Veteran big man Allen Liwag is back for De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde with only one goal in mind -- a long-awaited title for the Blazers.

NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament Mapua def. Lyceum, 71-68 Kyle Timbol Player of the Game #NCAASeason102

MANILA, Philippines — The UAAP announced on Monday that it meted out a 2-game suspension on Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles head coach Louie Alas for two infractions of unsportsmanlike conduct in the Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.  Alas reached the limit following his conduct against UP on November 7 at the Araneta Coliseum, where he entered the court and pointed and cursed at UP’s Jacob Bayla following the player’s endgame dunk. Ateneo lost to UP, 82-74, but the game was already decided before Bayla’s dunk.  The UAAP added that Alas pointed at and cursed at Bayla again during the post-game handshake. Alas, who made his first infraction against UST on October 17, will serve the first of his 2-game suspension on Wednesday, November 11, when Ateneo faces Adamson University at the Araneta Coliseum, and on Sunday, November 15, when his team takes on the University of Santo Tomas at the same venue.

They say, “to be the best, you have to beat the best.” And that must have been on some fans" minds while witnessing a heated moment between two top players during Friday"s game between De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Jose Rizal University.

MANILA, Philippines — The long and grueling campaign of the 2026 Philippine Golf Tour and Ladies PGT comes down to one final test – a battle of nerves, strategy and shot-making where every hole counts and there is little room for mistakes. The season officially winds up with the ICTSI Anvaya Cove Match Play Invitational on Nov. 18-20, bringing together the top performers of the PGT and LPGT for a three-day showdown featuring a dramatic shift from the familiar stroke-play format to head-to-head match play. After crisscrossing the country and tackling some of its finest championship courses in a demanding season-long campaign, the men and ladies now face an entirely different challenge at Anvaya Cove Golf Club in Morong, Bataan, widely regarded as one of the country's premier golfing destinations. At stake are not only season-ending bragging rights but also a total purse of P2 million for the PGT field and P1.5 million for the LPGT competitors. Angelo Que, coming off back-to-back victories in the PGT Order of Merit race, leads the 32-player men's field, which also features the season's other leading campaigners, including No. 2 Jeffren Lumbo and No. 3 Clyde Mondilla, as well as Rupert Zaragosa and defending champion Keanu Jahns. The formidable cast also includes a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents, led by Sean Ramos, Jhonnel Ababa, Tony Lascuña, Russell Bautista, Art Arbole, Guido van der Valk, Zanieboy Gialon, Elee Bisera, Dino Villanueva, Reymon Jaraula, Enrico Gallardo, Gabriel Manotoc, Kristoffer Arevalo and Ira Alido. All will be looking to navigate the knockout stages and survive the pressure-packed duels that will determine who gets to finish the season on top. Yvon Bisera, fresh from capturing her maiden LPGT Order of Merit crown, headlines the compact 16-player women's field, which also boasts last week's Apo leg champion Harmie Constantino, Tiffany Lee, Chanelle Avaricio, Sarah Ababa, Martina Miñoza, Gretchen Villacencio, Princess Superal, Daniella Uy, Monica Mandario, Velinda Castil, Mafy Singson, Kim Seoyun, Rev Alcantara, Chihiro Ikeda and Angela Mangana. Unlike stroke play, where a costly hole can still be offset by strong performances elsewhere in the round, match play puts a premium on winning individual holes. Players must constantly adjust their strategy to their opponents, seize opportunities when they arise and quickly shake off mistakes. A hole lost is just one point conceded, but a single lapse in concentration can swing the momentum of a match. Nerves, composure and the ability to deliver under pressure could prove just as decisive as power and precision. Jahns knows exactly what it takes to conquer the season-ending event. The Fil-German overwhelmed the field in last year's edition, showcasing his power and class before closing out the championship with a 3&2 victory over van der Valk in the final at The Country Club. That triumph capped an impressive three-title campaign for Jahns. Although he went without a victory this season, enduring a couple of near-misses, Jahns remains determined to make another strong run and preserve his hold on the match-play crown. But the challenge at Anvaya Cove will be anything but straightforward. Maintained in championship condition throughout the year, the course presents a distinctive test, with two contrasting nine-hole loops that blend rugged mountain ridges and sweeping seaside vistas. Its varied terrain and coastal setting offer a compelling mix of strategic demands and scenic beauty, requiring players to combine sound course management with precise shot execution. The venue last hosted a major professional golf event in 2023, when it staged the ICTSI Anvaya Cove Ladies Invitational, which also served as a leg of the Taiwan LPGA Tour. Bianca Pagdanganan dominated the international field, winning by six strokes to capture her first professional title. Three years later, Anvaya Cove once again takes center stage, this time as the setting for the Philippine pro tours' final act – where season-long consistency gives way to the unforgiving, hole-by-hole demands of match play and only the toughest competitors will survive. TMT

MANILA, Philippines — Eric Jed Olivarez underscored his growing stature as one of the country's premier tennis players, displaying a potent combination of power, experience and composure under pressure to defeat Eric Jay Tangub, 6-3, 6-4, and capture the men's singles crown in the Mayor Edwin Olivarez National Open Tennis Championships at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat over the weekend. The triumph further strengthened Olivarez's growing credentials on the Philippine tennis circuit, adding another major title to an impressive run in the Olivarez-sponsored national Opens. He pocketed the top prize of P100,000 from the tournament's total prize pool of P415,000. Olivarez previously captured the Mayor Eric Olivarez National Open and the Rep. Edwin Olivarez National Open in 2024, ending Johnny Arcilla's long reign in the process. He also defeated longtime rival Alberto Lim Jr. to win the Rep. Eric Olivarez National Open in 2025. Meanwhile, Noel Damian Brysl Libao spoiled Olivarez's bid for a double crown, teaming up with his partner to score a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Olivarez and Nilo Ledama in the men's doubles final. The annual championship, sponsored by Mayor Edwin Olivarez and Rep. Eric Olivarez, reflects the Olivarez family's enduring commitment to developing and promoting tennis, while providing a competitive platform for both established campaigners and emerging talents. The 28-year-old Western Michigan product dictated the tempo early, breaking Tangub in the third game and again in the seventh to seize control of the opening set. Although Tangub broke back in the eighth, Olivarez refused to yield momentum, overcoming a 0-30 deficit with four straight points to close out the frame. Tangub came out aggressively in the second set, breaking Olivarez before holding serve to take an early lead. But the latter quickly regrouped, held his serve and broke back in the fourth game to draw level at 2-all. Olivarez then held at love before breaking Tangub anew in the sixth to open a 4-2 cushion, seemingly putting himself firmly in command. Tangub, however, refused to go quietly. He fought back in the seventh, erasing a 0-30 deficit and stringing together three consecutive points to pull within a game. He then held serve to force a 4-4 deadlock, setting up a tense finish. But Olivarez's experience and competitive resolve proved decisive. He dominated the ninth game before delivering the finishing blow in the 10th, recovering from a 0-15 deficit with four consecutive points to seal the straight-set victory and another prestigious Open title. Beyond the titles and prize money, the tournament gives seasoned players an opportunity to sharpen their competitive edge and offers promising young players valuable exposure against stronger opposition. Through their sustained support for the sport, the Olivarez family continues to help expand the country's tennis base, nurture the next generation of players and create opportunities for Filipino talents to make their mark on the national and international stages. TMT

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is a time-honoured tradition across the sporting world, just think Newcastle United in the English Premier League 1995-96 season, or the Atlanta Falcons in the 2017 Super Bowl and you get the idea. But has any team, anywhere, in any sport ever done it more emphatically than Chengdu Rongcheng did this past weekend? The Chinese Super League choke artists confirmed their status as potentially the most spectacular losers of all time when a 3-2 defeat to...

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is a time-honoured tradition across the sporting world, just think Newcastle United in the English Premier League 1995-96 season, or the Atlanta Falcons in the 2017 Super Bowl and you get the idea. But has any team, anywhere, in any sport ever done it more emphatically than Chengdu Rongcheng did this past weekend? The Chinese Super League choke artists confirmed their status as potentially the most spectacular losers of all time when a 3-2 defeat to...

SAN FRANCISCO — Second-year Golden State Warriors guard Will Richard has a torn ligament in his left thumb that will sideline him for an undetermined stretch. The Warriors listed Richard on the injury report Sunday with a torn ulnar collateral ligament and he was out for Monday's game against New Orleans at Chase Center as the team concludes a six-game homestand. Golden State didn't have practice or media availability Sunday, so there wasn't an immediate timetable for Richard's recovery or a known treatment plan. Richard has been providing key minutes as both a starter and a reserve as Golden State has won seven straight games since an 0-3 start. He made two starts this past week, against Phoenix and Miami. Stephen Curry has credited the Warriors figuring out their roles to grab some momentum after dropping the first three games. "Everybody having an impact, throw Will Richard in there, too, he's had three straight games really where he's turned up the energy defensively for us," Curry said after a 116-113 win over the Suns on Monday. "Defensively he's just been a pest out there." The 23-year-old guard was a second-round draft pick last year out of Florida after he led the Gators to a national championship. Richard is averaging 5.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 47.5% from the floor and 42.9% from 3-point range. Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray dealt with the same injury early last season, underwent surgery and missed the first 15 games.

The UAAP Basketball Commissioner"s Office handed Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Louie Alas a two-game suspension for accumulating two infractions and displaying unsportsmanlike conduct following the Ateneo-UP game last Saturday.

Mark Newnham is hoping the prolific Lucky Sam Gor can complete his Hong Kong set when he bids for a first Happy Valley win in the Class Two Lung Cheung Handicap (1,650m) on Wednesday night. The Press Statement galloper won five times on the Sha Tin turf last season in a rampant campaign where he soared from a rating of 45 all the way up to a high of 79. He got his win on the Sha Tin dirt at the first time of asking last start, slicing his way through the pack to win by a head to get off the mark...

INDIAN WELLS, Calif.  — Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 in her first match of the 2026 WTA Finals on Sunday. Competing in Group 1 of the eight-woman field's round-robin draw, Gauff improved to 6-5 in her career against Pegula after two hours, 39 minutes at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. "I was having a lot of fun today," the 22-year-old No. 4 seed said after the match, joking she left bits of rubber from her shoes on court. "I had a match point in the second (set) and I didn't get too down on myself…I think today, the key was just trying to be aggressive, but I also had to run a lot." Gauff, who won the WTA Finals in 2024 and was playing her first match in over a month, held serve from 0-40 down at 4-4 in the first set and then earned the lone break of the set in the following game to take early control in the match. Pegula took a 5-1 lead in the second only to lose five straight games and face match point at 5-6, but she regained control in the subsequent tiebreaker and leveled the match with a forehand return winner. The momentum swung back towards Gauff in the final set. The two-time Grand Slam champion won the first three games on her way to a 5-2 advantage. A missed overhead from Pegula earned Gauff two more match points, and Gauff let out a celebratory roar after clinching the match on her third opportunity. Gauff will next face No. 8 seed and reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, who defeated alternate Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-4 in the first match of the day. Kostyuk, who will face Pegula after both lost their opening round-robin matches, was a late substitute for world No. 1 Elena Rybakina. Rybakina, last year's WTA Finals winner and this year's Australian Open and U.S. Open champion was forced to withdraw from the season-ending championships citing a viral illness. Indian Wells, which is home to the annual BNP Paribas Open, is hosting the WTA Finals after instability in the Middle East led to a move away from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the event had been held since 2024. The WTA Finals is set to move again in 2027 to Charlotte, North Carolina.

MIAMI, United States —  LeBron James had his best game yet for the Philadelphia 76ers, who bounced back with a 127-121 win in Chicago on Sunday over a Bulls side that has now lost seven straight NBA games. Veteran superstar James scored 22 points -- his highest tally since joining the Sixers this summer -- in a return to form after a paltry eight points in Friday's disappointing loss to Cleveland. James also had five assists while Jaylen Brown top-scored with 29, Tyrese Maxey poured in 27 and Joel Embiid pulled down 10 rebounds. The star-studded Sixers have lost just twice so far this season, for their best start after 11 games since 2000. Philadelphia grabbed the lead early in the second quarter and never trailed from there, though a resilient Chicago pulled within two points in the closing stages. "We have a lot of guys that's been in situations, late-game situations, and we have a 'no panic' button," said James. "We understand that we got to get stops on this end, but if teams make a run, we understand how to be calm on the other end as well." The Bulls remain second-bottom of the Eastern Conference, ahead of only the Milwaukee Bucks -- the only team Chicago has beaten so far this campaign. They were without shooting guard Norman Powell, their second-leading scorer this season, who was placed on the injury report hours before tip-off with back discomfort. But Josh Giddey provided some hope with a double-double including 19 points and 15 assists. Meanwhile, James' former Los Angeles Lakers team overcame the absence of red-hot talisman Luka Doncic to beat the Detroit Pistons 121-116, and also move to 9-2. Doncic, who has been averaging more than 40 points per game this season, was left out with lower back tightness, the team announced. Austin Reaves stepped up, scoring 43 points, including two calm free throws in the final seconds to take the game beyond Detroit's reach. The Lakers never trailed but had to fight hard to retain a razor-thin lead for most of the fourth quarter. Daniss Jenkins led the Pistons' comeback attempt from the bench with 31 points, while Kevin Huerter added 24. Minnesota extended its fine start with a 115-100 win over struggling Utah. It was the Timberwolves' fourth straight win despite losing Anthony Edwards to injury. The Bucks suffered another loss, falling 117-97 to the Celtics, who rallied from an early 14-point deficit, while Dallas thumped Brooklyn 130-93. Giannis Antetokounmpo top-scored for Miami in a 114-108 win at Sacramento with 29 points and 14 rebounds, while the Los Angeles Clippers grabbed a rare win, defeating New Orleans 139-123. The Charlotte Hornets announced that forward Kon Knueppel will miss at least four weeks with a left hamstring strain, while guard Dennis Schroder is out for at least two weeks with the same injury.

Alexandra 'Alex" Eala capped her historic 2026 WTA season with a runner-up finish in the Hong Kong Tennis Open after falling to Claire Liu, 6-3, 6-0, in the finals on Sunday.

Darius Garland scored 24 points and dished out 10 assists, Brook Lopez added 20 points and the Los Angeles Clippers ended a seven-game losing streak with a 139-123 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday in Inglewood, Calif.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 29 points and 14 rebounds as the visiting Miami Heat beat the Sacramento Kings 114-108 on Sunday night.

Lando Norris emerged unscathed from an eventful Sao Paulo Grand Prix podium celebration on Sunday after smashing a champagne bottle and appearing to get an unexpected blast from fireworks moments after winning the race.

MILWAUKEE — Paul George scored 27 points, Jayson Tatum added 21 and the Boston Celtics rolled to a 117-97 victory over the slumping Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night. This marked the second matchup between these teams in five nights. The Celtics had beaten the Bucks 109-102 on Wednesday in Boston while resting Tatum. Boston (8-2) built a big enough lead Sunday to sit Tatum for the entire fourth quarter as the Celtics continued a four-game trip that started with a 119-80 win at Charlotte on Friday. The Celtics next head to Philadelphia and Toronto. Kyle Kuzma led Milwaukee with 27 points. Myles Turner scored just three points for the Bucks, though he did have five rebounds and a career-high seven assists. Turner, who has shot 1 of 15 over his last two games, was coming off a scoreless performance in a 121-107 NBA Cup loss to the Toronto Raptors on Frieday. The Bucks (1-9) are off to their worst start since 1993-94, when they lost 10 of their first 11 games and went on to finish 20-62. Kuzma scored 14 points in the first five minutes of the game to help Milwaukee grab an early 20-6 lead. Tatum and George sparked an 18-0 run that enabled the Celtics to take control later in the first half. Tatum scored the final 10 points of the first quarter to cut Milwaukee’s lead to 27-25. George delivered the first eight points of the second period. George’s 3-pointer in the opening minute of the second quarter gave Boston its first lead at 28-27. George then hit a layup and another 3-pointer to cap the 18-0 spurt. Boston owned a 58-45 halftime advantage. The Celtics scored the first nine points of the third period to extend their lead to 22, and they stayed in front by at least 15 the rest of the way.

Here are the scores for the NBA games played on Sunday, November 8 (US time). Philadelphia 76ers vs Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons, and other games.

Mercedes completed a Formula One title double in Brazil on Sunday, adding the constructors' crown to Kimi Antonelli's drivers' championship won in Mexico City last weekend and celebrating with champagne and the whole race team dancing on the podium.

Reinhard Jumamoy and Paul Francisco took turns throwing haymakers at the enemy on Sunday, leading National U to an 84-80 conquest of defending champion La Salle that practically assured the Bulldogs of their latest march into the Final Four of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament. Jumamoy had 14 of his 21 points and Francisco drained

Coco Gauff opened the WTA Finals with a stellar 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 victory over No. 5 seed and fellow American Jessica Pegula on Sunday in Indian Wells. Meanwhile, Claire Liu won her first WTA Tour event, stunning No. 2 seed Alexandra Eala 6-3, 6-0 in Hong Kong.

Paul George scored 27 points and Jayson Tatum added 21 as the Boston Celtics overcame a slow start to defeat the host Milwaukee Bucks 117-97 on Sunday.

Alex Eala’s breakout WTA season ended on a sour note on Sunday when the 21-year-old Filipino superstar lost the last nine games in the finals of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open to Claire Liu at Victoria Park Center Court. Eala never found an answer to the onslaught brought by the world 102-ranked Liu, who

Cooper Flagg had 25 points and 12 assists on Sunday night to help the Dallas Mavericks coast for a wire-to-wire 130-93 victory over the visiting Brooklyn Nets.

With their semifinals hopes hanging in the balance, the Akari Chargers are embracing the pressure and bracing for the fight to stay in the hunt in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series. Akari stayed in contention after surviving Choco Mucho in five sets, highlighted by setter Mars Alba’s game-winning block on Sisi Rondina-Rosales, 25-19, 22-25,

DAKAR—Hilarion Palles III gained valuable experience in his first Youth Olympics Games stint here, as his failure to advance to the finals of the men’s all-around of gymnastics will help drive him even more moving forward. “I had the best exposure I could ever get from these Games and I got to meet some of

Ayo Dosunmu scored 26 points on 7-for-13 shooting, and the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 115-100 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday night in Minneapolis.

MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone is expecting Bennie Boatwright to follow the national team to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia on November 23, giving him just a few days to integrate with the Philippine squad, which is preparing for the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers. The American mentor said the 30-year-old Boatwright is still in action with his Chinese Basketball Association squad Fujian Sturgeons, and will only be granted release for the coming November window on Nov. 23. “As of now, his team in China is only releasing him on the 23rd (of November),” said Cone, when contacted by The Manila Times to comment on the former San Miguel Beer import’s status. Gilas is expected to regroup by Nov. 20 onwards as Japan B.League players Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, Quentin Millora-Brown, Mike Phillips and AJ Edu, along with Korean Basketball League’s Kevin Quiambao, will be released by their respective teams for the November window. Carl Tamayo, who also plays in the KBL, can’t join though due to an ankle injury. The Philippines will be battling Syria on Nov. 27, followed by perennial Asian powerhouse team Iran on Nov. 30. These will be two crucial games for Gilas Pilipinas, which remains in the hunt for a FIBA World Cup spot, thanks to the national squad’s back-to-back home wins last August against Jordan and Iran at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Gilas enters the fifth window that will be held in Seremban, about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, with an even 4-4 record, to occupy fifth spot at Group E. Australia leads Group E with its immaculate 8-0 record, followed by New Zealand (6-2), while Iran and Jordan are tied for third to fourth spots at 5-3. The Boomers have secured a World Cup berth already from the group, with the  two next best squads expected to advance outright. The remaining Asian qualification slot will be contested by the best fourth-placed teams coming from Groups E and F. Cone knows the 6-10 Boatwright has a few days only to understand the Gilas system, and he is unsure how the former USC Trojan could learn things that quick, given the short period of time. ”I really can't be sure at this point. We'll see how he responds,” said Cone. Boatwright currently averages 11.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists for Fujian, while shooting over 36 percent from three-point distance. He officially became a naturalized player after securing his Philippine passport recently, and now adds to the growing list of naturalized players led by New York Knicks veteran Jordan Clarkson, Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame and Malick Diouf, who has been assigned to the Gilas 3x3. Brownlee has been carrying the cudgels for Gilas in recent years. He managed to play against New Zealand in Auckland in July, before missing the away game against Australia, as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas cited “multiple injuries on his right leg and knee.” Cone also recently, announced that the well-loved Gilas naturalized player and Ginebra import, is also dealing with a heart issue, which prevented him from reinforcing the national team in the recent Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Austin Reaves had a season-best 43 points as the Los Angeles Lakers, minus star Luka Doncic, built a hefty early lead, then held off the host Detroit Pistons, to win their fifth straight, 121-116 on Sunday night.