SCMP Best Bets: Patch a Grand prospect for punters at Sha Tin

UAAP: Kieffer Alas leads Ateneo comeback win over NU after 17-point deficit

Kieffer Alas starred anew as Ateneo de Manila University completed a come-from-behind victory against National University, 87-76, in UAAP Season 82 on Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

New chess group wants to produce more Filipino GMs  

Boxing icon and chess enthusiast Manny Pacquiao wants to see more Filipino grandmasters in the next few years as part of his legacy to the sport he loves and plays with passion.  A new chess group, backed by individuals from various sectors of society, has heeded the call of Pacquiao to bring chess to higher levels.  The newly formed National United Chess Federation of the Philippines (NUCFP) installed Pacquiao as its chairman and has gotten a huge support from a chess community waiting for change.  "We want to leave a legacy to the sport by unifying the community first. We've seen so much talent in the country. We have heard the sentiments and frustrations of our fellow athletes. I want to help and contribute," said Pacquaio on Saturday.  No less than Filipino super grandmaster Wesley So, now playing for the US chess federation, has thrown his support to the newly formed group. He expressed willingness to lend a hand to whatever is needed by the NUCFP.  Grandmasters Rogelio Barcenilla Jr., Julio Catalino Sadorra, John Paul Gomez and dozens of other titled players have also signified their intentions to contribute to the chess community and what ails it.  Filipino masters who have made chess as careers, including So, have left the country for greener pastures elsewhere.  Most Filipino chess players want change. Pacquiao declined to accept the post of vice president handed to him by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP). He was elected in absentia.  The NCFP is currently led by its longtime president and chairman Prospero Pichay Jr.  In 2011, Oliver Barbosa and Richard Bitoon became the last grandmasters produced by the federation.  GM Daniel Quizon was awarded the title in 2024. Much of his success, however, was credited to the late Rep. Pidi Barzaga, who funded Quizon’s training in Dasmarinas, Cavite as well as his tournaments abroad.  So, one of the many persons who left the country for better chances to achieve success, openly blamed corruption as the main culprit in the stagnation of local chess development.  The Cavite-born chess genius was forced to change federations after his exploits in winning gold in the 2013 World University Games in Kazan was met by indifference by the NCFP, itself.  It was the last time that So represented the country in the international stage.  "I hope we could bring those talents back to the Philippines," said Pacquaio, whose Pacman Chess Association (PCA) is holding weekly tournaments in Mindanao.

LOOK: 20th Asian Games medal tally as of 6:40 p.m., October 3, 2026.

Adamson bounces back with UST beatdown

MANILA, Philippines -- Adamson bounced back with a 85-57 beatdown against University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 89 men's basketball tournament at the PhilSports Arena Saturday. Monty Montebon fired 27 points, seven assists, and five rebounds to lead the Soaring Falcons, who recovered from their loss to the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles to rise to 2-1. Unleashing a 31-point fourth quarter performance to put UST away, Adamson created a 5-way tie with Ateneo, National University, University of the Philippines, and Far Eastern University as of posting time. Previouly in that 5-way, 2-1 tie, UST dropped outside with a 2-2 slate.

UAAP: Adamson bounces back, downs UST

Adamson University bounced back at the expense of the University of Santo Tomas, 85-57, on Saturday in UAAP Season 89 at the Philsports Arena.

LOOK: Adamson def. UST (85-57)

UAAP Season 89 Men’s Basketball Tournament Adamson def. UST, 85-57 Monty Montebon Player of the Game #UAAPSeason89

Asian Games: Hong Kong’s men make it a hat-trick of rugby sevens golds, women win bronze

There are very few certainties in life, although Hong Kong’s men winning rugby sevens gold at the Asian Games could well be one of them. A 26-0 win over China on Saturday sealed a third consecutive title for the city’s team at the Games, and it is now 12 years since they last lost a match at the multi-sport event. Their mainland opponents had already been beaten 22-0 in a Pool A game on Friday, and a first-half double from Harry Sayers ended any threat of an upset. Bryn Phillips added a third,...

No draw fears for Jamie Richards as Lahore bids for a straight-track hat-trick at Sha Tin

Jamie Richards thinks an inside draw could actually help rather than hinder Lahore as he goes for a straight-track hat-trick in the Class Three Shing Mun Handicap (1,000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The son of Hellbent has had his share of issues, requiring throat surgery in July 2025 and then bleeding from both nostrils in February of this year, but he roared back to life when returning in May, decimating a Class Four field by two and a half lengths. He backed that up with a gutsy success from a...

Taiwan's Lin wins Asian Games gold two years after Olympics gender row

Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting won an Asian Games gold in her new weight category two years after she was caught up in a gender dispute at the Paris Olympics, while Japan edged out North Korea via penalties in the women's football final in the penultimate day of competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Games on Friday.

Alex Eala, EJ Obiena share fun moments at 2026 Asian Games

Philippine sports standouts Alexandra Eala and EJ Obiena shared some light moments on the sidelines of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

LOOK: NCAA Season 102 men's basketball standings

Doha organizers open to moving Asian Games to 2031 for Olympic qualifying

Organizers of the next Asian Games in Doha are open to pushing the event back a year to 2031 if the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) decides to make the change, their chief executive said on Thursday.