PBA: Guiao rejects idea Rain or Shine missed its best Finals shot

Inquirer.net - Nov 7, 2026

MANILA, Philippines–Another playoff exit marred a competitive campaign for Rain or Shine, which fell short on what many consider its best chance of getting into the PBA Finals. Coach Yeng Guiao, whose Elasto Painters were shown the door by the Converge FiberXers on Friday in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals, refused to believe that

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Young PH chessers bare fangs in Asean tilt

Nov 7, 2026

Young PH chessers bare fangs in Asean tilt

SINACABAN, Misamis Occidental — As foreign rivals continue to occupy the leaderboards, the troika of  Michael Concio Jr, Paulo Bersamina and Jan Emmanuel Garcia all won their sixth round matches on Saturday morning to give life to the host country's struggle in men's section of the 7th Asean Individual Chess Championships at the AMORAP Adventure Park here. This as Woman International Master Marie Antoinette San Diego, who led the women's side after five rounds, absorbed her first setback at the hands of new pacesetter WIM Shakira Devi Herfesa of India. Grandmaster Nguyen Duck Hoa of Vietnam and International Master Erdene Baasansuren of Mongolia, meanwhile, drew their top board duel in a Queen's Pawn Game to share the men's lead with Indian IM Shrivatri Anuj  and IM Ameya Audi at 4.5 points each. Anuj defeated Filipino FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri on board 2, while Audi overpowered his compatriot IM Bala Chandra Prasad Dhulipalla on board 3. Both Concio and Bersamina up their output to 4 points after separate wins over IM Nguyen Quoc Hy of Vietnam and IM Miroslav Vlasenko of the Federation. Garcia, on the other hand, whipped FM Zhuo Ren Lim of Malaysia to improve to 3.5 points alongside Filipino IM and now US citizen Joel Banawa who crushed Mongolian FM Battulga Tenuunbold. GM Darwin Laylo, the only veteran among the Filipinos in the last Olympiad, was all set to join Concio and Bersamina at 4 points with his great advantage and winning passed pawns opposite IM Antonio Dcunha Viani of India. But tragedy struck when Laylo committed a so-called "help mate" blunder. Mathematically, the Filipinos have still a chance to turn the tables with a strong performance in the last three rounds. As San Diego (4.5 pts) slids to third spot behind women's co-leaders  WIMs Herfesa and Bordoloi Pratitee of India (5 pts), fellow Filipinas Kate Nicole Ordizo, Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian, Woman FIDE Master Shania Mar Mendoza hiked their total to 4 points after drawing their respective matches. Mindanao hopeful Ruelle Canino of Cagayan de Oro also split the point with fellow 3 pointer WFM Mohd Arif Ainul Mardhiah of Malaysia, as well as male counterpart IM Christian Gian Carlo Arca of Zamboanga in his tussle with fellow Filipino IM Ronald Bancod for the 2.5 pointers. In the Challenger's side, Davao bet Irwin Aton surprised the formerly unbeaten Kevin Morano of Kalibu, Aklan to grab the solo lead at 5.5 points going into the last 3 rounds.

PBA: Tim Cone says Ginebra ‘killed’ by crucial call in Game 4

Nov 7, 2026

PBA: Tim Cone says Ginebra ‘killed’ by crucial call in Game 4

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 89  basketball tournament – second round MANILA, Philippines–Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone is urging for better officiating after he felt his team fell on the wrong end of it during Friday’s Game 4 loss to San Miguel Beer that forced their 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series to a decider. One call

PVL: Jackie Acuña leads Nxled’s block party vs former teammates

Nov 7, 2026

PVL: Jackie Acuña leads Nxled’s block party vs former teammates

MANILA, Philippines — Jackie Acuña, the lead host of Nxled’s non-stop block party this conference, was thrilled to go up against her former teammates-turned-Capital1 duo Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos on Saturday. Facing her ex-Cignal teammates, Acuña helped Nxled stay unbeaten in five games, scoring seven including three blocks in their 25-13, 25-20, 25-18 sweep

UAAP: UE ends 30-game losing streak with win over Adamson

Nov 7, 2026

UAAP: UE ends 30-game losing streak with win over Adamson

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 89  basketball tournament – second round MANILA, Philippines— University of the East finally broke through in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament, defeating Adamson, 53-47, at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday. The Red Warriors ended not only a 10-game losing streak this season but also a 30-game skid dating back to

Spikers’ Turf: Greg Ancheta shines as NU rebounds, sweeps AFP

Nov 7, 2026

Spikers’ Turf: Greg Ancheta shines as NU rebounds, sweeps AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Facing assistant coach and Armed Forces of the Philippines setter Jessie Lopez, National University-Archipelago Builders beat the winless Cavaliers with a 25-14, 25-16, 25-19 victory to bounce back in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Saturday at Philsports Arena. NU recovered from a tough first loss to the defending champion Criss

UAAP: Ateneo's Louie Alas, UP's Bayla, Luanzon address late-game exchange

Nov 7, 2026

UAAP: Ateneo's Louie Alas, UP's Bayla, Luanzon address late-game exchange

Ateneo coach Louie Alas, UP"s Jacob Bayla and assistant coach Christian Luanzon share their sides following a heated late-game exchange in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament.

PBA: Mikey Williams finds his playoff touch in Converge breakthrough

Nov 7, 2026

PBA: Mikey Williams finds his playoff touch in Converge breakthrough

MANILA, Philippines–Mikey Williams delivered the dagger blows that cemented Converge’s place in the semifinals of the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup while also evoking memories of previous playoff moments. His back-to-back threes with three minutes left enabled the FiberXers to create separation from the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and secure a 120-109 win in Game

PBA: Delta Pineda, Converge savor historic first trip to semifinals

Nov 7, 2026

PBA: Delta Pineda, Converge savor historic first trip to semifinals

MANILA, Philippines–Coach Delta Pineda is relishing the breakthrough achievement Converge pulled off on Friday when it finished off Rain or Shine to secure the franchise’s first-ever PBA semifinal appearance. The FiberXers got the job done with a 120-109 victory in Game 4 of their 2026 Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series at Smart Araneta Coliseum as they

SEA Games 2027: Fencing, jujitsu, chess among sports affected

Nov 7, 2026

SEA Games 2027: Fencing, jujitsu, chess among sports affected

SINGAPORE–Singapore’s fencers may not have the opportunity to try and match their record haul of eight gold medals at the 2025 SEA Games, after several key events were dropped from the 2027 edition in Malaysia. This, after the South-east Asian Games Federation (SEAGF) on Oct 30 approved the final programme for the 34th SEA Games,

McIlroy sinks 11 birdies in Abu Dhabi surge

Nov 7, 2026

McIlroy sinks 11 birdies in Abu Dhabi surge

ABU DHABI — Rory McIlroy charged into contention at the Abu Dhabi Championship with a second round featuring 11 birdies as Jon Rahm moved into a three-way share of the lead Friday. McIlroy shot the round of the day to haul himself back into the mix after receiving a two-shot penalty Thursday for improving his lie on a hole where he made a double-bogey. “I’d much rather be two shots worse off than be called a cheat,” said McIlroy, reflecting on the incident at the 12th hole during his opening round at Yas Links. “I made peace with it and at least I went out today, and it wasn’t playing on my mind. I had a clear conscience, and I could just go and play.” The six-time major champion carded a nine-under 63 in round two, picking up seven birdies on the back nine to bolster his chances of winning a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title. “It wasn’t like I got off to the greatest of starts today, but then obviously I got it going,” said McIlroy, who overcame a bogey on the first hole before finding his groove. “I went out today and played a good round of golf and did get myself back into the tournament,” he added. “I’ve given myself a great chance.” Rahm is level at the top on 12-under with Tyrrell Hatton and overnight leader Francesco Laporta in his first event since leaving the rebel LIV Golf tour, which has announced it will shut down after five contentious years. The Spaniard began the day three shots off the pace but climbed into a tie for the lead with a five-under 67. Laporta left the door ajar with an inconsistent two-under 70 in his second round, as Hatton shot a seven-under 65 to reel in the Italian alongside close friend Rahm.

End of the Road for LIV Golf

Nov 7, 2026

End of the Road for LIV Golf

NEW YORK — The rebel LIV Golf tour will shut down after five years that rocked the global game, saying that an effort to relaunch after losing its original Saudi backers has been scrapped. The announcement follows reports that BC Partners Credit, the lead investor in “LIV 2.0,” had withdrawn from the project after struggling to convince star players to fully commit to the league. In a statement, LIV Golf said only that attempts to implement its “Restructuring Support Agreement” (RSA) with BC Partners had foundered. “Despite extensive discussions, the relevant parties were ultimately unable to reach a consensual resolution of certain outstanding terms of the Transaction contemplated by the RSA,” LIV Golf said. “In light of the current circumstances, we believe shifting toward an orderly wind-down is the most responsible path forward for the League at this time.” The statement confirmed LIV attorney Matthew Williams’s statements in a 13-minute hearing in bankruptcy court in New Jersey on Thursday. The once free-spending Saudi-backed league, which turned the golf world upside-down by luring superstars away from the traditional PGA Tour with guaranteed contracts and monster purses, will begin liquidating its remaining assets on Monday, the court heard. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) had poured an estimated $5 billion (4.5 billion euros) into the tour since 2022, before abruptly pulling the plug earlier this year. LIV formally filed for bankruptcy protection in September, though officials hoped to relaunch as “LIV 2.0” next season with a shorter schedule and reduced prize money and equity stakes in the league for players. BC Partners Credit pledged an initial funding commitment of a potential $300 million. But several former LIV stars, including Jon Rahm, announced their decisions to withdraw from the revamped tour, and several others were believed to be on the fence. Bryson DeChambeau — arguably the breakaway circuit’s biggest name and a continuing backer of the tour — did not publicly commit to returning. Documents from bankruptcy filings showed that LIV owes between $500 million and $1 billion to at least 1,000 creditors, including star players. “BC Partners supported a transaction that aligned the interests of players and investors, offering a credible path toward building a sustainable future for LIV Golf,” BC Partners Credit said in a statement. “While there was great support for the league, we are disappointed that mutually acceptable terms could not be reached among the various stakeholders. “We commend LIV Golf’s management for their tireless efforts.”

Tatum fires 34 as Celtics overpower Charlotte        

Nov 7, 2026

Tatum fires 34 as Celtics overpower Charlotte        

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Jayson Tatum had 34 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, Derrick White added 18 points, and the Boston Celtics demolished the Charlotte Hornets, 119-80, on Friday (Saturday in Manila) for their seventh win in eight games. Boston shot 17 of 31 from three-point range in the first half to build a 31-point lead and improved to 2-0 in NBA Cup play. The Hornets fell to 0-2. Naz Reid had 14 points for Charlotte, which has lost six straight since coach Charles Lee benched Reid — the team’s biggest offseason acquisition — in the second half of a game against the Detroit Pistons because he did not meet “team standards.” This one was over early. Tatum erupted for 18 points in the first quarter on three 3s and White added 10 as the Celtics bolted to a 40-20 lead. Boston made 9 of 17 3s in the first quarter. Charlotte couldn’t do anything right. The Hornets shot 28 percent from the field in the opening half while turning the ball over eight times. Tatum remained in the game until the final minute of the third quarter with Boston up 42 as the Celtics padded their point differential numbers for the NBA Cup. He drew “MVP!” chants from the pro-Celtics crowd after drawing what appeared to be a shooting foul as he swished a 3 from 33 feet. But the basket was waived off after officials ruled the foul was on the floor. The Hornets played without starters Kon Knueppel and Moussa Diabate, and Brandon Miller left the game in the second quarter with right groin soreness and did not return. Miller was 3 of 10 from the field with eight points before departing and appeared frustrated at times in the first half as Boston pressured him relentlessly. Lee did not offer a timetable for Knueppel’s return after last year’s NBA rookie of the year runner-up reinjured his hamstring on Wednesday night at Brooklyn. It was Knueppel’s first game of the season. In Atlanta, Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 28 points, and the Atlanta Hawks held off the Washington Wizards, 139-132, in an NBA Cup game. It was the third straight win for the Hawks and second straight against the Wizards, as Atlanta swept the home-and-home series. Trae Young had 23 points, 10 assists and a season-high eight turnovers in his first game in Atlanta as a visitor after being traded last season after seven-plus years with the Hawks. Lu Dort had 25 points, including a crucial shot clock-beating corner jumper late in the fourth quarter. Onyeka Okongwu scored 22 points and Aaron Wiggins added 19 points off the bench for Atlanta. Dyson Daniels guarded Young for much of the game and finished with 13 points and 12 assists.

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