National

Madayag proud of undermanned Choco Mucho's resilience

MANILA Philippines: The wings of the Flying Titans remain sturdy. Choco Mucho team captain Maddie Madayag shared that her squad draws their strength from their teammates who were injured in this Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024 All-Filipino Conference "This is for them. I have three teammates who were down this conference. We don't have Kat (Tolentino), Aduke (Ogunsanya), and Des (Cheng). We want to play for them because even though we...

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...

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...

Are these the biggest steals of the 2024 NFL Draft?

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...

Busy schedule ahead for Gilas Pilipinas

MANILA, Philippines: GILAS Pilipinas has drawn up a tight, busy schedule for the coming weeks as it gears up for the tough FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia in July. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Erika Dy told the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday the Nationals will first convene on June 22 at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna before heading to Turkey and Poland for tune-up games with...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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....

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

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

The 10 most overrated NBA players right now, including one big surprise

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.

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...

Collective spirit key to title drive

MANILA, Philippines: As Choco Mucho and Creamline gear up for the Premier Volleyball League's All-Filipino crown, their individual talents are sure to shine, but it's their collective spirit that will ultimately define their quest for victory. With Game One of the best-of-three title playoff set to ignite the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, anticipation is high two days before the league's most popular teams square off for the second...

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, […]

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...

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...

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...

The horrible accident that killed Spanish world champion Isaac Gálvez López

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?

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...

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...

Gilas convenes on June 22 to begin buildup for Olympic Qualifiers

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

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...

Notable People who died in 2024

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...

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...

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...

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

Nothing to it, says Ginebra coach

Kiefer Ravena powers Shiga Lakes to B2 semis vs Yamagata

Shiga Lakes inch closer to promotion in Japan B.League

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...

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...

Ukrainian Olympic hero killed in action fighting Putin’s invasion force

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.

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...

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...

Russia issues arrest warrant for former chess champion Garry Kasparov

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....

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

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...

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...

Eala achieves another career-best in world rankings

MANILA, Philippines — Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala has achieved another career high in her Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings. As of May 6, the 18-year-old climbed the world ranks yet again, from 170th on April 22 to 162nd, beating her previous best ranking, which was 169th last April 15. She also placed 239th in the doubles rankings, which is also a career best. Eala was fresh off an appearance at the Madrid Open in Spain, where she...

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...

NBA MVP finalists Gilgeous-Alexander, Doncic meet in 2nd round

OKLAHOMA CITY — Two young MVP finalists will square off when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and No. 1 seed Oklahoma City face Luka Doncic and No. 5 seed Dallas in the second round of the NBA Western Conference playoffs. The series matching the high-scoring 25-year-olds begins Tuesday. Doncic led the league in scoring this season at 33.9 points per game. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound guard averaged 29.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 9.5 assists in six first-round...

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.