AsiaLogue - Women's Sports

Oct 18, 2026

Durant fires back at Suns owner Ishbia

PHOENIX — Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant and Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia had a spat on social media Saturday (Sunday in Manila) after Durant took issue with Ishbia’s description of the 16-time All-Star’s tenure with the Suns during a recent television interview. In an appearance on CNBC Sport, Ishbia said that he “threw money at the problem” when dealing for Durant in 2023 and that “bringing in super talented players like Kevin Durant doesn’t necessarily lead to championships.” Durant took issue with that characterization. “#blamekd even though KD stayed on top of his game at 36 and got u back this “culture” you love so much. Aye, Matthew acts like I got arrested for a DUI or sumn. Back to threads,” Durant posted. Ishbia responded with his own message, saying “You obviously didn’t watch the clip. Didn’t blame you @Kdtrey5, but am happy with the culture we are building here in Phoenix. We got the right guys and right focus now and are excited for this season. Good luck this season in Houston.” Durant had one more response, writing “U should be giving Thanks every chance u get. You don’t have to pay me an absurd amount of money to play for another team.” Just days after Ishbia bought the Suns for $4 billion in 2023, the organization dealt for Durant in a blockbuster trade that the owner hoped would lead to a championship. While Durant played well personally, the team results were disappointing. Phoenix made it to the second round of the playoffs in 2023, got swept in the first round in 2024 and didn’t even make the playoffs in 2025. Durant was traded to the Rockets during the ensuing offseason. Ishbia retooled the organization in the aftermath, hiring Brian Gregory as the general manager and Jordan Ott as the head coach. The Suns were expected to be one of the worst teams in the NBA last season, but finished with a 45-37 record and made the first round of the playoffs with a core that included Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green. “It was not aligned with my vision,” Ishbia said of Durant’s tenure. “We had a couple years and it did not succeed as we’re well aware of at this point. After that year, I decided to trade Kevin Durant, bring in my GM, bring in a coach and get extremely involved personally with the type of guy and type of person we want in the organization. Not just on the court but off the court. “I’m not saying it’s Kevin Durant or not Kevin Durant, but here’s what I will say. It is Dillon Brooks. It is Jordan Goodwin. It is Collin Gillespie... of course, Devin Booker. We’ve defined what matters to us.” AP

Unstoppable Barca extends perfect start in La Liga

Oct 18, 2026

SEVILLE, Spain — Hansi Flick’s dominant Barcelona routed 10-man Real Betis 5-2 on Saturday to return five points clear at the top of La Liga. Teenage winger Lamine Yamal scored a brilliant goal for the Spanish champions, with Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo also finding the net at La Cartuja stadium in Seville. Betis, third, had Facundo Bernal sent off for a headbutt on Yamal early in the second half of a pulsating clash. Barca set a new club record for victories at the start of a league campaign and equalled the all-time record of nine, set by Real Madrid in the 1968/69 season. Flick’s side boast 11 wins from 11 games across all competitions. “Once again the team has shown its attacking potential, but it’s also true we’re giving quite a bit away, and that’s probably where the improvement has to come from too,” Rodri told DAZN. Earlier Atletico, second, snatched a late 1-0 win at Espanyol and are five points behind Barca, while Betis are eight points adrift of the leaders and Real Madrid, fourth, host Sevilla on Sunday. Betis rested several players, including key midfielder Isco, ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Feyenoord. Manuel Pellegrini’s side still gave Barca a stern test, after the Catalan giants went ahead through a sensational Yamal strike in the 10th minute. The 19-year-old turned sharply on the edge of the box to escape Bernal and then exquisitely curled into the top corner. “(It was) an incredible goal, we’ve got used to him doing this lately, I have to say,” added Rodri. “In the end, players like that make the difference. But I try to focus on the other things he brings... (like) hard work, a lot of solidarity with the team, understanding the game and where he could find space.”

Oct 18, 2026

Chacarra takes lead as McIlroy fades in Delhi

NEW DELHI, India — Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra will take a two-shot lead into an extended final day as a faltering Rory McIlroy fell away at the weather-hit DP World India Championship on Saturday. Chacarra, who won the Hero Indian Open earlier this year, was 14-under after his incomplete third round at Delhi Golf Club. Although the weather was much improved, play was held up by nearly five hours on day one leaving the European Tour event playing serious catch-up. Chacarra along with six-time major champion McIlroy finished their second rounds earlier in the day. The Spaniard, second in the Race to Dubai, has seven holes to play in his third round going into the final day, when good weather is expected. Northern Ireland’s McIlroy, after two good opening days, slipped badly with four bogeys and a double bogey in his incomplete third round. He clawed back ground with an eagle on the 14th but was two-over with three holes to go in round three. He was four-under overall and tied 40th. Dutchman Joost Luiten and Spain’s Angel Hidalgo are two shots behind Chacarra at 12-under. New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier, Pole Adrian Meronk and Scotland’s Scott Jamieson are another shot back. Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood was tied 11th at nine-under after completing his third round on a long day for the Englishman.

Oct 18, 2026

Zverev, Swiatek booted out in China

SHANGHAI, China — Top seed Alexander Zverev fell to a relentless Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the Shanghai Masters semifinals on Saturday over three tense sets. The 26th-ranked Davidovich Fokina fought back to win, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, and will play either Daniil Medvedev or fellow Spaniard Rafael Jodar in the final on Sunday. The 27-year-old Spaniard combined grit, lightning-fast returns and graceful drop shots to stun the German, who will end the year world No. 1. “I was a little bit nervous,” Davidovich Fokina said of his shaky start. “But I keep going, I keep fighting, every ball,” he said. The Spaniard extended his winning streak in China to nine matches, after claiming an ATP 250 title in Chengdu. Zverev, the French and US Open champion, said fatigue had caught up with him. In Wuhan, Polish 16th seed Maja Chwalinska overcame an injured Iga Swiatek to reach the first WTA 1000 final of her career, handing her childhood friend and compatriot a 7-5, 6-1 defeat at the Wuhan Open. Chwalinska will next face world number 170 Sonay Kartal, who became the lowest-ranked player to reach a WTA 1000 final with a gritty 7-6 (11/9), 7-6 (7-5) win over Jelena Ostapenko. Swiatek, who needed to win the title in Wuhan to increase her slim chances of qualifying for the year-end WTA Finals, battled a left thigh injury during the match, which limited her movement against her crafty left-handed opponent. Meanwhile, Chwalinska did well to manage the mental challenges of the occasion as she hit yet another new milestone in a breakthrough season that saw her make a surprise run to the French Open final, as a qualifier, back in June. “Obviously Iga wasn’t 100 percent today, so I wish her all the best, of course,” said the 25-year-old Pole, who is contesting just her fourth WTA 1000 main draw. “It’s always tough to play against a fellow Polish player. She’s a great champion, a living legend, she won everything. So it was a great honor for me to share the court with her today. “I think I still don’t really realize what’s going on and the fact that I won against her is actually crazy for me.” The momentum swung back and forth in the opening frame before Swiatek attempted to serve for a one-set lead at 5-3. The seventh seed could not close though, despite holding two set points, and soon found herself trailing Chwalinska, 5-6. Ahead of game 12, Swiatek took a medical timeout and was in pain and in tears while getting her left thigh attended to. Chwalinska then warded off break points to scoop up the 80-minute first set. In a bizarre opening game of the second set, a tearful Swiatek had an animated discussion with her strength and conditioning coach Maciej Ryszczuk on the sidelines, while facing two break points. She was handed a time violation warning as a result and went on to drop a fifth consecutive game.

Oct 18, 2026

PVL: Brooke Van Sickle’s return to form has Nxled rolling

MANILA, Philippines — As the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) continues to raise its level of competition, Nxled star Brooke Van Sickle continues to rise with it. Van Sickle has backed that up with two solid performances in her return from a shoulder injury, helping Nxled take down contenders PLDT and Farm Fresh for a strong

Oct 18, 2026

Lady Blazers complete SSL Unity Cup playoffs cast

MANILA, Philippines — College of Saint Benilde wasted no time in dispatching Mapua University, 25-21, 25-14, 25-20, to punch the last ticket to the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup playoffs on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Setter Zen Basilio orchestrated the Lady Blazers’ balanced scoring and anchored the team’s net defense to close the pool play with back-to-back wins. CSB finished the group stage with a 2-1 win-loss record behind Pool B leader University of Santo Tomas (2-0), which is still playing also-ran Jose Rizal University as of press time. The Lady Blazers, one of only two NCAA teams to advance, joined UAAP powerhouse teams five-peat-seeking National University, Far Eastern University and Adamson University in Pool E. “I think it’s definitely a challenge but one that we’re willing to take on. Since it’s a young lineup, we still have a lot to prove. And having this chance and opportunity to play against UAAP teams, that’s a big thing for us. Something we can build on coming into the (NCAA) season,” said Basilio, who dished out 10 excellent sets and scored all her four points on kill blocks. Last year’s runner-up University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, Letran and Ateneo De Manila University are in Pool F for the second phase of the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R&B Milk Tea. The carryover round-robin second round, where teams battle for the two quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantages at stake per pool, begins next Sunday. Camila Bartolome finished with 12 points on 10 kills and two kill blocks, Mary Grace Borromeo had seven markers while Arianna Pua chipped in six points for the Lady Blazers, who frustrated the Lady Cardinals' attackers with 11 kill blocks. CSB ignited a decisive 8-2 run to shatter a 12-12 deadlock to take control of the third set. The Lady Blazers opened a 23-16 gap before Mapua scored consecutive points to trim its deficit to five. Mhonniecka Soliven pushed CSB at match point but the Lady Cardinals refused to go down without a fight, saving two points. Bartolome ended the struggle with a strong left corner attack. Mapua closed its campaign with a 1-2 slate. Zyra Morales and Freighanne Garcia logged nine and seven points, respectively, for the Lady Cardinals. Meanwhile, San Beda University saved some measure of pride after beating Arellano University, 23-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-23, to end its campaign on a winning note. The trio of Janelle Bachar, Daisy Cagas and Paula Palma led the way as the Lady Red Spikers snapped a three-game losing skid for a 1-3 finish tied with their victim in Pool A of the competition, which has the Philippine Sports Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, Mikasa, Asics, Rigour Technology, Jersey Haven, Solar Sports and 12 Beyond Production as technical partners. Cagas scored 11 of her 12 points on attacks, Bachar added 12 markers on eight kills, three kill blocks and an ace while Palma scored 11 for San Beda. The Lady Chiefs dropped their last three games after an opening day win. Keisha Abitria was Arellano's lone bright spot, scoring 15 points, all from attacks. All games in the competition are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports. TMT

Oct 18, 2026

Ginebra keeps playoff hopes alive with rout of Phoenix

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra played true to form in dealing Phoenix a 106-89 shellacking to keep its playoff hopes alive in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Scottie Thompson delivered an all-around performance of 29 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals. Import Jordan Murphy added 28 and 12 rebounds, while Japeth Aguilar 12 and 10 for Ginebra, which moved to fourth spot in Group B with its 4-5 record. Playoff-bound Magnolia leads the pack at Group B with its 6-3 record, followed by Rain or Shine at 5-3, which Phoenix dropping to 5-4 with the loss. Ginebra can lock the fourth and final spot at Group B when it goes for the win against Blackwater at the end of the elims on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Marcellus Earlington led Phoenix with 22 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile, Converge hammered out a narrow 114-112 overtime win against defending champion to seal the third seed in Group B heading to the playoffs. Alec Stockton scored 19 points, including five straight points in regulation play to send the game to overtime. Big man Jonnel Policarpio then put in the game-clinching basket with a follow up off Stockton’s missed layup to shatter the 112-112 count with 11.3 seconds to go. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson missed his potential game-tying two-point attempt, allowing Converge to escape with the win. “We just wanted to have the mentality of not giving up whether we’re down or we’re up,” said Stockton after the game. “We just wanted to keep our foot on the gas all throughout the game,” he added Converge secured the third seeding in Group A with its 8-4 record while TNT settled for the fourth seed in the pool with a 7-5 card.

Oct 18, 2026

PBA: Barangay Ginebra beats quarterfinals-bound Phoenix

Barangay Ginebra defeated quarterfinals-bound Phoenix, 106-89, on Sunday in the PBA Governors" Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Oct 18, 2026

UAAP: Matty Erolon powers Adamson over La Salle

MANILA, Philippines — Matty Erolon showed guts and scored a three-pointer in the last 30 seconds of the match to give Adamson University the advantage and allow his team to escape with a 63-60 win against De La Salle University in the last game of the first round of the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Sunday at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym. Tied at 58-all with two minutes remaining on the clock, Erolon, who missed a two-point jump shot at the 1:36 mark, Adamson played hard-nosed defense to force La Salle to commit a shot clock violation. Erolon quickly made up for the missed basket and scored a three-pointer in the last 30 seconds of the game, 61-58. The Falcons took advantage of the Archers’ penalty situation, allowing them to improve to a 4-3 win-loss record, while La Salle fell to 3-4. Erolon finished with 14 points, while Monty Montebon added 11 markers. La Salle was led by Jacob Cortez and Henry Agunanne, who both chipped in 12 points each.

Oct 18, 2026

Davidovich Fokina beats Jodar to win Shanghai crown; Chwalinska ⁠wins first title in Wuhan

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina ended Rafael Jodar’s dream run at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, battling back to beat ‌his fellow Spaniard 1-6, 7-6, 6-4 and clinch the biggest title of his career. In Wuhan, meanwhile, French ⁠Open finalist ⁠Maja Chwalinska ⁠won her first title on the WTA tour as she shook off early nerves to beat Sonay ‌Kartal 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 at the Wuhan Open final. The 25th-seeded Davidovich Fokina is set to climb 13 places to a career-high world No 13 when the rankings are...