Kayla Sanchez misses podium by hair in Asian Games women's 100m free

Manila Times - Sep 22, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tanker Kayla Sanchez missed the podium by a hair in the 20th Asian Games women's 100m freestyle at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Japan Tuesday afternoon. Sanchez clocked 53.65 seconds, just 0.18 seconds slower than bronze medalist Cheng Yukie of China who timed 53.17. Siobhan Haughey of Hong Kong seized the gold medal with 52.45 seconds as Yu Yiting of China took the silver with 53.21. Heather White, the other Philippine bet in the final, finished 10th and last with 56.01 seconds.

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Cruspero, Morris post 3-title hauls in Siquijor jrs netfest

Sep 22, 2026

Cruspero, Morris post 3-title hauls in Siquijor jrs netfest

MANILA, Philippines — Alexa Cruspero and Matthew Morris turned the Governor’s Cup Juniors Tennis Championships into a showcase of their versatility, sweeping two singles crowns and one doubles title each as the Group 2 tournament wrapped up Sunday at the Capitol Tennis Courts in Siquijor. Cruspero saved her toughest battle for last. After cruising through her first three matches, the top-seeded Cruspero had to dig deep into her arsenal – and keep her composure – to outlast a stubborn Etha Seno, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, in a gripping girls’ 16-and-under final that could have gone either way. Cruspero came through with timely shots and clutch returns in the decider to deny Seno and claim the 16-and-U crown. She then completed her singles double by beating doubles partner Mercy Pinili, 6-3, 6-2, in the 18-and-U final. Morris matched Cruspero’s feat, ruling both the boys’ 16- and 18-and-under divisions before teaming up with Hazer Malicay to capture the 18-and-U doubles title. Morris survived Xian Calagos, 7-6(2), 2-1(ret.), to take the 16-and-U crown, then produced a far more emphatic finish in the premier division, blanking doubles partner Malicay, 6-0, 6-0, for the 18-and-U title. Cruspero and Morris later capped their respective three-title feats by joining Pinili and Malicay, respectively, in winning the 18-and-U doubles championships in the tournament presented by Dunlop and staged under the Palawan Pawnshop nationwide talent-search. Their MVP performances highlighted a busy week of tennis in Siquijor, which hosted the Governor’s Cup for the first time through the initiative of Gov. Jake Villa. The province also staged the inaugural Governor’s Cup Open, where Eric Jay Tangub emerged champion. The third-ranked Tangub stunned top seed JB Aguilar, 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(2), in the semifinals before defeating No. 2 Nilo Ledama, 6-3, 6-3, in the final to pocket the P50,000 championship purse in the event backed by ICON Golf & Sports and Palawan Group of Companies and sanctioned by Philta and Universal Tennis Rating. In the other junior singles finals, Seno bounced back from her 16-and-U setback by dominating the 14-and-U division, drubbing Zhynaiah Gargaceran, 6-0, 6-1. Calagos likewise gained redemption by beating James Estrella for the boys’ 14-and-U crown. Gargaceran took the girls’ 12-and-U title with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Athena Lanterna, while Dale Diamante ruled the boys’ youngest division, beating Leonid Sigeda, 6-0, 6-3. In the other doubles finals, Merylle Monte and Julienne Tampus defeated Rhonalyn Samson and Faith Banico, 8-1, for the girls’ 14-and-U crown, while Diamante and Estrella edged Prince Centino and Rothmuel Escobar, 8-5, in the boys’ 14-and-U final. In the Legends division, Roy Tan defeated Wisley Estrella, 8-5, to win the singles 35 title, while Jun Carreon captured the singles 50 crown with an 8-2 victory over Kurt Kilat Sr. TMT

Arbole holds nerve, wrests solo lead at ICTSI Negros Classic

Sep 22, 2026

Arbole holds nerve, wrests solo lead at ICTSI Negros Classic

MANILA, Philippines – Fourteen years of waiting have brought Art Arbole to a place he has long dreamed of reaching: the top of a Philippine Golf Tour leaderboard with a championship within sight. Arbole took a major step toward ending that long title drought Tuesday, producing a personal-best 36-hole total and a bogey-free 67 to seize solo control at the halfway mark of the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club. For the second straight day, the short but tricky layout yielded to Arbole’s steady all-around game. More importantly, the performance gave the journeyman his first outright lead after two rounds – a position that carried both promise and pressure as the tournament heads into the pivotal final 36 holes. “This is the first time that I was able to lead in two days. My game continues to come together – driving, irons and putting,” said Arbole, his eyes betraying the excitement of a player who knows how close he is to a long-awaited breakthrough. “I just need to stay focused day-to-day. Basta mag-connect lang lahat,” added Arbole, who overcame a double bogey in the opening round with an eagle and five birdies to share the lead with Jhonnel Ababa at 65. Now, with two rounds still to play, Arbole is refusing to look beyond the next shot. “Hanggang Thursday na lang. Ulitin mo lang ’yung ginawa mo sa first two days,” he kept telling himself as motivation. Focus lang sa mga shots na hindi mag-trouble. I’ll do my very best in the last two days,” said Arbole, who missed three birdie putts but made four scrambling pars at the back. “Mahirap talaga ang back nine ng Marapara,” added Arbole, who turned pro in 2012 with a career-best Top 5 finish. Arbole’s eight-under 132 put him one stroke clear of Ababa, but the chasing pack is close enough to make the third round a potential turning point. “Kailangan dito steady ang driving mo,” said Ababa, who stayed within striking distance with a 68 despite another costly bogey on the par-5 18th. Starting on No. 10, Ababa parred his first eight holes before dropping a stroke on No. 18 for the second straight day. He recovered in style, however, with three birdies on the front nine to salvage his round and move to 133. “’Yung back nine ko, hindi masyadong maganda dahil ilang greens lang tinamayan ko, tapos ’yung paborito kong hole – No. 18 – bogey na naman. Pero nakabawi naman sa front nine,” said Ababa. He rued a third shot that hit a divot on No. 18 after a solid drive and second shot. “Maganda naman yung drive ko at second shot sa No. 18, pero yung third shot tumama sa divot kaya na-bogey,” he said. Still, the former Order of Merit winner remains firmly in the hunt as he tries to add another title to his résumé after edging Guido van der Valk in a sudden-death playoff at Apo in 2024. Only one stroke separates the top two, while Jeffren Lumbo lurks three shots behind Arbole at 135. Lumbo erased the bitter memory of a triple-bogey 8 on No. 18 that marred his otherwise impressive opening-round 68, firing another 67 highlighted by four straight birdies from No. 4. He is tied with van der Valk, who also carded a three-under card in another scorching day. Lumbo is chasing a second PGT title after breaking through at South Pacific last year, while van der Valk is likewise looking to snap a lengthy title drought. Albin Engino carded another 68 to move into solo fifth at 136, while Clyde Mondilla also shot a 68 to join Randy Garalde (69), Russell Bautista (70), defending two-time champion Rupert Zaragosa (70) and Josh Jorge (71) in a share of sixth at 138. The tour’s biggest names all survived the cut and advanced to the final 36 holes of the P2.5-million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., but they now face a sizable deficit and will need a strong Moving Day charge to get back into the thick of the title fight. Aidric Chan shot a 69 but remained tied for 17th at 141 with Tony Lascuña, who slipped to 72, along with Ira Alido (70) and Edmar Salvador Jr. (70). Caliraya Springs and Summit Point leg winner Angelo Que rebounded from a 73 with a 69 to join Erwin Madrileño (70), Jobim Carlos (72) and Jay Bayron (75) at 21st at 142. Eight players caught the last bus at the cutoff score of 145: Rico Depilo (71), Kim Tae Soo (72), Jeremy Tandoy (72), Ramil Bisera (73), Boni Salahog (73), Gab Manotoc (74), Francis Morilla (75) and Kristoffer Arevalo (76). For Arbole, however, the numbers that matter most are 132 – and 14. The first is his halfway score. The second is the number of years he has spent chasing a PGT title. With two rounds left, the elusive championship that has stayed just beyond his reach is finally beginning to look tangible. TMT

Asian Games: QF-bound Gilas Women fall to mighty Japan in final group stage match

Sep 22, 2026

Asian Games: QF-bound Gilas Women fall to mighty Japan in final group stage match

Gilas Pilipinas Women closed out the group stage with an 89-67 blowout loss to host Japan on Tuesday, but are still heading into quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

Asian Games: Gilas Women 3x3 stuns Mongolia, dominates Macao to open bid

Sep 22, 2026

Asian Games: Gilas Women 3x3 stuns Mongolia, dominates Macao to open bid

Kacey Dela Rosa stood tall to steer Gilas Pilipinas Women to two dominant wins in the 2026 Asian Games women's 3x3 basketball opener on Tuesday at the Kinjo Futo Station Square Venue in Japan.

No backing down: POC chief Bambol Tolentino stands firm on 8-gold target in Asian Games

Sep 22, 2026

No backing down: POC chief Bambol Tolentino stands firm on 8-gold target in Asian Games

MANILA, Philippines — Despite early setbacks on Day 3 of the 2026 Asian Games, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino remains steadfast in his prediction that Team Philippines will bring home at least eight gold medals. In an exclusive interview, the POC chief made it clear that he is not backing down from his high expectations for the national squad. "There's no backing down from this. Like I said, there's nothing wrong with dreaming. It doesn't cost anything—it's free," Tolentino stated, emphasizing that the tournament has only just begun. When asked where the expected gold medals will come from, Tolentino rattled off a deep roster of remaining contenders, including mixed martial arts, Alex Eala, Carlos Yulo, EJ Obiena, boxing, athletics (Busong), 3x3 basketball, Mobile Legends, and jiu-jitsu. "That’s more than ten potential events. So we haven’t lost hope at all. We will definitely win golds," he declared. Tolentino highlighted that surpassing the country's previous four-gold haul remains highly achievable. He noted that today's Filipino athletes receive significantly better financial support, training allowances, and foreign coaching to help them level the playing field against heavily funded naturalized competitors from rival nations. His final word of encouragement to the athletes: "Just keep fighting. There are no replays... use strategy as well. Once you're ahead, don't get overly eager." "The gold rush is still on! Keep the faith, Pilipinas!" TMT

Asian Games: Levi Ruivivar stars as PH women's gymnastics team opens campaign

Sep 22, 2026

Asian Games: Levi Ruivivar stars as PH women's gymnastics team opens campaign

Filipino-American gymnast Levi Ruivivar spearheaded the Philippines" campaign at the 2026 Asian Games, shining in the individual apparatus as the women's artistic gymnastics qualifications kicked off on Tuesday at the Nagoya General Gymnasium in Japan.

Cone expects ‘full review’ after Gilas’ disappointing Asian Games campaign

Sep 22, 2026

Cone expects ‘full review’ after Gilas’ disappointing Asian Games campaign

MANILA, Philippines — Over a week after the PBA-backed Philippine team failed in its bid to retain the country’s basketball title in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, Gilas coach Tim Cone expects a “full review” of the team’s performance. The Manila Times asked the American mentor when the post-Asian Games evaluation be, but he gave no time nor date. “Not yet, but there will be a full review,” Cone said in a short response. Cone’s Gilas-Asiad squad didn’t have regular national players led by Dwight Ramos, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao, along with young big man Kai Sotto in Japan. Ramos and Co. are not given the green light to play by their respective clubs from Japan and South Korea since the Asian Games is not sanctioned by FIBA. Their unavailability left Cone with no choice but to form a separate Gilas team dedicated to play in the Asian Games in Japan. Sans naturalized player Justin Brownlee, who continues to recover from multiple injuries to his knee, hamstring and leg, Gilas got whitewashed twice by the Korean national team during their two-game invitational in Suwon, a week before the start of the Asian Games. The Philippines then opened the Asian Games with an 85-89 shocking loss to Bahrain, which was reinforced by four naturalized players. Gilas managed to redeem itself by smashing, 109-78, but disaster struck when the national squad suffered a 105-61 shellacking at the hands of China that dealt the death blow to the country’s title-retention hopes. South Korea went on to beat host Japan for the gold last Sunday, 67-57, while Iran subdued China, 79-70 to grab the bronze in the Asiad.

Aira Villegas makes quick exit in Asian Games

Sep 22, 2026

Aira Villegas makes quick exit in Asian Games

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino Olympic bronze medalist Aira Villegas made a quick exit in the 20th Asian Games after suffering a unanimous decision (0-5) loss to Indian Sakshi Chaudhary in the women's 51kg round of 32 at the Nishio Gymnasium in Japan Tuesday. Villegas, who served as a co-flag bearer during the meet's opening ceremony, couldn't get going as Chaudhary dominated. Villegas' loss dealt a huge blow to the Philippine campaign as she was one of the favorites to make a podium finish in the continental meet.

Sanchez, White enter 100m freestyle final; Chua to 200m back medal round

Sep 22, 2026

Sanchez, White enter 100m freestyle final; Chua to 200m back medal round

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino tankers Kayla Sanchez and Heather White advanced to the 20th Asian Games women's 100m freestyle final at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Japan Tuesday. Sanchez placed second in the heats with 54.22 seconds while White earned the 10th and last spot with 55.82 to make the medal round set at 4 p.m. later. Meanwhile, Xiandi Chua advanced to the women's 200m final after finishing eighth in the preliminaries with 2:14.87. The final is set for 4:20 p.m. In the men's side, Gian Santos splashed his way to the final of the 400m individual medley, placing eighth in the heats with 4:24.25 seconds. Santos competes for the medal at 4:08 p.m.

Asian Games: Filipina Olympian Aira Villegas exits early after falling to Indian foe in boxing opener

Sep 22, 2026

Asian Games: Filipina Olympian Aira Villegas exits early after falling to Indian foe in boxing opener

Filipina boxer Aira Villegas failed to shake off the ghosts of the past as another early Asian Games exit awaited the Paris Olympics bronze medalist on Tuesday at the Nishio Gymnasium in Japan.

PH women's kata team claims bronze in Asian Games

Sep 22, 2026

PH women's kata team claims bronze in Asian Games

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine women's kata team claimed bronze in the 20th Asian Games after defeating Thailand in the battle for third, 4-1, at the Toyohashi Gymnasium in Japan Tuesday morning. Samantha Emmanuelle Veguillas, Ysabielle Arrogante, and Rebecca Cyril Torres posted scores of 7.8, 7.7, 7.9, 8.7, and 8.1, compared to Thailand’s 7.6, 7.5, 7.7, 8.5, and 8.3 to seize the last podium spot. The Philippines thus raised its medal tally to three bronzes as of writing.

Yulo siblings push each other in search of Asian Games glory

Sep 22, 2026

Yulo siblings push each other in search of Asian Games glory

NAGOYA—Carlos and Karl Eldrew Yulo once sharpened their craft as young dreamers in Japanese gyms. The brothers returned here carrying a shared mission. Here, in the Asian Games, the brothers find themselves as not just competitors, but as teammates who push each other to greater heights. “I’m glad that I have someone to run to

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