Sports

UAAP: Deja vu for UST but Tigresses eye different outcome

MANILA, Philippines — History repeated itself on Sunday when University of Santo Tomas booked a return trip to the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Finals after dethroning La Salle in five sets at Mall of Asia Arena. Exactly five years ago, the Golden Tigresses–led by Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure and head coach KungFu Reyes–also made the finals at the expense of the Lady Spikers, who were also the defending champions at the time, at the same venue....

Red Bull insists Verstappen had floor damage despite post-F1 race confusion

Red Bull has revealed that Max Verstappen’s hopes of challenging Lando Norris for the race win in Formula 1’s Miami Grand Prix were derailed by floor damage.

NBA mock draft 1.0: Not as weak as initially thought?

NLEX prepares for Meralco duel; Cone wary of ‘early’ Kings-Hotshots clash

NLEX coach Frankie Lim did some math on the side on Sunday night and learned that the Road Warriors will have about four days to prime themselves for Meralco and their best-of-three quarterfinal duel in the PBA Philippine Cup. Whether that stretch is going to be enough for his charges, however, is something Lim couldn’t be certain of. And for a good reason. “We’ll have a lot of thinking to do about Meralco,” he said in Filipino on the heels of a...

Clasico quarters up

MANILA, Philippines — The incendiary “Manila Clasico” confrontation between sister teams but fiery rivals Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia will headline the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs firing off this week. The Gin Kings took second seeding with a 7-4 card in the eliminations while the Hotshots wound up seventh at 6-5, setting the stage for another edition of their storied rivalry dating back to 1988. As No. 2, the crowd darlings will carry a...

Titans seek to change story in PVL finals

(UPDATE) THE Choco Mucho Flying Titans aim to reverse the story from their previous finals appearance in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference. After a four set feat against the seasoned Petro Gazz Angels, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20, the Flying Titans are off to battle their sister team Creamline in the finals. Finished as the bridesmaid and not the bride in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference, coach Dante Alinsunurin told...

Paalam takes one last shot at Paris berth

Derailed by a hurting shoulder during the previous Olympic boxing qualifier, Carlo Paalam is back in harness for a last-gasp attempt to book a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics. “I can still feel a little bit of pain, but I can punch now with more power,’’ said the Tokyo Olympics silver medalist prior to his departure to Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday for the final Paris qualification tournament. Paalam got slammed to the canvas by Mexico’s Andrey...

NBA: Timberwolves blitz Nuggets for 2-0 lead

DENVER — Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns powered Minnesota’s 106-80 blitz of the Denver Nuggets on Monday night that gave the Timberwolves a 2-0 lead in the NBA Western Conference semifinals over the reigning but reeling NBA champions. Towns and Edwards both scored 27 points as the Wolves improved to 6-0 in the playoffs and gave themselves a chance to close out the fuming Nuggets with wins Friday night and Sunday in Minneapolis. So...

Wembanyama named unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year

Victor Wembanyama had a year like no rookie in NBA history. Others scored more points, others grabbed more rebounds, others had more blocks, others made more steals. But never had there been a player who, in Year 1 of his career, posted all these averages — at least 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. Until now. The long-expected result became reality on Monday, when the Spurs’ star from France was...

Mitchell rallies Cavs for series-clinching Game 7 win over Magic

LOS ANGELES: Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers silenced the young guns of Orlando, beating the Magic 106-94 in game seven of their NBA playoffs first-round series Sunday (Monday in Manila) to book a meeting with Eastern Conference top seeds Boston.It was another magisterial performance from Mitchell, who scored 39 points two days after pouring in 50 in the Cavs' game six defeat.This time he had plenty of scoring support from teammates...

Russia issues arrest warrant for former chess champion Garry Kasparov

Cricketer Josh Baker, 20, was found dead in his flat by a friend

Josh Baker, a talented Worcestershire spinner, had been playing in his county's second XI just yesterday, and was due back on the field in Bromsgrove today.

Finals-bound UST looks to keep history from repeating itself, seeks championship

MANILA, Philippines: Coach Kungfu Reyes and the UST Golden Tigresses dethroned the De La Salle Lady Spikers, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7, in their Final Four match at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, May 5 to enter the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball Finals. The win-once UST repeated what it did in Season 81 back in 2019 when the Reyes-mentored team also dethroned La Salle in five sets at the same venue and on the same date the Golden...

Criss Cross stuns Cignal to reach Spikers’ Turf Finals

MANILA, Philippines–Criss Cross defied overwhelming odds to crash into the finals in its Spikers’ Turf Open Conference debut, upsetting fancied Cignal, 18-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 17-15, before a stunned Sunday crowd at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The King Crunchers staged a breathtaking comeback against the favored HD Spikers, overturning a two-set deficit to claim the victory in a thrilling encounter that likewise ended Cignal’s imposing...

Creamline makes quick work of Chery Tiggo, punches finals ticket

MANILA, Philippines: The Creamline Cool Smashers took a much-needed win to advance to the finals after a masterful sweep over the Chery Tiggo Crossoverss, 25-16, 25-21, 25-20, in the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024 All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, May 5. "We are happy that we are back in the finals again, and we are eyeing to defend our title," coach Sherwin Meneses told the press after the...

PVL: Sisi Rondina delivers anew for Choco Mucho

MANILA, Philippines — It’s a no-brainer who Choco Mucho would turn to for a big-time performance in a high-stakes game. Explosive winger Sisi Rondina did not disappoint in all three semifinal matches, delivering the goods in propelling the Flying Titans to another finals dance in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference. Rondina rose to the occasion averaging double figures as the focal point of Choco Mucho’s offense in completing a...

NBA: Kyrie Irving moving on with Luka Doncic, Mavericks

DALLAS — Kyrie Irving wowed the crowd with a crossover move that helped create just enough space for him to let fly with a leaning 3-pointer. Luka Doncic’s co-star with the Dallas Mavericks was bumped and fell with the shot in the air, and his teammates were right there to mob him when the shot went in as the whistle blew. The four-point play was a punctuating moment in a 114-101 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night that sent...

NBA: Jalen Brunson scores 43, rallies Knicks past Pacers in Game 1

NEW YORK — Jalen Brunson scored 43 points, becoming the fourth player in NBA history with four straight 40-point games in the postseason, and the New York Knicks beat the Indiana Pacers 121-117 on Monday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Brunson had 21 in the fourth quarter, rallying the Knicks after they trailed by nine early in the period, and joined Hall of Famers Jerry West, who had six consecutive 40-point games in the...

UAAP: Poyos close to completing her promise as UST nears title

MANILA, Philippines — Behind Angge Poyos’ stellar rookie season was a promise to UST coach KungFu Reyes to do better in college after an underwhelming performance in the UAAP girls’ volleyball tournament last year. In her first collegiate Final Four, Poyos imposed her dominance with a game-high 28 points to propel UST into the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Finals after a five-year wait with a 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7 win to dethrone...

Notable People who died in 2024

Lady Spikers vow fightback next season

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle is not going anywhere. Dethroned and all, there is no way to go but up – and back – for the Lady Spikers as they vow a strong comeback in the next UAAP women’s volleyball tournament. “Siyempre nakakalungkot din po sa nangyari but hindi kami dito titigil. It will serve as a motivation for all of us,” said reigning MVP Angel Canino as La Salle saw their title retention bid come to an abrupt end over the weekend....

The horrible accident that killed Spanish world champion Isaac Gálvez López

UST coach says Ramil De Jesus gesture ‘like blessing to win UAAP title’

MANILA, Philippines — La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus respectfully declined an interview and asked his deputy Noel Orcullo to speak on behalf of the team but the decorated mentor did wish UST coach KungFu Reyes good luck ahead of the Tigresses’ UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Finals stint. La Salle’s title defense ended in the Final Four following a heartbreaking 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 19-25, 15-7 defeat to UST on Sunday in front of 19,505 fans on...

Naoya Inoue shakes off early scare, knocks out Luis Nery

Japan’s undisputed super bantamweight world champion Naoya Inoue survived an early scare to stop Mexico’s Luis Nery in the sixth round at the Tokyo Dome Monday and defend his titles. Fans at the famous venue, which seats more than 45,000, were left stunned when Nery floored the unbeaten “Monster” in the first round with a huge left hand. But Inoue got up and knocked his Mexican opponent down in the following round and sent him to the canvas...

The 'Dream Team' that has revolutionized women's basketball

Buoyed by bronze, Ubas eyes ‘lucky jump’ to Paris

Priming for a significant tournament on local turf, Janry Ubas built for himself some momentum during the 2024 Hong Kong Athletics Championships. The Southeast Asian Games long jump king hurled himself leapt to 7.61 meters to bag a bronze medal in his event. It should be a pivotal confidence boost as Ubas, the national record holder of 7.85 m, sees action at the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships beginning on Wednesday to reinforce his...

Are these the biggest steals of the 2024 NFL Draft?

Biden awards trophy to Army and asks 'Where are you, coach?'

Coach Jeff Monken was standing a few feet away in the White House East Room when Biden asked, 'Where are you, coach' during his remarks. Biden was awarding a football trophy to Army.

Former Lakers pick, PG Darius Morris dies at 33

Former Michigan standout and Los Angeles Lakers draft pick Darius Morris has died at 33, his family announced Saturday. No cause of death was given. TMZ reported Morris’ body was found in the Los Angeles area on Thursday. He was an L.A. native. “With great sadness we announce the passing of our dearly beloved son, […]

Rondina earns PVL Player of the Week plum

MANILA, Philippines: It's a no-brainer who Choco Mucho would turn to for a big-time performance in a high-stakes game. Explosive winger Sisi Rondina did not disappoint in all three semifinals matches, delivering the goods in propelling the Flying Titans to another finals dance in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference. Rondina rose to the occasion averaging in double figures as the focal point of Choco Mucho's offense in...

Victolero on facing Ginebra: 'We need to prepare hard'

MANILA, Philippines: Chito Victolero is not complaining at all even though Magnolia fell into an early quarterfinal duel with long-time rival Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup. Playing with an injury-plagued roster, the Hotshots fell by as many as 18 points, narrowed the gap in the final period before eventually falling short against the TNT Tropang Giga, 98-93 at the close of the elimination round on Sunday. That loss proved...

Creamline overcomes previous setbacks, returns to PVL finals

MANILA, Philippines: All roads lead to the finals for the defending champion Creamline. The Cool Smashers faced a lot of painful "first times" in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024 All-Filipino Conference, but after taking beatdowns, the Cool Smashers overcame the cloud of doubts as they secured a finals berth. Creamline picked the right timing to be at its peak form after advancing to the finals through a 25-16, 25-21, 25-20 sweep over...

NU simply succumbed to pressure against FEU, says Belen

MANILA, Philippines: The NU Lady Bulldogs simply succumbed to pressure against the FEU Lady Tamaraws. This is Bella Belen's assessment of the Lady Bulldogs following their stunning 23-25, 17-25, 23-25 loss to the Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball Final Four at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, May 4. The fourth seed FEU thus forced a do-or-die game against the top seed and twice-to-beat NU, with the winner getting the...

NBA: Mavericks extend coach Jason Kidd’s contract

DALLAS — Jason Kidd found a groove with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving a season after a chaotic ending to the first two months together for the Dallas superstars. The Mavericks coach has his team advancing in the playoffs for the second time in his three years in charge, and the 51-year-old now has a contract extension to go with it. Kidd signed a multiyear deal Monday, the day before Dallas opens a second-round NBA playoff series against Oklahoma...

Beyond the finish line: Why it’s not easy being a runner

CEBU CITY, Philippines–The sight of a runner crossing the finish line with a triumphant smile can often mask the struggles and challenges they endure in a race. While spectators witness the physical prowess and determination on display, runners themselves grapple with a myriad of obstacles that test their mental, emotional, and physical fortitude. This was highlighted recently when CDN Digital shared photos of known photographer John Velez...

Tropa brace for tough fight

MANILA, Philippines — TNT coach Chot Reyes said yesterday it’ll be a struggle to turn back Rain or Shine in the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-three quarterfinals as the Tropang Giga gropes for consistency but with what his charges displayed in beating Magnolia to clinch No. 4 in the standings last Sunday, there is reason to be optimistic. Reyes, who is back at TNT’s helm after a two-conference sit-out to focus on Gilas duties, described Rain or...

Cone explains endgame benching of C-Stan, Scottie vs NLEX

Nothing to it, says Ginebra coach

COLUMN: Can Rain or Shine be the 'feel-good' story of this PBA playoffs?

A fast-paced style of play as well as Norwood and Belga's leadership has sparked Rain or Shine's resurgence. Can RoS sustain it in the PBA playoffs?

NBA: Clippers facing big decision with new arena move pending

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers are moving into their new arena in nearby Inglewood this summer. Just who will be on the court and the sideline for them next NBA season are among the decisions facing the team. The health of their superstar Kawhi Leonard also looms large, after he was limited to two postseason games because of inflammation in his right knee that has been surgically repaired twice. Leonard’s absence proved costly when the...

Choco primed for breakthrough title?

MANILA, Philippines — Much has been said about the Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ meteoric rise from a fledgling franchise eyeing a place in the sun five years ago to a legitimate title contender now. For team captain Maddie Madayag, their driving force has always been hunger. “Gutom na gutom kami, we’re very hungry to get the gold,” said the lion-hearted 26-year-old middleblocker moments after the Flying Titans’ sweep of the Premier Volleyball...

Yoshiki Takei upsets Jason Moloney to win bantamweight title

Japan’s Yoshiki Takei beat Australian defending champion Jason Moloney by unanimous decision on Monday to win the WBO bantamweight world title at the Tokyo Dome. Fighting on the undercard of undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue’s title fight against Mexico’s Luis Nery, Takei started strongly before Moloney came back into the bout in his second title defense. But the Japanese fighter, a former kickboxer who had won...

Inoue KOs Nery in 6th after 1st round scare to defend titles

Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya Inoue said an early scare got him “fired up” after he stopped Mexico’s Luis Nery in the sixth round to defend his titles at the Tokyo Dome on Monday. Around 43,000 fans packed into the famous venue for the first boxing match there since 42-1 underdog James “Buster” Douglas knocked out unbeaten heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in February 1990 in one of the sport’s biggest upsets. Another...

NBA: Pat Riley says Miami Heat not sure on Jimmy Butler extension

MIAMI — If Jimmy Butler wants to see more pay, Pat Riley will want to see more play. And in simple terms, that is the entry point to this offseason for the Miami Heat. Butler is almost certainly going to ask the Heat for a two-year extension this summer — it could guarantee him as much as $113 million for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons — and Riley said Monday in his annual end-of-season remarks that he isn’t sure what the team will do when that...

PH bags 3 golds in HK Athletics Championships

MANILA, Philippines: The Philippine national athletics team claimed five medals bannered by three golds in the 2024 Hong Kong Athletics Championships. Tokyo Olympian Kristina Knott, Lauren Hoffman, and Hussein Lorana ruled their respective events in the May 4 to 5 tournament that offered Paris Olympic qualifying points. Knott clocked in 11.52 seconds to finish first in the 19-athlete field of the women's open 100m category finals, topping her...

Sainz "could have won" F1 Miami GP by pitting one lap later

Ferrari Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz believes he could have won the Miami Grand Prix had he pitted one lap later than he did.

Why Magnussen is racing rest of 2024 season under threat of F1 race ban

Kevin Magnussen is racing for the rest of the Formula 1 season under the threat of a race ban following the latest penalty points being added to his licence.

UAAP: UST hopes semblance to 2010 title team leads to championship

MANILA, Philippines — Having prolific playmakers and southpaw spikers isn’t new for University of Santo Tomas. In fact, the last time the Golden Tigresses won the championship back in 2010, they were led by savvy setter Rhea Dimaculangan and lefty hitter Aiza Maizo-Pontillas with Shaq Delos Santos as the head coach. This time–amid their unexpected UAAP Season 86 Finals run–is no different with star setter and a pair of lefty spikers in Jonna...

Gilas convenes on June 22 to begin buildup for Olympic Qualifiers

Gilas to play tune-up games in Turkey, Poland ahead of Latvia qualifiers

Nagoya, Ray Parks secure homecourt edge as B.League playoffs begin

See all the pairings when the B.League playoffs begin this weekend

With its best game yet, FEU extends UAAP Final Four series vs NU

Unfazed in battling an opponent it hasn’t beaten all season long, Far Eastern University played with the biggest weapon it had, the belief in itself, to get to fight another day in the Final Four of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament. A 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 bamboozling of No. 1 ranked National University (NU) on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum could have also turned the psychological advantage in their favor as the Lady Tamaraws took the...