NBA: Durant, Sheppard lead Rockets to win in Hawks’ home opener

Inquirer.net - Oct 25, 2026

ATLANTA — Kevin Durant scored 22 points and both Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason had 19 points as the Houston Rockets beat the Atlanta Hawks 121-114. The Hawks nearly pulled off a comeback by cutting Houston’s 20-point lead down to five in the closing moments, but Durant knocked down two free throws with 18.9 seconds

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PBA Governors' Cup 2026 quarterfinals pairings

Oct 25, 2026

PBA Governors' Cup 2026 quarterfinals pairings

The quarterfinals cast for the 2026 PBA Governors" Cup is complete, with eight teams advancing to the next round.

Alex Eala at the Pan Pacific Open: Schedule and draw

Oct 25, 2026

Alex Eala at the Pan Pacific Open: Schedule and draw

Alexandra Eala returns to WTA action this week as she competes in the Pan Pacific Open.

Struggling Altas take on Chiefs, seek to end slump

Oct 25, 2026

Struggling Altas take on Chiefs, seek to end slump

With four games remaining in the elimination round and drifting on a six-game losing streak, University of Perpetual Help seeks to move higher in the Group B standings and make the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Season 102 men's basketball tournament. The Altas, however, need to win games, starting with its 5 p.m. duel with the Arellano University Chiefs on Monday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. Perpetual Help currently sits at fourth place in the five-team Group B with a 2-7 win-loss record, ahead of winless San Sebastian (0-10). The Chiefs are at the number two spot with a 5-4 card. The other two teams in the group are pace-setter Letran (7-2) and third ranked Emilio Aguinaldo College (2-6). The Altas aim to finish the elims at least in third place to get an outright quarterfinals berth. The fourth and fifth placed teams will clash in a one-game playoff for a seat in the quarterfinal round. But more than the thought of advancing to the next round, the Altas need to get their acts together and play as a solid unit. Coach Olsen Racena needs Mark Gojo Cruz, LA Casillo, Ray Allen Maglupay, JM Tulabot, Jim Corpuz, Gelo Gelsano, Ariea Borja and Shawn Orgo to play well on both sides of the court to avenge Perpetual Help’s 88-65 first round loss to Arellano University on Monday. The Junior Altas, on the other hand, are in a better position in the juniors division. The Junior Altas enters their game against the Arellano University Braves with a 7-2 record in Group B. However, the team coached by Joph Cleopas is coming from an 82-86 setback against Group A leader Jose Rizal University. Still, Perpetual Help is heavily favored to win against Arellano which the Junior Altas defeated in the first round, 104-97. Expected to lead the charge for the Junior Altas are Louie Rosales, Sizco Roquid, Brian Orca Jr., Lord Dulanas, Sam Villaruel, Arkin Cristobal, Kakai Zamoras and Kurt Patalinghug.

Max Verstappen’s advice to Kimi Antonelli at US Grand Prix: enjoy the ride and celebrate

Oct 25, 2026

Max Verstappen’s advice to Kimi Antonelli at US Grand Prix: enjoy the ride and celebrate

Max Verstappen advised Kimi Antonelli to enjoy the ride and get ready to celebrate as the Italian stands on the brink of becoming Formula 1’s youngest-ever champion. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver qualified on pole position for Sunday’s US Grand Prix and could clinch the title with five rounds ‌to spare, according to the current calendar that includes races in the Middle East, at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas if he wins and other results go his way. Red Bull’s Verstappen, a four-time...

Swimmer Ajido flag bearer for Team PH in Youth Olympic Games opening

Oct 25, 2026

Swimmer Ajido flag bearer for Team PH in Youth Olympic Games opening

MANILA, Philippines — YOUNG swimming standout Jamesray Mishael Ajido will be the flag-bearer for a small Philippine contingent in the parade of athletes during the Opening Ceremony of the Fourth Youth Olympic Games (YOG) on October 31 in Dakar. Ajido, 16, and eight other Filipino athletes aged no older that 17 are competing in six of the 25 sports in Dakar 2026, the first time that an Olympic competition is being staged on African soil. “The YOG are as tough as the Summer Olympics,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who will fly to the Dakar this week ahead of the Opening Ceremony at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio that will feature the culture and music of the host country under the theme “Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates.” An advanced party for Team Philippines headed by chef de mission Rocky Samson—secretary-general of the Philippine Taekwondo Association—took an arduous 29-hour flight over the weekend to Senegal that will be hosting for 14 days close to 3,000 athletes from 203 nations. Ajido and Riannah Chantelle Coleman are the country’s representatives in swimming and they will plunge into the swimming competitions that start on November 1, the same day wushu’s Angel Polo (Women's Taijiquan combined) also starts her campaign. Artistic gymnastics start running on November 7 with Tchelzy Maayo and Hillarion Palles III campaigning, followed the next day by cycling with Maritanya Krog seeing action in women's road and individual time trial. Athletics action also starts on November 8 with Team Philippines pinning its hopes on Pi Durden Wangkay (Men’s 200m) and Naomi Marjorie Caesar (Women’s 800m). The country’s ninth athlete, Jade Justine Justiniane, also takes his turn beginning November 8 in windsurfing of sailing. The Philippines has so far two medals in the YOG—Luis Gabriel Moreno won a gold medal in mixed international team event of archery with China’s Li Jiaman in Nanjing and Christian Tio silver in boys’ twin-tip racing of kiteboarding. TMT

NBA: Nuggets rally from 23 down to force overtime, beat Pelicans

Oct 25, 2026

NBA: Nuggets rally from 23 down to force overtime, beat Pelicans

Jamal Murray had 42 points, Nikola Jokic finished with 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, and the host Denver Nuggets rallied from a 23-point deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 141-135 in overtime on Saturday night.

Jokic has triple-double, Murray scores 42 points in Nuggets' OT victory over Pelicans

Oct 25, 2026

Jokic has triple-double, Murray scores 42 points in Nuggets' OT victory over Pelicans

DENVER — Nikola Jokic scored eight of his 35 points in overtime and finished with 15 rebounds and 10 assists, and the short-handed Denver Nuggets rallied from down 23 to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 141-135 on Saturday night. Jokic had his 199th career triple-double in the regular season, second to Russell Westbrook, who retired with 209. Jamal Murray scored 42 points and rookie Trevon Brazille had seven of his 17 points in overtime in his home debut for Denver, which took an early lead in overtime. His corner 3-pointer with 1:25 left in overtime gave the Nuggets a 133-129 lead. Denver played without Cam Johnson (ankle) and Alpha Diallo (sprained wrist) and continued to be without Julian Strawther and Spencer Jones. Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 26 points, Dejounte Murray had 22 points and Derik Queen and Zion Williamson scored 17 each. The Pelicans have dropped their first three games under first-year coach Jamahl Mosley. The Pelicans got some welcome news when center Yves Messi’s knee injury suffered Friday night in Utah is a contusion and not something more severe. New Orleans shot 65.9% in the first half and led by 23. Denver rallied to cut it to 16, and Jokic and Murray combined to score 22 of the Nuggets' 32 points in the third quarter but the Pelicans extended the lead to 19 heading into the fourth. Denver erased the deficit on 3-pointers from Murray and Jokic, a reverse dunk from Aaron Gordon, and then had a chance to go ahead with 17 seconds left but Murray made two of three free throws to tie it.

NBA: Devin Booker, Suns continue Warriors' rough start to season

Oct 25, 2026

NBA: Devin Booker, Suns continue Warriors' rough start to season

Devin Booker had 43 points, seven assists and seven rebounds and the host Phoenix Suns beat Golden State 131-122 on Saturday to send the Warriors to their worst start in almost two decades.

NBA: Cavaliers hold off Nets for first win of season

Oct 25, 2026

NBA: Cavaliers hold off Nets for first win of season

Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points and Jarrett Allen had 21 points and eight rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers built a 22-point lead before holding on for a 125-121 victory over the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.

Cone's philosophy: Respect the game, play to win

Oct 25, 2026

Cone's philosophy: Respect the game, play to win

MANILA, Philippines -- IN the process of becoming the PBA’s all-time winningest coach, Tim Cone said he has learned to respect the game of basketball. And he did that again last Friday when Barangay Ginebra beat Blackwater, 101-96, to close the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup elimination, securing the third seed in Group B heading into the playoffs.  The Gin Kings ended tied with the Phoenix Super LPG, but gained the better seeding as they owned a superior point differential. The higher seeding though pushed Cone and his Gin Kings to an early playoff showdown with sister team San Miguel Beer.  Cone knows that very well, but he still went against the notion of “choosing” your playoff opponent by giving up a win. “You fight your way into the playoffs and your reward is you have to play San Miguel. I think once you get into that thing where you start choosing, it’s just like bad karma or whatever,” said Cone, the 26-time PBA  champion coach. “I’ve always felt that through the years, you play the game the way you’re supposed to play, you play it hard and you play it to win, and then you let the cards fall where they may and you take care of business of what’s in front of you,” he added. But a look at the Gin Kings’ other playoff scenario had they lost to the Bossing, their situation won’t be easy as well since they will have to face the red-hot NLEX Road Warriors in the quarterfinal round. Cone recognized NLEX as a legitimate title contender under new coach Jimmy Alapag. “I don’t think there was much of a choice between NLEX and San Miguel in the first place. NLEX has been playing great, great basketball all conference long,” he said. “They beat us in a practice game, so it wasn’t really a team that we weren't excited to play either. And obviously, we are not excited to play San Miguel. But we’ll take on all comers.” Perhaps battling the Beermen in a best-of-five series remains the better alternative compared to playing in a twice-to-win situation against NLEX. “That kind of equals it all out,” Cone said. “It should really be a really good battle to see who comes in. I think the match-ups are kind of very interesting.” Ginebra begins its best-of-five series versus San Miguel on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. RICHARD DY

NBA: Kevin Durant leads balanced attack as Rockets take down Hawks

Oct 25, 2026

NBA: Kevin Durant leads balanced attack as Rockets take down Hawks

Kevin Durant led seven double-figure scorers with 22 points as the visiting Houston Rockets beat the Atlanta Hawks 121-114 on Saturday to improve to 3-0.

PLDT rediscovers foothold amid much-improved PVL field

Oct 25, 2026

PLDT rediscovers foothold amid much-improved PVL field

PLDT found out the hard way that the competition it once knew how to beat has changed. Two straight losses to open the PVL All-Filipino Conference forced the High Speed Hitters to confront a new reality: Rivals have grown stronger, and last season’s success was just that—last season. Savi Davison delivered the response Saturday, scoring

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