MEDINAH, Illinois — Adam Scott was a fresh face at age 23 and getting feisty under the darkening sky in South Africa.  The Presidents Cup was tied. Ernie Els and Tiger Woods were in a tense playoff when the captains agreed to a tie, meaning the Americans would keep the cup as defending champions. “Keep playing,” Scott shouted. They ultimately agreed to share the cup. Asked for his recollections from his 2003 debut, the 46-year-old Australian smiled and said: “I think I strongly suggested that Ernie get to the 18th tee because we’re playing. I was confident they could tee off. I don’t know that they could have finished the hole.” Scott never could have imagined then that it would be the closest he ever came to playing on a winning International team in the Presidents Cup.  This week at Medinah marks his 12th consecutive appearance, tying the record held by Phil Mickelson. It’s another testament to a career built around a swing so pure it has kept Scott free of injury as he became only the second player to compete in at least 100 consecutive majors, and it has kept him relevant enough to be part of yet another Presidents Cup. It’s also one more chance, and Scott doesn’t take it for granted. “I feel like it’s a huge opportunity for me,” Scott said. “There was probably a period 10 years ago, in the middle of my career, where it was, ‘Oh, this (winning) is going to happen.’ But now there’s not many more, that’s for sure. I’ve been given another chance. It might be the last one.” The Internationals gathered for the team photo, and it was only fitting that Scott had a place next to the gold trophy, with lifelong friend and International captain Geoff Ogilvy on the other side. One is the captain who has been the model of quiet confidence. The other is the inspiration for a team that wants to win as badly as Scott does. “He’s part of the International furniture now,” Christiaan Bezuidenhout said. “All of us would love to win the cup, but it would be so much more special if we can do it while Adam is still in the team.” Scott, coming off a runner-up finish in the BMW PGA Championship last week in England, still can find plenty of happy memories from his two-plus decades being on losing teams.

PHILADELPHIA — LeBron James said his longstanding friendship with All-Star Tyrese Maxey and a desire to help Joel Embiid win his first NBA title played significant roles in his decision to sign a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in July. The 41-year-old James revealed scant details about the free-agency process on his “Mind the Game” podcast with co-host Steve Nash that dropped Friday (Saturday in Manila). James is scheduled to meet the press for the first time as a Sixer on Monday at the team’s media day in Camden, New Jersey. Training camp opens next week. A four-time NBA champion, James wrote on social media when he signed with the Sixers that he felt he was “done” when his 23rd NBA season ended, his last with the Los Angeles Lakers. But after time away with family, and still feeling physically and mentally strong in offseason workouts, James decided he wanted to keep playing. James has won NBA championships with every team he’s played for: the Lakers, Miami and Cleveland. “I think I’m more in love with the pursuit of how much more can I defy the odds,” James said on the podcast. James said “Philly was not even a question” early in his decision making until the Sixers pulled the surprising deal with Boston for NBA Finals MVP and champion Jaylen Brown. James and Maxey share an agent and have been friends and workout partners since the Sixers guard broke into the league, a friendship that turned into a recruiting pitch for the NBA’s career scoring leader. “When I became a free agent and we decided to let the Lakers know that I wouldn’t be returning, he was one of the first people that was on my line, calling me,” James said of Maxey. James also was intrigued with trying to help the oft-injured Embiid win his first title. Embiid has won an NBA MVP, two scoring titles, and Olympic gold medal, but has yet to lead the Sixers out of the second round of the playoffs since Philadelphia selected him third overall in the 2014 draft. “He’s done everything in our league, and the only thing he has not done is win a championship. And I want to try to help him get that first one,” James said. “He has a city on his back. He’s been ‘The Process’ for 10 years, 12 years, however long he’s been there. But I think it’s time we even get you deeper into The Process. And I hope that I can be, kind of, that final little piece that can help him get over the hump.” The Sixers went 45-37 last season and were swept in the second round by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks. James’ résumé is beyond compare in NBA history. He’s a 22-time All-Star, a 21-time All-NBA selection, a four-time Most Valuable Player, a four-time NBA Finals MVP, a three-time All-Star Game MVP, and was a member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team. He’s also coming off a season where he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. For his career, he’s averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists in more than 1,600 games. James’ eight seasons with the Lakers were the longest continuous stretch with a single team of his NBA career, and he helped the franchise win its 17th championship in 2020. He even became the first father to play alongside his son in league history, teaming up with guard Bronny James for the past two seasons.

LONDON — Carlos Alcaraz helped Europe take a 3-1 lead on the first day of the Laver Cup as the Spaniard teamed up with Jakub Mensik for a doubles victory. The world number three, playing in only his second event since a four-month injury lay-off, impressed the watching Rod Laver and Roger Federer as he and Mensik defeated Alexander Bublik and Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4. Alcaraz plans to play fewer events going forward, blaming an “impossible” tennis calendar for a rising number of injuries in the sport. But the seven-time Grand Slam champion said before the competition that his “love” for team events helps him “bring my joy back on the court, bring my joy back on playing tennis.” He and Mensik were all smiles as just one break of serve sufficed in each set to earn an opening day lead. Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, the reigning French and US Open champion, were both kept in reserve by European captain Yannick Noah earlier on Friday. Casper Ruud earned the first point of the tournament by edging out Francisco Cerundolo 10-8 in a deciding tie-break. Brandon Nakashima responded for Team World, also edging out Mensik in a tie-break after the first two sets were shared. Rising Spanish star Rafael Jodar was more convincing on his Laver Cup debut with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Bublik. The first side to 13 points will be crowned winners of the three-day event at London’s O2. Each match is worth one point on Friday, two on Saturday and three on Sunday. Meanwhile, Alcaraz has called on tennis chiefs to end late matches at Grand Slams after his record-breaking US Open exit in the middle of the night. Alcaraz’s reign as US Open champion was shattered by Ben Shelton in a five-set thriller that finished at 3.33am local time in New York. The quarter-final started on a Tuesday evening and finally came to a conclusion after four hours and 28 minutes on a Wednesday morning in the latest finish in US Open history. The cut-off for matches at Wimbledon is 11pm local time, but the US Open, French Open and Australian Open do not have an allotted time to halt play.

NAGOYA, Japan — Chinese freestyler Zhang Zhanshuo completed his sweep of seven gold medals at the Asian Games, taking the 400-meter freestyle in 3 minutes, 41.28 seconds on the final day of swimming events. His time was just 1.30 seconds off the world record held by Lukas Martens of Germany (3:39.98). Zhang also won the 1,500, 800 and 200 free and added gold in three relays. He celebrated at poolside by sitting on the lane divider and counting the golds with his fingers. The Chinese won a record 30 gold medals — and 54 overall — during the six days of swimming at these Asian Games and surpassed the 28 gold medals they won three years ago in Hangzhou. Japan was right there in many races, winning seven gold and 37 medals overall — also better than their totals three years ago. Japan’s 17-year-old Shin Ohashi set the only world record of the games, taking the 200-meter breaststroke on Thursday in 2:04.83. Ohashi obliterated the old mark of 2:05.48 set by China’s Qin Haiyang in 2023 at the world championships in Fukuoka, Japan. China’s 13-year-old Yu Zidi was the most talked about swimmer heading into the Asian Games. She did not disappoint, winning the 200 butterfly, and the 200 and 400 individual medleys. Her time in the 200 IM was 2:06.10, just off the world mark held by Canadian Summer McIntosh (2:05.70). Yu’s times are still a bit off McIntosh’s standard in all three events. But she is a legitimate threat at next year’s world championships and the 2028 Olympics where, of course, other swim powers like Australia and United States will be present. China won gold medals in five of the seven races on Friday, just as dominant as it was all week. Zhang Yufei won the women’s 50 fly in 25.41 with teammate Wu Qingfeng taking silver. China’s Qin Haiyang took the 50 breaststroke (26.68) with Ohashi — the record-setter on Thursday — settling for bronze. Other Chinese winners were Li Bingjie in the 800 free (8:24.02), Zhang Zhanshuo in the 400 free (3:41.28), and the women’s 4x100 medley relay (3:54.55). Japan’s Kodai Nishiono won the men’s 200 backstroke (1:56.42), and Taiwan’s Wang Kuan-hung claimed the 200 fly (1:55.05).

ALEX Eala seized the top seed and a first-round bye in the 20th Asian Games women's singles tennis at the Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Japan. The Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) revealed the tournament draw in a Facebook post on Friday. Coming off a shock second-round exit at the WTA 500 Singapore Open, the Filipino tennis ace will face the winner between Thailand's Patcharin Cheapchandej and Pakistan's Mahin Aftab Qureshi who clash in the first round. World No. 18 Eala suffered a stunning 6-4, 5-7, 3-6 loss to No. 180 Tatiana Prozorova of Russia in the round of 16 on Thursday in Singapore, where she was the No. 3 seed with a first-round bye. Eala is determined to bounce back in the Asian Games, where she's the favorite to win the gold medal in the tournament running from September 27 to October 3. Back in the 2018 edition of the tournament, then 18-year-old Eala snared two bronze medals -- one in individual and another in mixed doubles. No. 2 seed Zhang Shuai of China also received a first-round bye in this year's 32-player Asiad field. Ranked No. 55 in the WTA, 37-year-old Zhang is poised to challenge 21-year-old Eala for the title. Eala already defeated Zhang in their lone encounter in the first round of the HSBC Championships last June, 6-3, 6-2. No. 3 seed Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan and No. 4 Wang Xiyu of China are the two other WTA players poised to challenge Eala for the Asiad gold. Putintseva is ranked No. 79 while Wang is No. 83. Meanwhile, another Filipino bet in Tenniele Madis will also compete in the women's singles play. Madis will face No. 7 seed Himeno Sakatsume of Japan in the first round. Eala and Madis will compete in the doubles division, too. Eala teams up with Shaira Hope Rivera as they face Lai Ching Laam and Kallista Liu of Hong Kong in the first round.

Albert Ian Delos Santos captured the Philippines" 10th medal in the 2026 Asian Games after bagging the bronze medal in weightlifting on Saturday in Japan.

YOUNG blood Albert Ian Delos Santos made a grand entrance in his Asian Games debut, setting new junior World and Asian records to capture the bronze medal in the men’s 70-kilogram weightlifting event at the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Centre in Japan. As the youngest competitor in the nine-man field, the promising weightlifter lifted a total of 324 kg—154 kg in the snatch and 183 kg in the clean and jerk—to secure his spot on the podium. Serving as Team Philippines’ flag-bearer, Delos Santos eclipsed his previous junior mark of 321 kg (141 kg snatch, 180 kg clean and jerk), which he set at the Asian Youth & Junior Championships in August. While Delos Santos previously recorded a total lift of 326 kg in the 71 kg class at the IWF World Championships, the International Weightlifting Federation restructured its bodyweight categories in 2026, establishing 70 kg and 71 kg as separate divisions. Coming from a proud lineage of weightlifters—his late father Alvin was a former Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and coach, and his mother Diwa was a former national lifter—an emotional Delos Santos held up a photo of his father following his victory. North Korea’s Won Ju Ri claimed the gold medal with a total lift of 349 kg (151 kg snatch, 198 kg clean and jerk), while Japan’s Masanori Miyamoto took silver with 342 kg (154 kg snatch, 188 kg clean and jerk). Meanwhile, Japan’s 11-year-old eSports prodigy Yuki Kurihara won Asian Games gold on Saturday in style after thrashing a series of opponents up to three times his age. The bespectacled primary school student, believed to be the youngest competitor at the Games in Aichi-Nagoya, won the Puyo Puyo Champions final 10-2. He is host country Japan’s youngest athlete in Asian Games history. Puyo Puyo Champions is a puzzle game where players try to clear their screen of coloured blobs by lining them up and popping them. Look unruffled throughout, Kurihara waltzed into the gold-medal match with a series of dazzling displays. He crushed Thailand’s Tanarak Wongkitkun -- a relative veteran at 28 -- 10-1 in the semi-finals to ensure at least a silver medal.

THE Alas Pilipinas men’s national volleyball team faces a steep uphill battle as it opens its 2026 Asian Games campaign against a formidable South Korean squad on Sunday at the Park Arena Komaki in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The game is set at 12 noon (Manila time). Slated in Pool D alongside South Korea, China and Taiwan, Alas Pilipinas must secure at least two victories to finish among the top two in the pool and advance to the quarterfinals. Currently ranked 114th in the world, the underdog Philippine team will need Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni to work his tactical magic against higher-ranked opponents—South Korea (25th), China (34th), and Taiwan (55th). Nevertheless, Alas aims to defy the odds by drawing confidence from its historic FIVB World Championship victory over then-World No. 21 Egypt. To mount its campaign, the national squad has retained its full FIVB World Championship roster. Heavy hitters Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo lead the outside hitters alongside Buds Buddin and Jude Garcia, while Leo Ordiales and John Lirck Mendoza anchor the opposite position. Middle blockers Lloyd Josafat, Peng Taguibolos, and Joshua Magalaman, together with libero Josh Ybañez, round out the defensive and net efforts. Adding a crucial boost to the lineup, star playmaker Owa Retamar arrived in Japan following a long-haul flight from Poland, where his club team, Ordu, released him from training camp to answer the national call. Retamar expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to represent the country across the SEA Games, World Championship, and now the Asian Games, emphasizing that playing for the national team goes beyond contracts and obligations as the team unites to focus on supporting each other. “This goes beyond contracts or obligations. When the country calls, you play for something bigger than yourself. I’m grateful to Ordu for allowing me to represent the Philippines, and after the Asian Games, I will return with the same commitment to fulfill my responsibilities to the club,” Retamar said. The setter made sure to not waste any chance to represent the Philippines. “This is for the young Owa who had all of these on his bucket list—to play in the SEA Games, the World Championship, and now the Asian Games. Playing with the Philippine team will always be a mix of excitement and challenge. Let’s set aside the noise and focus on supporting each other and playing as one team.”

Gillingham’s winning streak in League Two came to an abrupt end on Saturday against an impressive York City.

Gillingham had a new face in the squad on Saturday for their League Two game at York City.

Macmac Alfanta starred as National University defeated the University of the Philippines, 72-64, in the UAAP Season 89 men"s basketball tournament on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Follow this afternoon’s football, including Gillingham’s trip to York, in our live blog.

MANILA, Philippines — National University held off University of the Philippines, 72-64, at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday to claim its second straight win in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament.   The Bulldogs barked to a 21-4 start and did just enough down the stretch to deny any uprising by the Fighting Maroons. Reinhard Jumamoy logged 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists for NU which improved to 2-1 and dragged UP to the same record. NU, UP, and Ateneo now share the lead in the team standings. Mac Alfanta came through with 13 points as Paul Franciso and Mo Diassana chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively. Arvie Poyos paced UP with 13 points, four assists, and three steals.

UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament NU def. UP, 72-64 Macmac Alfanta Player of the Game #UAAPSeason89

Alex Eala has arrived in Japan as she begins the final stretch of her preparations for the 2026 Asian Games, where the Filipina tennis star will lead the country"s medal hopes in the women"s singles event.

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala arrived in Nagoya, Japan on Saturday as she prepares for the 20th Asian Games. "Proud and excited," said Eala in a quick interview at the airport as posted by the Philippine Olympic Committee Facebook page Saturday evening.  Eala is coming off a shock second-round exit at the WTA 500 Singapore Open, where she fell to world No. 180 Tatiana Prozorova, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, last Thursday. As the top seed in the Asiad women's singles play, Eala earned a first-round bye in the tournament at the Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center. The competition will run from September 27 to October 3.

Carlos and Eldrew Yulo's medal haul in the 2026 Asian Games tell a story of success, but the brothers know all too well that it is only part of the story.

Far Eastern University broke through in UAAP Season 89 with a 93-70 victory over the University of the East on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

MANILA, Philippines — Asian Games bronze medalist Albert Ian delos Santos dedicated his medal to his late father after delivering a podium finish at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. Delos Santos lifted 141 kilograms in the snatch and 183 kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 324 kg, good for the bronze medal in the men’s weightlifting competition on Saturday. In a Facebook post by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Delos Santos said he felt his father’s presence throughout his performance. “Coincidentally, the lights are not that bright from the others. But my platform was the brightest,” he said. “I said I’m gonna be sentimental. That’s papa,” he added. Delos Santos brought with him a photo of his father, Alvin delos Santos, who was also a former weightlifter and served as his coach. The elder Delos Santos died earlier this year. “To my Filipino supporters, thank you for supporting and watching. And for those curious, that is my late father… every lift, I dedicate it to him and to him only,” Delos Santos said.

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda University secured its second straight victory after holding off Jose Rizal University, 65-62, in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. Sean Torculas spearheaded the Red Lions with 29 points and eight rebounds, while Andrei Ugaddan chipped in 11 points. Chris Hubilla paced JRU with 14 points and three rebounds in the losing effort. Eligado added 13 points, while Salvador finished with 11. Laurence Mangubat contributed 10 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Bombers. With the victory, San Beda improved to 2-1, while JRU also dropped to 2-1 in Pool A.

Andrei Ugaddan and Aldous Torculas took turns to help San Beda University escape their preseason tormentor Jose Rizal University, 65-62, in the NCAA Season 102 on Saturday.

NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament San Beda def. JRU, 65-62 Sean Torculas Player of the Game #NCAASeason102

Ateneo de Manila University bounced back at the expense of Adamson University, 73-68, on Saturday for its second win in the UAAP Season 89 men"s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament FEU def. UE, 93-70 Kirby Mongcopa Player of the Game #UAAPSeason89

MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University hammered the University of the East, 93-70, at the Mall of Asia Arena Saturday to take its first win in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament. Kirby Mongcopa pumped 13 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists to lead the Tamaraws, who bounced back from their season-opening loss to the Adamson Soaring Falcons. Mo Konateh came through with 15 points and nine rebounds while Jorick Bautista chipped in 13 points. Toper Lagat scored 20 points and five rebounds for the Red Warriors, who played under interim coach Paolo Hubalde after Chris Gavina resigned as head coach. UE dropped to 0-3.

Nesthy Petecio got her 2026 Asian Games campaign off to a flying start, forcing a referee stoppage in her first match in the women's 60kg division on Saturday at the Nishio Gymnasium in Japan.

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino Olympian Nesthy Petecio scored a knockout victory (referee stops contest) against Jordanian Mays Alreem Abukhadijah to enter the 20th Asian Games women's boxing 60kg quarterfinals at the Nishio Gymnasium in Japan on Saturday. Petecio unleashed a right hook at the 1:51 mark of the second round that shook Abukhadijah, as the referee deemed it a knockdown and ruled the latter unfit to continue after the count. Petecio faces Chinese Yang Chengyu in the quarterfinals on Monday with a win securing her a bronze medal in the meet.

MANILA, Philippines — Veteran hitter Regina Jurado showed the way as University of Santo Tomas got off to a great start with a 25-21, 25-12, 25-18, victory over College of Saint Benilde in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Jurado scored 12 of her game-high 13 points on attacks as the Golden Tigresses asserted their mastery over the Lady Blazers in a rematch of their SSL National Invitationals championship showdown. “Very thankful and nakaka-gain talaga ng confidence namin na first win namin ito and sunud-sunod ang mga games and liga. Happy na nakuha namin ang first game na ito,” said Jurado, who only saw action in two sets. UST joined Mapua University in sharing the top spot in Pool B of the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R&B Milk Tea.    Marga Altea and Erica Guttierez added seven points each while Avril Bron finished with five markers for the Tigresses, whose one-hour, 20-minute triumph was aided by the Lady Blazers’ 25 errors. UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos also tested his setter rotation and yielded good results. Aneeza Santos and Arlene Waje tallied eight excellent sets each while veteran playmaker Cassie Carballo dished out six. UST encountered resistance late in the first set after CSB cut a five-point deficit down to two, 23-21. The Tigresses responded with two straight points capped by a kill by Jurado. UST’s second stringers held the fort in the second frame, dominating their Lady Blazers counterparts. The Tigresses cruised the rest of the way to begin their mission to settle unfinished business after a runner-up finish in the previous edition of 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. Camila Bartolome was the lone bright spot for CSB, unloading 11 points on nine kills and two aces. Mary Grace Borromeo had six points for the Lady Blazers. Action continues on Sunday with Emilio Aguinaldo College taking on San Sebastian College-Recoletos at 1 p.m. Arellano University, which beat University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 23-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-23, on Friday, battles Letran at 3 p.m. followed by the 5 p.m. clash between debuting University of the East and Lyceum of the Philippines University. All games are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports. TMT

For Albert Ian Delos Santos, winning bronze at the 20th Asian Games meant more than just the weight he lifted.

NAGOYA — The South Korean men's sabre fencers will seek to extend their gold medal streak in the team event to four at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday. Along with teammates Do Gyeong-dong, Park Sang-won and Hwang Hee-geun, Oh Sang-uk, who won gold medals in the individual and team events at the Paris Olympics, will aim to repeat the feat here in Japan after winning the individual event Wednesday. South Korea has won the men's sabre team event at the Asian Games since the 2014 Incheon edition. The women's foil team will also take to the piste, seeking South Korea's first Asiad gold medal in the event since the 2014 edition. In basketball, South Korea will take on the host Japan in the women's final for its first gold medal in 12 years. In esports, South Korean gamers will compete in puzzle and fighting games. Gamer Kang Dong-shin will play in the semifinals and final of Puyo Puyo Champions, while Lee Kwang-noh, Yeon Jea-gil and Bae Jae-min will vie for the gold medal in the fighting games event. Shooters will pursue medals in the women's 50-meter rifle 3 positions individual and t