LIVE: Alex Eala vs Talia Gibson – Pan Pacific Open Round of 16 TOKYO–Alex Eala came from behind to beat Talia Gibson 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Wednesday and said “it took a lot to turn that match around”. The world number 19’s recent run of early tournament exits

Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie underwent surgery to repair a fracture in his right foot, the team announced Wednesday.

Indiana Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton is expected to miss an undetermined amount of time with a strained left hamstring, ESPN reported on Wednesday.

ANTIPOLO—For the second straight game, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson delivered a performance that put TNT on the cusp of sweeping the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series with Magnolia. That despite facing a team known for its defensive tenacity. “I think they have a wonderful defensive team with their physicality, their size,” Hollis-Jefferson said after dropping 39

SCHEDULE: 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals ANTIPOLO—Rondae Hollis-Jefferson put on another big performance as TNT dominated Magnolia, 91-73, to move on the cusp of sweeping their best-of-five 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series on Wednesday at Ynares Center here. Hollis-Jefferson finished with 39 points and 15 rebounds as the Tropang 5G gained a 2-0 lead

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 89  basketball tournament – second round MANILA, Philippines–Far Eastern University held off Adamson University, 73-66, on Wednesday to snap its three-game losing streak in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Unlike in their season-opening loss to the Falcons where they blew a big lead in the fourth,

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves believe Anthony Edwards will be “good as new” following arthroscopic surgery for a lingering injury to his right knee, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said Wednesday. Edwards was scheduled for the cleanup procedure Thursday, after which the Timberwolves will have a clearer timetable for his return later this season, whether that becomes a matter of weeks or months. Connelly didn't specify the diagnosis, but Edwards was bothered by right knee pain last spring and limited to a career-low 61 games last season. He then suffered a hyperextension of his left knee in the first round of the playoffs that caused a deep bone bruise and kept him out for two games. Edwards was seen grabbing his knee with a grimace at one point Sunday during the home opener. Even after being listed as questionable to play Monday, Edwards scored 47 points in an overtime loss at Cleveland. His 133 points through four games is a franchise record. An MRI Tuesday revealed new damage for Edwards that was not detected in previous scans, which were done before training camp and during the playoffs. His condition this summer was not such that a procedure would have been recommended then, Connelly said. “He wants to play tonight. He looked pretty good the other night, having the 47,” Connelly said before the Timberwolves hosted Golden State. “We’re just concerned about his long-term health. We want to make sure we’re putting him in the best position he can be so he can be the best version he’s going to be for a long time.” Edwards, ever the intense competitor, consented to the surgery “kicking and screaming,” Connelly said. “He’s bummed, but Anthony is such a naturally positive and upbeat guy,” Connelly said. “He’s hit all his teammates quickly and said, ‘You guys got it,’ and we’ll roll from there.” The Timberwolves are already without guard Donte DiVincenzo, who started all 82 games last season before tearing his right Achilles tendon in the same playoff game against Denver during which Edwards hyperextended his left knee. The acquisition of point guard LaMelo Ball remade the lineup and gave the Timberwolves a fresh spark, moving Edwards back to his natural shooting guard spot. There's plenty of backcourt depth with Ayo Dosunmu and Terrence Shannon Jr. coming off the bench so far this season, with one of them likely to start in the absence of Edwards. Another backup, Bones Hyland, will likely have an elevated role as well. “We know he brings dynamic scoring, leadership. Tough to fill in his shoes, just from what he does on the floor for us. Nobody can be like Ant, but we've got players who can step in and just take over a game as well,” Hyland said. “Just play team basketball.”

LIVE: Alex Eala vs Talia Gibson – Pan Pacific Open Round of 16 MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala stormed back to beat Australia’s Talia Gibson, 4-6, 6-2, 6-0, and reach the Toray Pan Pacific Open quarterfinals on Wednesday night in Tokyo, Japan. Eala clinched her first WTA quarterfinal appearance since August 1, when she won her maiden

SCHEDULE: 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals MANILA, Philippines–Barangay Ginebra was glad to see Isaac Go put together a vital performance in Game 1 of their 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series with sister team San Miguel Beer on Tuesday. Go’s 14 points and four rebounds in 19 minutes helped the Gin Kings take a 104-95

MANILA, Philippines–Ateneo captured the inaugural UAAP women’s badminton team event title under the new format, defeating National University, 3-1, on Wednesday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City. The Blue Eagles now have an early advantage in their bid for back-to-back crowns and a chance to close in on the University of the Philippines’ record

MANILA, Philippines — Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin gave Alina Bicar her due, with the setter spelling the difference in the Flying Titans’ 3-1 start in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Conference. It’s been years since the Flying Titans started this strong in a conference, and Bicar is one of the new players on

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 89  basketball tournament – second round MANILA, Philippines–Ateneo completed an elimination-round sweep of National University with a 69-65 win on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Jared Bahay and Kieffer Alas hit clutch 3-pointers as the Blue Eagles got back on a winning track while

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida— Milwaukee was three outs from its first World Series title when Junior Camerino started the bottom of the 12th inning with a grounder to third. Thousands of Brewers fans who trekked to Tropicana Field to witness the long-awaited moment started to cheer. Not so fast. Third baseman Joey Ortiz bounced the throw,

MANILA, Philippines — For Caitlin Viray, coming back home to Choco Mucho was one thing. Finding her rhythm again after two years away was another. After spending three seasons with Choco Mucho, Viray moved to Farm Fresh, where she played throughout 2024 and 2025. Her return to the Flying Titans in early 2026 reunited her

MANILA, Philippines–University of the Philippines will compete in the upcoming Asian University Basketball League (AUBL) under a new home-and-away format for the group stage. The Fighting Maroons will represent the Philippines against schools from Japan, South Korea, China and Mongolia. UP, which leads the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament with a 7-2 record, is

Major brands in China have dropped French football star Kylian Mbappe, saying he “hurt the feelings of the Chinese people” after a video circulated online in which he apparently joked about former leader Mao Zedong. He is the latest in a string of global athletes to have faced public backlash and financial repercussions in China

PARIS–Stan Wawrinka bid farewell to tennis on Tuesday, bringing the curtain down on a decorated 24-year career after a first-round exit at the Basel Open. The 41-year-old Swiss announced earlier in the season that his last tournament as a professional would be the ATP 500-level event in his home country and a 7-5, 7-6 (7/2)

CREAMLINE looks to stay unscathed as the defending champion faces Capital 1 in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Santiago Sports Arena in Santiago, Isabela, on Thursday. Undefeated through three matches, the Cool Smashers take on the Solar Spikers at 6 p.m. The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles and the PLDT High Speed Hitters open the double-header at 3:30 p.m. Creamline is coming off a 25-19, 16-25, 26-24, 25-17 win against Zus Coffee last Saturday to lead the league with nine points. Making her PVL return after serving as team captain of the Alas Pilipinas national team at the Asian Games, Jia De Guzman tossed 17 excellent sets to orchestrate the Cool Smashers’ offense. “It’s great. I love the level that we’re playing at, and of course, I love being back home with Creamline,” said De Guzman. The eight-time PVL Best Setter said it is always a joy to play with her teammates again. “It’s also exciting because we get to compete against other teams and see the talent within our own team and among our opponents. The challenge is also there on the coaching side,” she said. “But at the same time, as a setter, I also have the challenge of figuring out how to distribute the ball among the players our coaches want us to utilize. So far, we’ve identified our teammates’ strengths, and it’s up to us to figure out how to make the most of them. Our teammates have responded well,” she added. Alongside hitters Bernadeth Pons, Pangs Panaga and Tots Carlos, De Guzman looks to continue to steer the Creamline against a Capital 1 side eager to bounce back from a loss. The Solar Spikers fell to the High Speed Hitters last Saturday, 25-21, 21-25, 21-25, 21-25. The Bella Belen-led Capital 1 fell to 2-2 with five points for sixth place. Meanwhile, PLDT looks to get a winning streak going after a breakthrough win against Capital 1 last timeout. Led by ace spiker Savi Davison, the High Speed Hitters (1-2) aim to climb from the cellar they are currently in with the Thunderbelles. ZUS is equally determined, if not more, especially being winless through three games. The Thunderbelles put up some fight but fell short against the Cool Smashers last Saturday.

GRANDMASTER Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. was crowned champion in the 34th Erkel Memorial Blitz Chess Championships held in Gyula, Hungary, on Tuesday. The Filipino chess grandmaster was unbeaten in the 7-round Swiss system tournament and finished with 6.5 points to secure the championship. GM Antonio opened the FIDE-rated tournament with back-to-back wins against Yuriy Pak of Kazakhstan and Sandor Kakuk of Hungary before drawing his third game against compatriot FIDE Master Mario Mangubat. He bounced back by defeating his next four opponents — Raghuraman Gububaran of India, FIDE Master Vedant Goswani of India, Kornel Tamas of Hungary and Erik Zsigmond Balogh of Hungary — to clinch the crown. Gububaran, whose only loss was against GM Antonio, scored 6.0 points and bagged runner-up honors. Mangubat, who scored 5.5 points, placed third in the blitz event that employed a five-minute time control with a five-second increment. “I am happy with my performance,” said Antonio, who remained active in the international chess circuit at age 64. Antonio and Mangubat are now playing in the 34th Erkel Memorial Chess Championships and will join the FIDE World Senior Chess Championships starting next week in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia. GM Antonio’s campaign in Europe is being supported by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chairman Alejandro Tengco, Philippine Sports Commission chairman John Patrick Gregorio, PSC commissioner Ed Hayco, National Chess Federation of the Philippines chairman Prospero Pichay Jr. and Philippine Economic Zone Authority director general Tereso Panga. FM Mangubat is backed by Pagcor. TMT

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin got back on level terms in the top of the fourth inning though with Pratt’s double off Tampa Bay starter Griffin Jax allowing Sal Frelick to score and make it 1-1. Tampa Bay regained the lead in the fourth inning though after an error by Brewers third baseman David Hamilton. Hamilton just failed to tag Caminero, and after an errant throw to first base, the Dominican slugger scrambled home to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead. Hamilton, however, was quick to make amends. In the top of the fifth inning, the 29-year-old smashed a 93 mph fastball from Jax into right center field for a solo run. From there it became a question of who would blink first, with both teams’ bullpens dominating the later innings to leave scoring chances at a premium. The breakthrough finally came through in the 12th inning after Pratt’s solo shot. Yet Tampa Bay’s subsequent rally ensured the series will extend into a Game 5 in Florida on Wednesday. “I’m glad we get to see another ball game tomorrow,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “The guys came through and swung the bat really well. “We just want to do everything we can to get to play the next day. I’m really impressed with the way the guys hung in there. That was a grind.” Brewers manager Pat Murphy backed his players to bounce back from the disappointment of coming within three outs of clinching victory. “I think the guys understand it’s going to be hard,” Murphy said. “You’re playing the best team in the American League. They proved it all year long, and they came up big today. It’s going to be hard. “When you’re achieving something like this, it’s going to have its adversity. We had some things go our way yesterday. They had some things go their way today. “That’s the way it is. You just live with it, and if you’re a competitor, you wake up tomorrow morning and come ready to play.”

NEW YORK — The NBA reigning champion New York Knicks finally got their first win of the season, beating the Detroit Pistons, 111-97, on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) with 27 points from Karl-Anthony Towns and 23 from Jalen Brunson. The Knicks, who broke a five-decade title drought in June but had lost their three opening games this season, overcame another slow start at Madison Square Garden to pull clear in the second half. They avoided the ignominy of being the first reigning champions since 1969 to start the following season, 0-4. “We got to remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. This is a new year, new team,” said last season’s NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Brunson, who added seven assists. “Adversity started early, so we just got to fight back.” The Pistons — who had won their first three games of the season — started fast, going 13 points clear at the beginning of the second quarter, thanks to free-scoring Paul Reed and Cade Cunningham. Brunson struggled early, shooting just 1-for 9 in the first half. But the Knicks pulled together for a remarkable rally, edging a single-point lead at halftime and roaring 25 points clear by the end of the third quarter. They restricted the Pistons to a combined 25 points across the entire second and third quarters. “I think we were just able to get stops, run a little bit, create a good enough lead, knowing that they were going to have a run in them to fight back,” said Brunson. With a home game against Charlotte looming on Wednesday, and his team 21 points down, Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff emptied the bench with 7 1/2 minutes remaining. The Knicks’ starters remained on court, and top-scorer Towns finished the night with 20 rebounds. The Pistons, who finished with the best regular-season record in the NBA Eastern Conference last year, are now 3-1. Reed top-scored with 22, while Cunningham had 19 points, eight assists and nine rebounds. Elsewhere, Victor Wembanyama helped the San Antonio Spurs to a 130-103 win over the Sacramento Kings with 29 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and two steals. The Spurs, who lost to the Knicks in last season’s finals, had endured their own slow start to this campaign with two opening losses, but moved to 2-2. San Antonio were rampant in a first half they led 80-54, with Wembanyama pouring in 23 points before the interval, and their lead barely dipped in a comfortable second half. Julian Champagnie scored 26 points. The Kings sank to 0-4. With Boston trailing by a single point at the very end of overtime, Jayson Tatum sank a game-winning buzzer-beater to ensure the Celtics won a thriller 125-124 against the winless Brooklyn Nets. A tense game, in which neither team ever opened a double-digit lead, had ended 117-117 after regular time. Tatum scored 40 points plus eight assists. AFP

NEW YORK — Minnesota Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards will undergo arthroscopic right knee surgery and is expected to miss around two months of the NBA season, US media reported on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). The 25-year-old playmaker, the top pick of the 2020 NBA Draft by the T-Wolves, helped the United States capture gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. ESPN, citing unnamed sources, said Edwards began grabbing at his knee in a Sunday home victory over Toronto, but T-Wolves coach Chris Finch soon after called the knee a daily situation with no concern over a long-term injury. Edwards scored 47 points for the T-Wolves on Monday in a loss at Cleveland that dropp​ed the club to 3-1 on the season entering Wednesday’s game against Golden State. He had been listed as questionable for the contest due to the right knee injury but played a season-high 41 minutes. ESPN said Edwards now requires surgery and is set to miss up to two months, while the Athletic cited an anonymous team source saying Edwards is expected to miss at least two months. Four-time NBA All-Star Edwards averaged 24.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals a game over his first six NBA campaigns, all with Minnesota. This season, Edwards was off to the best start of his career with 33.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per contest over four games. ​AFP

GUANGZHOU, China — Tennis great Venus Williams fell to 0-13 in singles matches this year at age 46 after losing 6-2, 6-2 to teenager Lilli Tagger in the Guangzhou Open first round on Tuesday. Their 28-year age gap was reportedly a record difference between opponents in a WTA Tour match. The 18-year-old Austrian Tagger was born in 2008, the year Williams won the last of her seven Grand Slam singles titles at Wimbledon. Now ranked No. 599, Williams was playing her first singles match for two months since the US Open, where she lost in the first round to Sofia Kenin. Williams now has lost 16 straight singles matches on tour going back to July last year. She matched the 53rd-ranked Tagger with each landing 63 percent of their first serves, though Williams won just 60 percent of those points and her opponent won all of hers. Williams created no break-point chances, and Tagger took four of the 16 she had. Kenin also lost her round of 32 match, beaten 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-4 by Kaitlin Quevedo. AP

Apprentice Nichola Yuen Hang-yiu strengthened her grip on second in the jockeys’ championship with a treble as Britney Wong Po-ni and Jimmy Ting Koon-ho celebrated breakthrough wins at Sha Tin on Wednesday night. Continuing a dream start to the season, Yuen boosted her tally to 16 wins – 10 behind nine-time Hong Kong champion Zac Purton – with victories aboard Macanese Master, Yoda’s Choice and Giant Leap. “I’m very happy with all the opportunities I’m getting,” Yuen, 26, said. “I’m getting good...

SALT LAKE CITY — Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. will be sidelined for at least six weeks after tearing the MCL in his right knee during the second quarter of Utah’s 110-105 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Lauri Markkanen, who sprained his right wrist in the first quarter of the same game on Monday night,

MANILA, Philippines–National University captured the inaugural UAAP men’s badminton team title under the new format, beating Ateneo, 3-1, in Wednesday’s Season 89 final at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City. The Bulldogs head into the individual competitions with 15 points, ahead of Ateneo’s 12, and will look to sustain their momentum behind top-ranked shuttler Clarence

LOS ANGELES — Ja Morant and Deni Avdija scored 23 points apiece, Damian Lillard added 21 and hit a clutch 3-pointer with 43 seconds to play, and the Portland Trail Blazers remained unbeaten with a 136-129 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Luka Doncic had 41 points and nine assists in the

Deonte Burton took charge in the final period as NLEX repulsed a fighting Phoenix Super LPG, 124-117, to grab a 2-0 lead in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup best-of-5 quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. Burton scattered 10 of his 24 points in the final period, which saw the Road Warriors outscore the Fuel Masters, 31-23. Robert Bolick and Schonny Winston led NLEX with 31 points each as the team managed to overcome a Phoenix side that engaged the Group A top seed to 12 lead changes and 19 deadlocks. Marcellus Earlington led Phoenix with 22 points, while Ricci Rivero and big man Kai Ballungay each scored 21.

Robert Bolick and Schonny Winston formed a lethal one-two punch to steer NLEX to a 124-117 win against Phoenix in Game 2 of their PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup quarterfinals.

BEIJING — Football star Kylian Mbappe apologized for comments in which he apparently referred to Mao Zedong, the founding leader of Communist China, as a dictator, after facing backlash and losing brand deals with at least three different Chinese companies. “My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China