LeBron cites Maxey, Embiid title hopes in 76ers move

Manila Times - Sep 25, 2026

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. 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...

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Sep 26, 2026

Delos Santos claims bronze in Asian Games debut

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.

Sep 26, 2026

Underdog Alas faces tough South Korea

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.”