NBA on Disney+ 2026–27 season starts The Hoop Collective World Tour in Manila

Manila Times - Oct 6, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The NBA on Disney+ 2026–27 season starts here! Disney+ Philippines brought The Plus Side of Basketball closer to Filipino fans by welcoming ESPN NBA insiders Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon to Manila on October 5 for the Manila stop of The Hoop Collective World Tour.  The special event celebrated the start of the new NBA season on Disney+ and gave fans the chance to connect with the voices behind the game through a live podcast recording and special fan experiences. Hosted by Windhorst, The Hoop Collective podcast features candid conversations, expert analysis, and insider perspectives on the NBA’s biggest stories.  The highlight of the event was a live recording of The Hoop Collective, featuring Philippine basketball icon Jimmy Alapag as special guest. The former Gilas Pilipinas team captain, PBA MVP, and current head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors has also previously served as the player development coach for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Windhorst, MacMahon, and Alapag engaged in an in-depth conversation on Filipinos’ love for basketball, their experiences in the NBA, and the upcoming NBA season on Disney+.  Prior to the live podcast recording, Windhorst led a sports journalism masterclass for student journalists from key universities across the Philippines. The...

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NHL record-breaker Ovechkin says current season will be his last
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NHL record-breaker Ovechkin says current season will be his last

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NHL all-time scoring leader Alex Ovechkin said Monday that the current season will be his last in the North American ice hockey league. The Russian superstar left wing is in his 22nd season with the Washington Capitals, the team he has represented ever since arriving in the United States in 2005. Ovechkin, 41, shared the decision first with his teammates in the locker room in a video shared by the Capitals on Monday. "This is going my last year... it's very important (for) guys to know first. And yeah, it's sad, but you know, it is what it is," said captain Ovechkin. In a statement, Ovechkin said he and his family had decided over the summer that it was time to call time on his NHL career at the end of this season. "I love this game so much, but I know in my heart it's the right decision," he said. "It was important for me to make this announcement before our first home game, so I have the chance to thank all the people around the game, everyone who has been so important to me and my family and helped me through good times and tough losses." Ovechkin captained the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2018. His 929 goals and 141 game-winning goals rank first in NHL history. Ovechkin has also recorded 759 assists. He is closing in on Wayne Gretzky's combined tally of 1,016 regular season plus playoff goals, needing to score just 11 more to overtake the great Canadian. Ovechkin sparked controversy this past off-season by appearing in a Russian political video backing President Vladimir Putin ahead of elections, but later told reporters he had no hesitation in making the video for the United Russia Party. "They asked me to do that. I said yes. So, simple as that," Ovechkin said. "I'm Russian. I support my country." Ovechkin's appearance in the video drew harsh criticism from some, with US Representative Joe Wilson calling on the NHL to review Ovechkin's involvement in the clip. "The thing about video, I'm Russian," Ovechkin said. "As soon as I'm done playing hockey, I'm probably going to stay there. I'm going to live there. My kids are going to live there. Family. "I'm for peace and love and I hope everything is going to be OK. My home is Russia and DC is my second home."

Alex Eala open to bringing Chanel to her on-court looks
Oct 6, 2026

Alex Eala open to bringing Chanel to her on-court looks

MANILA, Philippines — Fresh off her 2026 Asian Games stint, Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala had her first-ever experience attending a runway show in Paris, attending the Chanel Spring/Summer Season 27 on Oct. 5 at the Grand Palais exhibition space in France. The 21-year-old Eala relished her experience in watching the pieces of Matthieu Blazy in real life.  “I’m in awe; this is my very first show in Paris, my very first with Chanel. I don’t think that there could be a better first show,” she told Harper's BAZAAR Singapore in an interview.  With top tennis players like Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, and Coco Gauff sporting fashion looks in their on-court matches— Eala is also open to incorporate looks in her future game days.  “I would definitely (wear). I would if given the opportunity. I would love to wear that look on court,” referring to supermodel Anok Yai’s floor-length black "galaxy" gown, puffed shoulder with a sequined overlay.  Eala was also asked to compare her first experience in sitting on a Paris runway show versus her first-time playing in Roland Garros. “Almost impossible comparison, but I do have to say Roland Garros. You know, tennis is my first love. It will always be my first love, but fashion has really been growing on me.”

NBA: Spurs' Tobias Harris ruled out for preseason
Oct 6, 2026

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Carlos Yulo shifts focus to Worlds
Oct 6, 2026

Carlos Yulo shifts focus to Worlds

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Oct 6, 2026

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NBA tests smart basketballs, wrist wearables in select preseason games
Oct 5, 2026

NBA tests smart basketballs, wrist wearables in select preseason games

NEW YORK — The NBA is experimenting with two pieces of technology in the leadup to the season, the league announced Monday. Select exhibition games will include a smart basketball that has a Bluetooth sensor in it and can collect data for future use in real-time officiating decisions. The league said the information from the Wilson-developed connected balls will be for research only and not affect calls made during those games. Officials in select games will also use wrist wearables to communicate with the replay center in designated situations, including replay reviews, scoring changes and clock malfunctions. The wearables went through what the NBA called a successful pilot program during the summer league. The technology will not extend into the regular season.

LeBron, Embiid, Maxey skip 76ers' preseason opener vs Knicks
Oct 5, 2026

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PHILADELPHIA — LeBron James and Joel Embiid are among the healthy inactives for the Philadelphia 76ers in their preseason opener Monday night against the NBA champion New York Knicks. All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey also will sit out. Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe are the lone regular starters in the lineup. The Sixers went 45-37 last season and were swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Knicks. James signed a free-agent deal with the Sixers over the summer. He is 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 a member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team. James, Embiid and the full healthy roster played in a public scrimmage on Saturday on the 76ers' home court.

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Oct 5, 2026

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Yulo, Yape set for highest Asian Games cash bonus
Oct 5, 2026

Yulo, Yape set for highest Asian Games cash bonus

GYMNAST Carlos Yulo and taekwondo jin Jeus Yape emerged as the top cash incentive earners among Filipino athletes who medaled at the just-concluded 20th Asian Games in Japan. Under Republic Act 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, Asian Games gold winners will receive P2 million from the government while silver and bronze medalists will receive P1 million and P400,000, respectively. Winning two gold medals with floor exercise and vault titles, Yulo will take a total of P4 million. On the other hand, Yape will seize P2.4 million for his gold in mixed individual virtual taekwondo and bronze in the men’s individual poomsae. Yape served as the Philippine flag bearer in the Asiad closing ceremony on Sunday. Pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena rose as the third highest earner from the Games with P2 million for securing a second straight gold in his sport. Obiena is also entitled to additional incentives after setting a new meet record with his 5.91-meter clearance. The Philippines finished in 17th place at the Asiad with four golds, nine silvers, and 16 bronzes which translate to P23.4 million in cash incentives. Meanwhile, Team Philippines coaches will also receive cash incentives amounting to half of the incentives of the athletes they coached or trained. Under Section 9 of Republic Act 10699, coaches are entitled to cash incentives “if they have personally trained and rendered service to the athletes or teams who win in international competitions at least six months prior to the international competition.” In Yulo's case, coach Aldrin Castaneda will receive P2 million.

Eala out of WTA Finals contention   
Oct 5, 2026

Eala out of WTA Finals contention   

FILIPINO tennis ace Alex Eala is already eliminated from WTA Finals contention after skipping the WTA 1000 China Open for the 20th Asian Games in Japan. Currently at No. 17, an “X” is already placed next to Eala’s name in the WTA live race Monday, signifying that she’s no longer in contention for the season-ending event. The WTA Finals is slated from Nov. 8 to 15 in Indian Wells. World No. 18 Eala missed out on precious China Open ranking points to play for the Philippines in the Asiad, where she made a semifinal finish for a bronze medal. The decision to skip China Open ensured that Eala won’t reach the top eight in the cutoff deadline on Nov. 1. Sporting 2,181 points this season, Eala is 2,173 behind current No. 8 Linda Noskova who holds 4,354 as of posting time. Even if Eala joined the China Open, it would have been improbable for her to overtake Noskova. Overtaking the Czech netter meant that the Filipino player would need to go deep in the tournament while the former would need to make a quick exit. Then, that scenario would have needed to repeat at the Wuhan Open — the last 1000 event of the year — for Eala to truly close the gap and give herself a fighting chance to take the No. 8 spot. A quick exit in China would have quickly eliminated Eala from the WTA Finals contention anyway. Even world No. 14 Diana Shnaider got booted out after reaching the third round in Beijing, giving her a total of 2,408 only which is even 227 higher than Eala’s total points. Taking this to account, Eala’s decision to skip China for the Asiad proved sound albeit she will suffer fines and likely be disqualified for season-ending bonuses. World No. 1 Elena Rybakina (7,492) and No. 2 Aryna Sabalenaka (6,485) are so far the only players who have qualified for the WTA Finals, which has a 5,915-point qualification cut. World No. 3 Jessica Pegula (5,825), No. 4 Mirra Andreeva (5,722), and No. 5 Coco Gauff (5,654) are closing in on the threshold. World No. 6 Elina Svitonlina (4,809), No. 7 Karolina Muchova (4,400), No. 8 Noskova (4,234), No. 9 Marta Kostyuk (3,910), and No. 10 Iga Swiatek (3,584) are within striking distance.

PBA adjusts schedule for Gilas’ FIBA bid
Oct 5, 2026

PBA adjusts schedule for Gilas’ FIBA bid

THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to the national cause, adjusting its calendar to support Gilas Pilipinas in their quest to secure a berth in the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Doha, Qatar. Currently in the final leg of a two-month conference break, the pro league suspended action to allow national team players to compete in two major international tournaments: the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Season 50 Governors’ Cup is set to resume on Wednesday, Oct. 7, to complete the elimination round and quarterfinal phase. However, the PBA will take another scheduled hiatus shortly after to give Gilas ample time to prepare for the fifth window of the Asian Qualifiers in late November, where the Philippines will face Syria and Iran in Seremban, Malaysia. These calendar sacrifices come on the heels of momentum-building home victories against Jordan and Iran during the August window at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Playing without injured naturalized star Justin Brownlee, Gilas leaned heavily on the return of 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto, who anchored the team with solid averages of 15.5 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. The Philippines currently holds a 4-4 record in Group E, trailing leaders Australia (8-0), New Zealand (6-2), as well as Iran and Jordan (both 5-3). With only the top three teams per group and the best fourth-placed team qualifying for the World Cup, every remaining window is critical. To accommodate these international commitments while keeping its three-conference format intact, the league is looking at tighter timelines for next season. PBA Commissioner Willy Marcial revealed that Season 51 is targeted to open in February 2026, following the Rookie Draft on Jan. 17, but side events like out-of-town games and the annual All-Star Weekend may be sidelined to fit the calendar before December 2027. All proposed schedule adjustments remain subject to final approval by the PBA Board of Governors.

Chourio lifts Brewers over Padres
Oct 5, 2026

Chourio lifts Brewers over Padres

LOS ANGELES —Jackson Chourio smacked a walk-off two-run single to give the Milwaukee Brewers a 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday (Monday in Manila) and a commanding 2-0 lead in their Major League Baseball playoff series. For the second straight day the Brewers rallied from 2-0 down to beat the Padres, who are now in survival mode as the best-of-five National League division series shifts to San Diego for Game 3 on Tuesday. “I don’t have words for this,” Venezuela’s Chourio — who hit a two-run homer to spark the Brewers’ Game 1 rally — told Fox Sports after belting a two-out, bases-loaded fastball from dominant Padres closer Mason Miller up the middle for the winning runs. “I was just looking for a good pitch to hit there and, you know, thankfully he threw me one that I could do something with,” Chourio said. With three errors the Brewers looked far from the team that won an MLB best 103 regular-season games. San Diego seized a 1-0 lead in the first inning and capitalized on Brewers errors to push the advantage to 2-0 in the fifth. Milwaukee had stayed in range with a run in the bottom of the fifth, finally breaking through against Padres starting pitcher Michael King with a double from Christian Yelich, who scored on a base hit by Sal Frelick. The Padres pushed their lead back to two in the seventh, but the Brewers pulled within 3-2 in the bottom of the inning when an error from Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth allowed a run to score. “We’re a team that never backs down,” Chourio said. “We’re never going to back down from a challenge, and we like these moments. We’re going to keep going, and we’re going to battle for every opportunity that we get.” The winners of the series will take on either the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers or the Atlanta Braves for a place in the World Series. The Dodgers, trying to become the first team since the New York Yankees in 1998, 1999 and 2000 to win three straight World Series titles, took a 1-0 series lead into game two of their NL division series against the Braves later Sunday in Los Angeles.

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