23 teams set for PSL National Finals

(UPDATE) THE cast for the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) National Finals is now complete as five teams from the Visayas Regional Finals were able to secure berths in the qualifying tournament for the first-ever Global Championship Challenge. Four teams from Cebu and one from Ormoc advanced to the National Finals slated July 7 to 11 at the Victoria Sports in Quezon City. Emerging as champions in their respective divisions were Cebu-Khalifa (Born...

COLUMN: Can't-miss prospects in PBA Rookie Draft pool

There's more than just Balti in this draft pool

Ollie Bearman, 19, lands 'dream' F1 seat for next season as he becomes the fourth British driver on the grid... after standing in for Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in Saudi Arabia

JONATHAN McEVOY: The 19-year-old's position was announced ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone - a fillip for the sport after his excellent debut as a stand-in for Ferrari in March.

IShowSpeed is stunned into silence by Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty miss against Slovakia... before having to endure fans taunting his tearful idol with Lionel Messi chants

Roberto Martinez's side were pushed all the way to a penalty shootout in Frankfurt after finding their opponent's defence impossible to breach.

Sinner, Alcaraz move on at Wimbledon

LONDON — Title rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz reached the Wimbledon third round on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) as Japanese superstar Naomi Osaka was demolished on her return to Centre Court after a five-year absence. Australian Open champion Sinner defeated Italian Davis Cup teammate Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 7-6 (7/4) in a three-hour 42-minute duel. Berrettini, the 2021 runner-up, fired 65 winners, including 28...

Novak Djokovic breaks Wimbledon 'Golden Rule' but clarifies he was given the 'thumbs up' to stray away from strict policy

Novak Djokovic made a triumphant return to tennis this week at Wimbledon. However the seven-time champion broke Wimbledon's golden rule in his opening round game.

Local stars bolster Strong Group in upcoming William Jones Cup

Kiefer, Abando banner loaded SGA line-up

Filipino Canadians sign with new teams in NHL

ON the first day of the National Hockey League (NHL) free agency on Monday, two Filipino Canadian players have signed contracts with new teams. Veteran defenseman Matthew Dumba is joining the Dallas Stars on a two-year contract worth $7.5 million and an average annual value of $3.75 million. With the addition of Dumba, the Stars will have two players of Filipino descent on the team, the other being Filipino American forward Jason Robertson....

Norris slams "reckless, desperate" Verstappen after Austrian GP crash

McLaren driver Norris criticises Red Bull Formula 1 world champion Verstappen’s actions

Cray says 2025 SEAG could be his last as he fails to make Olympics

Filipino American hurdler Eric Cray hinted that next year's Southeast Asian Games could be his last international tournament, after he failed to punch a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Cray made the announcement on his Instagram platform on Wednesday. "What can I say? I tried my best to qualify for the Olympics. It just wasn't meant for me. I'm happy to have made one Olympics in my career. Time for the End Game 2025," he wrote. Cray also...

Converge has franchise find as Baltazar enters Draft

Justine Baltazar, the big man many see as Converge’s the top overall pick, officially threw his name in the PBA Draft on the eve of the deadline set by the league on Wednesday. Baltazar formally submitted his application on Wednesday, joining notables who had put their names ahead of the Draft that will be held at Glorietta in Makati City on July 14. Converge owns the right to select first after placing dead last in both the import-laden...

Wolff says Austrian GP radio message to Russell "dumbest" thing he's done in F1

Mercedes team principal admits what he did in Austria was "embarrassing "

Cristiano Ronaldo shares nine-word message to fans after penalty drama in last-16 clash with Slovenia saw him reduced to tears - as he looks ahead to quarter-final showdown against France

Cristiano Ronaldo posted a short nine-word update on social media following Portugal's dramatic Euro 2024 last-16 victory over Slovenia that saw the 39-year-old cry atter a missed penalty.

From ringside, SBP chief sees seismic shift for rejigged Gilas program

The man who oversaw a difficult Gilas pivot from the Chot Reyes years admires view from ringside

Gilas Pilipinas played very good game says Latvian coach

FOR the first time in 64 years, the Philippines has won against a European team in men's basketball. This was achieved early Thursday morning when Gilas Pilipinas scored an 89-80 upset win against host Latvia in Group A of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia. While Philippine team coach Tim Cone said he was "shocked" by the stunning victory, Latvia coach Luca Banchi attributed the setback to the host squad's failure to match...

COLUMN: By helping Gilas beat Latvia, Kai turns in good NBA audition

Kai Sotto didn't hurt his NBA chances any after that brave performance against Latvia

Gilas Pilipinas guns for semis berth vs. Georgia amidst heightened expectations

That was just one game, one win, after all

Kai Sotto calls Brownlee 'Michael Jordan of PH basketball'

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas star Kai Sotto has high praises for his teammate, Justin Brownlee, calling him the "Michael Jordan of Philippine basketball." In a 19-second video on the FIBA Facebook page during the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Sotto said Brownlee is a great teammate and the world needs to know more about him. "The world don't really know much about Justin Brownlee, but for me, he's the Michael Jordan of Philippine...

Missing players, reassigned roles hit Alas Pilipinas with reality check

Coming off the high of a historic achievement, Alas Pilipinas is beginning to feel some of the problems of maintaining a high-profile national pool. Luckily, the women’s program has a few reinforcements coming its way. National University (NU) ace and UAAP two-time MVP Bella Belen and multi awarded spiker Jema Galanza will bolster Alas Pilipinas when it takes on Vietnam on Thursday in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenger Cup at...

How Mercedes has escaped its false dawn F1 curse

Mercedes has reached breakthroughs before, only to fall flat in the current Formula 1 ground-effect era. But the team lays out why this time it is different

PH makes semis in Olympic Qualifying Tournament

The Philippines bowed to Georgia, 94-96, on Thursday night (Manila time) but will still advance to the semifinal round in the Latvia leg of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Riga, Latvia. Needing to win against Georgia to claim the top spot in Group A and avoid losing more than 18 points to get axed, Gilas Pilipinas used a torrid third quarter rally to tie the count at 74-all entering the final period. From there, the Filipinos played...

Greece strong in opener; Slovenia still have chance to qualify

Giannis Antetokounmpo looked like a player intent on leading Greece to its first Olympic berth since 2008. Antetokounmpo had 32 points in 19 minutes, going 11 of 11 from the field, as Greece rolled to a 109-82 win over the Dominican Republic on Wednesday in Group B of the Piraeus, Greece, Olympic qualifying tournament. Thomas Walkup added 17 points for Greece, which led by as many as 27 and can advance to the semifinal round with a victory over...

Wahing, Gotiong dominate JPGT Negros, advance to finals

BACOLOD, Philippines – Bukidnon's Simon Wahing overcame early challenges and survived a late stumble to clinch the boys' 16-18 category title at the ICTSI JPGT Visayas Series 3 with a 78, foiling Bryce Lacida by three strokes at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club on Thursday. The 16-year-old Wahing's performance not only earned him a wire-to-wire victory with a 307 total but also advanced him to the Philippine Junior Match Play...

Podcast P arrives in Philadelphia: Grading Paul George’s deal with the 76ers

History unfolds in Latvia as Gilas stuns world No. 6 in OQT

Gilas holds off late Latvia comeback from 26-points down to pull off one of the most famous victories in Philippine basketball history

Romania fuming after bizarre 'shoe' controversy against the Netherlands

Gilas Pilipinas focuses on team defense, turnovers vs Latvia

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas team manager Richard Del Rosario said on Tuesday that team defense and taking care of basketball are two key points that coach Tim Cone have emphasized as the national squad prepares for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. "(We focused on) Sharpening our execution to limit our turnovers. Also, defending against shooters," Del Rosario told the Manila Times. The Philippines went 0-2 in its friendly games against...

Chargers, Chameleons shake up rosters, benches

Sister teams Akari and Nxled have been the busiest team of late in the Premier Volleyball League offseason, as they exchanged players even with league president Ricky Palou rejecting the idea. The Chargers, aside from signing former US NCAA standout Olu Okaro as import, acquired Ivy Lacsina, Dani Ravena, Kamille Cal and Cams Victoria while giving the Chameleons Trisha Genesis, Bang Pineda and Jaja Maraguinot. Akari also lost Dindin...

Why Cone stuck to 'outdated' triangle offense for youth-laden Gilas side

'We're going to live and die with this,' says Gilas coach

Carlos Alcaraz turns on the style to beat Aleksandar Vukic in straight sets to set up third-round clash with Grand Slam friend and foe Frances Tiafoe

JOE BERNSTEIN ON COURT NO 1: Alcaraz's only previous meeting with Aleksandar Vukic of Australia had ended in defeat at French Open qualifying in 2020 when the Spaniard was 17.

Cone: It's the first time I felt good losing

The Philippine men's basketball team's travel plans back to Manila will have to wait a little while after it advanced to the crossover semifinals at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Thursday night (Manila time) at the Arena Riga in Latvia. Gilas Pilipinas actually lost to Georgia, 92-94, at the close of the group stage but the Filipinos still made the final four, thanks to its 89-80 victory against the host team early Thursday. Head coach...

What needs to happen for Gilas Pilipinas to advance

Following the stunning win by the 37th ranked Philippines over world No. 6 Latvia, the Olympic hopes are very much alive for the Filipinos as Gilas Pilipinas heads to its final game in Group A against Georgia on Thursday, 8:30 p.m. (Manila time) in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The Filipinos relied on their resolute defense and solid shooting to bring down the Latvians, 89-80, early Thursday morning in Riga, Latvia. The historic...

Tim Cone dismisses notion that Gilas not big, fast, strong enough

There will be plenty of questions and realities that Gilas Pilipinas will tackle in the few days left leading up to the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Latvia. Fortunately, the squad’s mental fortitude and size won’t be among those things. Despite an 11-man crew and a lowly No. 37 ranking, national coach Tim Cone has been steadfast in his belief that the Filipinos are not going to be outmatched in Riga, where one of the four OQTs for...

Fuming Dan Evans takes aim at Wimbledon officials by claiming they 'don't care about the players' over wet court conditions as he slumps to first-round defeat by Alejandro Tabilo

DAVID COVERDALE ON COURT 12: The British No 3 was involved in a heated exchange with Wimbledon staff on Tuesday night when he argued it was too wet to play on Court 12.

Notable People who died in 2024

Gilas Boys suffer 45-point beatdown from Puerto Rico

MANILA, Philippines — The Gilas Pilipinas Boys team suffered another beatdown at the FIBA U17 World Cup, bowing to Puerto Rico this time by 45 points, 53-98, at the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on Tuesday evening (Manila time). Gilas thus finished the group play in Pool A winless at 0-3, being on the wrong end of a 62-point, 96-34 rout against Spain and 59-point, 48-107 drubbing from Lithuania in its first two games. Finishing at the...

Daniel Ricciardo offered Formula One lifeline as unlikely option emerges for under-fire Australian amid fears he will be SACKED by RB

Ricciardo, 34, had hoped to make a strong pitch to return to Red Bull as Max Verstappen 's teammate in 2025, after being brought in from the cold following his McLaren sacking.

Reports: Lakers sign LeBron James ($104M), Bronny James ($7.9M)

LeBron James agreed to a two-year, $104 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN and The Athletic reported Wednesday. The move represents only a slight salary increase over his scheduled 2024-25 season salary of $51.4 million in the form of a player option. But James opted out of his contract last week, one day […]

Goga Bitadze regrets giving 'great team' Gilas an opening

They had their shot, but Gilas just wouldn't go away

Kai Sotto taken to hospital to have rib injury checked

Gilas holds breath as docs examine extent of big man's injury

British No 1 Katie Boulter is knocked OUT of Wimbledon by No 2 Harriet Dart, who was in tears when she thought she would lose before remarkable turnaround

TAMARA PRENN AT WIMBLEDON: Dart had thought that she was destined to head out of the competition at 6-2 down in the tiebreak, and was seen wiping away tears as she sought to collect herself.

Maneiro ousts Wimbledon champ

LONDON — Marketa Vondrousova became the first defending women's Wimbledon champion to lose in the first round for 30 years on Tuesday as Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek cruised through. Off the court, two-time champion Andy Murray pulled out of the singles at his farewell All England Club appearance because he has not recovered sufficiently from recent back surgery. It was a painful day for Czech sixth seed Vondrousova, whose time in the...

USA blasts Philippines U17 by 96

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas absorbed a hapless 141-45 beating at the hands of the reigning champion and world No. 1 USA to bow out of contention in the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup Wednesday at the Sinan Erdem Dome, in Istanbul, Turkey. A forgettable outing it was for the overpowered Nationals, who stared at early 13-43 hole en route to the 96-point defeat in the Round of 16. It was the fourth straight blowout loss for the undersized and...

PVL to use different format in return of Reinforced Conference

MANILA, Philippines — The return of the PVL Reinforced Conference features a Pool Play format, dividing 12 teams into two groups as pro volleyball action unfurls on July 16 at Philsports Arena in Pasig City. With the import-laden tournament returning to action for the first time in two years, the PVL will be using a different format, using the serpentine method to separate the teams into two groups — based on their standings in the previous...

PVL promises high-octane volley action

(UPDATE) WITH a fresh format and a lineup packed with talented reinforcements, the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) is gearing up for another thrilling Reinforced Conference starting on July 16 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City. In line with its mission to deliver top-notch matches and heightened excitement for fans, the country's premier volleyball league has divided its 12 teams into two groups based on their rankings from the recent...

RoS ready to make big moves with two first rounders thanks to Nambatac trade

No. 7 and 8 selections to service Rain or Shine's resurgence

RJ Abarrientos adds even more star power to PBA Draft

Make way for 'Flying RJ' in the PBA

MPBL: Quezon Province remains undefeated after fending off Binan

Still perfect after 14 games

Philippines wakes up to result of Gilas’ first OQT game

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at Fiba OQT in Riga, Latvia National coach Tim Cone has made one thing clear months before the tall order Gilas Pilipinas needs to hurdle in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Latvia. “I’m a big believer that there are always really hard things to do. But nothing’s impossible,” he had told the Inquirer. The architect behind last year’s golden romp in the Asian Games in China put that mantra to the test once...

Messi a doubt for Argentina in Copa

HOUSTON — Lionel Messi's fitness remains in doubt ahead of Thursday's (Friday in Manila) Copa America quarterfinal with Ecuador with coach Lionel Scaloni saying he will wait before deciding on his team. Messi missed Argentina's final group stage match on Saturday, a 2-0 win over Peru, after complaining of a sore right hamstring. Argentina will hold a training session later on Wednesday and Scaloni said he would make any decision afterwards....