Sports

NBA: Mavericks beat Thunder in wild finish to reach West finals

DALLAS — Kyrie Irving probably wondered if his uncanny run of closeout victories without a loss in his career was finally near an end. The streak lives, and the Dallas Mavericks are through to the NBA Western Conference semifinals for the second time in three seasons. P.J. Washington Jr. made two free throws before an intentional miss with 2.5 seconds left as the Mavs rallied from 17 points down in the second half for a 117-116 victory over the...

Sister squads’ swap stopped in a snap

On paper, the switch made sense. Akari and Nxled shuffled their players and coaches to fit each other’s needs for the next Premier Volleyball League (PVL) conference. The question now is if that paper ever becomes official. Because if it were up to PVL president Ricky Palou—and he has already warned teams about this—there would be no swapping players between sister teams. “That’s not allowed. We told everybody starting this season no trades and...

Why forcing Red Bull to make a “bad choice” is Vasseur’s main F1 target

As someone who understands well the challenges of Formula 1, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur knows there is no magic bullet that guarantees success.

Post-Spring College Football Top 25 Rankings Released

Spring football has wrapped up across the country and so, too, has the NCAA's transfer portal process. Most college football teams are now set in their rosters as we approach the 2024 regular season. So, On3 has updated its Top 25 rankings as we head into the summer. On Saturday, On3 released an ...

British boxer Sherif Lawal dies after being knocked down in pro debut

LONDON — A British boxer has died after he lost on his professional debut in London. Sherif Lawal was knocked down by a blow to the head from Malam Varela in the fourth round of a scheduled six-round middleweight fight on Sunday at Harrow Leisure Centre. READ: Mexican teen boxer dies of injuries suffered in ring The referee waved it off to allow paramedics to attend to Lawal. He was taken to hospital but died. He was 29. “The British Boxing...

Verstappen: Red Bull "severely off the pace" in Imola F1 practice

Max Verstappen says Red Bull is "severely off the pace" for Formula 1's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix after struggling with his car handling in Imola on Friday.

UAAP: Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon take their time to enjoy NU title

MANILA, Philippines —After a successful championship run in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, NU Lady Bulldogs’ stars Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon are both taking a breather before deciding on the next steps in their young and their promising careers. Belen and Solomon have proven that they’ve been the most lethal dynamic duo in the league for the past three years after emerging as the top players in their positions and the...

Lynch: Scottie Scheffler’s scandal shows why the PGA Tour has to look elsewhere for much-needed spice

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It was during the 82nd PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club a couple dozen years ago that Stuart Appleby was asked what he’d need to shoot to have a chance to win. “Tiger Woods,” he replied. Most of those competing at the 106th edition t

Usyk in tears for late father after historic heavyweight win

An emotional Oleksandr Usyk shed tears for his late father after crowning a brilliant career by becoming boxing’s first four-belt undisputed heavyweight world champion on Sunday. The 37-year-old Ukrainian won a split decision against Britain’s Tyson Fury in Riyadh in the first heavyweight unification fight since 1999. The former European and world amateur champion, Olympic gold medalist and undisputed cruiserweight champ — still undefeated as a...

Far from done: Alyssa Valdez aims to return to 100% health before thinking on-court farewell

Philippine volleyball star Alyssa Valdez says she is far from done with the volleyball courts. In a Rappler Talk Sports interview, she shares she is well-aware that she has not been in her best form for quite some time. Full story: https://www.rappler.com/sports/volleyball/alyssa-valdez-aims-return-health-before-thinking-on-court-farewell/

Rain or Shine's botched final play charged to inexperience

A play designed to set up a Clarito trey ended with a hurried Caracut try from way out

Is Europe better at developing NBA players than the United States?

10 most underrated NBA players right now, including one big surprise

Josh Ybañez ready to show his mettle at Alas Pilipinas

MANILA, Philippines — Josh Ybañez is raring to show what he is capable of after getting a call-up to be part of the 21-man pool of Alas Pilipinas, which opens its road to the country’s hosting of the FIVB Men’s World Championship next year. After the University of Santo Tomas settled for another runner-up finish in the UAAP, Ybañez, now a two-time UAAP MVP, has shifted his focus to the Philippine men’s volleyball team. “Masaya ako because soon,...

Why Albon wasn't penalised for driving with "10mm" loose wheel in Imola GP

Alex Albon believes his loose wheel in Formula 1's 2024 Imola event "was quite safe", with the stewards not penalising his driving back to the pits following a post-race investigation.

Notable People who died in 2024

Exclusive: What goes on inside Formula 1's race control room

Formula 1’s race control is the most secret – yet important – room in the paddock, so what goes on in there and who’s making the decisions to make everything tick?

NBA: Jamal Murray hurts elbow in Game 6 flop by Nuggets

MINNEAPOLIS — Jamal Murray failed to make a fadeaway on Denver’s first possession, then tried a floater that spun around the rim and spit out in portending fashion. Neither of those misses hurt the normally smooth-shooting Nuggets point guard like what came next for him on defense in Minnesota in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals. As he tried to move around a high screen by Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert early in the first quarter...

PBA: Ginebra banks on team effort to make up for Jamie Malonzo’s absence

MANILA, Philippines—Ginebra is determined to make a deep run in the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs even without one of its key cogs Jamie Malonzo. Scottie Thompson, who’s one of the most vocal leaders of the Gin Kings, said that the squad’s focus to win the championship is at an all-time high without everyone trying to pitch in to fill the gap left by their high-flying swingman. “Everyone is stepping up, they’re all stepping up as a team,” said...

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has sobering take on crucial Game 6 error

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has carried his team this postseason, which is what gave Saturday's deciding late foul in Game 6 a ring of Shakespearean tragedy.

Amid wild Chicago rumours, F1 eyes more races in Asia

Formula 1 has no plans to add a fourth US race but is keen to expand its presence in Asia, which could have consequences for European venues.

NBA: Kinder, gentler Luka Doncic has Mavericks on verge of series win

DALLAS — A kinder, gentler Luka Doncic has the Dallas Mavericks in the same place they were in the first round, headed home with a chance to clinch an NBA playoff series in Game 6. The difference is the smile on the face of the 25-year-old superstar, replacing the scowl that often accompanies his complaints toward officials over their calls, or non-calls. Doncic focused on other things in his third career 30-point playoff triple-double, leading...

PBBM throws full support to PH volleyball

MANILA, Philippines — MALACANANG has thrown its full support for five major international volleyball competitions the country is hosting for the second semester of the year beginning with the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Women's Challenge Cup that kicks off on Wednesday, May 22 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila. In Memorandum Circular 49 dated May 13 and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, President Ferdinand "Bongbong"...

UAAP: After breakthrough year, Aringo tipped to play bigger role for NU

MANILA, Philippines — Leo Aringo rose to the occasion on the biggest stage to help National University earn a historic “four-peat” in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball Finals against University of Santo Tomas. Buds Buddin did most of the damage to UST but Aringo provided the steady presence, averaging 18.5 points in the championship series to complete a sweep and keep NU on top of the collegiate men’s volleyball scene. “Kuya Owa [Retamar] gave...

Gin Kings, Beermen eye 2-0 semis lead

BARANGAY Ginebra and San Miguel Beer (SMB) eye 2-0 bulge as both squads resume their respective PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series against separate opponents on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Gin Kings opened the series with a hard-earned 92-88 win over the Meralco Bolts last Friday. Both squads square off anew at 3 p.m. On the other hand, San Miguel survived Rain or Shine's (ROS) fightback late in Game 1 to carve out a 101-98 triumph....

Pete Alonso reportedly turned down huge contract offer from Mets

Pete Alonso's future in New York remains uncertain, especially following a report revealing the substantial offer he declined from the Mets last summer.

McLaren unsure Norris could have passed Verstappen to win F1 Imola GP

McLaren Formula 1 team principal Andrea Stella says he's unsure if he agrees that with a few more laps Lando Norris would have passed Max Verstappen to win in Imola.

Verstappen "almost ended in the grandstands" amid Imola F1 hard tyre struggles

Max Verstappen felt like he was "driving on ice" on the hard tyres in Formula 1's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, saying he "almost ended up in the grandstands".

Noynay takes on Japanese knockout artist in Tokyo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Joe “Jaw Breaker” Noynay and Japanese Jin Sasaki passed the official weigh-in for their double regional title showdown at the Korakuen Hall scheduled in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday, May 16. Noynay, a native of Bogo City in northern Cebu, will battle Sasaki for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific welterweight title. Also up for grabs in this 12-rounder bout is the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF)...

PH clashes with Taiwan in 9-ball showdown

TEAM Philippines vowed to put on a show when it battles Team Chinese Taipei in the 2024 CPBA 9-Ball Teams Invitational tournament on May 27-29 in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Leading the charge for the Philippines in the "Asia Supremacy" showdown are Carlo Biado, Johann Chua, James Arañas, Jeffrey Ignacio and Bernie Regalario. "We hope to do well in this event. It is big honor to represent the country in the Asia Supremacy billiards match," said...

SMB survives ros scare

MANILA, Philippines — It wasn’t the prettiest of victories but top seed San Miguel Beer would gladly take it. The battle-scarred Beermen were made to sweat by youthful but tough Rain or Shine before escaping with a 101-98 win and taking a 1-0 running start in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series yesterday. “A win is a win,” SMB coach Jorge Gallent said after getting the job done despite blowing an eight-point lead in the fourth and going...

Cone calls out on other Kings to step up after Game 2 loss

Cone: We need to get contributions from everybody

Piastri given three-place grid penalty at F1 Imola GP for impeding Magnussen

McLaren Formula 1 driver Oscar Piastri has been given a three-place grid penalty for the Imola Grand Prix after impeding Kevin Magnussen.

Surigao makes PCAP semis for first time

After stunning the Iloilo Kisela Knights on Wednesday, the resurgent Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates will face the Southern Division's top team, Camarines Soaring Eagles, in the semifinal round of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) All-Filipino Conference on Saturday evening, May 18. Surigao bowed to Iloilo in the first game of the quarterfinals, 8-13, but bounced back with an 11.5-9.5 win in the second game to forge an...

Video: Controversial Finish To HS Baseball State Championship Sparks Major Debate

A controversial finish to a high school baseball state championship game in California has sparked major debate on social media. Moorpark’s Taylor Busch hit what appeared to be a game-winning home run in the bottom of the 7th inning. However, the umpires ruled that it was a ground-rule double. The ...

Jaja Santiago felt sense of fulfillment seeing NU win UAAP title

MANILA, Philippines — Despite not winning a UAAP title in her playing years for National University, Jaja Santiago felt as if she had finally won one after witnessing the Lady Bulldogs reclaim the glory in the Season 86 women’s volleyball Finals. Santiago was part of the proud NU faithful among the ecstatic 22,515 crowd at Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday when the Lady Bulldogs completed a series sweep of the UST Tigresses in Game 2, 25-23,...

NBA: Pacers tries to even series with New York, force Game 7

The Indiana Pacers’ season is on the brink. It’s win or it’s over. So the last playoff team with a perfect home record has to dig deep and make the most of the energy it receives from its own crowd as it tries to rebound from an embarrassing loss at New York with a season-saving win Friday night in Game 6. “What’s known doesn’t need to be spoken about. Guys know the intensity we have to bring,” Pacers All-Star Tyrese Haliburton said after...

Tiger Woods blames one big factor for missing the cut at PGA Championship

Ultimately, the legendary golfer knows precisely why the two rounds were such a struggle for him.

Klitschko and Shevchenko laud 'historical' win for Ukrainian Usyk

Usyk, who hails from Ukraine, was crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world after a gruelling battle in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night. Two judges scored the bout 115-113 and 114-113 in Usyk's favour.

Tyson Fury meets Oleksandr Usyk for undisputed title in Saudi Arabia

After Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk finally meet in the ring this weekend, boxing should have its first undisputed heavyweight champion in nearly a quarter-century. These are the two best fighters from a strong era of heavyweight boxing. Both have reached their mid-30s still undefeated, and both are determined to reach the pinnacle of their careers by winning every major title belt in their division — a feat that hasn’t been accomplished since...

The F1 driver market dominoes about to fall

Formula 1’s driver market dominoes are on the verge of falling down, with decisions set to be taken imminently that could finalise some key seats.

Messi’s record $20.4M salary dwarfs entire MLS teams

Lionel Messi’s record $20.45 million annual salary from Inter Miami makes him by far the best paid player in Major League Soccer but also puts him ahead of the entire squads of 25 of the league’s clubs, according to data released by the MLS Players Association on Thursday. The players union regularly releases the full pay details of the entire league and while it was no surprise to see the eight-times Ballon d’Or winner at the top, the gulf with...

Kirk Cousins addresses tampering investigation

The NFL is investigating the Atlanta Falcons for tampering largely because of some remarks Kirk Cousins made after signing with the team, but the quarterback seems to think the probe will uncover very little.

EJ Obiena captures gold in LA Grand Prix

POLE vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena resumed his Paris Olympics build-up by capturing the gold medal in the Los Angeles Grand Prix at the Drake Stadium on May 19. The first Filipino Paris Games qualifier cleared 5.80 meters to rule the competition and claim his third championship out of four tournaments he joined this year. Obiena bested Norway's Simen Guttormsen and home bet KC Lightfoot, who both cleared 5.70 m. Guttormsen defeated Lightfoot...

UAAP: All-heart UST Tigresses still proud of silver finish

MANILA, Philippines — They may have fallen short in getting a different ending, but the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses remained proud of their finish in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. It was the same result for coach KungFu Reyes in his second UAAP women’s volleyball Finals in five years, but he encouraged his undersized but still hardfighting Tigresses–fondly dubbed as Mini Miss UST–to keep their heads up after their...

Tyson Fury unsure on rematch after Usyk inflicts his first loss

Tyson Fury was undecided about a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk after losing his unbeaten record in one of the biggest fights in boxing history on Sunday. Britain’s Fury dominated the early rounds of their undisputed heavyweight clash but lost a split decision to the Ukrainian maestro, who nearly sent him to the canvas in the ninth round. It was the only loss in 36 professional bouts for Fury, who was contesting the first heavyweight unification...

Carlos Yulo wins elusive all-around gold at Asian Championships

Carlos Yulo had long desired to reach the Asian summit of the men’s artistic gymnastics individual all-around competition. Amazed by the breathtaking view at the top, perhaps it won’t be a stretch if the Filipino dynamo aspires to climb the Mt. Everest of his event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. “We were jumping with joy for Carlos being No. 1 in Asia. That’s how happy we are,” said Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia...

Video: Crowd Boos Transgender Winner At Girls Track Event

The crowd at a girls track meet in Oregon booed the winner of an event, as the winner happened to be transgender. Aayden Gallagher, a sophomore at McDaniel High School, is a transgender runner in the girls division. She won the 200 meter dash in the Oregon School Activities Association ...

Red Sox reinstate catcher from the 10-day IL

He's back from the injured list, but he's headed down to Triple-A.

NBA: Budenholzer reminisces, but quickly turns to future leading Suns

PHOENIX — Mike Budenholzer got a little teary-eyed talking about his past in Arizona, describing an idyllic childhood in the small town of Holbrook, about three hours northeast of Phoenix. Those tears dried up in a hurry when talking about his future. “It’s mind-boggling to me, like mind-blowing, to think that I’m going to be the head coach of the Phoenix Suns,” Budenholzer said on Friday during an introductory press conference in downtown...