Bulls acquire Buddy Hield in trade with Hornets for Rob Dillingham

Manila Times - Sep 28, 2026

CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls have acquired veteran guard Buddy Hield and cash from the Charlotte Hornets for guard Rob Dillingham. The teams announced the trade on Sunday. Hield, 33, is on the move for the second time in five days. He was traded from Atlanta to Charlotte on Tuesday. Hield played for Golden State and Atlanta last season, averaging 7.6 points in 51 games. He was traded from the Warriors to the Hawks in February. Chicago, which went 31-51 last season, is rebuilding under new leadership. Bryson Graham was hired as executive vice president of basketball operations in May, and Tiago Splitter was hired as coach in June. The Bulls selected Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain in the first round of the draft in June. They also signed Norman Powell in free agency. Dillingham, who turns 22 in January, was the No. 8 pick in the 2024 draft. He was traded from Minnesota to Chicago in the Ayo Dosunmu deal in February. The North Carolina native averaged 6.3 points and 2.2 assists in 65 games last season. Dillingham joins a Charlotte team that went 44-38 last year in its first winning season since 2021-22. The Hornets beat the Miami Heat 127-126 in the NBA's play-in tournament before...

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Lao says sorry for Asian Games mess

Sep 28, 2026

Lao says sorry for Asian Games mess

MANILA, Philippines — Despite barely warming his seat as president of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), Frank Lao is taking full responsibility and accountability for the lack of financial support for the national athletes competing in the 20th Asian Games. In a statement on Monday, Lao issued a humble apology to the Alas Pilipinas men’s squad — particularly team captain Bryan Bagunas — following his revelations about the severe lack of federation backing heading into this prestigious continental showcase. Lao, a distinguished businessman and chairman of Strong Group Athletics, admitted that upon stepping into office last month, he inherited a depleted treasury burdened with roughly P25 million in liabilities and outstanding payables. Compounding the crisis, financial assistance from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) remains frozen following the suspension and withdrawal of support by the International Volleyball Federation and the Philippine Olympic Committee last June — a fallout that effectively choked off the allowances of athletes preparing for the Asian Games. With that, Lao has begun digging into his own personal resources to settle federation debts, clear unpaid coaching salaries, and cover foreign travel expenses. In fact, before the Alas Pilipinas Men flew to Nagoya, he personally distributed P20,000 in pocket money to each player and shouldered the round-trip airfare for late addition Owa Retamar.    “As president of the PNVF, I take full accountability for what happened to the allowances of both Alas Pilipinas Men and Women squads as well as the beach volleyball teams,” said Lao, who stayed until the wee hours of Monday trying to figure out how to solve this financial crisis and stabilize the morale of the athletes competing in the Asian Games.  “After taking over the PNVF in the middle of August, we were left with nothing but more than P25 million in debt. We are now starting to pay all the coaches, settle travel trips, and clear other payables that the federation owes them.” The PNVF had been mired in toxic leadership disputes long before Lao secured the presidency during the August 10 special elections at the Solaire Theater Southlinks Boardroom.    Yet, rather than pointing fingers or making excuses, Lao is turning the page and calling on stakeholders to rally behind the athletes. “Ako na ang humihingi ng pasensya na nagkulang kami. Pero bigyan nyo kami ng pagkakataon na makabawi sa inyo,” Lao said, displaying a rare corporate humility in the face of an administrative mess created and left by his predecessors. “Just give me some time po. Sa akin ito bilang presidente ng PNVF. I take this responsibility. Sorry po.” TMT

Alas Pilipinas bows to China in 2026 Asian Games, misses quarterfinals

Sep 28, 2026

Alas Pilipinas bows to China in 2026 Asian Games, misses quarterfinals

MANILA, Philippines — The embattled Alas Pilipinas men’s national volleyball team put up a spirited fight against World No. 34 China, but ultimately fell in four sets, 25-20, 25-21, 25-20, 25-21, in the preliminary round of the 2026 Asian Games on Monday at the Park Arena Komaki in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The loss drops World No. 115 Philippines to a 0-2 record in Pool D, eliminating them from quarterfinal contention as only the top two teams from each pool advance. While Alas held an edge in attacks—outscoring China 42 to 31—unforced errors proved costly for the Filipinos. The national team gave away 28 total points, including 10 service errors, compared to China's disciplined nine total errors and just three service faults. Lacking height and financial backing compared to their top-tier opponents, Alas was led by team captain Bryan Bagunas, who tallied 15 points on 12 attacks and three aces. Leo Ordiales added 11 markers, while middle blocker Peng Taguibolos chipped in nine. Playmaker Owa Retamar dished out 12 excellent sets, while Joshua Magalaman and Marck Espejo contributed six and five points, respectively. China mounted a balanced offense to secure the win, led by Zihua Wen’s team-high 10 points. Yongzhen Li and Bin Wang added eight points apiece, supported by Yuantai Yu (6), Lei Li (4), and Chuan Jiang (2). Alas Pilipinas, which placed 13th in the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, will seek its first victory of the tournament when it closes out pool play against World No. 55 Taiwan on Tuesday.