Philippines to host WTA 125, WTA 250 tournaments in 2027

GMA Network - Oct 1, 2026

The Philippines will host two WTA tournaments in 2027 -- the Philippine Women"s Open (WTA 125) in January and an additional WTA 250 event in November as part of the Asian swing.

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Conjuangco clinches historic silver in Asian Games archery
Oct 1, 2026

Conjuangco clinches historic silver in Asian Games archery

MANILA, Philippines — Archer Amaya Amparo Conjuangco bagged the silver medal in the compound women’s finals at the 2026 Asian Games on Thursday morning at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square. Conjuangco fell short of stealing the gold from Indonesia’s Nurisa Dian Ashrifah who prevailed 139-137.  This is the first silver medal in archery for the Philippines. The last time the country won a medal here was in 2014 when Paul Marton Dela Cruz won the bronze in the men's compound.

LIVE UPDATES: Team Philippines at 2026 Asian Games: October 1 -- Alex Eala, Alas Pilipinas Men, and other sports
Oct 1, 2026

LIVE UPDATES: Team Philippines at 2026 Asian Games: October 1 -- Alex Eala, Alas Pilipinas Men, and other sports

Follow along with Team Philippines' campaign in the 2026 Asian Games on Wednesday, October 1, 2026.

2026 Asian Games: Updated Philippines medal tally and list of medalists, as of October 1
Oct 1, 2026

2026 Asian Games: Updated Philippines medal tally and list of medalists, as of October 1

Amaya Amparo Cojuangco delivered a silver medal in archery to lift the Philippines' medal haul in the 2026 Asian Games up to 19 medals on Thursday, October 1.

Amaya Amparo Cojuangco bags silver in Asian Games archery
Oct 1, 2026

Amaya Amparo Cojuangco bags silver in Asian Games archery

The arrows were on point on Thursday as Amaya Amparo Cojuangco added another medal to the Philippines" medal haul in the 2026 Asian Games as she bagged silver in the compound women"s individual event.

NBA: Dillon Brooks facing DUI charge from March
Oct 1, 2026

NBA: Dillon Brooks facing DUI charge from March

Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks is facing a misdemeanor DUI charge stemming from his arrest in March, Arizona Sports reported on Wednesday.

Team Philippines at 2026 Asian Games: October 1 schedule -- Alex Eala, Alas Pilipinas Men, and other sports
Oct 1, 2026

Team Philippines at 2026 Asian Games: October 1 schedule -- Alex Eala, Alas Pilipinas Men, and other sports

Alex Eala will continue her gold medal chase on Thursday as she competes in the 2026 Asian Games women"s singles semifinals, while other Filipino athletes continue their respective events in Japan.

Suns' Dillon Brooks charged with DUI stemming from incident in March
Sep 30, 2026

Suns' Dillon Brooks charged with DUI stemming from incident in March

PHOENIX — Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks has been charged with driving under the influence related to his arrest in March by police in Scottsdale, Arizona. Online court records show that Brooks has a court date on Oct. 28 for the Class 1 misdemeanor charge. “This charge stems from the incident last March,” Suns senior vice president of communications Stacey Mitch said in a statement. “We have addressed the matter with Dillon and have no further comment.” Brooks was arrested during a traffic stop on March 6 at roughly 1 a.m. and after an investigation, he was taken to jail. He was released following the booking process around 3:30 a.m. The 30-year-old was out with a fractured left hand at the time. He averaged a career-high 20.2 points per game last season and signed a $73 million, three-year extension during the offseason that will keep him with the team through 2030. Brooks is also facing separate misdemeanor reckless driving and speeding charges related to an arrest in January. The court date for that case is Nov. 9. ESPN first reported the developments in the cases.

Paalam gets shot at Asian Games gold
Sep 30, 2026

Paalam gets shot at Asian Games gold

FILIPINO boxer Carlo Paalam advanced to the 20th Asian Games men’s 55-kilogram (kg) class gold medal round after earning a close semifinal split decision win against Kazakh Makhmud Sabyrkhan at the Nishio Gymnasium in Japan on Wednesday afternoon. Three judges favored Paalam, 29-27, 29-28, 29-27, while two deemed Sabyrkhan the winner, 29-27, 30-26, in the slugfest. Throwing solid punches including a right straight that shook Sabyrkhan in the second round, Paalam secured a silver medal and his highest finish in the continental meet. The Olympic silver medalist snared a bronze at the 2018 Asiad edition in Indonesia. Coached by Elmer Pamisa, Paalam said the bout turned out to be a battle of tactical counters. “He’ll come forward, and I’ll just stick to my game. We’ll just make sure we’re the first to counter,” said Paalam. Paalam overcame a point deduction from the referee in the physical third round which he lost, 26-30. Digging deep into his endurance, Paalam said he showcased the immense Filipino fighting spirit to sway the judges in the last two rounds which he won, 29-28, 29-27. “I’m showing the referee that we’re Filipinos, that this is our blood. Even if we have to fight to the death, we’ll give it everything in the last round,” shared Paalam. As the last man standing among the Filipino contingent, Paalam gets himself a shot at ending the Philippines’ 16-year gold medal drought in Asiad boxing. Rey Saludar was the last Filipino boxer to win a gold in the Asian Games after ruling the 2010 flyweight division (52 kg) in Guangzhou, China. Paalam faces home bet Rui Yamaguchi in the final, looking to add to the Philippines’ three-gold haul in the ongoing meet after gymnast Carlos Yulo’s two and pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena’s one. Yamaguchi defeated Mongolian Bilguunsaikhan Kharkhuu via unanimous decision in their semifinal encounter. The gold medal match is set for Oct. 2 at 12:45 p.m. in Manila. Receiving a first-round bye, Paalam started his campaign with a majority decision win over Indian Jadumani Singh Mandengbam in the second round (round of 16). Paalam then took down Chinese Zhang Jiamao in the quarterfinal via split decision before earning another one against Sabyrkhan in the semis.

Obiena grateful after Asiad defense   
Sep 30, 2026

Obiena grateful after Asiad defense   

UNDER wet conditions due to a drizzly Tuesday evening, Ernest John “EJ” Obiena still claimed his second straight men’s pole vault title in the 20th Asian Games in Japan. The Filipino pole vault ace did it in a record-setting fashion at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. Obiena secured the gold medal after Chinese Yao Jie and Li Chenyang struck out at 5.75 m which the Philippine bet cleared in just one try. The 30-year-old decided to post a new meet record and successfully did so with a 5.91-meter (m) clearance, surpassing the 5.90-m height he aced in the previous edition in Hangzhou, China, back in 2023. Obiena thus gave the Philippines its third overall gold in the ongoing meet following gymnast Carlos Yulo’s floor exercise and vault titles. “A gold and a GR (games record) here in Nagoya,” wrote Obiena in his social media pages on Wednesday morning. “As athletes, we live in these moments. Moments that make us overthink, stress us, adrenaline pumping pressure on our backs and sometimes ... just sometimes pure joy. I take these moments as a blessing. This is what keeps me going back for more.” Obiena expressed gratitude to his team as well as the Filipinos for supporting him. “To all of the 110 million Filipinos, maraming salamat po (thank you so much) for making these moments possible. Competing is one thing, but competing for something greater, for the Philippines, is a privilege that I do not take lightly. For the country.” Obiena surpassed the 5.90-m height thrice this season, which he ended with this Asiad gold. Bouncing back from a lackluster 2025, the 6-foot-2 pole vaulter from Tondo collected 10 golds this year as he continued his resurgence. “What I felt today, it’s been a while, and to be honest I missed it,” Obiena said to POC Media. “With that, I think it’s bit of a reborn that I see the sport in a much different perspective than it was, a little bit of fun and reality”

3,500 jins set to clash at Milo National meet
Sep 30, 2026

3,500 jins set to clash at Milo National meet

THE drive to develop the next generation of taekwondo champions continues as the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) stages the 2026 Milo National Taekwondo Championships this October. The two-part national tournament is expected to draw around 3,500 young athletes from all affiliated chapters and branches across the country, including representatives from 20 regions and the National Capital Region. The Kyorugi (Free Sparring) competition will be held on Oct. 3 and 4 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, while the Poomsae (Forms) competition is set for Oct. 11 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Milo and the Philippine Taekwondo Association, under the leadership of Grandmaster Hong, have joined forces in supporting the development of Filipino youth. Through this partnership, the event has provided valuable support to its grassroots program, helping create opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills, discipline and passion for taekwondo. Grandmaster Hong, who has been at the forefront of PTA’s programs the past five decades, is excited to see taekwondo jins from different parts of the country vie for honors in their respective divisions. Kyorugi will feature Toddler, Grade School, Cadet and Junior categories for both boys and girls, with each age group divided into Novice and Advanced divisions. The Poomsae competition, meanwhile, will showcase Recognized Poomsae and Freestyle Poomsae in the Toddler, Grade School, Cadet and Junior age groups. Competition begins at 9 a.m. on both events, with the official opening ceremony scheduled for 1 p.m. on Oct. 3 and highlighted by a special performance from the Philippine Demonstration Team.

Eala ‘didn’t take lightly’ decision to play Asian Games
Sep 30, 2026

Eala ‘didn’t take lightly’ decision to play Asian Games

NAGOYA, Japan — Alexandra “Alex” Eala is prioritizing representing the Philippines at the Asian Games over the WTA Tour for the moment — even if that means risking a fine from the women’s tour. Eala had to withdraw from the China Open in Beijing — a mandatory WTA 1000 event — to compete at the Asian Games. She could be fined $10,000. “It was a decision I didn’t take lightly,” Eala told SNTV after winning her second-round match at the Asian Games. “Of course, it’s difficult to miss out on a 1000, especially Beijing, where I’ve heard so many great things about the tournament and I have yet to go. But I know there will be many chances to go back, and I’m really excited to be here, to represent my country and to compete.” The 18th-ranked Eala beat Patcharin Cheapchandej of Thailand, 6-1, 6-0, on Monday. Eala took bronze medals in singles and mixed doubles (with partner Francis Alcantara) at the 2023 Asian Games and is a favorite for gold this time. “I’m as eager as anybody and maybe even a little more,” she said. “I have a lot of will to compete, a lot of will to win.” Eala upset defending champion Iga Swiatek on Center Court in the third round of Wimbledon this year and then earned her first WTA Tour title in Washington. She reached the third round of the US Open. Eala next faces Joanna Garland of Taiwan in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Nagoya mayor sayssorry for Asian Gamesinconveniences’ Nagoya’s mayor apologized to athletes on Wednesday for “inconveniences” at the Asian Games in the Japanese city following a string of complaints. The continent’s biggest sporting event has been dogged by problems including a shortage of beds and issues with transport. There are over 17,000 athletes and officials, more than the Olympics, and countries have accused local organizers of mismanagement. “We must offer our apologies to the athletes and others affected by these inconveniences,” said Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa, who is also acting chairman of the local organizing committee. “We must sincerely reflect on the mishandling that occurred,” he added. “There were human errors and a lack of communication with the national teams. “We are responding based on what has happened.” Unlike past Games, there is no athletes’ village in a bid to save money, with participants instead sleeping in temporary wooden units, on a cruise ship and in hotels. Some teams have complained about the temporary cabins, even saying the beds are too short. Early in the Games, local organizers apologized to South Korea after the North Korean national anthem was played by mistake. There have been issues with buses for athletes not running when they should, not turning up at all or going to the wrong venues. Some athletes were also stranded for hours at the airport when they landed in Nagoya for the start of the Games on Sept. 19. The Games, which are taking place in Nagoya and Aichi prefecture, end on Sunday.

LeBron James sparks instant hype at 76ers
Sep 30, 2026

LeBron James sparks instant hype at 76ers

CAMDEN, New Jersey — The answers Anfernee Simons gamely tried to offer about the first day of 76ers training camp were suddenly drowned out by the furious whirring overhead of a helicopter leaving the team’s complex. LeBron James’ helicopter. James indeed used the rotorcraft for the rich to take him after practice from New Jersey to presumably close to wherever he decided to live in New York. The helicopter noises are usually reserved for when billionaire team owner Josh Harris lands at the complex for the NBA Draft or a major news conference. Not anymore. The Sixers were quickly caught in the whirlwind of the first days of the LeBron Effect, even as a pair of players and coach Nick Nurse professed all was good on the court. Off the court, make room. Sixers staff moved the news conference backdrop from a corner where a few dozen reporters are usually stuffed to shout questions at Joel Embiid or Tyrese Maxey to a spot closer toward midcourt for a roomier feel for the more than 50 credentialed reporters, bloggers, TV camera operators and more that came to get an early report card on James’ official first day as a Sixer. James was gone on Tuesday by the time the media was allowed on the court to watch practice. Embiid, Maxey, former Boston star Jaylen Brown, they were all absent, too, a day after holding court on media day. Nurse is starting his fourth season as coach of the Sixers. He’s used to handling the demands that come with working in a major market and dealing with star players in Philly such as with Embiid and his daily injury report or the high drama that surrounded former Sixer James Harden. Nurse did say he had conversations with the team about looking out for each other and staying connected while navigating a spotlight season — especially early — that already has a postseason-type of aura around the franchise before the Sixers even played a game. “It is going to be different,” Nurse said. “More people, more eyes, more stories, more national TV. All that kind of stuff. It’s the same, just a little more. I’m just trying to get to the practice floor and to the game floor. If we can do those two things, all that other stuff, we’ll just kind of handle it as smoothly as we can.”

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