War Elephants drawn to face Brunei in King's Cup opener

Bangkok Post - Oct 19, 2026

Sri Sa Ket is ready to host the King's Cup for the first time in the tournament's history when the 52nd edition kicks off next month, organisers confirmed at a press conference on Monday.

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Letran, Benilde seek strong finish in crossover round

Oct 19, 2026

Letran, Benilde seek strong finish in crossover round

COLEGIO de San Juan de Letran and the College of Saint Benilde are gearing up to finish the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament crossover round with a statement victory on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. The action kicks off at 3 p.m. with the Letran Knights (5-3) locking horns with the Benilde Blazers (6-2). Following that matchup at 6 p.m., the University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta (2-6) will face off against the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers (6-2). Letran heads into the game fresh off a hard-fought 70-66 win against JRU, powered by Chad Gammad’s 21 points and four rebounds, with Denzil Walker chipping in 11 markers. The Knights achieved the victory despite playing without their star guard, Titing Manalili, who continues to recover from a right knee injury sustained against the Lyceum of the Philippines University. “Despite Jonathan (Titing) not playing, I can see them step up, the other guards. I know the boys are working really hard and they worked as a team, they found their rhythm and we managed to handle the pressure,” head coach Allen Ricardo said during the post-game press conference. However, overcoming a vengeful Benilde squad will be no easy task. The Blazers are looking to bounce back from an 86-78 loss to Emilio Aguinaldo College, where Justine Sanchez and John Morales each contributed 16 points. A victory for Benilde could propel them to the top of the Group A standings, while Letran aims to break a 5-3 deadlock with Arellano University. Meanwhile, the JRU Heavy Bombers look to regain their footing in Group A as they take on the struggling Perpetual Altas, who are currently mired in a five-game skid. With the crossover round coming to a close, teams will return to their respective group stages to face bracket opponents once more. The top two teams at the end of this phase will secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, the third seed will need to win twice to advance, and the bottom two squads will head to the play-in tournament.

Wemby targets title breakthrough as NBA tips off

Oct 19, 2026

Wemby targets title breakthrough as NBA tips off

LOS ANGELES — French phenomenon Victor Wembanyama, knocking on the door almost since his arrival in the NBA three years ago, is poised for the ultimate breakout season with the San Antonio Spurs. “He just changes everything,” superstar LeBron James said of the towering 22-year-old, who will be aiming to further break the mold with his ferocious defense and an extraordinarily versatile playing style for a player who stands 7-foot-4 (2.24 m). Wembanyama was unanimously voted Defensive Player of the Year last season. With spectacular averages of 25 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.1 blocks he finished third in Most Valuable Player voting. With another year under his belt Wembanyama is widely tipped to contend for both awards — and lead the young, ultra-talented Spurs back to the Finals a year after they were agonizingly denied by the New York Knicks. “We’re very hopeful, very ambitious and ready,” Wembanyama said as training camp began. Rejoining Wembanyama for another title tilt are 21-year-old Stephon Castle and 20-year-old Dylan Harper. In the offseason they added another piece to the puzzle in 34-year-old veteran Tobias Harris, who along with experience adds size and strength in the paint. Harris was tabbed as the most underrated signing of the offseason in a survey of the league’s general managers. But the Spurs fortunes will ultimately rest with Wemby. “I think he has a ton of room to improve in all aspects,” says Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, who took the helm in May 2025 as the Spurs said goodbye to the iconic Gregg Popovich, who led the team to five titles. “One thing for him will just be continue to manipulate the game and dictate the game, not just by scoring but by making plays for his teammates forcing the defense to make a decision, and taking advantage of opportunities in front of him,” said Johnson, who wants to see his star “almost puppeteering the game as we see the best players in our game do and we’ve seen him do. “I think that’s an area for him to continue growing.” Steve Nash, the former two-time Most Valuable Player, says Wembanyama has the tools to earn MVP honors. “In my eyes, Wemby had a case for MVP last year because of the totality of how he affects the game,” Nash said as he discussed Wembanyama’s MVP prospects with James on the “Mind the Game” podcast. “I think the difference is that traditionally you look at who closed the game for your team and Wemby can close games, but he doesn’t, he’s not necessarily a closer,” Nash said. “Some nights, it’s not his thing.” Nevertheless, Warriors veteran Draymond Green didn’t hesitate to tip Wembanyama for MVP — and Defensive Player of the Year again. “With his impact defensively and offensively, the only thing that can stop him from MVP this year is injury... 1000% I think he takes home both of them this year,” Green said on his podcast. Having enjoyed a spectacular ascent in his first three seasons, Wembanyama seems more than happy to embrace the expectations.

Chwalinska fights back to win Wuhan Open

Oct 19, 2026

Chwalinska fights back to win Wuhan Open

WUHAN, China — Maja Chwalinska pulled off an impressive comeback to defeat Britain’s Sonay Kartal, 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, and claim the first tour-level title of her career at the Wuhan Open on Sunday. The Polish 16th seed trailed by a set and a break before she turned things around to become just the fourth player to win her maiden tour-level title at a WTA 1000 event. She joins Naomi Osaka (2018 Indian Wells), Bianca Andreescu (2019 Indian Wells) and Victoria Mboko (2025 Montreal) in that exclusive club. The 25-year-old Chwalinska started the year ranked 146 in the world and provided one of the biggest surprises of the season when she reached the French Open final as a qualifier in June. “(This title) tastes very sweet. I feel like I still don’t realize that I won,” Chwalinska said in the post-match press conference. “But it feels special, because after French Open, it was obviously amazing, but then I had some tough moments. I feel like people also were very rough towards me. And it took a toll on me as well. “I’m just a human. But I kept working really hard and I’m just very grateful that my work paid off.” The talented lefty will now rise to a career-high No.11 in the world, making her top-20 debut when the new rankings are released on Monday. “I feel like my energy level was very low at the beginning, but also Sonay played amazing,” added Chwalinska. “Gradually I started to play much better and much more aggressive. Also, the depth on my shots improved. “I feel what I’m proud of is the fighting spirit that I had. I just wanted to fight for every single ball and hoped that things would click at some point.” Kartal, who was contesting her second tour event back from a six-month hiatus due to a spinal stress fracture, entered Wuhan ranked 170 in the world but will return to the top 50 after reaching the first WTA 1000 final of her career. AFP

Tampa Bay Rays one win from World Series return

Oct 19, 2026

Tampa Bay Rays one win from World Series return

LOS ANGELES — The Tampa Bay Rays moved to within one win of a return to the World Series on Sunday (Monday in Manila) after defeating the Cleveland Guardians, 3-1, to edge into a crucial 3-2 lead in their MLB playoff series. A dazzling pitching performance from starter Drew Rasmussen laid the foundation for another deserved victory for the Rays, who had leveled the best-of-seven American League Championship Series on Saturday. Rasmussen restricted the Guardians to one run and four hits through seven innings with six strikeouts. Rays catcher Liam Hicks paid tribute to Rasmussen’s gem after the win. “He’s an ace, it’s as simple as that,” Hicks said. “He rises to the occasion and no moment is ever too big for him. I don’t think there’s anyone we’d rather have on the mound. “He’s such a hard worker. He has a plan and then he just executes.” The Rays, meanwhile, pounced on a string of early opportunities to edge into a lead that proved decisive. Tampa Bay’s bats caused problems for Guardians starter Parker Messick in the first inning, with Yandy Diaz getting the ball rolling with a leadoff double. Messick soon found himself in a bases loaded jam and walked Jonny DeLuca to surrender a run that gave Tampa Bay an early 1-0 lead. The Rays doubled their advantage in the second inning when Jonathan Aranda drove in a run for Ben Williamson. Messick was promptly pulled from the mound after 57 pitches to leave Cleveland improvising a bullpen game. Tampa Bay continued to make the most of the scoring chances that came their way, with Hicks singling off Guardians reliever Tim Herrin in the top of the third to make it 3-0. With Rasmussen in complete control, the Guardians had to wait until the sixth inning to get on the board, outfielder Steven Kwan coming home on Chase DeLauter’s ground out to first base. The Guardians raised hopes of a rally in the ninth, when Rays closer Bryan Baker gave up a leadoff walk to start the inning. But Baker coolly held firm to claim his 35th consecutive save and a Rays win. Tampa Bay — one of only five Major League Baseball teams never to win a World Series title — now need only one more win to book their third appearance at the Fall Classic after losing in 2008 and 2020. Game 6 of the series takes place at Tampa Bay’s Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg on Monday. “There’s no place we’d rather be playing in a must-win game than at home,” Hicks said. “So it’s huge.”

Grizzlies’ Cam Boozer adjusting to NBA spotlight as solo act

Oct 19, 2026

Grizzlies’ Cam Boozer adjusting to NBA spotlight as solo act

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Cam Boozer finds himself in an unfamiliar space as he embarks on the NBA career he has prepared for his entire life. He’s on his own. Sure, father Carlos, a two-time NBA All-Star and 13-year veteran, is just a phone call or text away. The biggest difference on the court and in

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could join rare club of NBA MVPs

Oct 19, 2026

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could join rare club of NBA MVPs

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

Boxers Miel Fajardo, Zyvyr Medecilo eye world title glory in Japan

Oct 19, 2026

Boxers Miel Fajardo, Zyvyr Medecilo eye world title glory in Japan

Filipino boxers Miel Fajardo and Zyvyr “Blitz Kid” Medecilo will get their shots at world championship glory when they challenge two Japanese champions on November 26 at the Ebara Wave Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Alex Eala makes strong start in Ningbo Open

Oct 19, 2026

Alex Eala makes strong start in Ningbo Open

MANILA, Philippines — Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala opened her 2026 Ningbo Open campaign on a strong note after defeating Diane Parry of France, 6-3, 6-1, on Monday night (Manila time) to advance in the Round of 16 at the Ningbo Yinzhou Tennis Center The 20-year-old Eala, currently ranked No. 18, defeated World No. 34 Parry in the tournament. The Filipina swept the French after relying more on her strong backhand swings and smart placement shots. Eala will next face Russian Diana Shnaider in the Round of 16, who is seeded No. 16 in the tournament. This win serves as a redemption for the Filipina after suffering her worst loss in the Wuhan Open, when she fell to World No. 217 Shi Han of China last October 12.

Chinese basketball player Barry Wang tipped as NBA prospect after US university match

Oct 19, 2026

Chinese basketball player Barry Wang tipped as NBA prospect after US university match

Rising Chinese basketball star Barry Wang Junjie was tipped to be an NBA prospect after he flourished in only his second game with his new team, the Massachusetts Minutemen, on Sunday. Wang erupted for 31 points on eight-of-12 shooting, including knocking down a pair of three-pointers and converting 12 of his 13 free throws, to go with six rebounds as the University of Massachusetts beat Brown University 88-86 in a tight exhibition game. The Massachusetts Minutemen represent the university in...

Chinese basketball player Barry Wang tipped as NBA prospect after US university match

Oct 19, 2026

Chinese basketball player Barry Wang tipped as NBA prospect after US university match

Rising Chinese basketball star Barry Wang Junjie was tipped to be an NBA prospect after he flourished in only his second game with his new team, the Massachusetts Minutemen, on Sunday. Wang erupted for 31 points on eight-of-12 shooting, including knocking down a pair of three-pointers and converting 12 of his 13 free throws, to go with six rebounds as the University of Massachusetts beat Brown University 88-86 in a tight exhibition game. The Massachusetts Minutemen represent the university in...

Alex Eala beats Diane Parry, advances to Ningbo Open second round

Oct 19, 2026

Alex Eala beats Diane Parry, advances to Ningbo Open second round

Alexandra Eala defeated France"s Diane Parry, 6-3, 6-1, on Monday to advance to the second round of the Ningbo Open in China.

NCAA: Mapua routs San Sebastian to complete crossover phase sweep

Oct 19, 2026

NCAA: Mapua routs San Sebastian to complete crossover phase sweep

Mapua University completed a sweep of the NCAA Season 102 crossover phase after routing San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 71-43, on Monday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

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