NEW YORK — Cam Schlittler baffled Boston batters and Ben Rice blasted two home runs to spark a New York Yankees triumph on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), while Pope Leo XIV sent support to his hometown Chicago White Sox ahead of their Major League Baseball (MLB) playoff victory. Atlanta’s Austin Riley delivered a triumph with a three-run homer, and San Diego thrashed the Chicago Cubs, as the MLB postseason began with best-of-three wildcard series openers. At New York, Rice smashed a grand slam and a solo homer while right-hander Schlittler mystified the Red Sox, striking out 10 while allowing only two hits over 6 1/3 scoreless innings in a masterpiece 9-0 shutout. “Just thrilled it left the yard to get four runs,” Rice said of his grand slam. “This is what you dream about, Yankees-Red Sox playoff game in New York.” The Yankees, missing slugger Aaron Judge due to a calf strain, saw Rice homer in the fifth, single home a run in the seventh and smash a bases-loaded homer in the eighth. Austin Wells drove in two runs, Luis Garcia plated a run hitting into a double play, and Schlittler threw a career-high 117 pitches to silence Red Sox hitters. New York leads the American League series, 1-0, with the winner facing Tampa Bay. The White Sox, of whom the pope is a lifelong fan, beat Houston, 6-3. A social media post by the White Sox showed an inspirational letter received on Tuesday from the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. “I willingly invoke the Almighty’s abundant blessings upon you and your loved ones,” the pope wrote to White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf. Divine intervention or not, the White Sox dominated. Sam Antonacci put the White Sox ahead to stay by scoring on Munetaka Murakami’s first-inning sacrifice fly. Antonacci added a two-run single in the second, Colson Montgomery hit a solo homer in the fourth and Chase Meidroth’s bases-loaded single in the fifth made it 5-0. Houston’s Nelson Velazquez smacked a two-run homer in the fifth and each team added a run on an error to create the final margin. After the victory, the White Sox posted, “Abundantly blessed.” “We’ll take it,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “The pope having our back and supporting us means a lot.” In the National League, Riley’s homer in the eighth inning gave the host Braves a 5-3 victory over Philadelphia. Trailing 3-2, Atlanta won after Michael Harris singled, took second base after Ozzie Albies was hit by a pitch ahead of Riley smashing a home run to right field off Phillies relief pitcher Jhoan Duran.

Alexandra Eala is among Time Magazine"s “TIME100 Next 2026: The World"s Most Influential Rising Stars.”

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala called out a fan who threw a white cap as she was exiting the court following her match at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. In a video circulating on social media, Eala was seen walking off the court when a man suddenly threw a white cap to get the Filipina player's autograph. Eala was clearly displeased by the gesture. She stopped walking immediately to pick up the cap and addressed the fan, telling him not to throw items at players and to ask politely instead if he wants an autograph. "Sir, you shouldn't throw things at players. You say it nice and I will sign for you, but please don't throw things, okay?" Eala said. (“Sir hindi ka dapat nagtatapon ng mga gamit sa player. You say it nice and I will sign for you pero huwag kang magtatapon please?”) Despite the incident, she eventually signed the cap and handed it back to the man. The fan then apologized for his behavior, saying, "Sorry. Sorry. Thank you, Alex.” TMT

It was nearly two years coming but when the Premier League’s verdict arrived this week it buried Manchester City. Quite how far beneath their current exalted status will become clearer in the fullness of time, although the 21 months needed to reach a conclusion over the 100-plus charges levied against them would suggest it will be a while before the club discovers if it will be fined, stripped of titles, docked points, relegated, or all of the above. “I’d put them in the lowest league they can...

Jay Rooney MAJESTIC VALOUR - R11 (11) Has trialled well and looks ready to fire first up for his new stable   Owen Goulding GOOD FORTUNE - R1 (5) Hosed up on return, trialled well since and looks poised to win again   Paul Lally VIRTUS GLORY - R8 (4) Big run last start when wide throughout and is drawn to win here   Phillip Woo VIRTUS GLORY - R8 (4) Was a gallant second first up and can go one better from an ideal gate   Trackwork Spy VIRTUS GLORY - R8 (4) Went down fighting on his return and...

After donning national team colors in the 2026 Asian Games for the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 Basketball Team, Koji Buenaflor is back in University of Santo Tomas gold, contributing to his team"s 98-87 win over the University of the East.

The Philippine Blu Girls continued their impressive run at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with a dominant 10-0 victory over Singapore in women's siftball on Sept.30 at the Anjo Softball Ground. This is the third consecutive win for the Philippines, which opened the tournament with back-to-back losses against Japan and Chinese Taipei. The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls rebounded with convincing wins over Korea, Thailand and Singapore to raise their win-loss record to 3-2. The winning streak keeps the Philippines in contention for a podium finish as the preliminary round enters its crucial final stretch. Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (Asa-Phil) president Jean Henri Lhuillier hailed the team's sustained response after its challenging start inthe tournament. “Three straight wins show the character and determination of this team. What is encouraging is that we are seeing contributions from across the lineup, backed by strong pitching and defense," said Lhillier, who is also predident and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. "The Blu Girls understand what is at stake, and we are proud to see them continue fighting for every opportunity to bring honor to the Philippines. We remain behind them all the way as they pursue our goal of a historic Asian Games medal." Ahead of the Asian Games, Lhuillier expressed confidence in the team's growth and reiterated his support for its pursuit of the Philippines' first Asian Games softball medal. The Blu Girls overwhelmed Singapore with a balanced offensive attack, collecting 13 hits in the shortened four-inning contest. Skylynne Kopia Ellazar went 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs, while Mylia Isabel Perez delivered two hits, two RBIs, and two runs. Nicole Adra Hammoude added two RBIs and scored twice, while Alyssa Marie Daniell also drove in two runs. Francesca Altomonte and team captain Ma. Charlotte Sales each contributed an RBI, with Ma. Angelu Gabriel adding two hits and a run as the girls consistently found ways to get runners on base. The Philippine pitching staff was just as commanding, holding Singapore to one hit and zero runs.

Tennis star Alex Eala and Olympic medalist Carlo Paalam bannered the Philippines" campaign in the 2026 Asian Games as their wins assured them of medals in the continental multi-sport event.

Hong Kong will collect at least two more bronze medals in squash on Thursday, although the men’s and women’s teams have loftier goals in mind at the Asian Games. Semi-finals against Pakistan and India at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena stand between the Hong Kong players and a shot at gold. With cyclist Ceci Lee Sze-wing in action in the women’s Madison, Coleman Wong Chak-lam into the quarter-finals of the men’s singles, and the start of the rugby sevens, the city’s athletes will have designs on...

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino netters Alex Eala and Shaira Rivera bowed out of the 20th Asian Games women's doubles after falling to the Chinese duo of Jiang Xinyu and Yang Zhaoxuan, 5-7, 2-6, in the second round at the Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Japan Wednesday evening. Eala and Rivera defeated Hong Kong rivals Lai Ching Laam and Liu Kallista, 6-1, 6-3, in the first round on Tuesday. Riviera sees action in more event as she teams up with Francis Alcanra in the mixed doubles. Eala shifts all her focus to the singles play where she faces Wang Xiyu in the semifinals.

NAGOYA, Japan — Alex Eala is closing in on two goals. The tennis gold medalist at the Asian Games gets an automatic berth into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. A two-for-one deal. The Philippines' Eala reached the semifinals on Wednesday after defeating Joanna Garland of Taiwan 7-5, 6-0. Eala will next face Wang Xiyu of China on Thursday. The winner advances to Friday’s final. “The Olympics is a dream for me to be able to compete there, to represent my country," Eala said. "So, yeah, let’s see how it goes.” She took bronze medals in singles and mixed doubles with Francis Alcantara at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, and is a favorite for gold this time. In order to compete in the Asian Games, Eala had to withdraw from the China Open in Beijing — a mandatory WTA 1000 event. She could be fined $10,000. She said she's not aware of any official notice from the WTA. “I want to say that it’s easy for people to relate to wanting to represent their country and wanting to play these types of Olympic Games,” Eala said. She indicated other players have recognized the conflict and supported her. One seems to be Zhang Shuai of China, No. 57 on the WTA rankings. Eala is No. 18. “It is incredible that the two competitions are in the same weeks," Zhang said. “Some of the previous competitions have been like this. Last week, the Billie Jean King Cup was in the same week as the Singapore and Seoul competitions. “That’s life," Zhang added. "If two things are very important to you, or if they’re both very important tournaments, you can choose one of them." Eala has made her choice.

The pair of Alex Eala and Shaira Rivera ended its campaign in the 2026 Asian Games women"s doubles after falling to China"s Jiang Xinyu and Yang Zhaoxuan, 7-5, 6-2, on Wednesday in Japan.

Far Eastern University put pedal to the metal in its early season test against De La Salle University, claiming victory over the reigning champions, 90-78.

MANILA, Philippines -- Far Eastern University drubbed defending champ De La Salle, 90-78, to roll to its second straight win in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday. The Tamaraws charged at the Green Archers wit a 22-8 start and took control of the game for the rest of the way. Kirby Mongcopa banged 20 points, five rebounds, and three assists to lead FEU, which rose to 2-1 and created a 5-way tie at the top with NU, UP, Ateneo, and UST. La Salle dropped to 1-2 just behind the 1-1 Adamson and ahead of the cellar-dwelling 0-4 University of the East.

UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament FEU def. La Salle, 90-78 Kirby Mongcopa Player of the game #UAAPSeason89

Veteran international pool campaigner Aivhan Maluto is set to compete in the 2026 RBC Bali 9-Ball Open slated on Oct. 6-9, 2026 in Bali, Indonesia. “I hope to perform well in this event," said the 39-year-old Maluto, who hails from Cavite City.  Maluto, who paid a courtesy visit to the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Francisco Rivera on Wednesday, is gunning for the champion’s prize of 200 million rupiah, roughly P700,000, in Bali. Maluto is fresh from topping the Moon Cake Festival 10-Ball Tournament held at the famous Pacman's Cue Club in Mandaluyong City last Saturday.  He defeated Jack de Luna, 8-6, in the finals to receive the top prize of P120,000 in the event sponsored by Filipino Chinese Billiards Association president Danny Chong, supported by many-time snooker champion Marlon Manalo and sanctioned by GAB. Maluto is also scheduled to compete in the Maharlika 10-Ball Tournament on Oct. 14-17 at the Star Billiards Center, Grace Village, Quezon City and the World 10-Ball Championships on Oct. 24-28 in Doha, Qatar.  Maluto was accompanied by Japan billiards champion Roel Esquillo, billiards promoter Darwin Dizol and Nympa Selleza when he visited the GAB chairman’s office on Wednesday.

Bianca Pagdangan was off to a rousing start in her 2026 Asian Games run, placing at joint third in the first round of women's individual stroke play.

Zheng Qinwen begins her China Open campaign on Friday confident she can recapture the form that made her among the best women’s players in the world, despite the pressures that come from trying to win at home. The former world No 4 and Olympic gold medallist said she was fully prepared for what lay ahead, even though she dropped outside the top 100 at one stage this season. But an impressive run to the quarter-finals of the US Open has helped her bounce back to near the top 50, and good...

After a hard-fought match against Joanna Garland at the 20th Asian Games, Filipina tennis star Alex Eala"s thoughts quickly turned to her opponent, who was seen in tears after the contest.

Zac Purton is hoping the best version of Colourful King shows up when he goes for a fifth 1,000m win in Thursday’s Group Three National Day Cup at Sha Tin. The David Eustace-trained galloper has won a pair of minimum-trip races at both Happy Valley and Sha Tin, with his two wins last season coming at the latter venue. Ending last season by winning the Class One Pearce Memorial Challenge Cup (1,000m), he also posted a huge effort to finish second in the Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy, where...

The University of Santo Tomas obtained its second consecutive win after fending off University of the East, 98-87, Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

NAGOYA, Japan — A gold medal for two South Korean golfers at the Asian Games would mean more than a chunk of metal to dangle around their necks. For Kim Joo-hyung and Kim Seong-hyeon, winning gold at the Asian Games — in the men's individual or team event — would excuse them from mandatory military service at home. Kim Joo-hyung goes by Tom Kim when he plays on the PGA Tour, and Kim Seong-hyeon goes by S.H. Kim. Under any name, they got a good start in the first round on Wednesday toward landing the exemption. The final round is Saturday. “I am 100% nervous,” S.H. Kim said. “A lot of pressure.” He added he's struggling with knee and back injuries and was not optimistic about his chances in the individual event. “Team gold is easier,” he said. Japan led the men's team competition after the first round, with South Korea and China two strokes behind. In the individual event, Wang Wei-hsuan of Taiwan and Kazuki Higa of Japan were tied at 5-under 65 atop the leaderboard at Kasugi Country Club. Mun Do-yeob, the third member of the South Korea team, was tied with four others at 4-under 66. Unlike his teammates, 35-year-old Mun doesn't need the exemption. In South Korea most men serve 18-21 months of military service. “I already finished my military service so I don’t really think about the military (exemption)," Mun said. “But I want to play good, so we make our team get a gold medal... to make sure they don't go to the military.” The format is 72 holes of stroke play. The teams are made up of three players, but only the best two scores count each day toward the team total. Mun led South Korea with a 66 and Tom Kim shot 67. S.H. Kim shot a 68, so his score was excluded from the team total of 133. Japan was in at 131 with Higa's 65 and a 66 by Keita Nakajima. “I went to the military really early,” Mun said. “It gave me a lot of experience, but I was lucky that I could play a little bit of golf at the army. Maybe three times a week. “I was teaching golf and I was picking up the golf balls from the generals’ driving range. But now they don’t have those kind of (assignments).”

Under 1,000 spectators watched Asian Games hosts Japan beat South Korea in the semi-finals of the women’s football at a 50,000-capacity stadium, with a top official admitting Wednesday that attendances at some events were “disappointing”. Japanese organisers have been on the defensive over ticket sales since the opening ceremony on September 19 took place in front of thousands of empty seats in Nagoya. Officials said on that occasion that the threat of a typhoon put people off, and heavy rain...

MANILA, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas held off the University of the East, 98-87, to claim its second straight win in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena Wednesday. The Growling Tigers led by as many as 23 points but the Red Warriors came as close as six multiple times. Mark Llemit hit timely baskets to keep UE at bay and finish with 22 points on top of seven rebounds and three assits. Amiel Acido added 16 points and seven rebounds for the UST, which improved to 2-1 for a 4-way tie with NU, UP, and Ateneo at the upper half of the standings as of posting time. UE dropped to 0-4 and suffered its 24th straight loss dating back to Season 87.

Alex Eala dug deep in Set 1 before completing a 7-5, 6-0 win over the gritty Joanna Garland of Chinese Taipei in the 2026 Asian Games women's tennis singles quarterfinals on Wednesday in Japan.

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino ace Alex Eala secured a bronze medal finish in the 20th Asian Games tennis women's singles play as she advanced to the semifinals with a 7-5, 6-0 win over Taiwanese Joanna Garland at the Center Court of the Nagoya City Higashiyama Tennis Center in Japan Wednesday afternoon. Climbing from a 4-5 deficit in the first set, world No. 18 and tournament top seed Eala overpowered and bageled world No. 143 and No. 8 seed Garland in the second to at least match her semis finish in the previous Asiad edtion in Hangzhou, China back in 2023. Eala faces world No. 85 and No. 4 seed Xiyu Wang of China in the semifinals.

MANILA, Philippines — A cool P2 million has been set aside for EJ Obiena following his gold medal win at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. Under Republic Act No. 10699, also known as the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, gold medalists in the Asian Games are entitled to receive P2 million. Meanwhile, silver medalists receive P1 million, and bronze medalists receive P400,000 for individual events. Obiena clinched the gold after clearing a record-breaking 5.91 meters, breaking his own previous record of 5.90 meters set during the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. Obiena snatched the third gold medal for Team Philippines in the Asian Games. Gymnast Carlos Yulo previously bagged the first two gold medals in the men's floor exercise and vault. TMT

CAMDEN, New Jersey — The answers Anfernee Simons gamely tried to offer about the first day of 76ers training camp were suddenly drowned out by the furious whirring overhead of a helicopter leaving the team's complex. LeBron James ' helicopter. James indeed used the rotorcraft for the rich to take him after practice from New Jersey to presumably close to wherever he decided to live in New York. The helicopter noises are usually reserved for when billionaire team owner Josh Harris lands at the complex for the NBA draft or a major news conference. Not anymore. The Sixers were quickly caught in the whirlwind of the first days of the LeBron Effect, even as a pair of players and coach Nick Nurse professed all was good on the court. Off the court, make room. Sixers staff moved the news conference backdrop from a corner where a few dozen reporters are usually stuffed to shout questions at Joel Embiid or Tyrese Maxey to a spot closer toward midcourt for a roomier feel for the more than 50 credentialed reporters, bloggers, TV camera operators and more that came to get an early report card on James' official first day as a Sixer. James was gone Tuesday by the time media was allowed on the court to watch practice. Embiid, Maxey, former Boston star Jaylen Brown, they were all absent, too, a day after holding court on media day. Nurse is starting his fourth season as coach of the Sixers. He's used to handling the demands that come with working in a major market and dealing with star players in Philly such as with Embiid and his daily injury report or the high drama that surrounded former Sixer James Harden. Nurse did say he had conversations with the team about looking out for each other and staying connected while navigating a spotlight season — especially early — that already has a postseason-type of aura around the franchise before the Sixers even played a game. “It is going to be different,” Nurse said. “More people, more eyes, more stories, more national TV. All that kind of stuff. It's the same, just a little more. I'm just trying to get to the practice floor and to the game floor. If we can do those two things, all that other stuff, we'll just kind of handle it as smoothly as we can.” Nurse called the sight of so much talent “impressive” once the Sixers hit the floor for practice. James is a future Hall of Famer. Embiid has certainly built a strong case. Brown was an NBA Finals MVP and champion with the Celtics. Maxey earned his first All-Star start last season and has blossomed into an elite talent. The fifth starter is more than just, oh, that other guy. VJ Edgecombe was third in rookie of the year voting last season and his buoyant personality and defensive playmaking made him an instant fan favorite and immediate force in helping the Sixers return last season to the playoffs. Edgecombe worked out with James over the summer and volunteered that he orchestrated the starting five group text thread — well, once he asked Maxey for James' number. That was all cool. Yet the magnitude of the moment truly hit him ahead of practice when James put on his No. 23 jersey in the same locker room as Edgecombe. The 21-year-old Edgecombe tried not to get starstruck. He called James a teammate, a brother, a Sixer who will fight on the court side by side with them to chase the franchise's first championship since 1983. Maybe. But he's still LeBron James. “It's like, damn, that's still Bron,” Edgecombe said with a laugh. “He was in the locker room and I'm like, oh, that's Bron over there. His locker was open. He was in there before everybody as usual. He dapped me up, he's like, ‘what up? what up?’ We know each other for a minute.” Edgecombe smiled as he tried to convince himself he's expunged the fan boy from his system. “I ain't gonna be like that no more,” Edgecombe said to laughter. True to his word, Edgecombe said he had to get loud during practice and give James some defensive instruction on when to switch off. “We forgot. We messed up a switch,” Edgecombe said. “But that's what happens. We're getting to know each other. It's a new system for him. Everything is on the fly right now.” It was soon time for James to fly home — all while the Sixers basked in the successful first day of what could be the NBA ride of a lifetime.

MANILA, Philippines – Playing 18 holes in a bowtie under the sweltering heat of an exacting golf course is hardly the ideal recipe for a breakthrough. Yet Miki Ryoma did just that Wednesday, shrugging off the discomfort – and seemingly everything else the Iloilo Golf and Country Club threw at him – to fire a near-flawless 66 and emerge as the bewildered leader halfway through the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge here. The 35-year-old Japanese kept his cool in conditions that tested patience and precision, matching the aggressive charge of a slew of local aces before pulling ahead by one with a clutch run of pars for a six-under 134, one stroke ahead of first-round leader Jhonnel Ababa. “I hit all fairways, reached all greens and made five birdies against one bogey,” said the amiable Ryoma, whose assessment underscored the key to surviving the par-70 layout: “The most important thing on this course is the tee shot.” His performance was all the more remarkable considering the heat that replaced the stiff winds of the opening round, without making the course any less demanding. Tough pin placements, tight fairways, thick rough and slick greens continued to punish even the slightest lapse. Ryoma, however, stayed within himself. While most of the leading contenders opted for caution on a layout that demanded patience and precision, he continued to trust his long game, pulling the driver 10 times and consistently putting himself in position to attack. “I didn’t play steady in the first round but hit it solid today. But you really have to be in the fairway to get a chance to make birdies,” said Ryoma, a Saitama native whose closest brush with a Philippine Golf Tour title came in his rookie campaign in 2016, when he lost to Tony Lascuña by one at Eagle Ridge. A decade later, after a string of underwhelming finishes, Ryoma suddenly found himself just 36 holes away from the PGT crown that has eluded him. But the Japanese journeyman knows there is still a long way to go. Ababa, the opening-round leader, slipped to second at 135 after a 68, surrendering the top spot after a bogey on the first hole and a stretch of eight straight pars on the front nine. “Sobrang hirap ng course at sobrang init. Hindi mo talaga masasabi kung gaganda ang score mo sa isang araw,” said Ababa, acknowledging the challenges and test that await each bidder in the P2.5 million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, inc. “Sa bandang dulo, medyo nag-play safe ako dahil hindi maganda ang tee shot,” said the former Order of Merit winner, adding that he never felt pressured, especially with his putting clicking. Ira Alido made the biggest move of the day, turning in a fiery 65 to charge into contention at 136. After a bogey on No. 2, Alido caught fire, making six birdies over the next 16 holes to share third with fellow bemedalled campaigners Reymon Jaraula and Clyde Mondilla. Jaraula and Mondilla had both been part of a four-way tie for the lead midway through the day but stumbled in the stretch. Jaraula suffered a double bogey on No. 13 and another bogey before checking the slide with a birdie on the 17th, salvaging another 68. Mondilla looked poised to take control after a four-birdie burst on the front nine but wavered late, making two bogeys over the last four holes to settle for a second straight 68 and a share of third. Art Arbole, meanwhile, continued his bid to build on last week's breakthrough in Negros Occidental, where he ended a 14-year wait for a PGT title. He was four-under with two holes left to play from No. 10 and appeared headed to pull within a stroke of Ryoma, only to bogey the eighth and scramble for par on the last for a 67. Still, the round moved him to 137, just three shots off the pace, alongside Francis Morilla and Rupert Zaragosa, who carded 67 and 69, respectively. The leaderboard remained tightly packed, with another group lurking just a shot farther back. Young Kristoffer Arevalo shot a 67 to lead the 138 scorers, joined by James Ryan Lam, Jeffren Lumbo and Lakewood leg winner Justin Quiban. Lam also briefly threatened to take control, reaching three-under with four holes left before a bogey on No. 7 and a double bogey on No. 8 knocked him back. He birdied the ninth to salvage another 69. Lumbo, runner-up to Arbole last week, birdied two of his final six holes to likewise post a second straight 69. Quiban, meanwhile, refused to be discouraged by his opening 72. After a bogey on No. 14, he bounced back, ripping off five birdies over the last 13 holes to shoot a 66 and thrust himself into the mix. But for all the movement around him, the day ultimately belonged to Ryoma. He matched Ababa's three-birdie burst from No. 10 before a three-putt bogey on No. 13 briefly halted his momentum. He responded by grinding out a string of pars, then picked up birdies on Nos. 3 and 5 before safely navigating the difficult closing holes. The surprising part? Ryoma didn't even know he had taken the outright lead. “I didn't know I'm in the top during the round, so I didn’t feel any pressure. I just wanted to play good on this course,” he said. Perhaps that was just as well. Ryoma arrived in Iloilo coming off a tied-18th finish in Negros Occidental, his best result in four PGT starts this season as he continues to shuttle between the Philippines and Japan, where he also competes. And then there was the bowtie. In the punishing Iloilo heat, Ryoma played the first 36 holes dressed in the unusual accessory, an idea he admits he hasn't exactly embraced. “I really don’t like wearing it. I’m not comfortable,” he said with a smile, pointing at the bowtie. His wife, however, has other ideas. “She told me to wear it every round, every tournament,” he said. Ryoma, who has built a modest following on YouTube, said his wife came up with the idea of adding something “extraordinary” to his look in hopes of giving him a distinctive presence on social media. The bowtie certainly did that. On Wednesday, though, it was Ryoma's golf that stole the show. Despite the heat, the humidity and the awkwardness around his neck, he found the fairways, hit the greens, made the birdies when they mattered – and walked off the course with a one-shot lead and a genuine shot at the title. The bowtie may have been his wife's idea. The 66 was all Ryoma. TMT