Buoyed-up Ginebra eyes 3-2 series lead

GALVANIZED by Justin Brownlee's inspired plays, Barangay Ginebra tries to ride on that momentum when it shoots for the series lead against TNT in Game 5 of their PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. The Gin Kings shoot for the 3-2 series lead against the Tropang Giga at 7:30 p.m. Brownlee surprised everyone by delivering 23 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, managing to play through a heavily taped right...

SMB benchwarmer Troy Mallillin will get chance at Blackwater: Cariaso

Cariaso says Troy Mallillin will get his chance with Blackwater

Creamline in semis; Petro stays alive

ANTIPOLO, Philippines — Creamline added another milestone as it claimed its 17th straight semifinal stint with a 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22 win over Chery Tiggo in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference last night at the Ynares Center here. The Cool Smashers’ two-game sweep of the Crossovers sent the former in the single-round robin semis alongside Choco Mucho and Akari. Petro Gazz and ZUS are battling each other for the last...

Aussie NBA great produces incredible act of sportsmanship as Illawarra Hawks end a 24-year drought

It came after he was crowned the NBL championship series MVP, trumping rival Will Hickey of the Illawarra Hawks.

Ranking the 15 most jacked players in NBA history

Duke’s Cooper Flagg returns, makes March Madness debut

RALEIGH, North Carolina — Cooper Flagg had long watched March Madness and imagined being a part of it. A sprained ankle suffered last week wasn’t about to delay that dream for Duke’s freshman star. “I mean, this is something that I’ve dreamed about since I was 6, 7 years old, watching every single year with my family, my friends,” Flagg said. READ: Duke’s Cooper Flagg is biggest star heading into March Madness In other words, there was no way he...

Bea De Leon absorbs Creamline's winning culture

MANILA, Philippines — Hungrier to win than ever, Bea De Leon now understood why Creamline is the perennial champion of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). The former team captain of Choco Mucho flaunted her beastly form as a middle blocker after chipping in 14 points on seven attacks, five blocks, and two aces to allow Creamline to secure its 17th straight semifinals appearance, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22, on Saturday, at the Ynares Center in...

F1: Both Ferrari drivers disqualified from Chinese Grand Prix

SHANGHAI–Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were disqualified from the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix after their cars failed post-race checks on Sunday. The pair finished fifth and sixth respectively in the race in Shanghai but Leclerc’s car was found to be under the weight limit while Hamilton’s car was reported to stewards for excessive skid wear. “Charles was on a one-stop strategy today and this meant his tyre wear was very...

Cabañero brothers earn spots in Gilas program

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Two of Cebu’s brightest young basketball stars, Nic and Nickson Andwele Cabañero, are set to don the country’s tri-colors after being named to the Gilas Pilipinas program. No less than former Gilas Pilipinas stalwart-turned-coach LA Tenorio selected the Cabañero brothers, who hail from Lapu-Lapu City, to be part of two different Gilas squads. Their inclusion was also confirmed by their father, Dominic, through a post by...

THUMBS UP: Brownlee 'injury game' draws PBA Finals' highest TV rating

Epic JB moment draws biggest TV audience

Tagaytay houses for Caloy, Nesthy, Aira

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Olympic Committee officially turned over yesterday to gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas Tagaytay house and lot units earned for their medal feats in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. “Grateful and feeling blessed for the house and lot, and I’m also thankful to the POC for helping us in our Olympic preparation in Paris,” said Yulo during the house blessing attended by POC president...

UAAP: NU beats La Salle anew to go 8-0 in women’s volleyball

National University remained perfect after sweeping their head-to-head matches against La Salle in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. In their second encounter this season, the Lady Bulldogs hammered in a 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 25-18 decision on the Lady Spikers to surge to an 8-0 card behind Bella Belen’s 23 points scattered from 17 attacks, four blocks, and two aces, a performance that...

NBA: Andrew Wiggins scores 42, Heat halt 10-game skid vs Hornets

Andrew Wiggins scored 15 of his season-high 42 points in the decisive third quarter as the host Miami Heat snapped their 10-game losing streak, beating the Charlotte Hornets 122-105 on Sunday night in the NBA. Wiggins – who fell five points shy of his career-high point total – made 16 of 21 shots from the field, including 6 of 8 from 3-point range, and had five assists and two steals. Snapping their longest skid since 2007-08, the Heat (30-41)...

PVL: Jonah Sabete returns to help Petro Gazz stay alive

ANTIPOLO — Fit-again Jonah Sabete came back just in time to help Petro Gazz save its 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference. After missing the past two months due to an injury, Sabete boosted Petro Gazz’s 25-19, 25-13, 28-26 sweep of ZUS Coffee that equalized their best-of-three series on Saturday at Ynares Center Antipolo. Sabete was the Angels’ X-factor, delivering 11 points as a starting opposite spiker. READ: PVL: Petro Gazz grants Brooke Van...

P15-M Tagaytay home Carlos Yulo’s latest bonanza

Carlos Yulo looks at material rewards that keep coming as reasons why the first Filipino double Olympic gold medalist will try to become even better. “Bonuses such as this new house from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will motivate me to push myself [harder],’’ said Yulo on Sunday after receiving the keys to his new two-storey home built on a 500 square meter (sq m) lot in Tagaytay’s Prime Peak Town House Subdivision from POC president...

Nitura: 'I'm here to win, not set any records'

(UPDATE) GRATEFUL as she is to have set the UAAP women's volleyball scoring record, Adamson super rookie Shaina Nitura insisted that her main goal is to win games for Lady Falcons and not set any records as they try to make the UAAP Season 87 Final Four. Nitura posted the new league scoring record of 38 points in a 15-25, 25-15, 26-24, 22-25, 10-15 loss to the UP Fighting Maroons at the end of Season 87 first round action on March 16. "Since the...

George Foreman's story was one full of huge determination - he was honest, had great strength and will be regarded as one of the greats for a long time to come, writes JOHNNY NELSON

JOHNNY NELSON: He was an honest talent, born with great strength, and his story was one of huge determination. He won his first amateur fight in 1967 and barely 18 months later was an Olympic champion.

Bernadeth Pons keeps sheer focus heading to PVL semis

MANILA, Philippines — Bernadeth Pons made a double-double performance to propel Creamline to its 17th straight semifinal appearance in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). Pons led the scoring with 18 points, along with 15 excellent receptions to allow Creamline sweep the series against Chery Tiggo, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22, last Saturday, in Game 2 of the PVL 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference. The 2024 Reinforced Conference Most Valuable Player...

Tolentino turns over brand new homes to Yulo, Petecio and Villegas in Tagaytay City

MANILA, Philippines — PARIS Olympics double gold medalist gymnast Carlos Yulo now has a property in Tagaytay City and so do bronze medalist Aira Villegas. Nesthy Petecio? The other boxing bronze medalist in Paris now has a second home in the city where Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino is mayor. "They deserve these homes, they're not only our Olympic heroes, all of them are national treasures," said...

NBA: West top seed Thunder escape Clippers

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points and Aaron Wiggins added 19 as the Oklahoma City Thunder extended their winning streak to six games by holding on for a 103-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday at Inglewood, California. Isaiah Hartenstein scored 14 points with 10 rebounds and Alex Caruso added 14 points for the Thunder (59-12), who clinched the top seed in the NBA Western Conference last week. Oklahoma City plays at...

Alolino not yet done playing despite commencing coaching career

Call him coach Gelo - still-playing coach Gelo

Ranked: The 25 greatest college basketball players ever

Emerging talents in UAAP keep MVP frontrunner Belen honest

MANILA, Philippines — Up-and-coming talents in the UAAP women's volleyball tournament keep NU Lady Bulldogs star Bella Belen honest. Belen, the Season 84 Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player, the latter award she repeated in Season 86 last year, said that the rise of talented players every year just made her raise her game even more. Safe to say, Belen's motivation is working since she's on pace to win her third MVP award in four seasons...

Amazing Alex: Eala stuns world No. 5 Madison Keys in Miami Open

Alex Eala claimed her biggest win as she defeated World number 5 and reigning Australian Open queen Madison Keys, 6-4, 6-2, to reach the round of 16 of the Miami Open on Sunday, March 23. Full story: https://www.rappler.com/sports/tennis-results-alex-eala-madison-keys-miami-open-march-23-2025/

Ginebra finds a hero in Malonzo, who helped preserve JB heroics

CITY OF ANTIPOLO—Jamie Malonzo is no stranger to struggles. He’s fought through several of them in his young career—both on the court and off of it. So when Barangay Ginebra’s indefatigable import Justin Brownlee faced struggles of his own, Malonzo made sure he would not let his teammate down, rising to the occasion in the crowd darlings’ 95-78 Game 4 victory against TNT in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Friday night. Malonzo played...

Ateneo downs up for 5th win

ATENEO de Manila University opened its UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball second-round campaign with a rousing 25-16, 25-18, 25-21 victory over University of the Philippines (UP) on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Dan Nicolas and Tommy Castrodes attempted to put the Fighting Maroons on the board, closing within 16-18 in the third, but the Blue Eagles decided to end it in straight sets. Amil Pacinio, Jettlee Gopio and Jian Salarzon teamed up...

Petro Gazz win sets stage for thrilling decider

Petro Gazz star Brooke Van Sickle has so much respect for ZUS Coffee that she feels it will take nothing less than an all-out grind for her team to seize a winner-take-all triumph. “It’s going to be a push. It’s going to be high intensity, so we need a 100-percent effort from everyone,” said Van Sickle after the Angels evaded a quarterfinal exit on Saturday in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. The Angels refused to be blown out of the sky by the...

Emotional Eala credits family for rise up WTA ranks

MIAMI GARDENS — Alexandra Eala wrote her name in tennis history on Sunday when the 19-year-old Filipina defeated Australian Open champion Madison Keys from the Miami Open. She became the first woman from the Philippines to beat a top-10 opponent since the ranking system came into being 50 years ago. It was a result that Eala celebrated with spontaneity and emotion, hugging her team while on the brink of tears. A little later, more composed but...

Ex-Red Bull flop reveals why all drivers are doomed from the start as axe looms on another of Max Verstappen's team-mate

It comes following their indifferent start to the 2025 season, with Verstappen placing fourth in Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix, while team-mate Lawson slumped to 15th in the standings.

NBA: Kevin Durant, Suns deal Cavaliers fourth straight loss

Kevin Durant scored 42 points, including a clutch 3-pointer that helped snuff out a late Cleveland rally, as the host Phoenix Suns scored their third straight win with a 123-112 defeat of the Cavaliers on Friday. Durant’s 3-pointer with 70 seconds remaining in regulation came as Cleveland (56-14) was threatening after trailing by as many as 21 points. Phoenix (34-37) led for much of the first half, then used an 18-9 scoring advantage spanning...

Aussie Open champ Keys crashes out to Filipino teenager

Miami Gardens, United States—Fifth-seeded American Madison Keys, the Australian Open champion, crashed out of the Miami Open on Sunday suffering a shock loss to 19-year-old Filipino wildcard Alexandra Eala. The 6-4, 6-2 win for the teenager prompted her to hug her team and celebrate passionately after she became the first Filipino woman in the Open Era to beat a top-10 opponent since the ranking system came into being in 1975. Eala, the 2022...

Game 6: Tropa to fight ‘like hell’

MANILA, Philippines — Down but not out, TNT is committed to put up a big fight and stop Barangay Ginebra from delivering the kill shot and ascending to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup throne. After leading, 2-1, the Tropang Giga dropped back-to-back games, 95-78 and 73-66, to find themselves in a do-or-die situation in tomorrow’s Game 6 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. “I see us fighting like hell, fighting to win, fighting to play an excellent game,...

Jonah Sabete spreads wings, lifts Angels past Thunderbelles

ANTIPOLO CITY, Philippines — The Angels had divine assistance this time to extend the series. After being sidelined for two months, Jonah Sabete returned to the court and brought life to the Petro Gazz Angels in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals. Petro Gazz was stunned by ZUS in five sets in its first playoff clash, but the team bounced back stronger in Game 2 after winning via sweep, 25-19, 25-13,...

PVL: Still long way to go for young Galeries after quarterfinals exit

MANILA, Philippines —The young Galeries HighRisers couldn’t extend what could’ve been a Cinderella run as they fell short in two games in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals. Just like in Game 1 of the playoffs, Galeries took two sets to one lead — a set away from a playoff win — and could have even swept the series if it was able to close out. However, the HighRisers were booted out by the Akari Chargers in five sets, 25-19,...

Scottie Thompson leads Ginebra to first win streak of PBA Finals

Scottie Thompson has been Barangay Ginebra’s most consistent local in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals—maybe even its silent operator, if you will. But Thompson, as he has done in the past, finally came out with plays that 12,447 mostly pro-Ginebra fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum were glad to see on Sunday night as the Gin Kings moved on the cusp of savoring that championship feeling once more. Thompson led a grind-out 73-66 win over TNT that...

Emma Raducanu cruises into Miami Open final 16 after dominant showing against McCartney Kessler sees Brit claim the first set in less than 30 minutes - before American retires

Emma Radacanu crushed McCartney Kessler to reach Miami Open round of 16, leading 6-1, 3-0 after two sets, before the American opted to retire.

NBA: Anthony Davis could return during Mavericks’ road trip

Anthony Davis is “in increasingly strong contention” to return during the Dallas Mavericks’ upcoming four-game road trip, per NBA insider Marc Stein. The Mavericks will begin the trip on Monday against the Brooklyn Nets. After midweek matchups against the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic, they will close out the stretch against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday. Davis made his team debut on February 8, posting 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists,...

Carlos Yulo, Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas receive house incentives from POC

Olympic medalists Carlos Yulo, Nesthy Petecio, and Aira Villegas received another one of their incentives as the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) turned over their house and lots in Tagaytay City. POC shared on their social media platforms snaps from the blessing and turnover ceremony on March 23, Sunday, which was attended by the three athletes, who participated in the Paris Olympics. According to the committee, the recognition "reflects the...

The cost of championships

THE Boston Celtics broke another record recently. I am not referring to their NBA-leading 18 champion-ship rings or their league-leading 48.1 attempts per game from the three-point line this season, it's the record-breaking sale to new franchise owner William Chisholm for $6.1 billion. The Celtics transaction represents the largest sale of an American sports team, slightly over the $6.05 billion set by the Washington Commanders of the National...

PVL: Creamline back in semis again after sweeping Chery Tiggo

ANTIPOLO CITY—Booking a reservation to the semifinals has turned quite into an obsession for the Creamline Cool Smashers. They earned another return trip on Saturday evening by walloping the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22, in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All Filipino Conference. Bea De Leon and Bernadeth Pons engineered the Cool Smashers’ gripping turnaround from a forgettable opening set spiked with errors to close...

Brooke Van Sickle raring for first international stint

MANILA, Philippines — Brooke Van Sickle looks forward to representing the Philippines through Petro Gazz when it plays in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Champions (AVC) League from April 20 to 27 at Philsports Arena. As a player who has yet to play in international tournaments like the AVC, Van Sickle is eager to carry the flag with the Angels one of three Philippine clubs to compete in the country’s hosting of the continental meet alongside...

Ginebra outduels TNT in Game 5 dogfight, moves a win from PBA title

Gin Kings take 3-2 lead as Tropang Giga look ready to self-destruct in PBA Finals

NBA: Lakers look for redemption on road against Magic

After their worst defensive performance of the season, the visiting Los Angeles Lakers will try to stop Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic on Monday. Over his last 12 games, Banchero has averaged 30.6 points for Orlando (33-38), the most of any player in the Eastern Conference and second-most in the NBA over that span. “I think it’s his poise and his demeanor,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said Friday after his team’s 120-105 road win over the...

La Salle stuns defending champ NU

DE La Salle University recovered from a second set meltdown to complete a 25-22, 25-27, 25-21, 25-17 triumph over defending champion National University to open its second-round campaign in the UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday. After being marred by three consecutive errors to lose the second set, the Green Spikers relied on the tandem of Noel Kampton and Vince Maglinao to swiftly take the next...

PBA: A title and MVP part of Arvin Tolentino’s big dream

In just five seasons, Arvin Tolentino has established himself as one of the brightest stars in the PBA, with a Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award in the Commissioner’s Cup as a testament to that. For the NorthPort standout, the formula behind his recent milestone is simple. “I dream big,” he said. Now, an even bigger prize looms for the two-way forward as he automatically became a candidate for the season MVP. But Tolentino remains...

Ferrari explain the reasons behind their Chinese GP double disqualification

Scuderia Ferrari have issued an explanation as to why they ended the Chinese Grand Prix with a double disqualification. Lewis Hamilton's rear skid wear was found to be 0.5mm below the limit, and was because they 'misjudged the consumption'. Charles Leclerc was underweight by 1kg and the team blamed the review on their one-stop strategy.

Pepito preaches patience as Tigresses fall to bad habits, second straight loss

MANILA, Philippines — UST Golden Tigresses team captain Detdet Pepito preaches patience as her team succumbed to bad habits and to their second straight loss after bowing to the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 22-25, 24-26, 25-17, 24-26, in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday. The way she sees it, Pepito said that the Tigresses were quick to get frustrated when things don't go their way and this is something...

Jasmine Mojdeh captures bronze in Singapore National Age Group

MANILA, Philippines — National pool member Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh capped off her campaign in style, clinching the bronze medal on the final day of the prestigious 55th Singapore National Age Group Swimming Championships held at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore. Mojdeh, representing Behrouz Elite Swimming Team, went head-to-head with top-notch swimmers in the women's 200m butterfly, including reigning Southeast Asian Games champion Quah Jing...

NBA: Celtics rain 3-pointers on Blazers, win fifth straight

Jayson Tatum scored 30 points as the Boston Celtics defeated the host Portland Trail Blazers 129-116 on Sunday night. Tatum scored 24 of those points after halftime, and narrowly missed his third triple-double of the season, finishing with nine rebounds and nine assists. Sam Hauser racked up 24 points on 8 of 10 3-pointers, while Derrick White added 17 points, including going 4 of 10 from deep. In a rare starting role, Payton Pritchard scored 16...

UAAP: Beth Hilongo emerges as bright spot amid UST losing skid

MANILA, Philippines — In the University of Santo Tomas’ second straight defeat to old rival Far Eastern University, Beth Hilongo emerged as a bright spot for the Golden Tigresses. Hilongo unleashed a career-best 17 points on top of 11 digs and nine excellent receptions but UST fell to its second consecutive loss at the hands of FEU, 22-25, 24-26, 25-17, 26-24, to start the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball second round on Sunday at Mall of Asia...