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Oct 19, 2026

OKC's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could join rare club of back-to-back-to-back NBA MVPs this season

Bill Russell. Wilt Chamberlain. Larry Bird. That's the full list of those who managed to win three consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player awards. Nobody has pulled off that feat in 40 years, and the star power not on that list — names like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — speaks to how difficult it is to accomplish. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder has a chance to get there this season, whether he wants to or not. His focus — as it has been in past years as well — is on winning and on championships, not on anything of the individual variety. “I’ve just got to be the best player I can be for this basketball team, win as many games as possible," Gilgeous-Alexander said. “That kind of recipe for me in the past has kind of worked, and I’ve been fortunate to win two in a row. No different for me going into this season.” He is the best player on the team that is essentially the co-favorite, along with the San Antonio Spurs, to win the NBA championship. He's collected more than 75% of the first-place MVP votes over the last two seasons, and his scoring average of 32 points per game is tops in the NBA over that span. He doesn't think he's been at his peak yet, either. “I feel like I’m a better basketball player, more versatile as a basketball player,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “In better shape, too.” Thunder general manager Sam Presti has been around Hall of Fame players. He sees the traits in Gilgeous-Alexander, saying in his preseason news conference last month that greats at that level have “something that separates them from the others that makes them uniquely different.” “He has the baseline stuff of his work ethic, his discipline, his character, things that you have to have to be a consistent elite performer in the NBA or anywhere,” Presti said. “But his emotional awareness and regulation is superior, in my opinion. It’s extraordinary. His view is layered. He doesn’t live in a pass-fail world, and I think that’s part of what’s allowed him to come kind of from the back of the pack as a lightly recruited college player to this ascent.” The game has changed, and Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the players who has changed it. International players have won the last eight MVP awards; if the annual polling of the league's general managers proves accurate, that run will go to nine this season — since the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama is their preseason pick to emerge as the trophy winner next spring. And with Joel Embiid — the No. 3 pick in 2014 and MVP in 2022-23 — being the exception, many of those eventual international-born MVPs weren't exactly expected by many to reach that level when they entered the league. Giannis Antetokounmpo, then of Milwaukee and now of Miami, was the 15th overall pick in the 2013 draft; he won two MVPs in this international run. Denver's Nikola Jokic was drafted No. 41 overall; he's a three-time MVP. Gilgeous-Alexander was drafted 11th; he's now gone back-to-back. “He’s still going,” Presti said. “He’s got a lot more levels to go, and his mindset, I think, is the No. 1 thing that drives all that.” Winning brings individual success as well, and Gilgeous-Alexander knows that. But he often reminds people that things like MVP seasons come because so many people — not just the actual trophy winner — did their part. If the Thunder are contenders again, he'll likely be a top candidate. The best player on the best teams tends to be right in the MVP mix. And if he wins it again, it'll be costly: Gilgeous-Alexander has showered teammates with thank-you gifts after his first two MVP seasons, including fancy watches, Burberry coats and much more. Leadership, to Gilgeous-Alexander, is far more important than trophies. “It’s something that I’ve been intentional with, but also just I think naturally it’s just grown because I’ve grown as a man,” he said. “Becoming a father has helped with that. You’re an example for somebody every day and it’s a little bit different in the real world, but it’s essentially the same thing. You lead by example — and it’s hard to get people to follow you if you don’t do the right things and you don’t walk the walk.”

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Oct 19, 2026

Cebuana Lhuillier Gems seek PYCL title with blockbuster picks in draft

The Cebuana Lhuillier Gems are making a strong push for the PickleYard Conference League (PYCL) Season 2 title after securing the No. 1 overall pick, Filipino-Australian standout Crystal Mildwaters, and pulling off a stunning late second round steal by drafting another Australian national champion Aaron Johnson. Mildwaters and Johnson are teammates in Australia and won national titles, giving the Gems a formidable duo with proven chemistry and championship experience. “We are proud of the team we have assembled for Season 2 of the PYCL. Securing top talents like Crystal Mildwaters and Aaron Johnson, alongside a strong supporting cast of experienced and accomplished players, gives us great reason to be optimistic. At Cebuana Lhuillier, we believe in the power of sports to develop not only athletic talent but also discipline, teamwork, and character. compete, and excel,” said Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier. Team manager Richard Villaseran is equally confident in the team's potential, particularly with the addition of the two Australian-based champions. “Crystal is easily the most important player in the league, with only three foreign female players available. But Aaron is the steal of the draft. I'm still shocked we got him at the end of the second round—he was definitely a first-rounder. I'm confident in this team because our players complement each other's strengths,” Villaseran said. Supporting the dynamic duo is a deep lineup featuring Grace Woo, a consistent podium finisher over the past five months who has won multiple gold medals in local competitions and the women's doubles title at last month's PPA Asia 1000 in Kuala Lumpur. The roster is further strengthened by Hakim Boloto, Kristopher Tesorio, Bernard Sanchez, and Shyrynn Salazar, a 2026 Asian Games Soft Tennis bronze medalist. The team is being coached by Kristian Tesorio. With a blend of championship pedigree, veteran experience, and complementary playing styles, the Gems are poised to make a serious run for the PYCL Season 2 crown.

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Oct 19, 2026

ESPN on Disney+ now available in PH with NBA, UFC

MANILA, Philippines – Disney+ is bringing even more excitement to sports fans with ESPN on Disney+ now available in the Philippines with blockbuster matchups, unmissable moments and a wide line-up of live sports action for subscribers.  Available through the new Disney+ app and included as part of existing subscriptions, ESPN on Disney+ gives fans access to a dedicated ESPN hub via the ESPN navigation tab.  Launching alongside the new brand campaign, Ito ang Homecourt Mo!, ESPN on Disney+ welcomes sports fans in the Philippines to a new home ground for the games, stories and moments they follow every day.  Subscribers can access live events, on-demand replays, studio shows, documentaries and original programming together in one dedicated destination through ESPN on Disney+.  Production and coverage will be led by ESPN, delivering high-quality broadcasts, commentary and expert analysis across the sports season where available, alongside Disney+ general entertainment and family programming.  “The Philippines is an incredibly important sports market in Asia Pacific, with a deep-rooted passion for basketball and combat sports and a fan base that brings tremendous energy to the region's sports culture,” said Kylie Watson-Wheeler, Head of ESPN, Asia Pacific.  “As we continue to expand ESPN's presence across Asia Pacific, the Philippines plays a key role in that growth. Bringing ESPN to Disney+ allows us to build on that passion, connecting Filipino fans with more of the sports, athletes and stories they love, while strengthening ESPN's position as a leading sports destination across the region.” National Basketball Association (NBA)    Following last season’s success, the NBA returns to ESPN on Disney+ for fans in the Philippines, with marquee matchups during NBA Tip-Off Week. On October 22, the Minnesota Timberwolves are scheduled to take on the Miami Heat, followed by the Golden State Warriors against the Los Angeles Lakers. The action continues on October 23 as the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Philadelphia 76ers and the Oklahoma City Thunder meet the Denver Nuggets. Across the season, fans can follow live games featuring favourite teams including the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics.  Subscribers can also stream all Christmas Day games, including a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks, as well as the Los Angeles Lakers against the Philadelphia 76ers, with LeBron James facing his former team. The excitement continues into the postseason, with Playoff games from the First Round through the Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals. The Western Conference Finals will stream live on Disney+, while the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals will be available on demand.   Beyond live games, fans can enjoy ESPN NBA studio shows and NBA-produced programming, including NBA Tip-Off, Inside the NBA, NBA Countdown, NBA Today, and NBA Action.  Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC®)  As mixed martial arts continues to surge in popularity across the Philippines, UFC and ESPN are teaming up to bring fans in the Philippines closer to the UFC through ESPN on Disney+. The action kicks off at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi scheduled on October 25, where two world championship titles are expected to be on the line: UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski takes on undefeated No. 1-ranked contender Movsar Evloev, and UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan defends against former champion and No. 1-ranked Merab Dvalishvili. Alongside live UFC numbered events and UFC Fight Nights, fans will have access to a library of classic fights and curated UFC content, as well as original and behind-the-scenes programming including UFC Countdown, UFC Connected, UFC Main Event, UFC Fight Flashback, UFC Reloaded, and ROAD TO UFC, the breakout tournament offering Asia-Pacific's top professional MMA prospects a direct pathway to UFC. Together, the line-up brings elite MMA athletes, compelling matchups and stories behind the fights to one dedicated destination. A New Home Ground for Sports Other notable sports programming will include the Formula E 2026/27 season, with practice, qualifying and main races across 21 rounds in 13 host cities; NCAA events, including March Madness; and Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), with all games live across the regular season and championship series. ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentaries will continue to be available on Disney+. The line-up also features ESPN studio shows, including ESPN FC and Pardon the Interruption.  “We’re thrilled ESPN on Disney+ is now streaming for subscribers in the Philippines, bringing live sports, studio shows, documentaries, original programming and more to fans in one dedicated destination,” said Vineet Puri, Vice President and General Manager, Emerging Southeast Asia, The Walt Disney Company. “ESPN on Disney+ gives fans a new home ground for sports entertainment, with adrenaline-pumping action that is the perfect match-up with Disney+ must-stream shows and movies. With our new brand campaign, Ito ang Homecourt Mo!, we are celebrating the passion fans in the Philippines bring to every game, screen and shared conversation — all on one platform together like only Disney+ can do.”  Fans can also follow highlights, news and key moments from ESPN on Disney+ across Disney+ Philippines’ social channels throughout the season.  In addition to ESPN on Disney+, subscribers in the Philippines can look forward to a strong line-up of premium Asian original content, including highly anticipated Korean Originals The Remarried Empress and Portraits of Delusion as well as more must-stream entertainment from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and Hulu — all in one place on Disney+.  Experience ESPN on Disney+ in one click through the ESPN hub, accessible via the ESPN navigation tab by downloading the new Disney+ app now. TMT