victory evens their head-to-head record at 1-1, but more importantly, it demonstrates adjustment.Elite tennis is built on solving problems. Losing once isn't failure if the lessons are applied the next time.Against Fernandez, Eala looked more comfortable handling pace, more patient constructing points, and far more confident in pressure situations than she did a few months ago.That suggests improvement—not coincidence.Why This Win Carries Extra WeightBeating a defending champion always sends a message.Doing it in straight sets makes an even louder one.Fernandez isn't simply another Top-level opponent; she's a former Grand Slam finalist with years of experience on the WTA Tour. Victories over players of that caliber accelerate confidence and, perhaps more importantly, earn respect inside the locker room.Opponents begin preparing differently once they recognize that you're capable of beating established names consistently.Eala is entering that territory.The Quarterfinal TestWhether Eala faces Polina Kudermetova or Elina Svitolina next, the challenge only grows.A matchup with Kudermetova would likely present another opportunity against an emerging player with powerful baseline tennis.A meeting with Svitolina would be an entirely different examination. The former world No. 3 is one of the tour's smartest competitors, capable of exposing lapses in patience and decision-making.Either opponent would provide another valuable measuring stick.The Bigger PictureOne victory doesn't transform a career.But several victories over high-quality opponents in a short span begin to establish a pattern.Eala has increasingly shown she belongs on the biggest stages, not as a promising prospect receiving attention because of potential, but as a player producing results against elite competition.Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of this win wasn't the scoreline—it was the resilience.The ability to recover from 5-1 down, absorb pressure, and dominate the tiebreak reflects a level of competitive maturity that cannot be taught overnight.Final VerdictAlex Eala's win over Leylah Fernandez may ultimately be remembered as one of the defining moments of her 2026 season—not because she upset the defending champion, but because she displayed the complete package: aggressive shot-making, tactical discipline, mental toughness, and composure under immense pressure.If she continues to combine those qualities, Washington could become more than a breakthrough tournament. It may be another milestone in the emergence of a player increasingly capable of challenging the WTA's established stars on a regular basis.

Aaron Fuller is returning to the PBA as the import of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters for the Season 49 Governor’s Cup. He will be reunited with Yeng Guiao, who coached him during his stay with the NLEX Road Warriors.The PBA confirmed through its website that The Iowa and University of Southern California product will be playing for his fourth team in the PBA. He suited up for NLEX from 2017 to 2028, Blackwater in 2019, and TNT in 2022.Fuller played recently for Fuerza Regia in Mexico, Urunday Universitario in Uruguay, and Gigantes de Guayana in Venezuela.With the combination of the 34-year-old Fuller international experiences, steady veterans and a bunch of quality rookies that they drafted this year, the Elasto Painters is set to go deep once again in the PBA battlefield just like they did in the Philippine Cup last season where they reach the semifinals for the time after five years of waiting.Fuller and ROS might have a strong chance to go deep but they still have to face the four-time Governor’s Cup champion Justin Brownlle, three-time conference best import awardee Allen Durham and a bunch of new reinforcements for the season-opening conference.