AsiaLogue - Women's Sports

Bacolod ready for Batang Pinoy

Oct 9, 2026

BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod City is preparing to welcome young athletes from all over the country with more than 200 cities and municipalities confirming participation in the 2026 Batang Pinoy National Championships, Mayor Greg Gasataya said. The mayor said preparations have been underway for some time now, with the grand opening ceremonies scheduled for Dec. 12. “Our team continues to coordinate closely with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to ensure everything runs smoothly,” the mayor said. From athlete accommodations and transportation to finalizing both the opening and closing programs, all essential arrangements are being put in place. The PSC is also providing key sports equipment to support the competitions. This year’s opening will be truly special as it coincides with the Parade of Stars, bringing the Metro Manila Film Festival roadshow directly to Bacolod City, Gasataya said. ”It will be a spectacular day that blends the pride of national youth sports with the excitement of a beloved Filipino tradition,” the mayor said. ”Bacolod City is ready. Our hundreds of young athletes, coaches, and visitors are also ready and the City of Smiles is ready to shine.”

RHJ’s unfinished business

Oct 9, 2026

THREE-TIME PBA champion and three-time Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is back in town and he is ready to complete unfinished business with the TNT Tropang 5G this season. TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa confirmed to The Manila Times that the American reinforcement arrived on Tuesday. While the team is not in a hurry to dip its reliable resident import into the water, its main priority is to bring the former NBA star in game shape before the tournament reaches the tough grind. TNT paraded Nicholas Julian Hornsby at the restart of the Governors’ Cup action last Wednesday and the new import replaced Holiis-Jefferson’s brother, Rahlir. Rahlir and Rondae went back to the United States a few weeks ago to attend to family matters. Hornsby is the third reinforcement of the Tropang 5G this conference after Darius Days and Rahlir Hoillis-Jefferson. In his debut game, he finished with 26 points in his team’s 116-92 triumph over Terrafirma. TNT is hoping that Hornsby can hold the fort until RHJ can get the green signal to play after a ruptured Achilles injury he suffered late last year while on loan to play for the Meralco Bolts in the East Asia Super League. The Tropang 5G is not in the safest position. They carry an even 4-4 win-loss slate and will need as many wins as possible in the next few weeks. Only the top four teams per group will advance to the quarterfinal round after the double-round elimination group stage format. In the quarterfinal round, it will be a crossover playoffs where the top teams from each group will face the No.4 seeds of the opposite group. The second-seeded squads of the two groups will meet their counterparts in the opposite group. Every game is crucial now and the Tropang 5G will be pinning their hopes for now on Hornsby, the well-travelled reinforcement, who last saw action in the Canadian Elite Basketball League while playing for Edmonton Stingers. Once RHJ returns to action, he will restore his role as the gold standard among imports playing in the PBA. With Justin Brownlee still doubtful to play after Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone disclosed during the Senate hearing that he has a heart condition and high blood pressure that forced him to miss the recent Asian Games campaign and the previous window event of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, much will be expected on Hollis-Jefferson as his stiffest competition is likely to miss the tournament. But whether Hollis-Jefferson will still play with the same overall impact like he did three times when he led TNT to the promised land or will he become a few steps slower remains to be seen, but knowing that the Tropang 5G will have their old reliable back in harness is very encouraging. The Philippines has been home for Hollis-Jefferson the past four years. He was regarded as the only import who was able to beat Brownlee in a finals confrontation. Three times when they met in the championship showdown, the TNT reinforcement was able to get the better end of his match up with the beloved Barangay Ginebra import. Except when he lost to Brownlee in the Asian Games in China three years ago when Gilas Pilipinas defeated Jordan in the gold medal game, Hollis-Jefferson had been lording it over against his old nemesis and his import counterparts in the PBA. TNT is not panicking. It has Hollis-Jefferson at its disposal and it will only be a matter of time before the Tropang 5G will rediscover their old, deadly championship form. They believe they can never go wrong with RHJ, who has some unfinished business to fulfill.

Oct 9, 2026

Guardians rally to stay alive in MLB playoffs

LOS ANGELES — The Cleveland Guardians exploded for six runs in the sixth inning to beat the Chicago White Sox, 9-5, on Thursday (Friday in Manila) and force a deciding Game 5 in their Major League Baseball (MLB) playoff series. Jose Ramirez belted a two-run home run in fifth inning and delivered a run-scoring single in the Guardians’ big sixth to help Cleveland win a second straight game in Chicago after dropping the first two games of the best-of-five American League division series at home. Having denied the White Sox’s bid to clinch a playoff series at home for the first time since 1906, the Guardians will host game five on Saturday. Ten teams have come back from an 0-2 deficit to win a best-of-five playoff series, the most recent the New York Yankees in 2017 — against Cleveland. “It’s going to be a crazy energy,” said Ramirez, who followed pinch-hitter Patrick Bailey’s solo homer in the fifth by belting a 99.9 mph fastball from White Sox relief pitcher Jordan Hicks into the bullpen for a two-run home run that put the Guardians up, 3-2. The White Sox edged back in front with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. But Cleveland poured it on in the sixth, sending 10 batters to the plate. Angel Martinez was hit by a pitch to take first and stole second. He scored on Travis Bazzana’s double. Bailey, Ramirez, Chase De Lauter and Jo Adell added run-scoring hits. The White Sox, trying to extend a fairytale year that has seen them bounce back from three straight 100-loss seasons to improbably reach the playoffs, scored their first four runs on a walk, a hit-by-pitch and a pair of sacrifice flys. Miguel Vargas led off the bottom of the ninth with a solo home run off Guardians relief pitcher Cade Smith to briefly energize the Chicago crowd. But after Munetaka Murakami walked, Cleveland sent their ace starting pitcher Gavin Williams to the mound. He gave up a single to Sam Antonacci before retiring the next three batters to seal the win. Williams was the eighth pitcher to take the mound for the Guardians. The White Sox used seven, with starter Hagen Smith exiting in the first inning after recording two outs but walking the bases loaded to get the hook after 27 pitches. Chicago reliever Grant Taylor, who pitched 5 1/2 scoreless innings in the first two games of the series, gave up four runs on four hits without recording an out in the sixth inning. The winner of the series will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League championship series, with a World Series berth on the line. The Rays, the top seeds in the American League, polished off a three-game sweep of the New York Yankees on Wednesday.

Oct 9, 2026

Wilson wins WNBA record 5th MVP

NEW YORK — Las Vegas Aces center-forward A’ja Wilson was named the WNBA Most Valuable Player for a record fifth time, bagging the award for an unprecedented third straight season, the league said Thursday (Friday in Manila). Wilson, who earned MVP honors in leading the United States to Olympic gold in Paris in 2024, became the first WNBA player to average 25 points, 50-percent shooting and 40 percent from three-point range in the 2026 regular season. She averaged 26.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.9 blocked shots and 1.4 steals per game, leading the league in points per game for the third straight season. Drafted number one in 2018, she has been the face of the franchise that relocated to Las Vegas in her rookie season. This year the Aces won their last seven games of the regular season, finishing 31-13 to claim the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. They are chasing a fourth title but trail the Golden State Valkyries, 2-0, in the semifinals ahead of Friday’s Game 3. Wilson received 65 of 74 first-place votes and nine second-place votes from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Minnesota Lynx rookie guard Olivia Miles finished second in the voting. Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie and Lauren Jackson are the only other players to win three WNBA MVP awards.

Oct 9, 2026

MLB proposes reducing regular season games

LOS ANGELES — Major League Baseball (MLB) on Thursday (Friday in Manila) proposed reducing the number of regular-season games from 162 to 154 and changing playoffs so that top seeds can pick their opponents. The proposals, which also included expanding post-season division series from best-of-five to best-of-seven, were presented in the latest bargaining session between the MLB and its players association, as fears loom of a standoff over salary restrictions that could interrupt next season. “MLB has proposed returning to a 154-game Regular Season, best-of-seven Division Series, and opponent selection in the Wild Card and Division Series,” said a league statement. The league said shortening the regular season would create a standard weekly off day that would benefit player health. More off days would also be added in the postseason to allow extra rest, with fewer daytime playoff games and additional primetime games, said MLB. A new system that allowed higher-seeded clubs in the playoff wild card and division series rounds to select their opponents would be implemented from next year, if agreed. The proposals come as baseball faces the prospect of an owner lockout and potential player strike in the coming months. The next collective bargaining agreement is due to be negotiated by December. Team owners are pushing for a salary cap and floor, citing huge payroll disparities between clubs which they say have damaged competition. The players association is opposed to any move to reduce the amount clubs pay, and has accused team owners of simply wishing to save themselves money. In a statement to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the players association said it was reviewing the latest proposals, and would let players weigh in before responding at the bargaining table. “Unfortunately, the league once again made clear that all of its proposals are contingent on players’ agreement to a salary cap, a system that guts player rights and compensation, as well as its other anti-player proposals,” said the Major League Baseball Players Association statement. Under the proposals to pick playoff opponents, the third-seeded team in each league would have the option of playing either the fifth or sixth seed in the wild card round. The top seed in each league, which receives a bye in the wild card round, would choose which wild card winner to play in the subsequent round. The proposed shorter regular season, and expanded division series round, would both begin in 2029.

Oct 9, 2026

Bridgeman takes PGA Tour lead in Japan

YOKOHAMA, Japan — Fresh off making the clinching putt in another US victory at the Presidents Cup, Jacob Bridgeman birdied four of his last five holes Thursday for an 8-under 63 to take a one-shot lead over Jordan Smith in the Baycurrent Classic. The PGA Tour’s lone stop in Asia features its strongest field of the FedEx Cup Fall, with 13 of the 24 players who competed in the Presidents Cup two weeks ago at Medinah in the Chicago suburbs. Bridgeman made his debut at Medinah, and his par putt to defeat Min Woo Lee on the 18th green was the clinching point for the 11th straight American victory. He was right back at it on the Yokohama Country Club course with a bogey-free round. Only one of his eight birdies, an 18-footer on his fourth hole of the round at No. 13, was outside the 10-foot range. “I felt a little rusty to be honest, but I was able to score the ball well and I felt like I put the ball in positions where when I made a little mistake, it was pretty easy to recover,” Bridgeman said. Smith, who advanced to the PGA Tour postseason in his first year after earning a card through the European tour, also played bogey-free for his 64. He spent nine years on the European tour and is adept at travel and learning new courses. Even so, his first time playing a full PGA Tour schedule was new in so many ways. He felt pleased to get to the postseason to guarantee a card for next year, and the next step is getting into the bigger events. “I’m very, very happy,” Smith said of his year. “Obviously it’s tough for us guys coming over here. I mean, I’ve had 10 seasons on the DP World Tour, so it was all very familiar to me. Coming over to the PGA Tour, everything’s very, very new, new faces, new places, new golf courses. “To adapt that quickly, I’m very happy with that. But I’ve enjoyed it a lot. It’s been good fun.” Max Homa was among four players another shot behind. Japan’s biggest golf star, Hideki Matsuyama, was at 67 along with Ryo Hisatsune and Collin Morikawa. Bridgeman didn’t get much practice in since the Presidents Cup. He chose to rest, went to Maine for his sister’s wedding and took the long charter flight to Las Vegas before getting in a little practice. It worked out for him on Thursday. Jordan Spieth, making his first start since he failed to advance to the second round of the FedEx Cup playoffs, had a mixture of birdies and bogeys, along with one double bogey, for a 72. Key for players like Smith and Homa are trying to finish the year in the top 60 on the FedEx Cup to become eligible for two of the early signature events at Pebble Beach and Riviera. Players like Billy Horschel and Tony Finau, who each opened with a 71, are trying to finish among the top 100 to secure a full card for 2027. AP

Oct 9, 2026

Ginebra snaps 2-game losing skid

Barangay Ginebra drew big games from RJ Abarrientos and new import Jordan Murphy to roll past Rain or Shine, 129-111, to end its two-game losing skid in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila. Abarrientos sizzled with a game-high 34 points, highlighted by six triples, to go along with nine assists. Murphy, taking over from Riley Grigsby, scored 30 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and issued seven assists, along with four blocks in an all-around PBA debut as Ginebra avenged its 110-99 loss to Rain or Shine in their first meeting. The Gin Kings opened the game with a 40-19 lead, stretched it to 27 points by halftime and led by as many as 67-34 en route to moving to a tie at fourth place with Blackwater with a 3-4 win-loss slate. Rain or Shine saw its four-game winning streak come to an end, dropping to 4-3, and allowing Magnolia to grab the lead in Group B with a 5-3 win-loss slate. The Hotshots won earlier in the day, 107-101, after beating the Bossing. “I think that we just were a little desperate, played with a little desperation tonight being at the bottom of the team standings,” said Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone. “That’s not something that we are never used to. The players aren’t used to it. Certainly, the fans aren’t used to it.” Aaron Fuller led Rain or Shine with 23 points and 13 rebounds for Rain or Shine, but he also had nine turnovers.

Oct 9, 2026

No Kyrie Irving yet, but Mavericks, Rockets still put on a show for NBA China Games fans

Dallas Mavericks fans will have to wait just a little bit longer to see Kyrie Irving in their team’s colours for the first time in almost two years, after he sat out Friday’s 135-117 pre-season loss to the Houston Rockets in Macau. Even without the flashy point guard running things, however, the two Texas clubs still put on a show for the thousands that packed into The Venetian Arena for the second year of NBA China Games. When the 34-year-old does finally return after an injury break that began...

Oct 9, 2026

No Kyrie Irving yet, but Mavericks, Rockets still put on a show for NBA China Games fans

Dallas Mavericks fans will have to wait just a little bit longer to see Kyrie Irving in their team’s colours for the first time in almost two years, after he sat out Friday’s 135-117 pre-season loss to the Houston Rockets in Macau. Even without the flashy point guard running things, however, the two Texas clubs still put on a show for the thousands that packed into The Venetian Arena for the second year of NBA China Games. When the 34-year-old does finally return after an injury break that began...

Oct 9, 2026

No Kyrie Irving yet, but Mavericks, Rockets still put on a show for NBA China Games fans

Dallas Mavericks fans will have to wait just a little bit longer to see Kyrie Irving in their team’s colours for the first time in almost two years, after he sat out Friday’s 135-117 pre-season loss to the Houston Rockets in Macau. Even without the flashy point guard running things, however, the two Texas clubs still put on a show for the thousands that packed into The Venetian Arena for the second year of NBA China Games. When the 34-year-old does finally return after an injury break that began...