Their parents helped shape the past of Philippine athletics, and now Naomi Cesar and Pi Durden Wangkay are emerging as part of its promising future.
LOS ANGELES — Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova upset Coco Gauff to storm into the last four of the WTA Finals at Indian Wells on Tuesday as Jessica Pegula reignited her challenge with victory over Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. Czech eighth seed Noskova took advantage of a shaky serving performance by Gauff to complete a 6-3, 6-3 victory in group one to book her place in the semi-finals. Noskova broke Gauff's serve four times on her way to claiming the first set, and then grabbed the decisive break early in the second before sealing victory with her ninth ace of the match. "I'm very happy, obviously every win counts in this competition," Noskova said afterwards. "Coco is a big competitor so I had to be ready for everything that would come my way today. "You have to play to the very last point with Coco because she can always help herself out with her serve and fighting spirit. I felt like I played great to put some pressure on her," added Noskova, who defeated Ukraine's Kostyuk in her opening group match on Sunday. The defeat leaves Gauff and Pegula vying for the last remaining semi-final berth from group one. Pegula, beaten by Gauff in her opener Sunday, overcame a topsy-turvy second set to defeat Kostyuk 6-2, 7-5. Kostyuk is eliminated following Tuesday's defeat. "I feel like I'm playing well," Pegula said. "I felt my match against Coco was a super high-level match and that was a great match today. "It's so tricky with her because you just don't know what's gonna come — she will just step in and inject pace, she'll come and kamikaze the net, she goes for returns or her serve can get hot. That's what makes it difficult to play her." The 32-year-old American had looked in complete control in the first set, breaking Kostyuk in the first and seventh games to take the opener 6-2. A chaotic second set began with four consecutive service breaks before Kostyuk held for a 3-2 lead. The Ukrainian then had a break point in the next game but was unable to take advantage as Pegula held for 3-3. The next four games went with serve but Pegula finally grabbed the decisive break in the 11th game. She converted her fourth break point to take a 6-5 lead before holding for the match, sealing victory when Kostyuk smacked a forehand long.
DAKAR, Senegal—The burst of speed that carried her to a silver medal clocked faster than Naomi Marjorie Cesar’s realization of what she had just accomplished. “When I crossed the line, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I just medaled at the Youth Olympics,’” she said. Cesar, fully certain she wouldn’t finish off the podium here,
The Farm Fresh Foxies and Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara have discovered an efficient way around the language barrier: Economy of words. “Tubu, work,” Tsuzurabara said. Trisha Tubu understood the command perfectly. The powerful hitter took matters in her own hands in the fifth set, scoring eight of her 30 points there to lead the Foxies
CARMONA, Cavite—Al Panlilio has helped bring the Philippine Open back to life and turned its latest edition into the richest in the tournament’s 108-year history. But the 63-year-old sports executive has a bigger ambition: Rebuild Philippine golf into a regional powerhouse and establish a comprehensive national team program. Panlilio, now president of the National Golf
San Beda and Letran secured the top seeds in their respective groups Tuesday, completing the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball quarterfinal picture after contrasting victories at San Juan Arena. The defending champion Red Lions cruised past College of St. Benilde, 82-69, to finish atop Group A, while the Knights leaned on another clutch three-pointer from
MANILA, Philippines — Filipino high-leaping guard Rhenz Abando is set to return to Gilas Pilipinas three years after he last played for the national team in the FIBA 2023 World Cup in Manila. The former NCAA Most Valuable Player was named to the final 12 for the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifers on Wednesday as announced by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas in its official social media accounts. Abando, who currently plays for the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters in the Korean Basketball League, will be joined by naturalized player Bennie Boatwright. Boatwright will be making his Gilas debut on Nov. 27 when the Philippines faces Syria, followed by Iran on Nov. 29 at the Karisma Arena in Seremban, Malaysia. Returning also for the national squad include big men Quentin Millora-Brown and Mike Phillips, who both missed action in the fourth window in Manila where Gilas beat Jordan and Iran. Kai Sotto will be leading the local squad, along with Dwight Ramos, Kevin Quiambao, AJ Edu, Scottie Thompson, CJ Perez, AJ Edu, Chris Newsome, along with Juan Gomez de Liano.
Pi Durden Wangkay delivered a second medal for the Philippines after placing third in the men"s 200m final of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
Gilas Pilipinas announced its lineup for the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Wednesday with recently naturalized Bennie Boatwright set to make his national team debut for the Philippines.
JOHANNESBURG — Double Olympic Games women's swimming gold medallist Tatjana Smith said on Tuesday she is switching her international allegiance from South Africa to the Netherlands. The 29-year-old, who holds South African and Dutch citizenship, said financial challenges and more opportunities for high-performance support triggered the decision. Smith won the 200 meters breaststroke at the 2020 Tokyo Games, which were delayed one year by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the 100 metres breaststroke at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She also won two silver medals in the pool, making the Johannesburg-born swimmer the most decorated South African Olympian. Smith retired after the Paris Games, but changed her mind this year with an eye on competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. "When I was a little girl, my biggest dream was to represent my country (South Africa) at the Olympics," she said in a video posted to social media. "I got to live that dream and it gave me more than I could have ever imagined. "This gives me the opportunity to explore another part of my identity and the heritage that I have never experienced through sport. "The opportunity also offers greater high performance support and the potential to build a more sustainable career," she added.
ANTIPOLO—Scottie Thompson was glad that Barangay Ginebra’s refusal to be on the losing side of history translated into a signature comeback at the expense of San Miguel Beer in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals. The Gin Kings moved on to the semifinals to face the TNT Tropang 5G after rallying from a 13-point deficit
ANTIPOLO—Barangay Ginebra secured the last semifinals berth after preventing San Miguel Beermen from completing a massive series comeback, taking a 110-94 victory in Game 5 of their 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals duel at Ynares Center here. Scottie Thompson led the Gin Kings’ spirited comeback in the decider from 13 points down in the third
Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth was in a bullish mood after his side booked their place in the EFL Trophy knockout stages.