Robert Bolick made sure NLEX wouldn’t miss its greatest opportunity to end its string of playoff flameouts. And Bolick did it in the manner of those Halloween movie villains: relentless and merciless. The do-it-all guard had 16 of his 23 points in the first quarter as the Road Warriors shook off the fear of yet

DAKAR, SENEGAL—Swimmer Jamesray Mishael Ajido and wushu standout Angel Polo open the Philippines’ campaign in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on Sunday, hoping to build on their international experience as Africa hosts the event for the first time. Ajido, 17, will compete in the third of four heats of the men’s 100-meter butterfly at the

Mo Diassana dominated the paint as National University turned back University of Santo Tomas, 75-71, Saturday to tighten its grip on second place in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Diassana finished with 16 points and 19 rebounds, including nine offensive boards, as the Bulldogs completed an elimination-round sweep of

Evan Mobley scored a season-high 27 points and Jarrett Allen had 25 points and 11 rebounds as the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers rolled to a 136-111 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.

Leylah Fernandez hailed her “mental fortitude” after setting up a Pan Pacific Open title clash against Russia’s Diana Shnaider on Saturday. The world No. 23 from Canada defeated Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova, 7-5, 6-3, in Tokyo to reach a second consecutive final. Fernandez won her first title of the season in Singapore in September and followed

MANILA, Philippines – Despite bowing out of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour Philippines Pro, 15-year-old Filipino surfer Mara Lopez earned something more meaningful than a victory after drawing praise from none other than world No. 1 Molly Picklum. The Australian surfing star was impressed by the young La Union native, who faced her in Round 1 and Heat 5, and saw in Lopez a promising talent capable of inspiring the next generation of Filipino surfers. Lopez finished with 4.50 points against Picklum's 11.50 in the competition at the famed Cloud 9 reef break in Siargao on Sunday morning. The young wildcard managed a 2.50-point ride on her third wave and added 2.00 on her fourth. The reigning world No. 1 produced scores of 5.33 and 6.17 to secure the victory in the historic competition presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and backed by Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers, General Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga and Vice Mayor Romina Sajulga. But beyond the result, Picklum was particularly touched after learning that she may have been one of Lopez's inspirations in taking up the sport. "Maybe I'm one of her inspirations. And that stuff to me is just so special," Picklum said, reflecting on her encounter with the young Filipino surfer. Picklum also had encouraging words for Lopez, praising her surfing ability and revealing that the teenager is also an outstanding longboarder. "I said to her, you're surfing so well. And she's also an A-one longboarder," the Australian star said. More than recognizing Lopez's talent, Picklum believes the young surfer can become a role model for other aspiring athletes in the country. "Either way, she's going to inspire the next generation, which is just so cool," she added. The world No. 1 also expressed admiration for Siargao's closely-knit surfing community, pointing out how the small island has built a strong culture around the sport. "Siargao is such a small island and they have such a strong surfing community. So that was really cool," Picklum said. For Lopez, the encounter with one of the sport's biggest names provided a valuable experience despite the early exit. Picklum's words also served as a strong vote of confidence in the young Filipina's ability to make her mark in the sport. Also backing the event are the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and NEA/SIARELCO. TMT

LeBron James scored 20 points including a late tip-in to help seal the Philadelphia 76ers’ 98-93 victory over the NBA champion New York Knicks on Friday. The 76ers notched their second win of the young season over the Knicks after spoiling their championship banner-raising with a victory at Madison Square Garden on opening night. The

Saddiq Bey came off the bench to score a season-high 25 points and spark the New Orleans Pelicans to their second straight win, a 121-99 victory over the visiting Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.

Carl Jammes Martin scored the biggest victory of his career, upsetting Mexico"s Alan David Picasso via split decision in their 10-round featherweight showdown on Sunday morning (Philippine time) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino boxer Carl Jammes Martin painted an upset split decision win against Mexican David Picasso to claim the World Boxing Council (WBC) silver featherweight belt at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia early Sunday in Manila. Surviving a flash knockdown in the sixth round, Martin did just enough to sway two judges to his side at 95-94 while the other scored it 96-93 in favor of Picasso. Scoring the biggest win of his career yet, Martin stayed undefeated at 29-0 and positioned himself closer to a world title match. Picasso, who previously challenged and lost to Japanese Naoya Inoue for the undisputed bantamweight crown, fell to 33-2.

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 30 points, Marcus Smart added 24 with seven 3-pointers, and the host Houston Rockets rolled to a 119-98 victory over the depleted Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

Former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman and Philippine athletics chief Philip “Popoy” Juico passed away on Saturday, October 31. He was 78.

Tyrese Maxey poured in a season-high 38 points and the Philadelphia 76ers scored 13 consecutive points down the stretch to defeat the host Charlotte Hornets 109-104 on Saturday night.

Victor Wembanyama poured in a season-high 43 points to help the host San Antonio Spurs defeat the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves 121-111 on Saturday for their fourth straight victory.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced Saturday it has asked Major League Baseball (MLB) to post the Korean league slugger Roh Si-hwan. Roh's KBO club, the Hanwha Eagles, asked the KBO earlier in the day to post Roh, and the Korean league office asked MLB to inform its 30 teams of Roh's availability. Under an agreement between the two leagues, once a KBO player is posted, any of the 30 MLB clubs can negotiate a deal with that player within a 30-day window. That negotiating period begins at 8 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) the day after MLB clubs are officially notified, and will close at 5 p.m. ET on the 30th day. Roh, 25, has been among the KBO's top sluggers in the past handful of years. A third overall pick by the Eagles in the 2018 draft, Roh made his KBO debut the following year. In 2023, Roh exploded for his then-career high 31 home runs and 101 RBIs in 131 games to finish as the runner-up in the regular-season MVP voting, after managing just six homers and 59 RBIs in 115 games the previous year. Two years later, Roh blasted 32 homers and matched his career high with 101 RBIs while p

MANILA, Philippines — Former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman and Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Philip Ella Juico passed away on Saturday, his son, Quezon City 1st district councilor Joseph Juico announced on Saturday. The elder Juico is 78 years old. “It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my beloved father, Philip ‘Popoy’ Ella Juico, who peacefully joined our Creator at 8:18 PM on Oct. 31, 2026,” the younger Juico said early Sunday on Facebook. “After courageously battling cancer since 2022, my Papa passed away peacefully in his sleep. While our hearts are filled with sadness, we find comfort in knowing that he is finally free from pain and suffering and is now resting in God’s loving embrace,” he added. After serving as Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform from 1987 to 1989, Juico was the 4th Chairman of the PSC, serving from 1996 to 1998. From 2015 to 2022, Juico was president of Patafa. He also served as the Vice President and Chairman of the School and Youth Commission of the Asian Athletics Association.

LOS ANGELES, United States — Sovereignty won the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland on Saturday, denying Forever Young a rare repeat in the showpiece of the racing extravaganza. Trained by Bill Mott and ridden by Junior Alvarado, 2025 Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty seized his first chance at the Classic after he was scratched from last year's edition because of a fever. He was beaten twice to open his 2026 campaign, and his Classic participation was again threatened by a hoof abscess, but Alvarado said he never doubted that Sovereignty could win the Classic. "What he did today, Sovereignty, it's just spectacular," Alvarado said. "We really wanted to run so bad the Classic last year. I'm just so glad the Godolphin team gave us a chance to keep him in training and get to do what he did today." Sovereignty settled in well behind pace-setting stablemate Knightsbridge and left no doubt when Alvarado set him loose at the top of the stretch. He finished ahead of The Puma, with Knightsbridge third. Forever Young, who gave Japan a first Classic winner at Del Mar last year, ran just behind Knightsbridge for much of the way but faded to finish fifth. "Turning in the back side ... I was like oh boy, it's like I can't wait to turn for home because I knew the power I have underneath me," Alvarado said. "The way he was traveling the whole time, letting me know, like, I'm here for you. I never had a doubt the whole way around." Golden Tempo, this year's Kentucky Derby winner, lagged throughout, never producing his trademark late run.

MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Lewis Hamilton became the oldest man to claim a pole position since 1982 when he secured his first pole for Ferrari ahead of Mercedes' George Russell in Saturday's qualifying for the Mexico City Grand Prix. Hamilton and Russell needed to be fastest. They are the only drivers who have a chance of preventing Kimi Antonelli clinching the title on Sunday. Each of the front-row pair needs to win and hope the Italian finishes worse than ninth. For seven-time champion Hamilton it was a first pole success since the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2023 and enlarged his record total to 105 poles. It was his second pole in Mexico after taking the prime grid position in 2016. At 41, he became the oldest pole sitter since Mario Andrette claimed the final pole of his career aged 42 at the 1982 Italian Grand Prix, also for Ferrari. In a thrilling finale, Hamilton clocked a best lap of one minute and 16.514 seconds to outpace his former team-mate Russell by 0.009 seconds with his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc taking third place ahead of Red Bull's four-time champion Max Verstappen, who has a one-place grid penalty for Sunday's race. Antonelli was fifth for Mercedes ahead of McLaren's outgoing world champion Lando Norris, Isack Hadjar of Red Bull, Racing Bulls' duo Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, and Pierre Gasly of Alpine. The 20-year-old Italian, who will start fourth, can become the sport's youngest champion on Sunday, and Italy's first since Alberto Ascari in 1953, if he finishes in the top nine or Russell and Hamilton both fail to triumph. "Thank you so much, that's been such a long time coming," said Hamilton on team radio before adding "that feels good!" "It's been such a really tough and challenging weekend," Hamilton said."I think it's my first pole for Ferrari and now 105 poles! I like that number." Russell, who is 123 points behind Antonelli in the title race while Hamilton is adrift by 124, said: "It's been a tricky few races for me and I'm still struggling until I get one lap in Q3! I always knew it was there." Leclerc said: "I just didn't do a good job when I needed to, but to start third here is not too bad." - Local hero - The session began when local hero Sergio Perez, set to start his 300th Grand Prix, led the queue out of the pits before Aston Martin told Fernando Alonso to "stop the car on track", which he did, prompting a red flag stoppage. Hamilton had gone top before the two-time champion, clearly dismayed at his fate, came to a halt and climbed out close to the packed stadium section of the circuit. Race Control reported he was noted for 'general safety'. The action resumed after a seven-minute hiatus before Williams' Alex Albon joined Alonso, Ryo Hirakawa, drafted in by Haas to replace the dropped Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll in the second Aston Martin and both Cadillacs in being eliminated. At 32, the Japanese two-time world endurance champion and Le Mans winner Hirakawa  battled gamely. "Lost a lot," he said after finishing 19th. "You did a good job, don't beat yourself up," replied race engineer Laura Mueller, 24 hours after her clash with Ocon. Hamilton topped Q1 ahead of Hadjar and made a fast start to Q2 before locking up at Turn 13 on entry into the stadium section. This left him needing a second run to reach Q3 behind Verstappen and Leclerc, with Antonelli seventh, as McLaren's Oscar Piastri missed the cut in 13th and went out along with both Audis, Alpine's Franco Colapinto, Oliver Bearman of Haas and Williams' Carlos Sainz. The shootout began with Mercedes first out, but Leclerc set the pace after the first runs with Verstappen second, 0.045 adrift, and Antonelli seventh. In the final flying laps for pole  Russell edged ahead before Hamilton blitzed to the top of the pile.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Mexican veteran Saul "Canelo" Alvarez produced a commanding performance to defeat French fighter Christian Mbilli and regain his WBC super middleweight title in an emotional victory in Saudi Arabia. Alvarez won a 12-round decision in Riyadh after exerting his influence in the second half of a fight that went ahead despite the escalating conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi movement. The 36-year-old Mexican was returning to the ring for the first time since he was beaten by American Terence Crawford in September 2025. That loss ended Alvarez's reign as holder of the division's four major titles. He faced Mbilli, 31, who was elevated to titleholder in January, but a fight that started off as a tight contest turned into a convincing victory for Alvarez. The judges scored the contest 115-112, 116-111 and 117-110 in Alvarez's favour. The Mexican superstar struggled for words after receiving the belt. "It's so difficult to explain, it's so difficult to explain," Alvarez said in English. "It's something unbelievable. It feels like my first title. Now, after 20, 21 years as a professional -- 16 years ago, I won my first title. Now I won the title again." Alvarez added another world title to a haul that stretches from light-middleweight to light-heavyweight in a 20-year career. A host of other sporting events have been called off in Saudi Arabia since the Houthis launched drone attacks and the Saudis intercepted missiles this week. The Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition event and the final round of the World Rally Championship have been cancelled but the world of combat sports continues to hold events in the kingdom. Alvarez hinted at the security situation when he thanked his family "who are watching me from afar today for the first time". He was the more composed boxer in the opening round in Riyadh but by round three Mbilli was ripping off combinations and looking the more active of the two fighters. The Frenchman took the initiative in round five although the bout remained a tactical battle. Alvarez began showing his class and ringcraft in the sixth, easily winning the round, but it was in the seventh that he really pressed home his advantage, pinning Mbilli to the ropes and delivering a right uppercut that had the Frenchman rocking on his feet. In the eighth, Mbilli had a point taken away for punching behind the head and he seemed to lose more momentum from then on, allowing Alvarez to begin dictating the fight in the next round as the wily veteran pulled ahead of his younger opponent.

Gareth Ainsworth put family first when he left Shrewsbury for Gillingham - and enjoyed a winning return on Saturday.

Defender Andy Smith struck a late winner for Gillingham and boss Gareth Ainsworth hailed the defender as “sensational”.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 89  basketball tournament – second round MANILA, Philippines—Rookie Joaquin Tovera shone anew in La Salle’s overtime win over rival Ateneo in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday. Tovera drew praise from his teammate Mason Amos after leading the way with 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists, including a

MANILA, Philippines–TNT marched on to the semifinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup after finishing off Magnolia, 98-87, on Saturday for a sweep of their best-of-five quarters series at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson put up another big performance with 38 points, nine rebounds and three assists as the Tropang 5G delivered the knockout blow on

DAKAR —Jamesray Mishael Ajido plunges into action in swimming and Angel Polo brings her young act in wushu as competitions kick off on Sunday, a day after Africa welcomed close to 3,000 athletes to the fourth edition of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) that’s being played for the first time in the African continent. Ajido swims in the third of four heats for the men’s 100 meters butterfly at 10:54 a.m. (6:54 p.m. in Manila) at the Complexe Tour de l’Ceuf pool, while Polo vies for a final 8 seat against 10 opponents in the preliminary round of women’s Taijishian at the Diamniadio Expo Centre starting at 10:12 a.m. (6:12 p.m. in Manila). “I hope to do my best here, because these are the YOG and it’s already a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be here,” said Ajido, 17, and an 11th grader at Homeschool Global. “I trained very hard for months for this.” It would be a swim against the tide for Ajido—silver medalist at the 2024 Southeast Asian age-group championships and a Palarong Pambansa record holder—in the event where 31 swimmers will be targeting the eight berths in the final scheduled 3:32 p.m. (Dakar time) also on Sunday. Polo, who’ll turn 16 this December 21, brings with her a bronze accomplishment at the 10th World  junior championships in Tanjin, China, last March—on the YOG mat where she’ll be facing 11 opponents in the traditional Chinese martial art. Shy and unassuming, the 10th grader at Pasay North City High School said she’s happier than ever competing on the most prestigious sporting stage for junior athletes. “Very very happy,” she said, adding that her school allowed her to take a leave from her academics to train for Dakar. “I trained twice a day under coach Li [Chinese Li Jianfang] from 9 to 11 in the morning and 4 to 7 in the afternoon and evening,” she said. On Monday, Polo will again compete in the women’s Taijiquann preliminaries and it will be Riannah Chantelle Coleman’s turn in the pool in the women’s 200 meters breaststroke heats. The wushu finals are scheduled Monday. “We know that our young athletes have prepared themselves for these YOG and we’re hoping for the best results,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, who’s been monitoring the team here along with secretary-general Atty. Wharton Chan and chef de mission Rocky Samson. Dakar and Senegal opened the YOG on Saturday night with hundreds of dancers celebrating Senegalese and African culture unde the games’ motto “Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates.” IOC president Kirsty Coventry and Senegal  President Bassirou Diomaye Faye declared the games open at 6 at the 55,000-seat Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, a rising city 30 kms from the capital. TMT

MANILA, Philippines—La Salle shook up the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball standings even more on Saturday night after it slipped past rival Ateneo, 76-73, in overtime at Araneta Coliseum. The Green Archers escaped with their sixth victory in 10 games to overtake Far Eastern University (5-4) at No. 3 despite missing five of their last

Manager Gareth Ainsworth revealed the message he gave his Gillingham players before Saturday's trip after a tough week.

Manager Gareth Ainsworth returned to his old club and watched the Gills claim a much-needed win thanks to a late goal.

Filipino sensation Alex Eala lost in the quarterfinals in Tokyo on Friday and said she had “high motivation” to finish her breakthrough season with a bang next week in Hong Kong. Eala lost 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 against Russian number three seed Diana Shnaider in her debut appearance at the Pan Pacific Open. The world

MANILA, Philippines–NLEX brought out the broom and swept aside Phoenix mercilessly with a 137-89 victory to secure a place in the semifinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup on Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Robert Bolick put on an early barrage with 16 of his 23 points in the first quarter as the Road Warriors won

MANILA, Philippines—Deo Cuajao had a golden opportunity to help Rain or Shine pull closer late in Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup. Fouled while taking a 4-point shot, Cuajao could only make two of his free throws as Converge escaped with a 130-125 victory to tie the quarterfinals series. The Elasto Painters were trailing,