Bolick prioritizes NLEX title over BPC honors

Manila Times - Nov 6, 2026

WHILE Robert Bolick’s bid to win his first Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award received a big boost last weekend following NLEX’s entry into the final four, the explosive guard insisted that team championship remains his biggest mission and motivation. The Road Warriors marched to the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup semifinals almost a week ago following their 137-89 win over the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters to complete a three-game sweep of their best-of-five quarterfinal series. The 31-year-old Bolick averaged 24.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 steals in NLEX’s dominant quarterfinal outing that enhanced his bid for the BPC plum. The former guard San Beda standout has led the race for the individual award since the end of the elimination round. “Of course that’s fun (but) as a player, that’s (individual awards) not what we are aiming for ... like everyone wants (to win a championship),” he said in Filipino. “The individual awards, it’s nice to have since you work for it everyday (in practice). And I’ve been number one (in stats race) many times but I always fail (to win the BPC award). But now I’m happy because at least, I have an opportunity to win,” he added. Bolick, the...

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San Diego takes solo lead in Asean chessfest

Nov 6, 2026

San Diego takes solo lead in Asean chessfest

SINACABAN, Misamis Occidental — As her more illustrious Filipino compatriots fell on the wayside,  Woman International Master (WIM) Marie Antoinette San Diego was on fire on a humid Thursday, posting back-to-back wins against foreign rivals to seize the women's open solo leadership before the 7th Asean Individual Chess Championships took a break here Friday. After an impressive victory over Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Altan-Ulzii Enkhtuul of Mongolia, San Diego played with more confidence in handling the white pieces on Thursday afternoon's fifth round, besting erstwhile unbeaten and frontrunner WIM Bordoloi Pratitee of India  in 41 moves of the Queen's Gambit Declined. So dominant was San Diego's execution in taking the opening advantage that it led to a favorable tactical melee, thus paving the way for Pratitee to lose a rook, then her queen. The 27-year-old San Diego from Dasmariñas City now has 4.5 points as she handles black at the top board opposite Indian WIM Shakira Devi Herfesa, who has 4.0 points, when the games resume on Saturday here at the Asenso Misamis Occidental Resort and Adventure Park (Amorap). "Talagang magaling si San Diego medyo out of form lang  'nung ginawang elimination that she missed the cut for the Philippine women's team in the recent Samarkand Olympiad. Mas disiplinado siya ngayon (San Diego is truly talented. She just happened to be a bit out of form during the elimination that is why she didn't make the cut for the Philippine women's team for the recent Samarkand Olympiad. She is more disciplined now)," San Diego's former chess coach with De La Salle University Susan Grace Neri-Gonzales told The Manila Times. While the Asean chess fest offers a direct WGM title for the champion in the women's open field, Neri-Gonzales said San Diego's toppling of the top guns at the half of the nine-round Swiss System event had already gained her a WGM norm with performance ratings of 2488. Playing on board 3, Mindanao's biggest female hope WIM Ruelle Canino from Cagayan de Oro took a breather when she gained the upperhand in the opening phase of a Sicilian defense tiff against Herfesa. The country's youngest Olympiad campaigner heads to the middle game with a pawn up and a dominant center. But choosing to complicate matters rather than exchanging major pieces dearly cost her the match. "Nag-panic ako," said Canino, who was time-pressured and outdueled by Herfesa in the race for queening passed pawns. Canino's mentor and Olympiad teammate in the country's only WGM Janelle Mae Frayna won her fifth-round assignment, but early losses dropped her to 19th spot in the 34-man field with only 2.5 points to show heading to the last four rounds. Foreign visitors have continued to dominate the men's rivalry with eight of them making the top ten in the leaderboard headed by the unbeaten duo of International Master (IM) Erdene Baasansuren of Mongolia and Grandmaster Duck Hoa Nguyen of Vietnam with identical 4-point output. Just in striking distance is the highest performing Filipino, FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri from Escalante, Negros Oriental at third place with 3.5 points. While compatriot GM Darwin Laylo, who is also undefeated but with many draws, sits at 7th place with 3 points. "Pero malayo pa 'yan, marami pa ang pwedeng mangyari (It's too early to tell, many things can still happen)," Laylo said. Mindanao hopeful IM Christian Gian Carlo Arca of Zamboanga, after suffering his second loss, rebounded with a victory over veteran Cebuano IM Rico Mascariñas to join a big bunch of 2 pointers in the top 20 among 40 competitors in the men’s side.

Gilas only has one week to prepare

Nov 6, 2026

Gilas only has one week to prepare

GILAS Pilipinas coach Tim Cone will be making the most of the weeklong preparations allotted to them before plunging into action on Nov. 27 against Syria for the first of the national squad’s two-game schedule in the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers in Seremban, Malaysia. Cone said the Philippine team will be regrouping on Nov. 20, and will fly out to Kuala Lumpur to start the national squad’s training. “We expect all the players to be available by Nov. 20,” Cone said in a recent message with The Manila Times. Japan B. League Asian imports Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Mike Phillips, Quentin Millora-Brown and Kai Sotto will be available for Gilas Pilipinas duties by that time, along with Kevin Quiambao, who plays in the Korean Basketball League. Carl Tamayo, however, is out for the November window after injuring his ankle. The PBA is taking a break from its Season 50 Governors’ Cup semifinal series to give way for the Philippine team’s preparation and tournament. The Philippines will enter the November window in high spirits following its back-to-back home victories over Jordan and Iran, two traditionally powerhouse basketball squads in West Asia. Sotto has also made himself available for the games against Syria on Nov. 27 and Iran on Nov. 30. The 7-3 Sotto has just recovered from a knee problem which forced him to miss several games with his Japan B.League squad Altiri Chiba. And once he gets the green light, Cone said the shot blocking big man will be ready to reinforce Gilas Pilipinas once more. Sotto played a major role in the Philippines’ wins over Jordan and Iran that saw him average 15.5 points, 15 rebounds and over 3 assists in the Manila window. The Philippines remains in the hunt for a spot in the FIBA World Cup, which Qatar will be hosting in Doha in 2027. The Philippines carry an even 4-4 record, just a game behind Iran and Jordan in Group E standings, which share similar 5-3 slates. They are trailing Australia’s immaculate 8-0 record and New Zealand’s 6-2 card. Syria is at the rear of the group with a 2-6 card, the two victories courtesy of the squad’s wins over Iraq. Barring any major injuries, Gilas Pilipinas is favored to win over Syria. The Iran game though is expected to be a tough match for the Philippines considering how the Filipinos had to battle through poor shooting and an early 13-point deficit, before completing the comeback win at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in their Aug. 30 clash. Bennie Boatwright, who recently acquired his Philippine passport, is expected to don the Gilas Pilipinas jersey for the first time as a naturalized player as Justin Brownlee’s health status is still uncertain. The top three teams will earn outright FIBA World Cup slots, while the best fourth-placed squad between Group E and F will also secure a spot in the tournament in Doha.

Eala advances to semifinal round in Hong Kong

Nov 6, 2026

Eala advances to semifinal round in Hong Kong

MANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala survived another high intensity match at the 2026 Hong Kong Open, this time defeating Antonia Ruzic of Croatia, 7-6 (7), 7-5, to march into the semifinal round at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium on Friday evening. It took Eala, ranked 17th in the world, 80 minutes and four set points to close out the opening set against Ruzic, ranked 81st in the world. The match carried a sense of déjà vu for spectators, recalling Eala’s 6-4, 7-6 (7) win over Tereza Valentova on Thursday where the second set alone lasted one hour and 32 minutes. Friday's match, however, was suspended by rain for nearly 30 minutes with Eala in the upper hand, 4-3. Upon resumption, Ruzic seized the momentum and took a 5-4 advantage. Eala, however, recovered her bearing and reeled off back-to-back wins to move ahead at 6-5. The Filipina held a 40-love advantage before the Croatian scored back-to-back points, 40-30, one point away from erasing Eala’s lead. But Ruzic committed an attack error that gave Eala the victory, 7-5, ending the second set in 70 minutes. “It was a rollercoaster for sure, an incredible battle. I don’t know what inspires me to dig deeper. I am blessed to play another round here,” Eala said after the game. Eala will next face No. 30 Maria Sakkari of Greece in the semifinals. This is Eala’s first semifinal appearance in the WTA Tour since her Washington Open title run in August.

Alex Eala beats Antonia Ruzic, reaches Hong Kong Tennis Open semis

Nov 6, 2026

Alex Eala beats Antonia Ruzic, reaches Hong Kong Tennis Open semis

Alexandra Eala defeated Antonia Ruzic, 7-6(7), 7-5, in the quarterfinals of the Hong Kong Tennis Open to advance to the semifinals.

Sorana Cirstea confirms retirement after Hong Kong exit, defends under-fire Mirra Andreeva

Nov 6, 2026

Sorana Cirstea confirms retirement after Hong Kong exit, defends under-fire Mirra Andreeva

Alexandra Shubladze’s mother and coach, Oksana, was overcome with emotion courtside after her daughter beat Sorana Cirstea into retirement on Friday to reach the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open semi-finals. Competing in a main WTA 250 draw for the first time, Shubladze, whose progress was stalled by a torn anterior cruciate ligament two years ago, blew away Cirstea, the shell-shocked No 1 seed, 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 27 minutes. Now, having achieved one “childhood dream” in Hong Kong when she...

Converge makes semis for first time in PBA

Nov 6, 2026

Converge makes semis for first time in PBA

Converge played with a lot of poise as it finished off Rain or Shine, 120-109, to win their PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series, en route to barging into the semifinals on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Cameron Clark scored 10 of his game-high 32 points, while mercurial guard Mikey Williams knocked down back-to-back triples in the fourth quarter to practically win the game, and the series, 3-1. The FiberXers advance to the semifinals for the first time ever in franchise history and will face the NLEX Road Warriors. Williams added 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists whileJustin Arana added 16 points. Alec Stocktonchipped in 14 points while rookie Juan Gomez De Liaño finished with 13 points, 10 boards and five dimes. Aaron Fuller led Rain or Shine with 23 points and 20 rebounds whileJhon Clarito added 18 points.

PBA: Converge ousts Rain or Shine to reach first semis in franchise history

Nov 6, 2026

PBA: Converge ousts Rain or Shine to reach first semis in franchise history

Converge advanced to the semifinals for the first time in franchise history after defeating Rain or Shine, 120-109, in Game 4 of their PBA Governors" Cup quarterfinals series on Friday.

Hong Kong triathlon coach’s Hyrox fear, as World Cup arrives in city

Nov 6, 2026

Hong Kong triathlon coach’s Hyrox fear, as World Cup arrives in city

Andrew Wright fears that leading triathletes could desert the sport to compete in “simpler and easier” Hyrox, which this week inched closer to Olympic recognition. Hong Kong head coach Wright, whose team are set for a World Cup leg on Central Harbourfront this weekend, did not, however, share the concerns of triathletes who have voiced concerns over Hyrox potentially ousting their sport from the Games programme, after it announced a strategic partnership with World Triathlon. Max Stapley, Great...

PBA: San Miguel escapes Barangay Ginebra, forces Game 5 in quarterfinals

Nov 6, 2026

PBA: San Miguel escapes Barangay Ginebra, forces Game 5 in quarterfinals

The San Miguel Beermen forced a deciding Game 5 in their PBA Governors" Cup quarterfinal series after escaping Barangay Ginebra, 108-102, on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

JRU beats Benilde, secures twice-to-beat advantage in quarterfinals

Nov 6, 2026

JRU beats Benilde, secures twice-to-beat advantage in quarterfinals

MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rizal University took the upper hand in a tight race on top of Group A with a crucial 85-79 victory over College of Saint Benilde despite the return of two-time NCAA Most Valuable Player Allen Liwag to the Blazers lineup on Friday in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament  at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. The Heavy Bombers finished the elims with a 10-3 record to assure themselves of placing in the top two spots of Group A and a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinal round. St. Benilde, on the other hand, dropped to 8-4 but with one game left in their schedule, the Blazers have a chance to claim second place in Group A and the second quarterfinals incentive. Standing on the Blazers way are the Red Lions of San Beda who are currently in second place with a 9-3 record. They are slated to collide on the last day of the elimination round on Tuesday. A victory by the Blazers would give them the No. 2 spot by virtue of the winner-over-the-other rule while a loss would relegate them to third place.  However, a win by the Red Lions on Tuesday would catapult them to first place and relegate the Heavy Bombers to second place in Group A. Both of them, however, will have the twice-to-beat incentive against respective foes in the next round.  On Friday, JRU was led by Lawrence Mangubat who scored a game-high 27 points even as Sean Salvador and Jahmir Eligado added 16 points each. St. Benilde, on the other hand, was led by John Morales who scored 16 points.  Liwag, who returned after missing the first 11 games this season, scored only six points.

NCAA: JRU clinches twice-to-beat advantage on Mangubat career-high, spoils Liwag return for Benilde

Nov 6, 2026

NCAA: JRU clinches twice-to-beat advantage on Mangubat career-high, spoils Liwag return for Benilde

Jose Rizal University clinched a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals after defeating De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 85-79, in the NCAA Season 102 men"s basketball tournament.

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