NCAA: Benilde goes on late surge to survive San Sebastian scare

GMA Network - Oct 5, 2026

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde came up big down the stretch as they completed an escape of upset-hungry San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 73-66, in the NCAA Season 102 on Monday at thr FilOil EcoOil Centre.

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UAAP: Just another game for former Tamaraw Veejay Pre as UP falls to FEU
Oct 5, 2026

UAAP: Just another game for former Tamaraw Veejay Pre as UP falls to FEU

At least in his first encounter with his former team, Veejay Pre found himself on the losing end as the University of the Philippines fell to Far Eastern University, 90-79, on Sunday.

Here's what's next for Alex Eala after her Asian Games bronze medal run
Oct 5, 2026

Here's what's next for Alex Eala after her Asian Games bronze medal run

It's back to business for Alex Eala following her run in the 2026 Asian Games.

China’s record-breaking Asian Games spark introspection despite dominance ahead of Olympics
Oct 5, 2026

China’s record-breaking Asian Games spark introspection despite dominance ahead of Olympics

Midway through the Asian Games, China’s sports minister felt the need to issue a rallying cry despite the country again overwhelmingly dominating proceedings. A week into competition, the delegation had already racked up 125 gold medals, won more swimming titles than ever before and were so far clear of the rest that one American press outlet half-jokingly suggested changing the name to the China Games. In the final reckoning on Sunday, China’s tally was as follows: 169 gold, 89 silver and 83...

Angelica Yulo glad to finally meet Rovelyn Baterbonia
Oct 5, 2026

Angelica Yulo glad to finally meet Rovelyn Baterbonia

MANILA, Philippines — Rovelyn Baterbonia, mother of the late Ateneo basketball player Rene Baterbonia, has gained a new friend in Angelica Yulo, mother of two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo. The two were recently seen sharing a meal together. Rovelyn, who now runs a business selling her late son’s merchandise and memorabilia, has faced heavy scrutiny on social media—much like Angelica, whose public rift with her son Carlos surfaced online after his double-gold triumph at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Rovelyn posted a photo of the two of them on Facebook with the caption “Basher attack.” Angelica reshared it and expressed her excitement: “FINALLY!!!” Angelica currently resides in Manila, while Rovelyn is based in Agusan del Sur.

PBA adjusts schedule anew to support Gilas' 2027 FIBA World Cup bid
Oct 5, 2026

PBA adjusts schedule anew to support Gilas' 2027 FIBA World Cup bid

MANILA, Philippines — 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, October 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 January 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.

PH records best Asian Games medal haul in 60 years
Oct 5, 2026

PH records best Asian Games medal haul in 60 years

MANILA, Philippines — Team Philippines secured its most impressive overall medal tally in six decades at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, finishing with 29 total medals consisting of four golds, nine silvers, and 16 bronzes.  This stands as the nation’s highest overall medal haul since capturing 42 medals at the 1966 Bangkok Games. Historically, the Philippines achieved its all-time best performances during the 1954 Manila Games with a 14-14-17 medal spread and the 1958 Tokyo Games with eight golds, 19 silvers, and 20 bronzes. Fielding a 447-athlete delegation—the country's largest representation since sending 524 competitors to the 1994 Hiroshima Games—the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) aimed to break through the four-gold threshold. The national team matched its four-gold performances from both the 2018 Jakarta and 2022 Hangzhou Games. Addressing public criticisms over the outcome, PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio clarified that the target of eight golds was set as an inspiring challenge rather than a firm performance guarantee.  He emphasized the value of the team's achievements, noting that silver finishes represent near-gold performances and urging observers to recognize the significant number of silver medals won. “That silver is also a gold; we were just unlucky. But the silver, if you compute it. And the thing that we’re talking about the eight golds. We should also count how many silvers we got,” Gregorio said. “Once a sportsman, always a sportsman. The bashing is part of the culture and social media; it does not only happen in the Philippines, but in the entire world,” he added.  The 2026 campaign featured several notable milestones alongside narrow misses. The nine silver medals collected in Aichi-Nagoya equaled the nation's silver medal record previously set at the 1970 Bangkok Games.  The delegation came closest to grabbing its fifth gold on the final day of competition on October 3, when Alexandria Luz Enriquez advanced to the finals of the women’s under-63 kilogram jiu-jitsu event, though she fell short against Thailand’s Orapa Senatham in a tightly contested bout. This achievement builds upon a long history of Asian Games participation. Following strong shows in the 1970s—including 22 medals in Bangkok 1970 and 14 apiece in Tehran 1974, Bangkok 1978, and Bangkok 1982—the Philippines recorded steady tallies across subsequent decades.  The country gathered 18 medals at New Delhi 1982, 10 at Seoul 1986, 13 at Beijing 1990, 18 at Hiroshima 1994, and 26 at both Bangkok 1998 and Busan 2002.  Leading into the current era, the nation captured 19 medals at Doha 2006, 16 at Guangzhou 2010, 15 at Incheon 2014, 21 at Jakarta 2018, and 18 at Hangzhou 2022 before reaching its 60-year high in 2026.

Manila AQ Prime Assets raises record to 4-0 in PCAP
Oct 5, 2026

Manila AQ Prime Assets raises record to 4-0 in PCAP

The Manila AQ Prime Assets extended its unbeaten streak to four matches after scoring impressive win on Saturday in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP).  After hacking out towering victories against Mindoro (21-0) on Sept. 26,  Laguna (19-2) and Pasig (17.5-3.5) on Sept. 30 to start the online chess tournament, the Manila AQ Prime Assets made it four in a row after outdueling San Juan Predators (14-7) on Oct. 3. Manila AQ Prime Assets outdueled San Juan, 10-4, in rapid play as import GM Aaryan Varshney of India, National Master Dale Bernardo, Woman Fide Master Allaney Jia Doroy and Fide Master Christian Mark Daluz won their respective matches even as International Master Ronald Dableo and NM Adrian Perez settled for draws. Varshney defeated IM Rolando Nolte; Bernardo toppled NM Karl Victor Ochoa; Doroy nipped WNM Arvie Lozano; Daluz subdued Kevin Arquero; Dableo split the points with NM Julius Gonzales and Perez drew with FM Narquingden Reyes.  Import GM Victor Moskalenko of Israel carried the fight for San Juan by beating IM Ricardo de Guzman.  In the blitz portion of the match, Manila AQ Prime Assets edged San Juan, 4-3.  Manila AQ Prime Assets, supported by Atty. Aldwin Alegre, is set to play Camarines on Wednesday, Oct. 7.  The PCAP online chess tournament is being held thru Chess.com Platform.

Ollie Wright on Gillingham’s Newport frustration and York response
Oct 5, 2026

Ollie Wright on Gillingham’s Newport frustration and York response

Goalkeeper Ollie Wright insists Gillingham responded well on Saturday after a heavy defeat at York the week before.

Skipping China Open, Eala no longer in contention for WTA Finals
Oct 5, 2026

Skipping China Open, Eala no longer in contention for WTA Finals

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala is already eliminated from the WTA Finals 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. Eala missed out on precious ranking points to play for the Philippines in the Asiad, where she made a semifinal finish for a bronze medal.

Ronaldo can return to Portugal team if he wants — Coach Jesus
Oct 5, 2026

Ronaldo can return to Portugal team if he wants — Coach Jesus

PORTO, Portugal — Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo can return to the squad if he wishes, despite walking out on his team-mates, said national team coach Jorge Jesus on Sunday. Jesus said Ronaldo can come back into the fold "if he wants to" after the team beat Norway without the veteran attacker to reach the Nations League quarter-finals. The dispute began last week when Jesus left 41-year-old Ronaldo on the bench for Portugal's first win over Norway. Ronaldo subsequently walked out on the squad on Wednesday after learning he would not start against Denmark. "For me, Cris, in the next call-up, if he's playing at Al-Nassr, he'll be a player who can be called up," Jesus told reporters, referring to Ronaldo's Saudi club side. "If he wants to, he'll return to the national team." The coach said if Ronaldo wishes to speak to him before Portugal's next matches in November, that would happen. "If he wants to, as we did before this call-up, we talked before the call-up, we can talk before the next call-up," continued Jesus. "But Cris is the one who's going to decide." Former Real Madrid and Manchester United attacker Ronaldo is Portugal's all-time leading scorer and most-capped player. Jesus said he had told Ronaldo he needed him in the squad for his first games at the helm after replacing Roberto Martinez following the 2026 World Cup. "Cristiano should end his time in the national team the way he wants, he's the one who will decide how he wants it," said Jesus. "That's how we talked, the two of us -- I said, 'I need you'. In my first call-up, I said, 'I need you, I need you to be close to me, playing or not playing, I need you'. And now I'm saying the same thing." Ronaldo, who made his Portugal debut in 2003 at the age of 18, has said this will "probably" be his final year in football. The forward has been a fixture of the national team for more than two decades and has played at six World Cups. In Ronaldo's absence Portugal became the first team to secure a place in the quarter-finals, with two group games still to play. Ronaldo's long-time rival for the title of the world's best player, Lionel Messi, will play his final match for Argentina in a friendly against Benin in Buenos Aires on Tuesday.

Messi readies for final farewell in Argentina send-off
Oct 5, 2026

Messi readies for final farewell in Argentina send-off

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Lionel Messi will bring the curtain down on his glittering Argentina career on Tuesday with a farewell friendly against Benin that marks the dawn of a new era for the South American champions. After more than two decades of service to his country, the 39-year-old superstar will hand over the captain's armband for good as he makes his final appearance in the Albiceleste jersey at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. Messi will be joined for his international swansong by 85,000 spectators and several of the teammates with whom he reached the pinnacle of football at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, alongside members of Argentina's emerging generation. The friendly marks a symbolic passing of the torch for a player whose international legacy includes a World Cup title, two Copa America crowns and the Finalissima. Messi also bows out as Argentina's record appearance-maker and leading scorer, with 125 goals in 207 games, as well as a record 68 assists. His farewell comes two and a half months after Argentina's ill-tempered World Cup final defeat to Spain in New Jersey, where Messi exited in tears after making little impression. "I gave it my all; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are great young players coming up who deserve their chance," Messi wrote when announcing his international retirement in August. Messi remains under contract with Inter Miami until 2028, although following the death of his father, Jorge, two months ago, he revealed he may hang up his boots for good sooner than anticipated. Friends reunited  Members of Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning squad -- the players who delivered the country's third star -- and their families will join Messi for Tuesday's farewell against Benin, ranked 93rd in the world. Veterans of that Doha triumph such as Angel Di María, who retired from international football in 2024, will be there to witness the passing of the torch to a new generation charged with extending the Albiceleste's golden era. Several of the newcomers, including Franco Mastantuono and Leonel Flores, were not even born when "La Pulga" ("The Flea") made his Argentina debut in 2005 for a team whose history had for so long been dominated by Diego Maradona. "It's going to be an unforgettable day for everyone. Everyone wants to be at this match, and now it's just about enjoying it," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. Argentina's new generation has already shown what it can do without its captain, although nobody is pretending replacing a man regarded by many as the greatest footballer in history will be straightforward. "Collectively, we will try to fill the void left by Leo," said Scaloni, who is negotiating a contract extension after leaving his future unresolved following the World Cup defeat in July. Scaloni, who mastered the art of building the right supporting cast around Messi, will also say goodbye on Tuesday to 38-year-old vice-captain Nicolas Otamendi. Like Messi and Otamendi, midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Giovani Lo Celso were called up solely for the Benin game, raising the possibility that neither will represent Argentina again. New generation  Those certain to be involved, at least from the bench, include other veterans of the 2022 World Cup who will be the standard-bearers for Argentina after Messi: defender Cristian Romero, midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez, and forwards Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. Tenacious centre-back Romero is set to inherit the captain's armband, first worn by Messi at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Lautaro Martinez are next in the captaincy hierarchy. They have already begun to rally around Messi's heirs, who showed their appetite for success in Argentina's first game since the World Cup final, against Bolivia in Cordoba on Wednesday. Argentina swept the Bolivians aside 4-0, with young talents Nico Paz and Jose Manuel Lopez among the scorers. They followed that victory with a 7-0 rout of Burkina Faso at the Monumental on Saturday, with Mastantuono and Gianluca Prestianni scoring their first international goals. While Argentina's future is beginning to take shape, one small but symbolically significant question remains: who inherits Messi's number 10 shirt? "We won't give the number 10 to anyone until Leo's match takes place," Scaloni said. "After that, we'll see."

Alex Eala takes act to Wuhan
Oct 4, 2026

Alex Eala takes act to Wuhan

LOOKING to shake off the pain of absorbing upset losses, Filipino tennis ace Alexandra “Alex” Eala will take her act to the WTA 1000 Wuhan slated from Oct. 12 to 18 in China. Favored to win the gold medal at the 20th Asian Games in Japan, world No. 18 Eala settled for bronze after falling to No. 85 and eventual champ Wang Xiyu in the semifinals, 6-3, 3-6, 2-6. The defeat came just a week after Eala also lost to a much lower-ranked player, No. 180 Tatiana Prozorova at the 500 Singapore Open round of 16, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6. That is a rough start to the Asian Swing for Eala — one she looks to put behind as she returns to the Tour after skipping the China Open for the Asiad. As a top 32 player, Eala will have a first-round bye anew in the star-studded tournament. The current top 10 in the rankings are competing in the meet. World No. 1 Elena Rybakina, No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, No. 3 Jessica Pegula, No. 4 Coco Gauff, No. 5 Mirra Andreeva, No. 6 Linda Noskova, No. 7 Elina Svitolina, No. 8 Karolina Muchova, No. 9 Iga Swiatek, and No. 10 Marta Kostyuk will be there to stand in Eala’s way. Other high-profile players including world No. 12 Belinda Bencic, No. 13 Iva Jovic, No. 14 Diana Shnaider, No. 16 Sorana Cirstea, No. 17 Naomi Osaka, No. 19 Elise Mertens, No. 20 Jasmine Paolini, and No. 21 Maja Chwalinksa are also set to compete. The other listed players are world No. 22 Anna Kalinskaya, No. 26 Leylah Fernandez, No. 27 Marie Bouzkova, world No. 28 Ekaterina Alexandrova, No. 29 Sara Bejlek, No. 30 Ann Li, No. 32 Jelena Ostapeko, No. 34 Nikola Bartunkova, No. 35 Cristina Bucsa, No. 43 Barbora Krejcikova, No. 47 Oleksandra Oliynykova, No. 50 Anhelina Kalinina, and No. 53 Tamara Korpatsch. The Wuhan Open will be Eala’s first 1000 tournament since the Cincinnati Open last August. Eala reached the third round in Cincinnati where she fell to world No. 11 Amanda Anisimova, 6-4, 4-6, 2-6.

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