Alex Eala shrugs off weather conditions, possible WTA fine as she chases Asian Games gold

GMA Network - Sep 28, 2026

Despite the rain, a shuffled schedule, and even the possibility of a WTA fine, Alex Eala remains focused on chasing Asian Games gold.

Read full article

More News

Alex Eala to face Chinese Taipei's Joanna Garland in Asian Games QF

Sep 28, 2026

Alex Eala to face Chinese Taipei's Joanna Garland in Asian Games QF

Alex Eala will square off against Joanna Garland, the highest-ranked player of Chinese Taipei, in the women's singles quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Games tennis competition.

Jockey Club investigates reasons for concerning decline in local turnover to start new season

Sep 28, 2026

Jockey Club investigates reasons for concerning decline in local turnover to start new season

The Jockey Club is investigating reasons for declining local turnover to start the new season, which chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges labelled a concern. Local wagering on Sunday’s 11-race card at Sha Tin dropped 11.5 per cent on last year to HK$1.359 billion – the fifth time local turnover was down from six meetings so far this term. While field sizes tend to be an issue this early in the season, with some trainers holding back their horses because of the hot weather, the decline in...

The worst Asian Games ever? Japan has failed to raise the bar in Nagoya

Sep 28, 2026

The worst Asian Games ever? Japan has failed to raise the bar in Nagoya

There have been times over the past week or so when you were left with the impression that Japan is holding the Asian Games only because everyone was too polite to say no several years ago. The rather haphazard nature of the organisation, and the tens of thousands of empty seats in venues around the Aichi-Nagoya region, is not indicative of a place that has wholeheartedly embraced its role as host to a sporting event that, in terms of competitor numbers at least, is bigger than the...

NCAA: Jamal Diaz sinks game-winner as Mapua breaks through at San Beda's expense

Sep 28, 2026

NCAA: Jamal Diaz sinks game-winner as Mapua breaks through at San Beda's expense

Rookie Jamal Diaz delivered in the clutch as Mapua University broke through in NCAA Season 102 with a 55-54 victory over San Beda University on Monday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

Asian Games: Carlo Paalam punches semis ticket, assured of at least bronze medal

Sep 28, 2026

Asian Games: Carlo Paalam punches semis ticket, assured of at least bronze medal

Carlo Paalam kept the Philippines" boxing gold medal hopes alive after beating China"s Zhang Jiamao by split decision in the men"s 55kg quarterfinals at the 2026 Asian Games on Monday.

Carlo Paalam defeats Zhang, assured of bronze in Asian Games

Sep 28, 2026

Carlo Paalam defeats Zhang, assured of bronze in Asian Games

MANILA, Philippines — Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 Asian Games men’s 55-kilogram (kg) boxing event after defeating Jiamao Zhang of China via split decision on Monday afternoon in Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Paalam almost spent a year outside of the ring and even skipped the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand—proving that he’s hungrier than ever to top his 2018 bronze finish at the Jakarta Asian Games.  The 28-year-old Paalam opened the first round strong after sending his opponent to the ropes, allowing three judges to score in his favor. The 27-year-old Zhang started to counter Paalam’s attack in the second round, dictating the first minute. However, Paalam changed his game plan and landed better blows, showing he was not overwhelmed by China’s attacks. Paalam gained four nods of the judges in the second round. Frustration showed on Zhang’s side as he tackled Paalam to the ground in the third round. However, Paalam remained tactical and threw one-two punches and made more jabs to secure his win.


Mapua stuns defending champ San Beda to pick up first NCAA S102 win

Sep 28, 2026


Mapua stuns defending champ San Beda to pick up first NCAA S102 win

MANILA, Philippines — The Mapua University suffered a three-game skid before scoring a breakthrough victory against the defending champion San Beda University, 55-54, in Group A of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Monday afternoon at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. Mapua had a tough string of losses and finally cracked through the win column with the late-game heroics of Jamal Diaz, who was responsible to turn things around when San Beda was leading by 54-49 in the last one minute and 25 seconds of the final canto.  Diaz drained a triple with 54 ticks left, as San Beda's Sean Torculas missed a two-point jump shot.  With under 20 seconds left, Diaz delivered another triple with 12 seconds left that allowed Mapua to earn a 55-54 lead.  The Cardinals played hard-nosed defense, preventing San Beda from converting any points in the dying seconds of the match.  Diaz finished with eight points along with five rebounds.  Marc Cuenco led the scoring for Mapua with 19 points.  San Beda was led by Richi Calimag, who poured in 18 points, while Lawrence Hawkins made 13 markers along with eight rebounds.

LOOK: Mapua def. San Beda (55-54)

Sep 28, 2026

LOOK: Mapua def. San Beda (55-54)

Mapua def. San Beda, 55-54 Jamal Diaz Player of the Game #NCAASeason102

Nesthy Petecio falls to Chinese foe, exits Asian Games

Sep 28, 2026

Nesthy Petecio falls to Chinese foe, exits Asian Games

Nesthy Petecio fell short of a medal after absorbing a unanimous decision loss to Yang Chengyu of China in the 2026 Asian Games women's 60kg quarterfinals on Monday in Japan.

Eala dominates Thai foe to begin Asian gold bid on a high

Sep 28, 2026

Eala dominates Thai foe to begin Asian gold bid on a high

MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino tennis ace Alexandra "Alex" Eala began her 20th Asian Games gold medal bid on a high note after dominating Patcharin Cheapchandej in the round of 16, 6-1, 6-0, at the Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center Indoor Court C in Japan Monday afternoon. The second round match was supposed to be played outdoors at the Show Court but was moved indoors due to rains. The inclement weather also delayed the match for about five hours. The delay did nothing to bother the world No. 18 and tournament top seed Eala, who jumped on No. 505 Cheapchandej to dictate the match for the rest of the way. Raring to bounce back after a shock second round exit in Singapore last Thursday, Eala bageled Cheapchandej in the second set capped by a booming ace to close the match. Eala faces world No. 142 Joanna Garland of Taiwan in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. Garland defeated Mandegar Farzami in their round of 16 clash. Eala also competes in the doubles side with Shaira Rivera, as they face the Hong Kong tandem of Lai Ching Laam and Liu Kallista in the first round on Tuesday. Rivera got off to a winning start in the mixed doubles with Francis Alcantara as they defeated the Iranian duo of Meshkatolzahra and Kasra Rahmani, 6-4, 1-6, 10-8, last Sunday.

Alex Eala makes quick work of Thai foe, reaches Asian Games QFs

Sep 28, 2026

Alex Eala makes quick work of Thai foe, reaches Asian Games QFs

Alex Eala got off to a rousing start in her 2026 Asian Games debut, ousting Thailand's Patcharin Cheapchandej, 6-1, 6-0, in their rain-delayed Round of 16 bout on Monday at the Indoor Court C of the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Japan.

Nesthy Petecio bows to Chinese foe to cap Asian Games campaign

Sep 28, 2026

Nesthy Petecio bows to Chinese foe to cap Asian Games campaign

MANILA, Philippines — Two-time Olympic medalist Nesthy Petecio ended her podium bid in the 2026 Asian Games campaign after losing via unanimous decision over Chinese foe Chengyu Yang on Monday afternoon in Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Petecio, the most-bemedalled Filipina boxer, initially gunning for a podium spot in this edition, as this is her third time competing in Asiad. She flexed her southpaw stance early in the opening frame and exchanged volume of punches against Yang. However, despite Petecio making a combination of an uppercut, a straight punch, and an overhand left, she received a one-point deduction that allowed the Chinese to earn the five nods from the judges. Yang was less aggressive in the second frame, and Petecio switched things up after starting with an orthodox stance. The Filipino pug had a clean right hook, but it was not enough to impress the judges. Petecio loaded up her punches in the final round, hoping to win via stoppage. The Chinese boxer was playing smartly and was not engaging in the first minute, despite Petecio scoring a left hook. However, Yang managed to stay alive in the final round. Petecio earned a silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, followed by a bronze in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Recommended