Alexandra Eala Advances to Jingshan Open Semifinals, Continuing Filipino Tennis Legacy

Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra "Alex" Eala continues to make waves on the international stage, advancing to the semifinals of the Jingshan Open in China after a convincing victory over Japan’s Mei Yamaguchi, 6-0, 6-3. Originally set to be played outdoors at the Jingshan International Tennis Tournament Center in Hubei, the match was relocated indoors due to rain, a change that proved advantageous for Eala’s aggressive, fast-paced style of play. Eala, seeded No. 1 in the tournament, dominated from the start, quickly building a 5-0 lead and capturing the first set without dropping a game. Despite an attempted comeback by Yamaguchi, ranked No. 268 globally, Eala maintained her strong baseline performance to secure the win. This victory marks Eala’s third consecutive win after previously defeating Belarus’ world No. 212 Aliona Falei and China’s Jia-Jing Lu. She will now face the tournament’s third seed, Lulu Sun of New Zealand, in the semifinals on September 27. Although Sun is ranked 88 spots below Eala, the two southpaw players share a competitive history, having met during the 2024 Wimbledon Championships qualifying rounds, where Sun emerged victorious. Eala’s rise reflects a new era in Filipino sports excellence, earning comparisons to the legendary bowler Rafael “Paeng” Villareal Nepomuceno, a six-time World Bowling champion and World Bowling Hall of Famer known not only for his achievements but also his humility. Like Nepomuceno, Eala exemplifies both exceptional talent and modesty, inspiring a nation with her dedication and sportsmanship. The progression of such athletes signals a promising future for Philippine tennis on the global circuit. Fans and supporters eagerly anticipate Eala’s next match, hopeful that she will add another significant milestone to her burgeoning career.

Viktor Hovland Withdraws from Ryder Cup Singles Due to Neck Injury

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Viktor Hovland has officially pulled out of the Ryder Cup singles matches scheduled for Sunday, following an exacerbation of a neck injury that prevented him from competing. The Norwegian golfer, who traveled to Bethpage Black in support of Team Europe, was sidelined after an MRI on Saturday night revealed a bulging disk. Team Europe confirmed that Hovland woke Sunday morning unable to move his neck. Hovland’s withdrawal led to the invocation of the Ryder Cup’s seldom-used “envelope rule.” This regulation requires the U.S. team captain, Keegan Bradley, to submit a sealed name of a player who would step in should a European player withdraw. The selected player, Harris English, was initially set to compete against Hovland in the last singles match of the day. Due to Hovland’s exit, their match was recorded as a tie, awarding both teams half a point each. With this adjustment, Europe now holds a commanding 12-5 lead over the United States ahead of Sunday’s first singles match, which is scheduled to begin at 12:02 p.m. ET. As the reigning champions, Team Europe requires just two points to retain the Ryder Cup title and 2½ points to win it outright. In a statement, Hovland expressed his disappointment: \"There is nothing more I would like to do than be out there representing Team Europe and trying to help them win the Ryder Cup today. Not being able to do so is pretty heartbreaking. I will be backing my team as hard as I can and rooting them on.\" The 28-year-old player revealed to reporters on Saturday that this injury mirrors the one that forced him to withdraw from the Travelers Championship in June. Earlier Saturday, Hovland participated in the foursomes session alongside Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, where they defeated Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley by 1 up. However, he was withdrawn from the afternoon fourball match, initially slated with England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, and was replaced by fellow Englishman Tyrrell Hatton. Hovland commented on his condition: \"I took some painkillers on the seventh hole and then got some treatment from Matt Roberts, the physio, on the 10th tee box. It stayed the same for the remainder of the match after that. But I came in and rested up and got some more treatment and when I went back out onto the range, I tried hitting some shots trying to build up to the driver. I hit three or four hard ones and it just got worse.\" The 2023 FedEx Cup champion ended with a 1-1-0 record in his Ryder Cup appearances; this marked his third time competing in the event. On the U.S. side, 36-year-old Harris English, who qualified automatically due to a strong 2025 season with three major top-three finishes, went 0-2-0 as Collin Morikawa’s partner in foursomes. This was English’s second Ryder Cup appearance. Sunday’s singles tee times (all ET) are as follows: - Cameron Young vs. Justin Rose, 12:02 p.m. - Justin Thomas vs. Tommy Fleetwood, 12:13 p.m. - Bryson DeChambeau vs. Matt Fitzpatrick, 12:24 p.m. - Scottie Scheffler vs. Rory McIlroy, 12:35 p.m. - Patrick Cantlay vs. Ludvig Aberg, 12:46 p.m. - Xander Schauffele vs. Jon Rahm, 12:57 p.m. - J.J. Spaun vs. Sepp Straka, 1:08 p.m. - Russell Henley vs. Shane Lowry, 1:19 p.m. - Ben Griffin vs. Rasmus Hojgaard, 1:30 p.m. - Collin Morikawa vs. Tyrrell Hatton, 1:41 p.m. - Sam Burns vs. Robert MacIntyre, 1:52 p.m.

PBA Launches 50th Season with Barangay Ginebra Facing Magnolia in Season Opener

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is set to commence its 50th season with a high-profile opening game on Sunday, September 5. The Manila Clasico rivalry will be reignited as Barangay Ginebra meets the Magnolia Hotshots at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. This season opener will follow the Leo Awards ceremony, where last season\'s standout players will be honored. It will be the only game scheduled on the opening day. Magnolia, now under the leadership of former Ginebra point guard LA Tenorio, will face his former team, coached by longtime mentor Tim Cone. Tenorio, who played 12 seasons with the Gin Kings, holds a unique position as a playing coach for the Hotshots. Key Magnolia players to watch include Zav Lucero, Mark Barroca, and Paul Lee. Barangay Ginebra will rely on the continued excellence of Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar. Attention will also be focused on rookie Sonny Estil, a late draft pick who impressed scouts with outstanding performances at the PBA Draft combine. The PBA season will feature 27 games played outside Metro Manila, including fixtures in Dubai and Bahrain. A break in the schedule is planned from November 17 to December 4 to accommodate the FIBA Asia Cup qualifier window. The opening week also marks the debut of the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, formerly known as the NorthPort Batang Pier. The Giant Risers will face the Meralco Bolts on Wednesday, October 8, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. On the same day, defending All-Filipino champions San Miguel Beermen will play against the NLEX Road Warriors. In this All-Filipino conference, 12 teams will compete in a single-round elimination format, each playing 11 games. The elimination round is scheduled to conclude by December 19, followed by the playoffs to crown the champion.

Dana Evans' Clutch Three Lifts Las Vegas Aces to Game 1 Victory Over Phoenix Mercury

In a thrilling encounter at the 2025 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Finals held in Las Vegas on Saturday, October 4, 2025, guard Dana Evans propelled the Las Vegas Aces to a narrow 89-86 victory over the Phoenix Mercury. Evans sank a pivotal go-ahead three-pointer with just 3:40 left on the clock, significantly contributing to the Aces' triumph. The Mercury remained within striking distance as Alyssa Thomas delivered a driving layup, closing the gap to a single point with 51.5 seconds remaining. However, Thomas faltered on both free-throw attempts thereafter, while Aces’ Jackie Young capitalized by converting two crucial foul shots that extended their lead to three points with 13.5 seconds to play. In the final moments, Phoenix forward Satou Sabally missed a critical three-point shot, allowing Young to secure the rebound and cement Las Vegas’ win. Evans finished the game with an impressive 21 points off the bench, shooting 8-for-13 overall, including 5-for-6 from beyond the arc. Additionally, she contributed four steals, seven assists, and two rebounds. Reflecting on her decisive play in the fourth quarter, Evans stated, \"I\'m going to be honest, I\'m just like in the zone in the game, I don\'t remember exactly. I just want to win really bad, so whatever that looks like, whatever my teammates need from me, I\'m going to do it, whatever it is, to win.\"

Rey Nambatac Leads TNT to Overtime Victory, Secures PBA Press Corps Player of the Week Honors

Rey Nambatac delivered a pivotal performance to guide TNT to a thrilling 100-98 overtime victory over Meralco, helping the Tropang 5G maintain their lead in the PBA Philippine Cup standings. This win marked TNT's fourth triumph in five games, reinforcing their strong campaign following last season's Finals disappointment. Nambatac was instrumental in the comeback, scoring 22 points, with 20 of those coming in the second half and overtime. Facing a daunting 23-point deficit, TNT staged a remarkable rally to overturn Meralco’s advantage. "It’s all about confidence," Nambatac stated, reflecting on his performance. His decisive four-point shot late in regulation put TNT ahead 90-87, although a Nolan Chris Newsome three-pointer for Meralco sent the contest into overtime after Nambatac missed a potential game-clinching four-point attempt. However, he redeemed himself in the final moments of the extra period by sinking the game-winning jumper off an assist from Chris Banchero, securing the victory for his team. Despite the success, Nambatac admitted he was still reflective about the missed opportunity earlier, saying, "I really regretted missing the second four-pointer because it could have ended the game. But that miss motivated me to take the last shot in overtime, even if it wasn’t for four points." For his efforts during the week of October 29 to November 2, Nambatac received the PBA Press Corps Player of the Week award, surpassing other notable contenders including June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Juami Tiongson, Stephen Holt, and Santi Santillan.

Jana Jelena Diaz Secures Girls' Singles Title at Batang Pinoy National Championships

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Jana Jelena Diaz, the top seed from General Trias City, Cavite, clinched the girls' singles championship at the Batang Pinoy National Championships held at the General Santos Tennis Club on Friday, October 31, 2025. Diaz dominated second-seeded Dhea Angelica Cua of Cotabato City with a straight-sets victory, 6-1, 6-4. The Grade 11 La Salle Zobel student reached the final after defeating fourth seed Sabine Dasha See of Pasig City, 8-2, while Cua edged past third seed Jayden Reece Ballado of Olongapo City in a tightly contested 8-7 (5) semifinal match. Reflecting on her win, Diaz stated, \"I came here prepared and I\'m happy to win again. I\'m looking forward to next year\'s Batang Pinoy in Bacolod City and will train hard to defend my title.\" Currently ranked No. 1 in the U16 and No. 3 in the U18 Philippine Tennis Association standings, the 16-year-old also secured team gold and mixed doubles bronze medals last year at the tournament in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Additionally, she won the mixed doubles gold in the 2023 Batang Pinoy held in Manila. Earlier this year, Diaz claimed the U18 singles title at the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open Juniors and was runner-up in doubles with partner Chloe Marie Mercado. She has also represented the Philippines internationally, participating in the Billie Jean King Cup pre-qualifying round in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and capturing the U16 singles title at the Asian Tennis Federation tournament in Shymkent, Kazakhstan in May. In the boys' division, fifth seed Stephen Fuertes of Digos City, Davao del Sur, triumphed over ninth seed Al Tristan Licayan in a thrilling three-set final, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3). Fuertes advanced to the final by defeating top seed Juvels Velos of Cebu City 8-6 in the semifinals and third seed France Vhiele Dilao of Santa Rosa City, Laguna 8-7 (4) in the quarterfinals. Licayan, meanwhile, delivered notable upsets throughout the tournament by overcoming second seed Rain Ninal of Valencia, Bukidnon (8-2), fourth seed Shawn Apollo Globasa of North Cotabato (8-3), and sixth seed Inigo Nathaniel Barrios of Kidapawan City (8-0). As of 3 p.m. Friday, Pasig City maintained its lead in the unofficial medal standings with 38 golds, 25 silvers, and 29 bronzes. Manila followed closely with 36 golds, 31 silvers, and 25 bronzes, while four-time champion Baguio City logged 29 gold medals. Other notable standings included Quezon City in fourth place with 22 golds, complemented by Santa Rosa City, Leyte, Davao City, Zamboanga City, General Santos City, and Surigao del Sur rounding out the top ten. The Batang Pinoy tournament, organized by the Philippine Sports Commission under chairman John Patrick Gregorio, held its closing ceremony on Thursday. General Santos City Mayor Lorelie G. Pacquiao officially transferred hosting responsibilities to Bacolod City Mayor Greg G. Gasataya. With a total prize pool of PHP15 million, rewards are allocated with PHP5 million for the overall champion, PHP4 million for second place, PHP3 million for third, PHP2 million for fourth, and PHP1 million for fifth place.

NLEX Triumphs Over Defending Champion San Miguel Amid Robert Bolick's Absence

ANTIPOLO, Philippines – The NLEX Road Warriors overcame the loss of key player Robert Bolick to hand defending Philippine Cup champion San Miguel Beermen a tough defeat in a closely contested match on Wednesday, October 8, at the Ynares Center. Bolick missed the game to mourn the passing of his American father, yet his teammates stepped up significantly to fill the void. Jonnel Policarpio and Brandon Ramirez each contributed 16 points, while JB Bahio achieved a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Road Warriors coach Jong Uichico emphasized the emotional dedication behind the win, stating, \"We’re trying to dedicate this game to Berto’s father who passed away. He was supposed to play today before leaving, but we understand that he wants to be with his father for the last time.\" NLEX erased a double-digit deficit and secured an 85-80 lead following two crucial free throws by Bahio with less than 20 seconds remaining. The Beermen rallied as Don Trollano's four-point play brought the game within one point, and two missed free throws by Bahio left San Miguel a chance to take the lead. However, the Beermen missed their opportunity when Trollano, unaware of the game clock, opted against a potential game-winning shot and turned the ball over at the buzzer. In Bolick's absence, Kevin Alas provided solid support with 13 points, five rebounds, and two steals, complemented by Richie Rodger's nine points. For San Miguel, nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo led with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists but was largely contained in the critical fourth quarter, scoring only two points. Trollano tallied 17 points along with five assists and three steals, while Jericho Cruz added 12 points and six boards. CJ Perez, recovering from an ankle injury and also a First Mythical Team member alongside Fajardo, played limited minutes, contributing two points. Final Scores: NLEX 85 – Policarpio 16, Ramirez 16, Alas 13, Bahio 12, Rodger 9, Valdez 6, Amer 5, Semerad 4, Nieto 2, Torres 2, Fajardo 0, Herndon 0. San Miguel 84 – Fajardo 18, Trollano 17, Cruz 12, Lassiter 8, Tiongson 7, Brondial 7, Tautuaa 6, Cahilig 5, Teng 2, Perez 2, Ross 0, Miller 0. Quarter scores were 22-25, 32-42, 66-67, and 85-84. This victory marks a resilient effort by NLEX as they continue to navigate the Philippine Cup without one of their top scorers.

San Juan and Rizal Secure Playoff Spots with End-of-Season Wins in MPBL 2025

The San Juan Knights and Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers both concluded their elimination round campaigns with wins on Monday at the Marikina Sports Center, ensuring their spots in the playoffs of the Manny Pacquiao Presents MPBL 2025 Season. San Juan dominated the Marikina Shoemasters 78-61, improving their record to 26-3 and securing third place in the North Division. They trail only the Abra Weavers (27-1) and Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (27-2) in the round-robin phase of the 30-team, two-division tournament. The Knights were led by Arvin Gamboa, who posted 18 points and eight rebounds, while Orlan Wamar contributed 10 points and nine assists. AC Soberano and Raul Soyud also added nine and eight points, respectively. Marikina, ending their season at 4-25, received 12 points and eight rebounds each from Karl Penano and Jay Yutuc. In the nightcap, the Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers narrowly edged the Bacolod Tubo Slashers 78-72 to hold onto third place in the South Division with a 19-10 record. They remain behind leaders Quezon Huskers (25-4) and Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters (19-10). Michael Canete spearheaded Rizal’s effort with 14 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, complemented by Alwyn Alday’s 11 points and Neil Tolentino’s all-around contribution of eight points, seven rebounds, and four steals. John Apacible chipped in eight points and seven boards. Bacolod ended their campaign at 7-22, with John Lemuel Pastias leading with 15 points. Earlier, the Davao Occidental Tigers overcame a late surge from the Quezon City Galeries Taipans to claim a 97-91 victory. Despite trailing after the Taipans went on a 13-point run in the fourth quarter, the Tigers regained control with key baskets from Wowie Escosio. The victory moved Davao Occidental to 12-17, positioning them ninth in the South Division. They will face the tenth-seed Cebu Classic (11-18) in the upcoming play-in. Joseph Terso starred for the Tigers, tallying 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Escosio added a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, supported by Harold Arboleda and Jeff Comia. Quezon City, finishing at 7-22, had notable performances from Jeff Javillonar who scored 17 points with seven rebounds, and Nino Ibanez contributing 10 points and six rebounds. The MPBL elimination round wraps up Tuesday at the Robert Estrella Memorial Gymnasium with Mindoro facing Abra at 4 p.m., followed by Pangasinan hosting Caloocan at 6 p.m.

Fever Forces Decisive Game Five After Gritty Semifinal Comeback Against Aces

The Fever demonstrated remarkable resilience in their semifinal series, overcoming a 2–1 deficit to claim a pivotal victory in Game Four against the heavily favored Aces. Facing elimination, the Fever played with a focused intensity marked by discipline rather than recklessness, orchestrating a comeback that forced a decisive fifth game. Central to the Fever's triumph was All-Star Aliyah Boston, who balanced her traditional defensive responsibilities with a dominant offensive performance. Boston posted a stat line of 24 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks. Her relentless aggressiveness — drawing fouls, creating space, and asserting control — proved crucial in shifting momentum in the Fever’s favor. Complementing Boston’s efforts was MVP candidate Kelsey Mitchell, who scored 25 points, including a critical jumper under heavy contact late in the game that helped secure breathing room. Odyssey Sims contributed 18 steady points, providing calm leadership during tense stretches. Unsung heroes such as Lexie Hull, Shey Peddy, and Makayla Timpson made key contributions through hustle plays, defensive disruptions, and paint protection. Game Four was defined by the Fever’s aggressive style, as evidenced by forcing 17 turnovers that resulted in 25 points and a commanding 14-rebound advantage over the Aces. Despite a dominant showing from the Aces’ newly crowned MVP A’ja Wilson, who recorded 31 points, nine rebounds, and multiple assists, the Fever managed to contain the supporting cast and prevent Wilson from singularly deciding the match. A critical turning point came late in the game when the Aces, trailing by seven points, inexplicably called a timeout they did not have. This costly error, attributed to the experienced coaching staff led by Becky Hammon, granted the Fever free throws and possession that extended their lead and ultimately sealed the victory. The Fever’s ability to absorb pressure, maintain composure, and capitalize on opponents’ mistakes embodies the perseverance that defined their season. Now, with momentum on their side, they prepare for a winner-take-all Game Five on their home court at Michelob ULTRA Arena, where they will face a challenging, partisan crowd and a highly skilled Aces squad. Refusing to be intimidated by the stakes, the Fever embrace the final test with confidence and determination, demonstrating throughout their campaign an unwavering belief that when the pressure mounts, their resilience shines brightest.

College of Saint Benilde Advances to Second Round of 2025 Shakey’s Super League Unity Cup

MANILA – College of Saint Benilde (CSB) earned a spot in the second round of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup by defeating Perpetual Help in a tightly contested Pool D match at Paco Arena on Sunday. The Lady Blazers registered a clean 28-26, 26-24, 25-18 victory, improving their record to 2-0 and securing first place in their pool. Four-time National Collegiate Athletic Association champions, CSB, will now advance alongside University of the Philippines, the leader of Pool C. Zamantha Nolasco led the charge for CSB with an impressive 12 points, stemming from seven successful attacks, three blocks, and two aces. Reflecting on their performance, Nolasco stated, \"We knew what coach Jerry Yee was going to say, so we just talked to each other. Our lapses in the first and second sets were probably because we were just relaxing. During the third set, we really brought out our game and we wanted to finish.\" Supporting Nolasco’s effort were Fiona Inocentes with 10 points, and both Camila Bartolome and Shahanna Lleses, who contributed eight and seven points respectively. The Lady Blazers now set their sights on securing a three-game sweep in the group stage against Ateneo de Manila University, which holds a 1-0 record, in their upcoming Thursday match. On the opposing side, Perpetual Help was powered by Shaila Omipon’s 11 points, while Charisse Enrico and Liz Villanueva each added six points. Despite their 1-2 standing, Perpetual Help continued to display strong resistance throughout the match.