Leclerc shows practice pace as Antonelli prowls in Mexico

Manila Times - Oct 30, 2026

MEXICO — Charles Leclerc topped the times for Ferrari ahead of runaway championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes in Friday's opening free practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Monegasque driver clocked a best lap time in one minute and 18.128 seconds to outpace the young Italian by 0.659 seconds in a session, with 10 rookie reserve drivers in action, that was punctuated by a brief Virtual Safety Car intervention. Antonelli, who had been absent from the circuit on Thursday to recover from a virus, can become the sport's youngest world champion on Sunday, and Italy's first since 1953, if he finishes in the top nine. He can also take the title if his two remaining rivals -- Mercedes team-mate George Russell and Ferrari's seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton -- fail to win. Russell sat out FP1 and watched as his replacement, reserve Frederik Vesti, finished third-fastest in the second Mercedes ahead of Hamilton. Another rookie Ayumi Iwasa was fifth for Red Bull in the car normally occupied by four-time champion Max Verstappen. Pierre Gasly was sixth for Alpine ahead of Aston Martin's two-time champion Fernando Alonso, Oscar Piastri of McLaren, Oliver Bearman of Haas and Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad. Isack Hadjar, in the second Red...

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NCAA: EJ Castillo delivers in OT as EAC edges Perpetual

Oct 30, 2026

NCAA: EJ Castillo delivers in OT as EAC edges Perpetual

MANILA, Philippines–EJ Castillo came up big in overtime as Emilio Aguinaldo College escaped Perpetual Help, 92-89, in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at San Andres Sports Complex on Friday night. Jude Bagay led the Generals with 26 points, but Castillo sank the crucial shots in the extra period to help EAC improve to

Alex Eala aiming to finish season with bang after Tokyo exit

Oct 30, 2026

Alex Eala aiming to finish season with bang after Tokyo exit

TOKYO, Japan - Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala lost in the quarterfinals in Tokyo on Friday and said she had "high motivation" to finish her breakthrough season with a bang next week in Hong Kong.

PBA: Ginebra crushes San Miguel for 2-0 quarterfinals lead

Oct 30, 2026

PBA: Ginebra crushes San Miguel for 2-0 quarterfinals lead

SCHEDULE: 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals MANILA, Philippines— Barangay Ginebra moved on the verge of advancing to the semifinals after blowing out San Miguel Beer, 126-99, to take a 2-0 lead of their 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Import Jordan Murphy once again played a major role in

Alex Eala falls to Shnaider anew after marathon Pan Pacific Open duel

Oct 30, 2026

Alex Eala falls to Shnaider anew after marathon Pan Pacific Open duel

LIVE: Alex Eala vs Diana Shnaider – Pan Pacific Open quarterfinals MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala lost another demanding battle against Diana Shnaider, ending her campaign at the Pan Pacific Open. In their second meeting in two weeks, Eala was beaten again by Shnaider, 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4, in their quarterfinal match that lasted two hours and 52

NCAA: John Morales shines as Benilde beats Lyceum in crucial win

Oct 30, 2026

NCAA: John Morales shines as Benilde beats Lyceum in crucial win

MANILA, Philippines—With the playoff race heating up in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament, St. Benilde turned John Morales to beat Lyceum, 107-103, at San Andres Sports Complex on Friday. Morales finished with 18 points, five rebounds and a steal in a timely breakout performance to help the Blazers secure their second straight win.

Cool Smashers OK with ‘all-to-play’ rule

Oct 30, 2026

Cool Smashers OK with ‘all-to-play’ rule

FOR the 10th year of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), the All-Filipino Conference-Siklab Series introduced the “all-to-play” rule, requiring every healthy player listed on the team’s roster to see action in every single game. And Creamline, the league’s 11-time champion, has no problems with it. Under the rule, each registered player must appear in at least one official match, and every player on the lineup must start at least one set or enter the game before the third set. While the requirement creates problems and ramifications for some teams, Creamline and its veteran-laden roster thrived in the tournament. The Cool Smashers currently sit atop the team standings with a perfect 4-0 record. On Thursday night, Creamline and its deep bench swept Capital1, 25-18, 31-29, 25-16, to the delight of the jam-packed crowd at the Santiago City Arena in Isabela. “I’m really happy because everyone is truly performing and contributing. I always say in interviews that everyone deserves to play, so I think this season is really for all of us,” Creamline star Jema Galanza said. The Cool Smashers, once again, are the favorites to dominate the league.  “It might seem simple to others, but for us, we’re enjoying the game more because everyone gets to play. You know, we also get excited for each other about what each one can bring, so instead of just focusing on the game, we’re enjoying it together.” Because of the “all-to-play” rule, competition in the ongoing tournament has been close with six of the 18 matches going the full five sets and another six lasting four sets. The rule, however, seems to favor Creamline which won two straight sets wins against Akari and Capital 1, and two four-set wins over ZUS Coffee and Galeries Tower. Creamline has a lot of weapons in its arsenal led by Galanza, Tots Carlos, Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao, Pangs Panaga, and Alyssa Valdez. “It’s always a big deal when we’re complete because Coach She can think more clearly about how to rotate the players and all that. And yeah, the contributions are really big, especially from Ate Jia and Pons,” Galanza said.

Misamis Occidental hosts 2 intl chessfests

Oct 30, 2026

Misamis Occidental hosts 2 intl chessfests

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Fresh from his World Chess Olympiad debut as head of the Philippine delegation in Samarkand, Uzbekistan last September, Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal Sr. is back as the generous host of big-time chess competitions in Mindanao. The chess-loving governor will kick off two of the country’s three international chess events this year to be successively held at the Asenso Misamis Occidental Recreation and Adventure Park (Amorap) in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental from Nov. 2 to 17. “Controversies are abound surrounding Philippine chess that are beyond anybody’s control. But the good governor has chosen to act on dispatch by sustaining what he soundly started in Northern Mindanao that will greatly benefit local chess development. In his leadership, Oaminal always believes that action speaks louder than words,” tournament organizer Rey Urbiztondo told The Manila Times. First to unwrap is the 7th Asean Individual Chess Championships from Nov. 2 to 10, followed by the Misamis Occidental Philippine International Championship from Nov. 10 to 17. The third international event dubbed as “AQ Prime International Open Chess Championship” is slated on Nov. 17 to 25 in Quezon City. Cagayan de Oro City pride Ruelle Canino and Mark Jay Bacojo from Santa Rosa, Laguna, who both gained their outright International Master titles from the 6th edition of the Asean+ chess last year in Ozamiz, will be back in their ambitious quest not only to rule the tournament but also to earn grandmaster titles. Also representing the Philippines in the tournament are International Masters Emmanuel Garcia, Paulo Bersamina, Michael Concio Jr. and Christian Gian Karlo Arca and FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri. Also in the list are their female counterparts Woman International Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Woman Fide Master Shania Mae Mendoza, Woman National Master Mhage Sebastian, and Janelle Mae Frayna, the country’s lone woman chess grandmaster. Reigning men’s champion Grandmaster V.S. Raahul from India will not be returning to Ozamiz to defend the crown. In Raahul’s place is the tournament top seed is Russian super GM Evgeny Romanov whose FIDE ratings peaked to 2662  in June 2013. Romanov will be heading to the province of Misamis Occidental after his triumphant finish in the Montenegro Open Mediterranean Championship recently. Last year,  Romanov dominated the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Championship, thus making him among the early 7th Asean title favorites in the company of Filipino GMs Daniel Quizon and Darwin Laylo and Vietnamese GM Duc Hoa Nguyen. Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Canino’s hunt for a direct GM title will be put to test in a strong field laced by WGMs in Frayna and foreign rivals Nguyen Thi Mai Hung and Hoang Thi Bao Tram of Vietnam, and Altan-Ulzii Enkhtuul of Mongolia. Woman International Master Evgenija Ovod, who spoiled the GM dream of fellow Russian Anna Shurova last year, will also be back to defend her Asean throne in this long tourney to be supervised by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines spearheaded by NCFP executive director GM Jayson Gonzales and International Arbiter Reden Cruz.

TNT, NLEX gun for semis berths

Oct 30, 2026

TNT, NLEX gun for semis berths

DEFENDING champion TNT and NLEX aim for a series sweep against respective foes in Game 3 of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup best-of-five quarterfinal series on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila. The Road Warriors clash with the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters at 5:15 p.m. followed by the 7:30 p.m. collision between the Tropang 5G and the Magnolia Hotshots. After opening the series with a 97-92 win, NLEX took Game 2, 124-117, behind a strong fourth quarter performance by import Deonte Burton, who scored 10 of his 24 points in that stretch to tow his team to a 2-0 series lead. A Game 3 win pushes NLEX to the semifinals for the first time since it last reached the Final Four in the 2021 Governors’ Cup when Yeng Guiao was still at the helm and Cameron Clark as its import. That Road Warriors team did not have high-scoring guard Robert Bolick yet and Clark is playing for Converge this conference. Meanwhile, the Tropang 5G will also look to build on their wins in the first two games by putting an emphatic end to the Hotshots’ own title bid. Resident import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was superb in TNT’s lopsided 91-73 rout of Magnolia in Game 2 after finishing with 39 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks, while knocking down four of five from three-point distance. The Hotshots have to find ways to contain the three-time PBA Best Import who is back with a vengeance after recovering from an injured Achilles heel in December 2025 while playing for Meralco in the EASL. TNT coach Chot Reyes said the seemingly easy Game 2 win was brought about by his pre-game reminder on coming out with better effort. “On our board one word was on top and that was ‘better.’ So, we wanted to make sure that we come out with a better effort, better defense, better concentration, better communication, better everything than in Game 1,” said Reyes. “And while they scored more... we were able to hold them to a lower field goal percentage and in the end our offense struggled, none of our shooters can make shots, but our defense carried us through.” The TNT coach’s pre-Game 2 pep talk worked wonders for the Tropang 5G who limited the Hotshots to a 25-of-74 field goal shooting in the game. Magnolia import KJ Buffen, on the other hand, will need all the local support he can get, led by Zavier Lucero, Jerome Lastimosa, Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang and Peter Alfaro, to forge Game 4.

Bacolod City ready to host 2026 Batang Pinoy Games

Oct 30, 2026

Bacolod City ready to host 2026 Batang Pinoy Games

BACOLOD CITY — Bacolod City is all set to host the 2026 Batang Pinoy Games, the country’s premier national youth multisports competition from Dec. 12 to 18, 2026. Mayor Greg Gasataya said preparations are in full swing, with all systems go for the weeklong event. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Bacolod City government held a major coordination meeting on Wednesday at L’Fisher Hotel to finalize arrangements for the weeklong competition for the Filipino youth. PSC chairman John Patrick Gregorio said a record 35,894 delegates from 207 local government units nationwide are expected to arrive in Bacolod City, composed of 27,763 athletes, 6,144 coaches, and 1,987 officials. “This is our gift to the Filipino youth,” Gregorio said, adding that accommodations in the city are expected to be fully occupied throughout the competition period. In a special highlight, Bacolod City will also stage the Metro Manila Film Festival “Parade of Stars” alongside the sporting events. Gasataya said the city has a strong track record of hosting major sporting events this year such as the Negros Island Region Athletic Association (Niraa) meet, the National Prisaa Games, and the FIBA under-18 tournament.  “The Batang Pinoy will be a game-changer for youth sports in Bacolod. Imagine thousands of young athletes competing at the biggest grassroots event right in our city,’’ said Gasataya. “Our children will see firsthand what dedication, discipline, and excellence look like, and that kind of exposure can spark a lifelong passion for sports,” added the mayor. He also said that it has been roughly 20 years since Bacolod City last hosted Batang Pinoy. Meanwhile, city councilor Jason Villarosa will serve as head of delegation with lawyer Mark Steven Mayo as assistant head of delegation for the Bacolod City team.

Pelicans down Kings for first win of season

Oct 30, 2026

Pelicans down Kings for first win of season

LOS ANGELES — The New Orleans Pelicans, fueled by a 22-point, 13-assist double-double from Jeremiah Fears, bagged their first win of the NBA season on Thursday (Friday in Manila) with a 132-120 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Fears, 20, added eight rebounds, four blocked shots and two steals, and Zion Williamson scored 22 points for the Pels, who had seven players score in double figures to improve to 1-4. “We’re not off to a great start, but we’re changing this thing around for sure,” Fears said. Sacramento’s Darius Acuff Jr., the seventh overall pick in June’s draft, continued his strong rookie season with 34 points and 14 assists — topping his previous career-high of 33 points set last week against Portland. De’Andre Hunter and Precious Achiuwa added 24 points each for the Kings, but Sacramento fell to 0-5. They’re one of two remaining winless teams along with the 0-4 Brooklyn Nets. The Hawks got a much-needed win in Atlanta, taking charge with a 43-point third quarter and holding on for a 114-111 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Onyeka Okongwu scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 points and Aaron Wiggins added 20 points off the bench for the Hawks, who had lost three straight and grabbed their first home win of the fledgling season. James Harden scored 24 points for the Cavs, who led by as many as 15 in the second quarter. Donovan Mitchell added 22, including a driving layup that pulled Cleveland within 112-111 with 20.6 seconds remaining. Alexander-Walker made a pair of free throws, and Mitchell missed a pair of potential game-tying three-pointers in the waning seconds. In Thursday’s nightcap, unbeaten Portland’s Ja Morant faces his former team for the first time since they traded him when the Trail Blazers host the unbeaten Memphis Grizzlies. Morant, taken second overall by the Grizzlies in the 2019 draft, earned 2020 Rookie of the Year honors and emerged as a star in his seven-year tenure in Memphis. He was also handed a pair of lengthy suspensions, but his biggest troubles last season stemmed from multiple injuries that limited him to 20 games.  The Grizzlies won, 124-103. Rookie Cameron Boozer led Memphis with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists.

Love throws 3 TD passes as Packers beat Panthers

Oct 30, 2026

Love throws 3 TD passes as Packers beat Panthers

GREEN BAY — Jordan Love threw three touchdown passes, Josh Jacobs scored twice and the Green Bay Packers withstood three turnovers to beat the Carolina Panthers, 27-19, on Thursday (Friday in Manila). Love went 30 of 41 for 288 yards with touchdown passes to Tucker Kraft, Matthew Golden and Jacobs plus an interception. Although he rushed for only 39 yards on 21 carries against the NFL’s lowest-ranked run defense, Jacobs scored on a 4-yard catch and 1-yard run. After trailing 27-10 in the third quarter, Carolina cut Green Bay’s lead to 27-19 on Bryce Young’s 26-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Coker on a fourth-and-3 play with 5:37 remaining. Young’s ensuing 2-point conversion pass was incomplete. The Panthers (3-4) got the ball back at their own 45 before losing the ball on downs at midfield with 2:41 remaining. Carolina got one last chance from its own 20 with 22 seconds and no timeouts remaining, but Dani Dennis-Sutton’s sack essentially ended any comeback hopes. Young went 23 of 31 for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Carolina’s Chuba Hubbard had 22 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown and seven catches for 38 yards. Green Bay’s Christian Watson returned to the game after hurting his chest while making a 53-yard catch in the second quarter, causing him to get taken to the hospital. Carolina cornerback Will Lee hurt his hamstring while diving to make a tackle on the same play, and he got carted into the locker room. Carolina already has three other cornerbacks on injured reserve: Akayleb Evans (triceps/knee), Mike Jackson (groin) and Jaycee Horn (quadriceps). After fumbling the opening kickoff to set up a Carolina field goal and going three-and-out on their first series, the Packers (5-3) scored touchdowns on three of their next four possessions to take command. Love threw a 12-yard touchdown pass across the middle to Kraft on a third-and-8 play to put Green Bay ahead 6-3, as struggling rookie Trey Smack’s extra-point attempt bounced off the left upright. Watson’s 53-yard catch set up a Jacobs touchdown run that put Green Bay ahead for good, 13-10, early in the second quarter. One play after dropping a potential touchdown pass, Golden caught a 24-yarder in the left corner of the end zone on third-and-13 to make it 20-10. Carolina got the ball to start the second half, but Chris McClellan and Evan Williams stopped Hubbard a yard short on fourth-and-2 from midfield. On Green Bay’s ensuing drive, Love found Jacobs to extend the lead to 27-10. Green Bay led 27-13 and had the ball on Carolina’s 28 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter when Love threw a pass to Golden that Zakee Wheatley intercepted in the end zone. That turnover sparked Carolina’s comeback attempt that ultimately fell short.

Rybakina secures year-end top rank

Oct 30, 2026

Rybakina secures year-end top rank

WORLD No. 1 Elena Rybakina hailed her “amazing achievement” after securing the year-end top ranking with a 6-2, 6-3 win over fellow Kazakh Yulia Putintseva in Japan on Thursday. Rybakina became world No. 1 for the first time last month in winning the US Open, replacing Aryna Sabalenka at the summit. She ensured she will start 2027 on top after a comfortable opening match in Tokyo, swatting aside world No. 67 Putintseva at the Pan Pacific Open in 70 minutes. The achievement capped a year in which Rybakina also won the Australian Open in January and now has three Grand Slam titles. “It means a lot, this is something we worked for with the team,” said the 27-year-old. “So many great players and we are all really close to each other, and I’m happy that now with last week and with today’s win I made it possible to secure number one at the end of the year. “It’s an amazing achievement and hopefully we can continue this way next year,” she added. Moscow-born Rybakina has already secured her place at next month’s season-ending WTA Finals at Indian Wells. She arrived in Tokyo after winning her fourth title of the season last week at the Ningbo Open in China. She sent down six aces against Putintseva and saved the only break point she faced. “Today the serve definitely helped me in the important moments,” she said. “I was just trying to pick my spot and I think today with a closed roof and a combination of the balls and the court made me feel better serving. “I’m glad today it worked.” Rybakina’s opponent in the quarterfinals will be Canada’s Leylah Fernandez, who she beat in the Ningbo final. Rybakina said she had not had time to explore Tokyo but planned to indulge a new hobby when she gets a chance. “Because of my coach I am a little bit following Pokemon cards now,” she said. “I’m not a huge fan but he is so I know a little bit, and we were getting some cards, opening them and trying to find some important ones.”

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