Mapua Cardinals Aim for Consecutive NCAA Basketball Titles in Season 101

The Mapua Cardinals are set to defend their NCAA basketball championship as Season 101 commences, bolstered by the leadership of Finals Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis. Following a landmark victory that ended a 33-year title drought last season, the Cardinals are optimistic about their chances against opening opponent Lyceum on October 1. Speaking at the league's press conference on September 22, Escamis expressed confidence in the team's potential, highlighting their rigorous offseason preparation. He stated, \"Of course, we're going for back-to-back [titles]… our chances are still high coming off a stellar performance last year. We lost a lot [of players], but we also have new recruits who came in… I feel like we can live up to our expectations because of our hard work during the offseason.\" Despite the departure of key players Chris Hubilla and Lawrence Mangubat, as well as assistant coach Nani Epondulan, who all joined the JRU Heavy Bombers, Mapua has welcomed back Cyril Gonzales from the UP Fighting Maroons. Escamis himself has committed to his fifth and final collegiate season with the Cardinals, foregoing opportunities to turn professional both locally and abroad. Last season, Escamis averaged 15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals, instrumental in securing the team's first championship in over three decades. He acknowledged the pressure accompanying the team's success but emphasized their readiness to meet expectations. \"We have to deal with [the expectations] because we have the key pieces,\" Escamis said. \"I think our new recruits will step up… as well as the returning veterans.\" He also noted the team's collective attitude toward pressure, crediting the coaching staff for instilling a strong work ethic and mindset. \"That's what the coaches instill in us. Many people count on us and we are ready since we back it up with hard work in practice every day. I see it in my teammates and our coaching staff, too.\" With a blend of experienced players and fresh talent, the Cardinals aim to replicate their championship heroics and sustain their dominance in NCAA men's basketball this season.

International Series Philippines Attracts Top Golfers Including Kazuki Higa and Miguel Tabuena

MANILA, Philippines — The International Series Philippines, presented by BingoPlus, is set to showcase a remarkable roster of golf talent as it makes its debut at Sta. Elena from October 23 to 26. Recent Asian Tour superstar Kazuki Higa, fresh off consecutive wins, joins local favorite Miguel Tabuena alongside a strong contingent of LIV Golf players. Higa, who has claimed eight titles on the Japan Golf Tour, recently led the Asian Tour Order of Merit following back-to-back triumphs at the Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea and the Yeangder TPC in Chinese Taipei. His participation adds significant prestige to the tournament. Meanwhile, two-time Asian Tour winner Tabuena expressed pride in competing on home soil. During the tournament's media golf day, he emphasized the excitement of hosting world-class players in the Philippines, calling the event a "dream come true." "It is very, very exciting and I'm very glad that The International Series is making its first ever stop in the Philippines. To be able to have Major champions like Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel among others playing in one of the best courses we have back home, it is truly a dream come true," said Tabuena. The line-up is further bolstered by a growing number of LIV Golf stars and Asian Tour champions. Notable entries include New Zealand's Ben Campbell, a winner of both the International Series Morocco 2024 and the 2023 Hong Kong Open, American rising star Caleb Surratt of Legion XIII, IronHeads GC players Kevin Na and Danny Lee, as well as Sam Horsfield from Majesticks GC. With such an impressive assembly of golfing talent, the International Series Philippines is poised to become a highlight on the region's sporting calendar, offering world-class competition and increased exposure to Southeast Asia's flourishing golf community.

Europe Takes Command with Record Lead in Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black

Europe surged to a commanding 11.5-4.5 lead over the United States entering the final day of the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, following a dominant 3-1 performance in Saturday’s four-ball matches. This lead represents the largest margin going into the singles matches since the current format began, surpassing the previous records of 11-5 held by the US in 2021 and Europe in 2004. Despite intense heckling from the New York crowd, the European team maintained their composure and positioned themselves strongly to retain the Cup. They need just two wins and a draw from the 12 singles matches scheduled for Sunday. The Americans, meanwhile, must accumulate 14.5 points on the final day to reclaim the trophy. Saturday’s session was marked by heightened tensions and notable moments. World number two Rory McIlroy, visibly frustrated by crowd distractions while putting, exchanged expletives at hecklers before teaming with Shane Lowry to secure a 2-up victory against the American duo Justin Thomas and Cam Young. England’s Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood delivered a 3&2 win over top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau, leaving Scheffler with a winless 0-4 start – a first for an American player at the Ryder Cup. Rose was involved in a brief confrontation with DeChambeau’s caddie Greg Bodine on the 15th green, though he later described it as a misunderstanding that was quickly resolved. US Open champion J.J. Spaun birdied the final two holes alongside teammate Xander Schauffele to edge out Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka, marking Rahm’s first loss in Ryder Cup pairs competition since 2018. Duly substituting for the injured Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton clinched a crucial 1-up victory with Matt Fitzpatrick over Americans Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay by birdying the final hole. With Europe in a strong position heading into Sunday’s singles, the stage is set for a gripping conclusion to the prestigious tournament.

Team Europe Clinches Ryder Cup After U.S. Rally Falls Short at Bethpage Black

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — In a gripping conclusion to the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, Team Europe edged out the United States 15-13, overcoming a significant deficit as the Americans mounted a late comeback in Sunday’s singles matches. However, the final score conceals broader struggles for the U.S. team, who were decisively outplayed in the earlier foursomes and fourball sessions. Since 1995, the U.S. team has managed just four wins in the Ryder Cup, underscoring a persistent competitive disadvantage. PGA Tour professional Michael Kim expressed candid reflections on the American side’s performance via social media, stating, \"I hope this finish doesn\'t stop Team USA from looking at the entire process that led to the first two days. Clearly there are issues that need to be fixed.\" First-time U.S. captain Keegan Bradley accepted full responsibility for the loss while defending the efforts and resources provided by the PGA of America, the organizing body for the team. Bradley remarked, \"The PGA of America put me in an amazing position to succeed. They gave me every resource. They gave me every option. I had everything at my fingertips. This is no one\'s fault but mine. When you are the leader of the team and you\'re the coach, the captain, whatever you want to call it, and you lose, you have to take the blame.\" Bradley acknowledged Europe’s consistent superiority throughout the competition, particularly citing their advantage in putting. When questioned about shortcomings compared to European captain Luke Donald, U.S. player Justin Thomas defended Bradley, saying, \"We needed to make more putts. That\'s what Keegan needed; he needed us to make more putts. That\'s what he needed to do.\" Standout performers for the U.S. included Xander Schauffele and rookie Cameron Young, who posted strong 3-1-0 records. Conversely, four players — captain\'s picks Collin Morikawa and Sam Burns along with automatic qualifiers Russell Henley and Harris English — failed to secure victories. Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Cantlay both finished with modest 1-3-1 results. Scottie Scheffler notably became the first player under the current format to lose all four sessions he participated in, though he managed to defeat world No. 1 Rory McIlroy in a closely contested Sunday singles match. Europe\'s Luke Donald highlighted the importance of key players performing well, stating, \"You absolutely need your big guns to fire, and that\'s what we are proud of, that the U.S. guys\' big guns didn\'t get as many points as ours.\" The selection process for the American team, especially regarding the six automatic qualifiers, is expected to face scrutiny following this result. Players such as Henley and English accumulated qualifying points over an extended period but entered the tournament exhibiting diminished form. The event was also marred by unsportsmanlike behavior from a subset of attendees who verbally targeted McIlroy, his teammates, and his wife, prompting the PGA of America to face criticism. The tournament emcee, comedian Heather McMahan, resigned after inciting inappropriate chants against McIlroy. Bradley and Thomas rejected any link between team leadership and the misconduct of the spectators. A tactical miscalculation by Bradley involved the course setup at Bethpage Black. Expecting firmer, faster greens that would favor American players accustomed to such conditions, the greens instead remained unusually soft, benefiting the European side, particularly in putting. Bradley reflected, \"For whatever reason, that wasn\'t the right way to set the course up. The greens were as soft as I\'ve ever seen greens without it raining. Especially here, it can get pretty firm, and they never firmed up.\" At 39, Bradley was the youngest Ryder Cup captain since Arnold Palmer and was chosen to bring fresh energy to the U.S. team. Despite a challenging outcome, he remains hopeful for the future, stating, \"It was a unique approach, and like I said, I had to learn on the fly. But I also had been on a lot of these teams, and I had the resources of all the vice captains and all the previous captains, as well, that helped me.\n\nI think the goal was to give the captaincy a fresh face, a different way to go about things. Unfortunately, it didn\'t work out. But we have some momentum going forward. I think we can continue down this road, and I\'ll help out the best I can to help the next captain or the next whoever it is.\"

Giannis Antetokounmpo Misses Bucks Media Day Due to COVID-19 Diagnosis

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo was not present at the team’s media day on Monday following a COVID-19 diagnosis, according to Bucks general manager Jon Horst. Antetokounmpo is currently in Greece, and the organization is working to arrange a virtual media session via Zoom. With training camp starting, the Bucks have not specified the duration of Antetokounmpo’s absence. The team’s preseason opener is scheduled for October 6 against the Miami Heat. The 30-year-old forward had an impressive 2024-25 season, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists over 67 games. Despite his strong performance, the Bucks experienced their third consecutive first-round playoff elimination. Amid offseason speculation about a possible trade, Antetokounmpo appears poised to remain with Milwaukee for his 13th season. He is currently under contract through the 2026-27 season and holds a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28. His salary cap hits are projected at $54.1 million in 2025-26 and $58.5 million in 2026-27. The nine-time All-Star will help lead the Bucks as they open the regular season at home against the Washington Wizards on October 22.

Abra Solid North Weavers and San Juan Knights Open North Division Semifinals in MPBL 2025

The North Division semifinals of the 747 Live presents Manny Pacquiao MPBL 2025 season commenced on Tuesday at the Governor Andres B. Bernos Memorial Gymnasium in Bangued, Abra, featuring intense matchups between top-tier teams. The Abra Solid North Weavers, holding the top seed and an extraordinary 28-game winning streak, are set to compete against the resilient Caloocan Batang Kankaloo at 6 p.m., following an earlier clash at 4 p.m. between the 2019 champions, San Juan Knights, and the rising Pangasinan squad. The Weavers enter the semifinal round strongly favored, having decisively defeated the Pampanga Giant Lanterns 2-0 in the quarterfinals. Led by standout player Dave Ildefonso, Abra boasts a deep lineup including Encho Serrano, Mike Ayonayon, Raven Gonzales, Jolo Mendoza, John Uduba, and Jason Brickman. Meanwhile, Caloocan, which lacks a dedicated center, will rely heavily on sharp shooters Jeff Manday, Jeramer Cabanag, Chris Bitoon, Rommel Calahat, Paul Sanga, and Reil Cervantes in their drive to advance. In the earlier semifinal match, San Juan holds a slight advantage over Pangasinan, who recently upset the 2022 champions Nueva Ecija in a 2-1 quarterfinal series victory. The Knights will lean on the talents of Orlan Wamar, Agem Miranda, Michael Calisaan, Dexter Maiquez, and AC Soberano, following their narrow 73-66 win over the Heatwaves during the elimination round of this originally 30-team, two-division competition. Pangasinan aims to continue their surprising playoff run with key contributions from Vic Manuel, Jorey Napoles, Alyn Bulanadi, Chris Bitoon, Hesed Gabo, and Michael Mabulac, seeking to overcome the seasoned San Juan team and secure a spot in the finals.

UST Secures Finals Spot with Straight-Set Victory Over Adamson at Shakey’s Super League

The University of Santo Tomas Tigresses secured their place in the finals of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup by sweeping Adamson University in a three-set semifinal match at Ninoy Aquino Stadium yesterday. UST triumphed 25-22, 25-22, 25-20 to clinch the last ticket to the championship round. UST’s net defense, spearheaded by Marga Altea, combined with the relentless attacks of Angge Poyos, played a pivotal role in the team’s victory, marking their first finals appearance in two years. The Tigresses now aim to dethrone the four-time defending champions, National University, in the league’s marquee tournament, supported by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R and B Milk Tea. Meanwhile, the twice-to-beat Lady Bulldogs of National University dismissed Far Eastern University in straight sets, 25-20, 27-25, 25-21, maintaining their pursuit of a second consecutive season sweep following their earlier win at the SSL National Invitationals Davao Leg. The best-of-three championship series will commence on November 8 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The third-place playoff between the Lady Falcons (Adamson) and Lady Tamaraws (FEU)—winners of the National Invitationals Cebu and Batangas legs, respectively—is scheduled for November 15, also at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Altea’s standout performance included stellar net defense highlighted by three consecutive kill blocks that sealed the match for UST. Jurado led the Tigresses with 14 points, including 12 successful attacks and two kill blocks. Altea contributed eight points with four kill blocks, while Xyza Gula and Julia Balingit added seven points apiece, enabling UST to string together seven consecutive wins after an opening loss to the University of the Philippines. Reflecting on the team’s progress, Altea stated, \"Since our initial loss to UP, it was a wake-up call that pushed us to improve and become more composed. We knew we could perform better, and that belief has driven our dedication to training, which we plan to continue.\" In the closing moments of the third set, Altea secured a critical 23-18 lead for UST by denying Adamson’s Frances Mordi at the net. Despite Adamson’s spirited counterattacks, Altea’s decisive blocks sealed Adamson’s exit from the tournament. Acknowledging their opponents, Altea remarked, \"Adamson is a strong team, and we recognize the need to enhance our team chemistry and reduce errors, particularly in service. These are areas we will focus on to improve moving forward.\" UST faced resistance in the second set, with Adamson staying close after UST took the opening frame. Balingit broke a tie at 22 points with a backrow attack, followed by Poyos’ kill block on Abegail Segui and Gula’s service ace that sealed the 2-0 match lead for the Tigresses. Adamson’s newly appointed SSL Ambassador, Shaina Nitura, challenged UST’s defense relentlessly, finishing with a team-high 14 points, including 13 attacks. Frances Mordi contributed 10 points for Adamson. The competition will resume on November 8 with matches deciding fifth place between University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University, while San Beda University faces the College of Saint Benilde for seventh place. The event is supported by multiple partners, including Asics, Mikasa, Smart Sports, and Summit, with technical partners such as Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, Eurotel-Apo View Hotel, Batangas Country Club, Executive Optical, Baic Auto Philippines, SM Tickets, and PusoP.com.

CSB and UP Vie for Semifinal Spots in Shakey’s Super League Unity Cup

MANILA – The race to secure the remaining semifinal positions in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup intensifies this Friday at the Paco Arena, as College of Saint Benilde (CSB) and University of the Philippines (UP) aim to advance further in the tournament. CSB’s Lady Blazers, led by Rhea Densing who scored 24 points, edged out Adamson University’s Lady Falcons in a thrilling five-set match (28-26, 20-25, 25-15, 19-25, 15-12) last Tuesday, thereby forcing a decisive rubber game scheduled at 3 p.m. Densing was supported by key players Zam Nolasco, Camila Bartolome, and sisters Shekaina and Shahanna Lleses, continuing the strong legacy of the four-time NCAA champions. Adamson, winners of the SSL National Invitational Cebu leg, will rely on the efforts of Joy Aseo, Frances Mordi, and Abegail Segui. However, their campaign faces uncertainty as standout player Shane Nitura remains questionable due to injury. The victor in the upcoming clash between CSB and Adamson will secure a semifinal showdown with University of Santo Tomas, who hold a twice-to-beat advantage. That match is slated for Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Meanwhile, UP battles to cement its place in the semifinals after a four-set win against Far Eastern University (25-27, 25-21, 25-18, 25-20). The Fighting Maroons count on the consistent performances of Casiey Dongallo, Jelai Gajero, Nina Ytang, and Bienne Bansil to overcome the Lady Tamaraws, champions of the National Invitational Batangas leg, led by Faida Bakanke, Gerzel Petallo, and Alyzza Devosora. Dongallo expressed confidence ahead of the next contest, stating, \"Because there is still Game 2, I think we will do better. We will study FEU to see what we lacked in the game and what else we need to improve because we know that FEU will try to bounce back.\" Should UP prevail, they will face top-seeded National University, victors of the National Invitational Davao leg, in the Final Four. The competition promises exciting encounters as teams strive to secure their spots in the championship round.

Converge Dominates Terrafirma 125-108 in Philippine Cup Clash

Converge unleashed a powerful performance and maintained control throughout their 125-108 victory against Terrafirma in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday night. Alec Stockton starred with 22 points, while Juan Gomez de Liano contributed a remarkable second triple-double of the season, finishing with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. Their efforts propelled the FiberXers to a crucial win following a recent defeat to TNT. The win improved Converge's record to 2-1, supported by a balanced offensive effort that saw six other players score in double digits. Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar also registered double-doubles, solidifying the team's dominance in the paint. Coach Delta Pineda commended his deep roster, highlighting the valuable contributions from bench players. He stated, \"I reminded them earlier that everyone coming off the bench must step up. Fortunately, most of them did contribute.\" Notable performances off the bench included Larry Muyang and John Lloyd Clemente, each scoring 10 points, while Archie Concepcion energized the squad on both ends of the court. Pineda added, \"We still have areas to improve, but adding these players was a big factor. It also allowed our two big men, both Justin, to rest and improved our game. Our bench is getting deeper, though many are still young players. Experience always matters against stronger teams.\" Terrafirma started strongly but Converge took control in the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 37-25 and leading by 20 points, 96-76, heading into the final period. For Terrafirma, Jerrick Ahanmisi led the scoring with 16 points, followed by Mark Sangalang with 15 and JM Bravo adding 13. Four other players reached double digits, but their collective effort fell short against Converge's relentless offense and interior presence. Converge demonstrated exceptional rhythm and teamwork, delivering one of their most efficient performances this season — a promising sign as the team continues to adapt to Coach Pineda's system. Final Scores: Converge 125 – Stockton 22, Gomez de Liano 17, Garcia 15, Winston 14, Arana 13, Baltazar 12, Clemente 10, Muyang 10, Javillonar 6, Concepcion 3, Delos Santos 0, Santos 0, Suerte 0. Terrafirma 108 – Ahanmisi 16, Sangalang 15, Hanapi 10, Hernandez 10, Marian 10, Nonoy 10, Paraiso 7, River 6, Catapusan 4, Zaldivar 4, Garcia 3, Olivario 0, Bataller 0. Quarter Scores: 29-30; 59-51; 96-76; 125-108.

Misiorowski Shines as Brewers Defeat Cubs to Advance to NLCS

In a thrilling conclusion to the National League Division Series, rookie Jacob Misiorowski showcased his pitching prowess once again to guide the Milwaukee Brewers to a 3-1 triumph over the Chicago Cubs in the fifth and deciding game on Saturday night. The win propels Milwaukee to the National League Championship Series (NLCS), where they will face the Los Angeles Dodgers starting Monday. Misiorowski, just 23 years old, solidified his postseason resurgence by delivering four strong innings, conceding only two singles and securing his second victory of the series with a 2-0 record. The Cubs managed their only run via a solo home run by Seiya Suzuki, but Misiorowski’s composure and control shined through as he walked no batters and struck out three. "He had ups and downs. He had a lot of highs, he had some low moments," said Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich, a veteran of Milwaukee’s 2018 playoff run. "But we’re definitely not winning this series if not for him. He pitched a ton of big innings for us in Game 2. And tonight, he was really unbelievable. Really settled the game down and set the tone for the rest of the guys out of the pen." Five Brewers pitchers combined to limit the Cubs to just four hits, with Abner Uribe closing out the final two innings for the save. Meanwhile, All-Star closer Trevor Megill maintained a perfect first inning, marking the first time the Cubs failed to score in an opening frame this series. The Brewers struck early with William Contreras launching a two-out homer in the first inning, putting Milwaukee ahead. Andrew Vaughn, acquired midseason from the White Sox, hit a crucial solo home run in the fourth inning to give the Brewers a 2-1 lead. Following consecutive singles and a walk loading the bases, Milwaukee’s offense maintained pressure despite a force out. Vaughn reflected on his pivotal homer, saying, "That was huge. Just swung the momentum into our dugout. It was huge, got everybody fired up. The crowd was unbelievable. They stayed loud all night after that." The Cubs threatened in the sixth with two runners on and no outs but failed to capitalize, a rare offensive struggle noted by manager Craig Counsell. "That’s really the only inning you could talk about," Counsell remarked. "We just didn’t do much. We had six baserunners. You’re going to have to hit homers to have any runs scoring in scenarios like that." Brice Turang sealed the victory with a two-out solo home run in the seventh inning, extending Milwaukee’s lead to 3-1. With this series win, the Brewers secure their first playoff series victory since 2018 and will host the Dodgers in the NLCS. The franchise, seeded number one overall with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, aims to build on this momentum as they pursue a deeper postseason run.