PBA: Converge nears semis breakthrough, routs Rain or Shine

Inquirer.net - Nov 3, 2026

DASMARINAS, Cavite—Converge moved closer to securing its first-ever semis berth after defeating Rain or Shine, 105-89, on Tuesday for a 2-1 lead in their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series here. Juan Gomez de Liano put on the finishing touches with 19 points, 13 rebounds and six assists as the FiberXers defeated the Elasto Painters for

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Simmers, Medina make history as first PH Pro champions
Nov 3, 2026

Simmers, Medina make history as first PH Pro champions

CAITLIN Simmers and Gabriel Medina claimed the women’s and men’s titles, respectively, in the first-ever World Surf League Championship Tour Philippines Pro at Cloud 9 on Tuesday in Siargao. Simmers, the American world No. 6, defeated Australia’s Isabella Nichols, 12.00-10.77, in the women’s final to become the first women’s champion of the Philippine leg. Simmers secured her place in the championship round after beating world No. 2 Carissa Moore in the semifinals. Moore’s campaign came to an end after she received an Interference Penalty 2, which wiped out the wave where the violation occurred and her second scoring wave. Nichols reached the final after defeating fellow Australian Tyler Wright in the other semifinal but fell short against Simmers in the title match. The prestigious competition is 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. In the men’s final, Brazilian world No. 4 Gabriel Medina defeated Australian Jack Robinson to claim the inaugural men’s crown, finishing with 16.93 points against Robinson’s 14.50. Medina built his winning score with a 9.43 on his opening wave and a 7.50 on his second. Robinson, ranked No. 12 in the world, posted an 8.23 and a 6.27 but settled for second place. Before reaching the final, Medina eliminated world No. 1 Yago Dora in the semifinals, while Robinson secured his finals berth by defeating fellow Australian Ethan Ewing. Medina and Simmers will each receive $80,000 for winning the men’s and women’s titles, respectively, while runners-up Jack Robinson and Isabella Nichols will take home $40,000 apiece. Yago Dora, Ethan Ewing, Carissa Moore and Tyler Wright, who finished third in their respective divisions, will each pocket $20,000. Meanwhile, Filipino bets John Mark “Marama” Tokong and Jayuard Alciso will each receive $14,000, while Noah Arkfeld will take home $13,000. Young Filipina surfer Mara Lopez, meanwhile, will receive $13,500. Also supporting the event are the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Department of Tourism, Department of Public Works and Highways, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, and NEA/Siarelco. Fans can watch the competition through the One Sports YouTube channel and Cignal Play. TMT

SGA leads Thunder past Cavaliers   
Nov 3, 2026

SGA leads Thunder past Cavaliers   

LOS ANGELES, California — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for 43 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder halted their two-game losing streak with a battling 117-112 road victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday (Tuesday in Manila). Oklahoma City had been rocked after suffering a slew of injuries followed by back-to-back 20-point defeats heading into Monday’s showdown with last season’s Eastern Conference finalists. But a sublime performance from two-time reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander carried the Thunder to a morale-boosting win at Cleveland’s Rocket Arena. Gilgeous-Alexander’s points haul came from 14-of-35 shooting from the field with four three-pointers and eight assists. Oklahoma City, missing three starters in Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace, were also boosted by 20 points from Ajay Mitchell and 12 from Kenrich Williams. Cleveland’s points were spread through the lineup with seven players reaching double figures, including Donovan Mitchell and Meleek Thomas with 17 points apiece. “You never know what the future has in store for you, and all you can do is play the cards you’re dealt, that’s what we try to do,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of the Thunder’s response to their injury crisis. “Whatever the game needs, we try to play to the best of our ability and come out with a W (win). And tonight we did that.” Oklahoma City’s victory, which lifts the Thunder to 4-2, launched a packed slate of Monday fixtures across the NBA as the league prepares to take a rest day on Tuesday due to the US midterm elections. The league’s last unbeaten record fell as the Memphis Grizzlies were upset 135-134 at home by the New Orleans Pelicans. Ty Jerome sparked a thrilling late fightback for Memphis with 15 points in the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime, but the Grizzlies rally fell just short. The Philadelphia 76ers improved to 7-1 to stay on top of the Eastern Conference with a 126-107 defeat of the Chicago Bulls. Tyrese Maxey scored 26 points and Jaylen Brown added 25 to guide the Sixers to a fourth consecutive win. V.J. Edgecombe scored 21 points, and LeBron James and Joel Embiid added 15 points each. James stole the show in an incident during the third quarter, taking a sip of a courtside fan’s cup of wine after landing in the seats. “I wanted to see if it was worth it on my arm and how good it was. It was all right,” James joked. The Houston Rockets improved to 7-1 with a 109-93 wire-to-wire defeat of the Boston Celtics. Alperen Sengun led the Houston scoring with 26 points, with Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson each adding 14 points. The San Antonio Spurs moved to 5-2 with a 119-97 victory over the Utah Jazz. The reigning NBA champion New York Knicks improved to 3-4 with a 103-90 defeat of the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden. Landry Shamet led the Knicks scoring with 22 points off the bench while Jalen Brunson added 19 points, including four three-pointers. Cade Cunningham’s 33-point display helped the Detroit Pistons move to 6-1 with a 124-91 drubbing of the Charlotte Hornets. The Washington Wizards pulled clear of the Orlando Magic, 103-94, on the road. The Atlanta Hawks are at 4-4 after a 108-104 defeat of the Indiana Pacers.

Novak Djokovic hopeful of ‘fresh start’ for Serbia
Nov 3, 2026

Novak Djokovic hopeful of ‘fresh start’ for Serbia

PARIS — Tennis star Novak Djokovic said on Monday he hoped Serbia’s student movement would mark a “fresh start for the country” after its election victory over longtime leader Aleksandar Vucic. On Oct. 25, after nearly two years of anti-government protests, the student-backed list achieved a historic victory in snap elections called by Vucic. The poll results ended 14 years in power for Vucic’s right-wing populist party. The win for the student-led movement was the culmination of long-running protests sparked by the 2024 collapse of a railway station canopy in the city of Novi Sad that killed 16 people. Djokovic had publicly supported student protests on several occasions. “I’m not going to discuss or comment on the past. You know, past is past. Hopefully this is a fresh start for the country,” Djokovic, 39, said at a press conference at the Paris Masters. Djokovic had long avoided political comment but repeatedly voiced support for the student movement over the past two years. Those interventions saw him fall out of favor with the Serbian authorities and become a target of pro-government tabloids. “I am patriotic, but I have always represented my people and not the government. There is a big difference in that,” said Djokovic. “I’m happy with these changes, and hopefully, you know, things will be great and prosperous for our country in the future.” The 24-time Grand Slam champion moved from Serbia to Greece last year.

At last: Zverev hits No. 1
Nov 3, 2026

At last: Zverev hits No. 1

ALEXANDER Zverev finally rose to No. 1 in the men’s tennis rankings on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), a reward for a dominant season during which he shed his reputation as a talented underachiever and became a two-time Grand Slam champion. Zverev won the French Open and the US Open, putting to rest his tag as the best player yet to win a Grand Slam. He’s guaranteed the year-end No. 1 ranking, too. “It’s a very special day, for sure,” Zverev said in Paris, where he is set to compete in the Paris Masters this week. “Paris has been quite special to me this year, generally. It’s a place where I had a lot of ups and downs, I had a lot of heartbreak, but this year, winning my first Grand Slam here and becoming world No. 1, it’s a very special feeling.” He became the 30th man to reach No. 1, and the oldest in more than 50 years to top the rankings for the first time. John Newcombe was 30 when he reached the top spot in 1974. Zverev reached the rankings summit more than four years after becoming No. 2. “I had to wait,” he said. “But sometimes you’ve got to wait for the best things in life. I’m super happy, super thrilled.” Despite winning two ATP Finals and an Olympic gold medal, Zverev lost his first three Grand Slam finals, none more disheartening than his first at the 2020 US Open after leading Dominic Thiem two sets to love. But he broke through this year and also reached his first Wimbledon final, falling to Jannik Sinner. He has a 65-17 win-loss record this year. Zverev, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 4, is just the second German man to become No. 1 after Boris Becker. Sinner, on top since April 13, dropped to second, followed by Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner announced the end of his season three weeks ago because of inflammation in his right knee. Alcaraz was hampered by injury and fatigue this season but has returned to full fitness and won the Vienna title on Sunday.

Rested Cristiano Ronaldo left off Al-Nassr squad
Nov 3, 2026

Rested Cristiano Ronaldo left off Al-Nassr squad

SEOUL — Cristiano Ronaldo has been rested for Al-Nassr’s upcoming AFC Champions League fixture in Uzbekistan. The decision comes just a week after the club’s previous continental match was postponed and amid mounting concerns that ongoing security issues in Saudi Arabia could disrupt Asia’s premier soccer tournaments. Fresh off a hat trick in the Saudi Pro League that brought his career tally to 985 goals, Ronaldo was left off the traveling roster by manager Ange Postecoglou for Monday’s match against Pakhtakor in Tashkent. Postecoglou, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Australia national team boss, explained at a press conference in Uzbekistan that he chose to rest Ronaldo alongside Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan “given the pressure of matches and the amount of travel involved.” Al-Nassr is chasing its first-ever Asian title but has stumbled out of the gate, sitting ninth in the western zone group as the lowest-ranked among the Saudi league’s five representatives in the 32-team tournament. The continental championship is split into two 16-team regions — east and west — with the top eight in each group advancing to the knockout stage. “Despite the difficult start, the preparation conditions and the lack of complete readiness at the beginning of the season, we have now reached an excellent stage,” Postecoglou said. Ronaldo also sat out last week when Al-Wasl of the United Arab Emirates declined to travel to Riyadh for a Champions League clash, forcing the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to postpone the fixture. Al-Nassr’s home match on Oct. 12 was also delayed by an hour following reports of missile attacks launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Elsewhere in the competition, two-time defending Asian champions Al-Ahli sit third in their group ahead of a trip to Qatar to face Al-Sadd. Al-Ahli suffered a heavy 6-1 home defeat on Friday, though the Jeddah club expects to feature English striker Ivan Toney. Toney, who has netted 13 league goals this campaign, recently flew back to London to plead not guilty to an assault charge. Meanwhile, fellow England forward Ollie Watkins found the net as Al-Hilal captured its fifth consecutive league victory to climb to the top of the Saudi Pro League table. The four-time Asian champions are set to host Shabab Al-Ahli of the UAE. While domestic fixtures proceed, major questions linger over the upcoming Asian Cup scheduled to kick off in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 7, given the recurring Houthi missile strikes. Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto recently voiced doubts regarding the tournament’s viability. “Based on what I’ve learned from the news, the situation is still unsafe, so at this point, I don’t think it would be easy to hold the [Asian] Cup there,” Miyamoto stated at an AFC Congress last month.

LIVE: Alex Eala vs Emerson Jones – Hong Kong Open Round of 32
Nov 3, 2026

LIVE: Alex Eala vs Emerson Jones – Hong Kong Open Round of 32

Alex Eala kicks off her Hong Kong Open campaign against Australian lucky loser Emerson Jones in the round of 32 on Tuesday at Center Court. Jones was a last-minute replacement for Alycia Parks, who withdrew due to a shoulder injury. SCHEDULE: Alex Eala at Hong Kong Open November 3, Tuesday – Center Court 7:35 p.m.

PVL: Nxled stays unbeaten after moving past Choco Mucho
Nov 3, 2026

PVL: Nxled stays unbeaten after moving past Choco Mucho

If anyone thinks that it"s been easy for Nxled in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series, none other than the Chameleons" main gunner Brooke van Sickle would disagree.

PBA: San Miguel averts collapse, drags Ginebra to Game 4
Nov 3, 2026

PBA: San Miguel averts collapse, drags Ginebra to Game 4

June Mar Fajardo didn't miss a shot to help San Miguel escape Barangay Ginebra, 101-98, in Game 3 of the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday in Cavite.

108th PH Open at the Masters won’t be a walk in the park
Nov 3, 2026

108th PH Open at the Masters won’t be a walk in the park

MANILA, Philippines–As television cameras are slowly rising on each green of the Masters layout of the Manila Southwoods here, Filipino bets—one after the other—are sampling the world-class layout ahead of the foreign field just to arm themselves with the familiarity and the best chance of winning the 108th Philippine Open that tees off next week.

World Surf League: Simmers, Medina crowned first PH Pro champions
Nov 3, 2026

World Surf League: Simmers, Medina crowned first PH Pro champions

SIARGAO – Caitlin Simmers and Gabriel Medina claimed the women’s and men’s titles, respectively, in the first-ever World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour Philippines Pro at Cloud 9 on Tuesday. Simmers, the American world No. 6, defeated Australia’s Isabella Nichols, 12.00-10.77, in the women’s final to become the first women’s champion of the Philippine leg.

NBA: Harper, Wembanyama lead Spurs past Jazz for 5th straight win
Nov 3, 2026

NBA: Harper, Wembanyama lead Spurs past Jazz for 5th straight win

SAN ANTONIO — Dylan Harper scored 17 points, Victor Wembanyama added 12 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks and the San Antonio Spurs rolled to their fifth straight victory, topping the Utah Jazz 119-97 on Monday night. Stephon Castle added 16 points and Keldon Johnson had 15 points as San Antonio won the first two

Alexandra Eala ‘super happy’ to be back, aims to finish season on a high at Hong Kong Open
Nov 3, 2026

Alexandra Eala ‘super happy’ to be back, aims to finish season on a high at Hong Kong Open

Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala said there were few better places to wrap up a tennis season after battling past Emerson Jones at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Tuesday. Playing in Hong Kong for the second time, after her debut last year, Eala also said she was “super happy” to come back and start her quest to end the season on a high with a win. The Filipino was set to renew her rivalry with American Alycia Parks in the first round, but the world No 59 from Florida withdrew about...

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