NBA: Blazers storm back to beat Nuggets, remain perfect on the road

GMA Network - Nov 3, 2026

Deni Avdija had 28 points, Donovan Clingan added 17 points and 18 rebounds, and the visiting Portland Trail Blazers continued their road dominance with a 118-110 win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.

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NBA: Thunder retiring Russell Westbrook's No. 0
Nov 2, 2026

NBA: Thunder retiring Russell Westbrook's No. 0

The Oklahoma City Thunder will retire Russell Westbrook's No. 0 jersey during a Feb. 7 game against the New York Knicks, the team announced Monday.

Fraud trial begins for Cleveland Guardians pitchers, including star reliever
Nov 2, 2026

Fraud trial begins for Cleveland Guardians pitchers, including star reliever

NEW YORK — Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz went on trial Monday on charges that they accepted bribes as they colluded with gamblers who made hundreds of thousands of dollars betting on individual pitches. Their careers and possibly their freedom are at stake in the jury trial in Brooklyn federal court. Jury selection got underway after the players arrived in court in the morning. Several professional baseball players, including catchers and baseball executives, are among witnesses expected to testify at a monthlong trial. Clase, the Guardians’ former closer, and Ortiz, a starter, have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges and are on non-disciplinary leave from the club without pay while their fate is determined. According to an indictment, the pitchers accepted several thousand dollars in payoffs to help two gamblers from their native Dominican Republic win at least $460,000 on in-game prop bets on the speed and outcome of certain pitches. Prosecutors allege that Clase began providing the bettors with information about his pitches in 2023 and recruited Ortiz into the scheme in 2025. Lawyers for Ortiz unsuccessfully sought to have Ortiz tried separately from Clase. Clase, 28, is a three-time All-Star and two-time American League Reliever of the Year who had completed his fourth season of a $20 million, five-year contract when charges against the pitchers were revealed in November 2025. Ortiz, 27, had earned $782,600 as a starting pitcher for the Guardians during the 2025 season. The pitchers have been charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery. Defense lawyers are expected to argue that the pitchers did not collude with gamblers and instead were varying the placement of pitches strategically to fool batters. On Friday, Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto, who is presiding over the trial, ruled that prosecutors cannot show the jury proof that Clase owed $500,000 in U.S. taxes because they had only provided the evidence to defense lawyers several days earlier and long after a deadline had passed to turn over evidence to their adversaries. A prosecutor had argued that the government wanted to put the evidence in the trial to offset any claim by Clase's lawyers that he had no incentive to collude with gamblers because he had several million dollars in financial accounts in the Dominican Republic. Major League Baseball and the Guardians have both said they've fully cooperated with authorities. MLB has said it contacted federal law enforcement when it began investigating unusual betting activity.

Polo positions for medal at Youth Olympic Games
Nov 2, 2026

Polo positions for medal at Youth Olympic Games

DAKAR, Senegal — Angel Polo put herself in a strong position for a medal in wushu and Riannah Chantelle Coleman bucked hyperventilation to make the women’s 200 meters breastroke final in the 4th Youth Olympic Games on Monday. In what has become a predictable outcome in women’s Taijikuan combined, Polo again stood at third place after the Taijishuan preliminaries at the Dakar Expo Center in Diamniado behind strong favorite Ng Zhe Nin of Singapore and Chu Yu En of Chinese Taipei. The three—who were 1-2-3 in the world junior championships in Tanjin, China, last March—finished in the same order as they were in the Taijishan preliminaries—Ng first with 9.353 points for a 18.653 total, Chu with 9.330 points for 18.563 and Polo with 9.233 for 18.456. “Angel is doing well and we’re focusing for tomorrow’s final,” said Li Jianfang. “We hope to do better in the final.” Tuesday’s final will also be two-phased—Taijishan at 10:38 a.m. and Taijiquan at 4:29 p.m.—both Dakar time. Coleman, on the other hand, was fourth in her heat and seventh among eighth finalists topped by Japan’s Mana Ishikawa. “It was so bad but I’m grateful I had it done with,” said Coleman, who was rushed to the Medical Room for hyperventilation. “I struggled with my breathing the entire race but I’m grateful I was able to touch the wall.” She clocked the seventh-best time of 2:47.64—fourth in Heat 2—more than 18 seconds behind Ishikawa. “That’s way off my best time,” added Coleman, who missed her personal best by five seconds. Swimming staff had to carry Coleman to the Medical Room after she almost collapsed after leaving the pool and stayed there for some half an hour with fellow swimmer Jamesray Mishael Ajido and coach Jensen Halili. Three other swimmers were being treated for hyperventilation while Coleman was being attended to inside the Medical Room. TMT

NBA: Klay Thompson looks like himself again as Heat go on the road
Nov 2, 2026

NBA: Klay Thompson looks like himself again as Heat go on the road

MIAMI — Klay Thompson is going back to California. His shooting groove evidently is making the trip. Thompson’s slow start to the season seems to be over, after he made seven 3-pointers — five of them coming in a seven-minute barrage of the third quarter that blew the game open — and helped the Miami

Ginebra eyes sweep, semis spot vs SMB
Nov 2, 2026

Ginebra eyes sweep, semis spot vs SMB

BARANGAY Ginebra tries to finish off San Miguel Beer while Rain or Shine is out to regain lost ground as Game 3 of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals resumes Tuesday, this time at the Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite. The Gin Kings handled the Beermen with ease in the first two games, which came as a surprise considering the way SMB has been dominating the league the last decade. But Ginebra coach Tim Cone has been in the league long enough and to know that a team like San Miguel can also spring surprises. No wonder, the Gin Kings are expected to keep their intensity high heading to their 7:30 p.m. encounter. On the other hand, Rain or Shine hopes to regain its bearing and try to recover the advantage in their 5:15 p.m. match against Converge. The Elasto Painters fell short of their rally 130-125 win last Friday, which allowed the FiberXers to level the best-of-five series at 1-1. Rain or Shine played catchup for most of Game 2,  no thanks to its turnover-plagued performance that allowed Converge to dictate the tempo. “We have to keep ourselves in the game and not try to like (dig) out of a hole every time,” ROS coach Yeng Guiao said, whose team took Game 1, 124-120. “You need to control the game just by being able to ... establish yourself in the game throughout and not try to come from behind,” he added. “That drains you, takes a lot of energy.” Aaron Fuller is expected to deliver his usual double-double effort, leaving locals led by Adrian Nocum, Andrei Caracut, Carlan Tiongson, and Jhin Clarito to cone all out with effort. Nocum had 22 points and a career-and franchise-best 18 assists, leading ROS’ fourth-quarter charge that just fell short in Game 2. Guiao is confident that his boys can make the needed adjustments heading to the pivotal Game 3. “We still have a really good outlook on the series. We have some ideas on how we will make some adjustments already and, overall, I think this is where this series is expected (to be) anyway,” shared Guiao.

Eala rises to new career-high No. 17
Nov 2, 2026

Eala rises to new career-high No. 17

PHILIPPINE tennis pride Alex Eala rose to a new career-high rank of No. 17 entering the WTA 250 Hong Kong Open. In the latest official rankings on Monday, Eala climbed from No. 19 to 17 with 2,289 total points. Eala topped her previous career-best rank of No. 18 following a quarterfinal finish at the 500 Tokyo Open. Eala begins her Hong Kong campaign against world No. 59 Alycia Parks on Tuesday. Eala achieved the No. 18 rank on Aug. 24 following her third-round finish at the Cincinnati Open. Suffering upset losses coupled with other players climbing the ladder this Asian Swing, Eala eventually dropped to No. 20 on Oct. 19. Eala fell to world No. 180 Tatiana Prozorova (now No. 124) at the 500 Singapore Open second round on Sept. 24, and to No. 217 Shi Han (now 148) at the 1000 Wuhan Open on Oct. 12. The lefty netter regained her usual form at the just-concluded Tokyo Open, where she made a breakthrough quarterfinal appearance in the Asian Swing.

Nxled looks to remain unscathed in PVL
Nov 2, 2026

Nxled looks to remain unscathed in PVL

COMING off a nearly two-week break, Nxled looks to stay unscathed as it faces Choco Mucho in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Araneta Coliseum Tuesday. Whether the Chameleons are well-rested or rusty would be determined when they take on the Flying Titans at 6 p.m to cap a PVL double-header. The Galeries Tower Highrisers clash against the Akari Chargers at to raise the curtains at 1 p.m. Smacked in between the PVL action is the collision between the ClearSkiiin UV Smashers and the AFP Cavaliers at the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at 3:30 p.m. Nxled last saw action on Oct. 22 when the Ettore Guidetti-mentored team defeated Galeries Tower, 25-16, 22-25, 25-17, 25-19. Led by spikers Brooke Van Sickle and Jonah Sabete-Escamillan, the Chamelons look to continue their tear and keep in step with fellow unbeaten Creamline Cool Smashers. Creamline leads the pack with a 4-0 record and 12 points followed by Choco Mucho with a 3-1 slate and nine points and Nxled with a 3-0 record and eight points. “I am a simple big guy and I prefer to win anyway. So no, honestly, I don’t really think that losing and winning is building something more than winning,” said Guidetti. “Winning is building the winning mentality. The more you win, the more you learn how to do it. Look at Creamline. So, definitely the winning mentality is following the wins. So doing this, we are starting in a very good way and I really love to continue this take if it’s possible. “Obviously, we don’t play alone. There is a bunch, as I told you, of very good opponents. Any single game now, it’s a fearsome battle.” The Italian coach certainly recognized the Flying Titans as of those strong opponents. Coached by Dante Alinsunurin, Choco Mucho is coming off a 21-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-15 victory against Galeries Tower on Oct. 27.

Cone surprised with Ginebra’s 2-0 lead vs SMB
Nov 2, 2026

Cone surprised with Ginebra’s 2-0 lead vs SMB

TIM Cone admitted he and his gritty Barangay Ginebra squad are surprised to be up, 2-0 in their PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup best-of-five quarterfinal series against powerhouse San Miguel Beermen (SMB). The Gin Kings took the series-opener, 104-95, followed by a 126-99 annihilation of the Beermen in Game 2 to move them within a victory from advancing to the semifinals. “Is everyone as surprised as I am about this?” said Cone, visibly in disbelief of how seemingly easy Ginebra has handled SMB through the first two games of the series. “We didn’t even dream that we would be able to get out, even 1-1, much less 2-0.” With solid team play and defense as Ginebra’s trump card, the Gin Kings were smoking from the field en route to finishing Game 2 with a hot 55.1-percent shooting. Ginebra also outrebounded San Miguel, a team that boasts of nine-time league Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, 48-30, while the team also enjoyed a massive 32-14 advantage in assists department. Import Jordan Murphy has also found his rhythm as evidenced by his near triple-double effort of 33 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Ginebra’s backcourt pair of RJ Abarrientos and Scottie Thompson delivered all-around numbers, too, while Stephen Holt provided the spark, too. Abarrientos went on to score 22 points, highlighted by four threes, along with five rebounds and six assists, Holt scattered 19 laced with five triples while Thompson added 12 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists. “We’re definitely on a roll. Our offense is clicking and guys are locked in defensively. We are just trying to keep the pressure on San Miguel, keep on attacking, keep going at him, and so far, it’s working,” Cone stressed. And while Ginebra is just a win away from reaching the Final Four, Cone isn’t one who will make a big deal of their series advantage. “I don’t have any complaints at this point. But again, two games doesn’t make a series as we all know. We’ve heard that many times,” he added. The American coach knows the Beermen are always capable of coming back. For one, San Miguel, the league’s all-time winningest team is the only ball club in professional basketball history to complete a comeback from a 0–3 deficit and win the Philippine Cup finals series against Alaska in the 2016 season. San Miguel will try to live for another day and win Game 3 as the series set next Tuesday, will shift to the Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite.

Tokong, Alciso bow out after brave stand in Siargao
Nov 2, 2026

Tokong, Alciso bow out after brave stand in Siargao

FILIPINO wildcards John Mark “Marama” Tokong and Jayuard Alciso gave the home crowd something to cheer about but saw their campaigns come to an end in the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour Philippines Pro at Cloud 9 on Monday in Siargao. Tokong bowed to Australian world No. 7 Ethan Ewing, while Alciso suffered a setback against familiar rival Kanoa Igarashi of Japan. Fresh from a memorable win in his previous heat, the Siargao native known as the “King of Cloud 9” tried to keep his momentum going but found himself up against a tough opponent in Ewing. Tokong came away with 11.54 points, short of Ewing’s 14.50, as the Australian moved on to the next round of the prestigious event presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), with the support of Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers, General Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga and Vice Mayor Romina Sajulga. Still, the defeat did little to take away from Tokong’s experience of competing against one of the surfers he had looked up to for years. The Filipino admitted he felt surprisingly at ease sharing the lineup with Ewing, whom he considers one of his idols. He was also pleased to discover how friendly the Australian was outside the competition. “I got my hand. I was so comfortable, like when I was starting against this guy. He’s one of my idols. And I can’t believe he’s kind of like a friend. He’s very nice, and he knows what he’s doing,” said Tokong. For Tokong, the event was also an opportunity to see how far Siargao has come, with surfing helping put the island on the map and bringing in visitors from different parts of the world. He hopes the close ties among residents and local businesses will remain as the island continues to attract tourists. “This island is so beautiful. Before, back then, all the travelers here, I was a surfer, and now there are so many people who know this place because of the waves, the island and especially the community here in Siargao. It’s so special, and this is why I love our island because the community is so good. The business community here on the island is really like we’re helping each other, and this is how important it is for me. I just wish that we’re going to keep going like this,” added Tokong. Alciso, meanwhile, came close to making a late charge against Igarashi but ran out of time to turn the heat around. The Asian Games bronze medalist managed just 4.17 points on his final wave as the 30-minute heat came to a close, leaving him short of Igarashi’s 12.90 total. Igarashi built his winning score with a 6.67 on his third wave and a 6.23 on his fourth, enough to keep Alciso at bay and secure his place in the next round. Asian Games gold medalist Igarashi, meanwhile, had nothing but praise for Alciso, whom he faced in last month’s Asian Games, describing the Filipino as a talented surfer.

Rookie Lendeborg scores 37 as Warriors beat Clippers
Nov 2, 2026

Rookie Lendeborg scores 37 as Warriors beat Clippers

LOS ANGELES — Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg poured in 37 points as the Golden State Warriors shrugged off the absence of Stephen Curry to beat the Los Angeles Clippers, 124-112, on Sunday (Monday in Manila). Lendeborg, who was picked 11th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, racked up the highest points tally yet of his fledgling career while also providing six assists and grabbing four rebounds, as the Warriors snagged a fourth straight win. His 37 points were the most by a Warriors rookie in a game since Curry had 42 in 2010. Curry, now a 38-year-old veteran, had averaged 33 points over the past three games, including 44 against the Timberwolves on Wednesday, but missed Sunday’s game to manage his troublesome right knee. With Draymond Green also out, 24-year-old American-Dominican forward Lendeborg was the linchpin of a Warriors attack that has bounced back emphatically from losing its opening three games, after missing out on last season’s playoffs. “I’m gonna just continue to try to keep playing with a smile on my face. Maybe throw little dance moves like Steph in once in a while, but I’m gonna just keep trying to find my joy,” said Lendeborg. Coach Steve Kerr praised Lendeborg for adapting so quickly to the NBA. “He’s playing this way and he really doesn’t know the NBA game yet ... The game is still really fast for him. But he’s so skilled and so talented that he’s making all kinds of plays out there,” said Kerr. “I think he’s going to get a lot better ... But it’s remarkable the impact he’s making on these games in the first couple weeks of the season.” Elsewhere on Sunday, Luka Doncic racked up 45 points and 15 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers bested the Toronto Raptors, 131-125. The Lakers took the lead early in the first quarter and never surrendered it, even as the Raptors rallied from a 26-point deficit to create a few late nerves in Los Angeles. As Toronto’s Jamison Battle scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, Lakers coach JJ Redick was forced to sub his starters back into the game in the final minute to close out victory. The Boston Celtics racked up a fifth straight win, beating the Orlando Magic, 108-97. Celtics star Jayson Tatum led the scoring, with 32 points and seven assists. Some wayward Celtics shooting allowed a 15-point lead to evaporate in the third quarter. But Boston’s defense stayed resolute, forcing 18 turnovers for 21 points to pull clear again down the stretch. Paul George had 17 points, eight assists, two steals and two blocked shots. The Brooklyn Nets finally bagged their first win of the season, beating the Indiana Pacers, 98-90. Michael Porter Jr. top-scored for the Nets with 23 points, plus nine rebounds, as Brooklyn moved to 1-5. Their win leaves the 0-6 Sacramento Kings as the only remaining winless team in the NBA. Also on Sunday, the NBA suspended Atlanta Hawks guard Kingston Flemings for one game without pay for intentionally elbowing New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens in the head. The incident, for which Flemings was ejected, occurred late in the Hawks’ 121-99 loss to the Pelicans on Saturday.

Carlos Alcaraz dominates 2026 Vienna Open  
Nov 2, 2026

Carlos Alcaraz dominates 2026 Vienna Open  

VIENNA — Seven-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz beat Alex de Minaur, 6-1, 6-4, to win the Vienna Open on Sunday and defeat his opponent for the seventh time in as many meetings. Alcaraz has beaten the Australian on grass and clay as well as on indoor and outdoor hard courts. He sealed his latest victory with trademark panache. Alcaraz drew his opponent to the net with a sliced backhand drop shot. De Minaur retrieved it but Alcaraz lobbed him with a backhand and, after the Australian volleyed that shot back near the net, clipped a cross-court forehand that landed just in. The second-seeded Spaniard looked jubilant and cracked a broad smile after clinching his fourth title this year — including the Australian Open for a career Grand Slam — and his 28th overall. The fifth-seeded de Minaur was looking for his second title of the year. He advanced to the final of the ATP 500 event with a semifinal win against Alexander Zverev, who goes top of the rankings on Monday. Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev in the other semi. Meanwhile, Alcaraz’s former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero is joining Ben Shelton’s coaching staff for the 2027 season. “Huge addition to my team for this upcoming season,” the 24-year-old Shelton said Sunday on social media. “Excited to get started and put in the work this offseason.” Former world No. 1 Ferrero helped guide Alcaraz to his first six major titles before their partnership ended last December. Ferrero will be joining Shelton’s father, Bryan, in the coaching setup. The fourth-ranked Shelton won a career-best four titles in 2026 and reached his first major final at the US Open, losing to Alexander Zverev. “Ben has extraordinary talent, power and character,” Ferrero said. “I’m very happy to join Bryan and the team in this exciting new chapter.”

LIONEL MESSI SENDS INTER MIAMI TO SECOND SPOT  
Nov 2, 2026

LIONEL MESSI SENDS INTER MIAMI TO SECOND SPOT  

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts — Lionel Messi’s late strike catapulted Inter Miami above New England and into second place with a tense 2-1 comeback victory over their MLS Eastern Conference rivals Sunday (Monday in Manila). Messi’s typically crafty effort after scurrying through three defenders in the 83rd minute was enough to secure three points, with an own goal by his teammate Ian Fray four minutes later ruled out for a marginal offside. The 39-year-old Argentine superstar also provided an improvised assist off the back of his head for German Berterame, after Daniel Gazdag had put New England in front early in the second half. Victory sent Miami a point clear of the New England Revolution with one game left, meaning a win against Charlotte on Saturday will guarantee home advantage until the Conference Finals. It also secured Miami’s spot in next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup. “It was such an important occasion ... they’re a very tough team — really difficult — so I think it was a tremendous effort,” said Berterame. After a goalless first half, New England’s Peyton Miller slipped down the right flank to the byline in the 53rd minute. His cut-back pass was backheeled by Ilay Feingold to Gazdag, who smashed the ball home. Miami came close to equalizing soon after the hour, as Berterame followed up on a Messi effort saved by Matt Turner, only to have his shot cleared off the line by Brooklyn Raines. In the 69th minute, Telasco Segovia flicked a ball high into the box toward Messi, who was racing forward between two defenders but somehow headed it blindly off the back of his head to Berterame, who scored. Messi got on the scoresheet himself in the 83rd minute, collecting the ball just outside the D, spinning and skipping past three tackles before wrapping his left foot around the ball and sending it low into the far corner past US national team goalkeeper Turner. New England thought they had been gifted an equalizer with three minutes remaining. Fray inexplicably headed a hopeful Luca Langoni cross into his own net despite no pressure, but the New England substitute was ruled offside on video review. The Eastern Conference’s final playoff berths were also determined Sunday. Columbus Crew and Orlando City both qualified after 10th-placed New York Red Bulls lost 3-2 to runaway leaders Nashville.

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