Games on Friday
\n(SM MOA Arena)
\n5:15 p.m. \u2013 Rain or Shine vs Ginebra (Semis Game 2)*
\n7:30 p.m. \u2013 TNT vs Meralco (Semis Game 2)*
\n*ROS, TNT lead series, 1-0
TAKING GAME 1 doesn\u2019t guarantee anything. But it could well serve as a momentum builder and good foundation for success in such a tightly fought series that could go the full route.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s really encouraging to win Game 1 against a tough team like Ginebra. It can boost morale,\u201d said Rain or Shine (ROS) coach Yeng Guiao, quick to temper the celebration. \u201cBut series eh, it\u2019s a seven-game series. They\u2019re very talented and very experienced in a situation like this.\u201d
\nThe Elasto Painters look to draw momentum from their 115-111 opening W as they seek to double their lead in the race-to-four Final Four series in Friday\u2019s Game 2 at the SM MOA Arena.
\n\u201cI\u2019m really proud of the guys because they show up and compete against a team like Ginebra, with the GOAT (greatest of all time) import (Justin Brownlee), GOAT coach (Tim Cone), half of the Gilas team and the probable Best Player of the Conference (RJ Abarrientos) in their team,\u201d Mr. Guiao said.
\nLike ROS, defending champion TNT is out to make it 2-0 versus Meralco following Wednesday\u2019s 94-89 win.
\nThe Tropang 5G have been showing their championship caliber in the playoffs, with local aces Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Jayson Castro and Jordan Heading connecting stronger with Bol Bol and giving their fancied import big helping hand.
\nTNT mentor Chot Reyes said having a full, healthy complement has been key.
\n\u201cWe were struggling the whole conference trying to find that combination and that balance (between Mr. Bol and the locals) but remember, we were never fully healthy in the eliminations,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cFortunately, as the eliminations wound down, we got Roger (Pogoy) back to 100% healthy and I think what you\u2019re seeing now is being able to finally put the combinations that we want together.\u201d
\nTheir respective rivals remain defiant.
\n\u201cThey (TNT) had six losses in the elimination round so they are beatable. And we just have to play probably a little bit more disciplined than we did on Wednesday,\u201d said Bolts active consultant Nenad Vucinic after their opening loss. \u2014 Olmin Leyba
\n", "content_text": "Games on Friday\n(SM MOA Arena)\n5:15 p.m. \u2013 Rain or Shine vs Ginebra (Semis Game 2)*\n7:30 p.m. \u2013 TNT vs Meralco (Semis Game 2)*\n*ROS, TNT lead series, 1-0\nTAKING GAME 1 doesn\u2019t guarantee anything. But it could well serve as a momentum builder and good foundation for success in such a tightly fought series that could go the full route.\n\u201cIt\u2019s really encouraging to win Game 1 against a tough team like Ginebra. It can boost morale,\u201d said Rain or Shine (ROS) coach Yeng Guiao, quick to temper the celebration. \u201cBut series eh, it\u2019s a seven-game series. They\u2019re very talented and very experienced in a situation like this.\u201d\nThe Elasto Painters look to draw momentum from their 115-111 opening W as they seek to double their lead in the race-to-four Final Four series in Friday\u2019s Game 2 at the SM MOA Arena.\n\u201cI\u2019m really proud of the guys because they show up and compete against a team like Ginebra, with the GOAT (greatest of all time) import (Justin Brownlee), GOAT coach (Tim Cone), half of the Gilas team and the probable Best Player of the Conference (RJ Abarrientos) in their team,\u201d Mr. Guiao said.\nLike ROS, defending champion TNT is out to make it 2-0 versus Meralco following Wednesday\u2019s 94-89 win.\nThe Tropang 5G have been showing their championship caliber in the playoffs, with local aces Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Jayson Castro and Jordan Heading connecting stronger with Bol Bol and giving their fancied import big helping hand.\nTNT mentor Chot Reyes said having a full, healthy complement has been key.\n\u201cWe were struggling the whole conference trying to find that combination and that balance (between Mr. Bol and the locals) but remember, we were never fully healthy in the eliminations,\u201d he said.\n\u201cFortunately, as the eliminations wound down, we got Roger (Pogoy) back to 100% healthy and I think what you\u2019re seeing now is being able to finally put the combinations that we want together.\u201d\nTheir respective rivals remain defiant.\n\u201cThey (TNT) had six losses in the elimination round so they are beatable. And we just have to play probably a little bit more disciplined than we did on Wednesday,\u201d said Bolts active consultant Nenad Vucinic after their opening loss. \u2014 Olmin Leyba", "date_published": "2026-05-21T18:34:00+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-21T18:34:00+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PBA-Bolbol.jpg", "tags": [ "Olmin Leyba", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ], "summary": "TAKING GAME 1 doesn\u2019t guarantee anything. But it could well serve as a momentum builder and good foundation for success in such a tightly fought series that could go the full route." }, { "id": "/?p=751268", "url": "/sports/2026/05/21/751268/denmarks-hog-and-bisgaard-duo-barely-beat-pons-rondina-tandem-in-world-beach-volleyball/", "title": "Denmark\u2019s Hog and Bisgaard duo barely beat Pons-Rondina tandem in world beach volleyball", "content_html": "IT MAY NOT be a victory.
\nBut the way Bernadeth Pons and Sisi Rondina battled in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour, they showed they deserved to be there.
\n\u201cMargins this small only prove one thing, we belong on this stage,\u201d said a proud Ms. Pons right after their pulsating 21-19, 21-17 defeat to Denmark\u2019s Cirkeline Roed Hog and Sofia Norager Bisgaard in Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on Thursday.
\nThe Southeast Asian Games gold medalists didn\u2019t let the star-studded event intimidate them a bit and brought everything on the table, and made their more experienced Danish foes work a little harder in the event considered as the first of many roads to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
\nIt was a result that pushed the Filipinas on the brink of elimination though.
\nMs. Pons, who is back on the sands after helping steer Creamline to the PVL All-Filipino Conference crown a month ago, vowed to get back on track when they face Swiss Annique Niederhauser and Menia Bentele, needing a victory to advance to the next round.
\n\u201cWe dust ourselves off and come back stronger, on to the next,\u201d she added.
\nInterestingly, Mses. Niederhauser and Bentele edged Mses. Pons and Rondina in their one and only meeting thus far last year in a heartbreaking 18-21, 24-22, 25-12 result also on this same grounds.
\nAlso coming through were Lithuanians Gerda Grudzinskaite and Ieva Dumbauskaite, who smashed Hungarians Lilla Villam and Stefania Flora Kun, 22-20, 21-14.
\nIn men\u2019s action, American Chase Budinger, a former American player who transitioned to the sport where he eventually became an Olympian, partnered with Trevor Crabb in decimating Canadians Luke de Greeff and Tynan Gannett, 21-9, 21-13.
\nUkrainians Valentyna Davidova and Anhelina Khmil downed Mses. Niederhauser and Bentele, 20-22, 21-13, 15-11, to set a duel with Mses. Bisgaard and Hog.
\nParis 2024 Olympians Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte of Lithuania survived wildcards Marie-Alex Belanger and Amy Ozee of Canada, 21-18, 20-22, 15-12, to stay in the hunt.
\nMen\u2019s top seed players Eylon Elazar and Kevin Cuzmiciov of Israel opened their title quest with a 21-14, 21-15 rout of Denmark\u2019s Kristoffer Abell and Christian Andersen. \u2014 Joey Villar
\n", "content_text": "IT MAY NOT be a victory.\nBut the way Bernadeth Pons and Sisi Rondina battled in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour, they showed they deserved to be there.\n\u201cMargins this small only prove one thing, we belong on this stage,\u201d said a proud Ms. Pons right after their pulsating 21-19, 21-17 defeat to Denmark\u2019s Cirkeline Roed Hog and Sofia Norager Bisgaard in Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on Thursday.\nThe Southeast Asian Games gold medalists didn\u2019t let the star-studded event intimidate them a bit and brought everything on the table, and made their more experienced Danish foes work a little harder in the event considered as the first of many roads to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.\nIt was a result that pushed the Filipinas on the brink of elimination though.\nMs. Pons, who is back on the sands after helping steer Creamline to the PVL All-Filipino Conference crown a month ago, vowed to get back on track when they face Swiss Annique Niederhauser and Menia Bentele, needing a victory to advance to the next round.\n\u201cWe dust ourselves off and come back stronger, on to the next,\u201d she added.\nInterestingly, Mses. Niederhauser and Bentele edged Mses. Pons and Rondina in their one and only meeting thus far last year in a heartbreaking 18-21, 24-22, 25-12 result also on this same grounds.\nAlso coming through were Lithuanians Gerda Grudzinskaite and Ieva Dumbauskaite, who smashed Hungarians Lilla Villam and Stefania Flora Kun, 22-20, 21-14.\nIn men\u2019s action, American Chase Budinger, a former American player who transitioned to the sport where he eventually became an Olympian, partnered with Trevor Crabb in decimating Canadians Luke de Greeff and Tynan Gannett, 21-9, 21-13.\nUkrainians Valentyna Davidova and Anhelina Khmil downed Mses. Niederhauser and Bentele, 20-22, 21-13, 15-11, to set a duel with Mses. Bisgaard and Hog.\nParis 2024 Olympians Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte of Lithuania survived wildcards Marie-Alex Belanger and Amy Ozee of Canada, 21-18, 20-22, 15-12, to stay in the hunt.\nMen\u2019s top seed players Eylon Elazar and Kevin Cuzmiciov of Israel opened their title quest with a 21-14, 21-15 rout of Denmark\u2019s Kristoffer Abell and Christian Andersen. \u2014 Joey Villar", "date_published": "2026-05-21T18:33:35+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-21T18:33:35+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Rondina-Pons.jpg", "tags": [ "Joey Villar", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=751264", "url": "/sports/2026/05/21/751264/knicks-rally-to-beat-cavs/", "title": "Knicks rally to beat Cavs", "content_html": "For three quarters, the East Finals opener looked more like a confirmation than a contest. The Cavaliers had all the markers of competitors ready for the grandest of stages in pro hoops: fresher legs than expected after surviving a grueling seven-game semifinal-round series, a double-digit lead that ballooned to 22 in the fourth quarter, and a poised offense that had spent most of the set-to carving through the Knicks\u2019 defense. Then, in a span of eight minutes and change, the script flipped. The supposedly dead-in-the-water Gothamites closed regulation and overtime on a staggering 44-11 run, turning what should have been a procedural Game One victory for the visitors into a reminder of the fragility of postseason control.
\nNeedless to say, the rally was dramatic in and of itself. What made it more revealing was how methodical it became once panic enveloped the Cavaliers. Jalen Brunson, again proving his dependability in the crunch, recognized the weak point and kept pressing on it. He repeatedly hunted James Harden in switches and isolation sets, in the process forcing the defense to bend and subsequently snap. He scored 11 straight points in what can be best described as a blur of possessions as the Garden shifted from anxious to delirious. The strategy was not especially subtle. It did not need to be, of course.
\nThe judgments came in the aftermath. Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson defended his decision to stay with his veterans deep into the unraveling, arguing afterward that they built the lead in the first place, and thus deserved the opportunity to finish the match. Bench tacticians often speak of trust as currency in the playoffs, and the argument is not without merit. That said, National Basketball Association annals are replete with examples of failures borne of fatigue. The wine and gold looked spent long before overtime began, and their condition was apparent to the charging Knicks. They managed only four field goals during the decisive stretch and committed turnover after turnover when the stress intensified. Continuity from the sidelines increasingly became inertia on the court.
\nThere is, too, an irony woven into the result. Much of the conversation entering the series centered on whether the Knicks could withstand the Cavaliers\u2019 depth, pace, and offensive versatility over the long haul. Instead, Game One unveiled what seemed to be a far more important variable: emotional elasticity. Heading into the series, the blue and orange had spent much of the postseason operating sans aesthetic beauty, and they remained unapologetic in leaning into resilience as their identity through Game One. They did not suddenly become more skilled in the final eight minutes. They simply became more relentless. OG Anunoby returned and steadied the defense. Mikal Bridges made timely plays. Landry Shamet supplied unexpected shooting. And Brunson, predictably, met the challenge head on when the encounter became a continuing test of nerves.
\nGranted, there is nothing declarative about a single victory in a best-of-seven affair. The Cavaliers remain good enough to advance to the NBA Finals; in fact, they possess the talent to do so comfortably if they regain their composure. On the other hand, there can be no doubting the capacity of scabs to turn into scars. They squandered a 22-point fourth-quarter lead; there is no way for them to have emerged untouched. And the Knicks certainly know the feeling after having spent years on the other side of such battles: coming close to relevance only to experience it slipping away.
\nNow, the Knicks are applying the pressure instead of absorbing it. And, make no mistake, they are only too happy to do so. Amid the celebration that followed the final buzzer, the shift loomed larger than the comeback itself.
\n\n
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
\n", "content_text": "For three quarters, the East Finals opener looked more like a confirmation than a contest. The Cavaliers had all the markers of competitors ready for the grandest of stages in pro hoops: fresher legs than expected after surviving a grueling seven-game semifinal-round series, a double-digit lead that ballooned to 22 in the fourth quarter, and a poised offense that had spent most of the set-to carving through the Knicks\u2019 defense. Then, in a span of eight minutes and change, the script flipped. The supposedly dead-in-the-water Gothamites closed regulation and overtime on a staggering 44-11 run, turning what should have been a procedural Game One victory for the visitors into a reminder of the fragility of postseason control.\nNeedless to say, the rally was dramatic in and of itself. What made it more revealing was how methodical it became once panic enveloped the Cavaliers. Jalen Brunson, again proving his dependability in the crunch, recognized the weak point and kept pressing on it. He repeatedly hunted James Harden in switches and isolation sets, in the process forcing the defense to bend and subsequently snap. He scored 11 straight points in what can be best described as a blur of possessions as the Garden shifted from anxious to delirious. The strategy was not especially subtle. It did not need to be, of course.\nThe judgments came in the aftermath. Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson defended his decision to stay with his veterans deep into the unraveling, arguing afterward that they built the lead in the first place, and thus deserved the opportunity to finish the match. Bench tacticians often speak of trust as currency in the playoffs, and the argument is not without merit. That said, National Basketball Association annals are replete with examples of failures borne of fatigue. The wine and gold looked spent long before overtime began, and their condition was apparent to the charging Knicks. They managed only four field goals during the decisive stretch and committed turnover after turnover when the stress intensified. Continuity from the sidelines increasingly became inertia on the court.\nThere is, too, an irony woven into the result. Much of the conversation entering the series centered on whether the Knicks could withstand the Cavaliers\u2019 depth, pace, and offensive versatility over the long haul. Instead, Game One unveiled what seemed to be a far more important variable: emotional elasticity. Heading into the series, the blue and orange had spent much of the postseason operating sans aesthetic beauty, and they remained unapologetic in leaning into resilience as their identity through Game One. They did not suddenly become more skilled in the final eight minutes. They simply became more relentless. OG Anunoby returned and steadied the defense. Mikal Bridges made timely plays. Landry Shamet supplied unexpected shooting. And Brunson, predictably, met the challenge head on when the encounter became a continuing test of nerves.\nGranted, there is nothing declarative about a single victory in a best-of-seven affair. The Cavaliers remain good enough to advance to the NBA Finals; in fact, they possess the talent to do so comfortably if they regain their composure. On the other hand, there can be no doubting the capacity of scabs to turn into scars. They squandered a 22-point fourth-quarter lead; there is no way for them to have emerged untouched. And the Knicks certainly know the feeling after having spent years on the other side of such battles: coming close to relevance only to experience it slipping away.\nNow, the Knicks are applying the pressure instead of absorbing it. And, make no mistake, they are only too happy to do so. Amid the celebration that followed the final buzzer, the shift loomed larger than the comeback itself.\n \nAnthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.", "date_published": "2026-05-21T18:31:27+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-21T18:31:27+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sports-basketball-default.jpg", "tags": [ "Anthony L. Cuaycong", "Courtside", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=750979", "url": "/sports/2026/05/20/750979/all-filipino-champion-creamline-all-set-for-invitational-conference/", "title": "All-Filipino champion Creamline all set for Invitational Conference", "content_html": "\r\n \r\n\r\nFRESH from its month-long vacation, reigning PVL All-Filipino Conference champion Creamline will come in fully re-energized as it prepares for season-opening Invitational Conference set late next month.
\n\u201cWe just returned to Creamline practice, everyone\u2019s recharged,\u201d said Cool Smashers captain Alyssa Valdez during the lunch hosted by its insurance company sponsor Allianz at the Ayala One in Makati on Wednesday.
\nMs. Valdez also said the team will come in more secure knowing they have Allianz as one of its backers.
\n\u201cThanks to Allianz, I\u2019m rating my health to 101%,\u201d she said.
\nAllianz has been the partner of not just Creamline but also the latter\u2019s fellow Rebisco-owned squads Choco Mucho and Criss Cross of Spikers\u2019 Turf.
\n\u201cOur partnership with Rebisco emotionalizes our brand,\u201d said Allianz Chief Executive Officer Joseph Gross, who was accompanied by Allianz Chief Marketing Officer Rozanne Magararu.
\n\u201cBut the deepest reason why we support them is because we share the same values of excellence, working as a team, perseverance and resilience. We will be there in the good or bad days because we know you don\u2019t always win,\u201d he added.
\nFor Choco Mucho\u2019s Kat Tolentino, she vowed they would never stop in achieving their ultimate goal of winning its breakthrough PVL crown.
\n\u201cThis journey continues to teach us patience and the importance of trusting the process because our time will come,\u201d she said.
\nPVL notes: Creamline also showed up with its new recruit, former Cignal spiker Erin Pangilinan. Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin also dispelled rumors that setter Tia Andaya left the team. \u201cShe will be back,\u201d he said. Choco Mucho also brought its new recruit to the Allianz event but team officials requested to allow them to announce it on social media first. \u2014 Joey Villar
\n", "content_text": "1 of 5\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n ALL-FILIPINO CHAMPION Creamline Cool Smashers \u2014 PVL\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n ALL-FILIPINO CHAMPION Creamline Cool Smashers \u2014 PVL\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n ALL-FILIPINO CHAMPION Creamline Cool Smashers \u2014 PVL\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n ALL-FILIPINO CHAMPION Creamline Cool Smashers \u2014 PVL\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n ALL-FILIPINO CHAMPION Creamline Cool Smashers \u2014 PVL\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \nFRESH from its month-long vacation, reigning PVL All-Filipino Conference champion Creamline will come in fully re-energized as it prepares for season-opening Invitational Conference set late next month.\n\u201cWe just returned to Creamline practice, everyone\u2019s recharged,\u201d said Cool Smashers captain Alyssa Valdez during the lunch hosted by its insurance company sponsor Allianz at the Ayala One in Makati on Wednesday.\nMs. Valdez also said the team will come in more secure knowing they have Allianz as one of its backers.\n\u201cThanks to Allianz, I\u2019m rating my health to 101%,\u201d she said.\nAllianz has been the partner of not just Creamline but also the latter\u2019s fellow Rebisco-owned squads Choco Mucho and Criss Cross of Spikers\u2019 Turf.\n\u201cOur partnership with Rebisco emotionalizes our brand,\u201d said Allianz Chief Executive Officer Joseph Gross, who was accompanied by Allianz Chief Marketing Officer Rozanne Magararu.\n\u201cBut the deepest reason why we support them is because we share the same values of excellence, working as a team, perseverance and resilience. We will be there in the good or bad days because we know you don\u2019t always win,\u201d he added.\nFor Choco Mucho\u2019s Kat Tolentino, she vowed they would never stop in achieving their ultimate goal of winning its breakthrough PVL crown.\n\u201cThis journey continues to teach us patience and the importance of trusting the process because our time will come,\u201d she said.\nPVL notes: Creamline also showed up with its new recruit, former Cignal spiker Erin Pangilinan. Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin also dispelled rumors that setter Tia Andaya left the team. \u201cShe will be back,\u201d he said. Choco Mucho also brought its new recruit to the Allianz event but team officials requested to allow them to announce it on social media first. \u2014 Joey Villar", "date_published": "2026-05-20T18:50:03+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-20T18:50:03+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PVL-4.jpg", "tags": [ "Joey Villar", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=750978", "url": "/sports/2026/05/20/750978/agusan-del-sur-to-host-2026-palarong-pambansa-provide-free-tours-of-tourism-hotspots/", "title": "Agusan del Sur to host 2026 Palarong Pambansa, provide free tours of tourism hotspots", "content_html": "THE 2026 Palarong Pambansa will be more than just a mecca of national sports competition for elementary and high school student-athletes.
\nGoing all out as first-time host, Agusan del Sur will provide complimentary tours in the province\u2019s top tourism hotspots as well as free transportation around venues when they gather more than thousands of delegates from 18 regions for the country\u2019s summer multi-sports meet on Sunday until May 31.
\nWith a theme of \u201cPalaro Tu Agsur: Unlocking the Future through Sports,\u201d Agusan has unveiled complimentary tours for all delegates, free of transportation and entrance fee charges, in Tugonan Falls, Bega Falls and Ecotourism Park, Puting Buhangin Cave, the Agusan Provincial Museum, the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Toog Centennial Tree, among the few.
\nThe landmark tourism and sports tie-up will also include boat tours in Surigao del Sur, Bretania Group of Islands and the Enchanted River, as part of the partnership between the neighbor provinces. Tour schedules will run from May 17 to 22 and from May 27 to June 1.
\nThen there\u2019s the Libreng Sakay around the 36 playing venues in Prosperidad and nearby towns, all made possible by the Agusan del Sur province led by Governor Santiago B. Cane, Jr. that drew praises from Department of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo \u201cSonny\u201d M. Angara as a true testament of the Filipinos\u2019 warm hospitality.
\nThe free rides will be via e-buses and trikes plying around Prosperidad, Bayugan City, Bunawan, Esperanza, Talacogon and San Francisco, accessible for all players, coaches, staff and accredited delegates.
\n\u201cThese (efforts) remind our young athletes that every competition is also an opportunity to discover new places, cultures, and stories while building friendships and discipline through sports.\u201d
\nThe National Capital Region will defend its crown in Mindanao after ruling Laoag for its 18th straight title last year with Calabarzon and Western Visayas expected to give the Big City a run for its own money once more. \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday
\n", "content_text": "THE 2026 Palarong Pambansa will be more than just a mecca of national sports competition for elementary and high school student-athletes.\nGoing all out as first-time host, Agusan del Sur will provide complimentary tours in the province\u2019s top tourism hotspots as well as free transportation around venues when they gather more than thousands of delegates from 18 regions for the country\u2019s summer multi-sports meet on Sunday until May 31.\nWith a theme of \u201cPalaro Tu Agsur: Unlocking the Future through Sports,\u201d Agusan has unveiled complimentary tours for all delegates, free of transportation and entrance fee charges, in Tugonan Falls, Bega Falls and Ecotourism Park, Puting Buhangin Cave, the Agusan Provincial Museum, the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Toog Centennial Tree, among the few.\nThe landmark tourism and sports tie-up will also include boat tours in Surigao del Sur, Bretania Group of Islands and the Enchanted River, as part of the partnership between the neighbor provinces. Tour schedules will run from May 17 to 22 and from May 27 to June 1.\nThen there\u2019s the Libreng Sakay around the 36 playing venues in Prosperidad and nearby towns, all made possible by the Agusan del Sur province led by Governor Santiago B. Cane, Jr. that drew praises from Department of Education Secretary Juan Edgardo \u201cSonny\u201d M. Angara as a true testament of the Filipinos\u2019 warm hospitality.\nThe free rides will be via e-buses and trikes plying around Prosperidad, Bayugan City, Bunawan, Esperanza, Talacogon and San Francisco, accessible for all players, coaches, staff and accredited delegates.\n\u201cThese (efforts) remind our young athletes that every competition is also an opportunity to discover new places, cultures, and stories while building friendships and discipline through sports.\u201d\nThe National Capital Region will defend its crown in Mindanao after ruling Laoag for its 18th straight title last year with Calabarzon and Western Visayas expected to give the Big City a run for its own money once more. \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday", "date_published": "2026-05-20T18:48:37+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-20T18:48:37+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Palarong-Pambansa.jpg", "tags": [ "John Bryan Ulanday", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=750679", "url": "/sports/2026/05/19/750679/final-four-eye-game-1-advantage-in-pba-commissioners-cup-semis/", "title": "Final four eye Game 1 advantage in PBA Commissioner\u2019s Cup semis", "content_html": "Games on Wednesday
\n(Ynares Center-Antipolo)
\n5:15 p.m. \u2013 Meralco vs TNT (Semis Game 1)
\n7:30 p.m. \u2013 Ginebra vs Rain or Shine (Semis Game 1)
THIS isn\u2019t like the previous quarterfinal stage, where there was a built-in win-once edge, or in TNT\u2019s case, twice-to-win disadvantage.
\nSo it\u2019s up to the protagonists in the PBA Commissioner\u2019s Cup semifinals to try and get any advantage they could in what looms as a potential war of attrition.
\nAnd as the final four kicks off on Wednesday, the most immediate goal would be to gain a 1-0 upper hand in the race-to-four and possibly set the right tone for the rest of the proceedings.
\nThe eighth-seeded defending champion Tropang 5G, fresh from their two-game reversal over top seed NLEX, and No. 4 Meralco, who survived a sudden death against No. 5 Magnolia, dispute the opening lead in their tiff at 5:15 p.m. at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.
\nNo. 2 Barangay Ginebra and No. 3 Rain or Shine (ROS), two teams aching to end years of heartaches, seek the same when they fire the first shot in their side of the draw at 7:30 p.m.
\nIt\u2019s not facing a do-or-die situation like last time in the quarters but just the same, Bol Bol-led TNT doesn\u2019t feel any less threatened.
\n\u201cAs a complete team, they\u2019re playing at a very high level,\u201d Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes said of Meralco, recalling how the latter bamboozled his troops in the elims, 108-99.
\n\u201cThey have so many offensive weapons that it\u2019s incumbent upon us to defend well and rebound. They\u2019re also one of the more physical teams and you see how teams are playing Bol so we have to be able to cope with that and play through that. They\u2019re very well coached, too, so yeah, we have our work cut out for us.\u201d
\nThe two sister teams but fierce rivals from the MVP Group contest a finals seat for the second straight conference. TNT beat Meralco in the same stage in the preceding Philippine Cup, 4-1, but the Bolts feel they can compete better this time.
\n\u201cObviously, they are deserving to make the finals and they are hard to beat in a seven-game series. But with the way we are playing we deserve to be there, too,\u201d said mentor Luigi Trillo.
\nImport Marvin Jones and Cliff Hodge are expected to get the main load of defending against Mr. Bol while Chris Newsome, CJ Cansino, Chris Banchero, Jason Brickman and Bong Quinto handle the business against TNT locals like Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy and Jayson Castro.
\n\u201cThe longer the series lasts, we now have the depth to match up with their guards,\u201d said Mr. Trillo.
\nMeanwhile, Tim Cone and the Gin Kings brace for war against ROS\u2019 Yeng Guiao and his speedsters.
\n\u201cWe know how hard it is to go up against Yeng Guiao and his teams. They play the game extremely hard and extremely fast and they compete all the time. They can wear you down in a seven-game series because of their deep bench and who they go to,\u201d said Mr. Cone.
\nThe Gin Kings also hope the five-day break gave Justin Brownlee enough recovery time after sustaining \u201ca little tweak\u201d on his hamstring during their 112-81 clincher over Phoenix. \u2014 Olmin Leyba
\n", "content_text": "Games on Wednesday\n(Ynares Center-Antipolo)\n5:15 p.m. \u2013 Meralco vs TNT (Semis Game 1)\n7:30 p.m. \u2013 Ginebra vs Rain or Shine (Semis Game 1)\nTHIS isn\u2019t like the previous quarterfinal stage, where there was a built-in win-once edge, or in TNT\u2019s case, twice-to-win disadvantage.\nSo it\u2019s up to the protagonists in the PBA Commissioner\u2019s Cup semifinals to try and get any advantage they could in what looms as a potential war of attrition.\nAnd as the final four kicks off on Wednesday, the most immediate goal would be to gain a 1-0 upper hand in the race-to-four and possibly set the right tone for the rest of the proceedings.\nThe eighth-seeded defending champion Tropang 5G, fresh from their two-game reversal over top seed NLEX, and No. 4 Meralco, who survived a sudden death against No. 5 Magnolia, dispute the opening lead in their tiff at 5:15 p.m. at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.\nNo. 2 Barangay Ginebra and No. 3 Rain or Shine (ROS), two teams aching to end years of heartaches, seek the same when they fire the first shot in their side of the draw at 7:30 p.m.\nIt\u2019s not facing a do-or-die situation like last time in the quarters but just the same, Bol Bol-led TNT doesn\u2019t feel any less threatened.\n\u201cAs a complete team, they\u2019re playing at a very high level,\u201d Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes said of Meralco, recalling how the latter bamboozled his troops in the elims, 108-99.\n\u201cThey have so many offensive weapons that it\u2019s incumbent upon us to defend well and rebound. They\u2019re also one of the more physical teams and you see how teams are playing Bol so we have to be able to cope with that and play through that. They\u2019re very well coached, too, so yeah, we have our work cut out for us.\u201d\nThe two sister teams but fierce rivals from the MVP Group contest a finals seat for the second straight conference. TNT beat Meralco in the same stage in the preceding Philippine Cup, 4-1, but the Bolts feel they can compete better this time.\n\u201cObviously, they are deserving to make the finals and they are hard to beat in a seven-game series. But with the way we are playing we deserve to be there, too,\u201d said mentor Luigi Trillo.\nImport Marvin Jones and Cliff Hodge are expected to get the main load of defending against Mr. Bol while Chris Newsome, CJ Cansino, Chris Banchero, Jason Brickman and Bong Quinto handle the business against TNT locals like Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy and Jayson Castro.\n\u201cThe longer the series lasts, we now have the depth to match up with their guards,\u201d said Mr. Trillo.\nMeanwhile, Tim Cone and the Gin Kings brace for war against ROS\u2019 Yeng Guiao and his speedsters.\n\u201cWe know how hard it is to go up against Yeng Guiao and his teams. They play the game extremely hard and extremely fast and they compete all the time. They can wear you down in a seven-game series because of their deep bench and who they go to,\u201d said Mr. Cone.\nThe Gin Kings also hope the five-day break gave Justin Brownlee enough recovery time after sustaining \u201ca little tweak\u201d on his hamstring during their 112-81 clincher over Phoenix. \u2014 Olmin Leyba", "date_published": "2026-05-19T18:45:06+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-19T18:45:06+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sports-basketball-default.jpg", "tags": [ "Olmin Leyba", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ], "summary": "THIS isn\u2019t like the previous quarterfinal stage, where there was a built-in win-once edge, or in TNT\u2019s case, twice-to-win disadvantage." }, { "id": "/?p=750678", "url": "/sports/2026/05/19/750678/alex-eala-shifts-focus-to-french-open-after-early-wta-500-strasbourg-exit/", "title": "Alex Eala shifts focus to French Open after early WTA 500 Strasbourg exit", "content_html": "ALL EYES now on the \u201cQueen of Clay.\u201d
\nAlexandra \u201cAlex\u201d Eala will shift her entire focus to the French Open next week after a stunning early elimination in the WTA 500 Strasbourg Open late on Monday night at the Tennis Club de Strasbourg in France.
\nUp against a qualifier and a lower-ranked opponent in WTA No. 66 Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine, Ms. Eala lost steam down the stretch for a 6-3, 5-7, 3-6 defeat in Round 1 of the 500-level tour serving as the pre-tournament for the Roland Garros on May 24 to June 7.
\nA day after re-entering the Top 40 (No. 38) of the world rankings, Ms. Eala\u2019s quick elimination now gives her a full week of individual preparation, possibly at her home base at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain, before slugging it out against the big guns.
\nMs. Eala, the No. 1 seed in the qualifying round, had high hopes of refining that buildup after being promoted to the main draw of Strasbourg as a replacement to late pullout Hailey Baptiste of the United States, against a qualifier who happened to be Ms. Oliynykova, but to no avail.
\nThe lefty ace was broken seven times by the 25-year-old Ukrainian, including twice in the homestretch of the deciding set as she wasted a 3-2 lead. Ms. Oliynykova will face No. 27 Marie Bouzkova of Czechia, who scored a 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 win over her compatriot Katerina Siniakova (WTA singles No. 36, doubles No. 1), in the second round.
\nMs. Eala also exited early in the Upper Austria Ladies Linz Open in Austria (second round), the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany (first round) and the Mutua Madrid Open (second round) with a third-round finish in the Italian Open serving as her only breakthrough run so far.
\nThe Italian Open, where she also played doubles with Ms. Baptiste, was Ms. Eala\u2019s highest finish in any clay tournament in her budding career.
\nBut it gets tougher from here in Paris, especially with Ms. Eala also looking to improve on a first-round exit last year against Emiliana Arango of Colombia, 0-6, 6-2, 3-6.
\nAs a Top 50 player, Ms. Eala is already listed in the main draw of the French Open singles as well as in the doubles, where she\u2019ll team up with world No. 9 and fellow rising star Victoria Mboko of Canada for the first time. \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday
\n", "content_text": "ALL EYES now on the \u201cQueen of Clay.\u201d\nAlexandra \u201cAlex\u201d Eala will shift her entire focus to the French Open next week after a stunning early elimination in the WTA 500 Strasbourg Open late on Monday night at the Tennis Club de Strasbourg in France.\nUp against a qualifier and a lower-ranked opponent in WTA No. 66 Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine, Ms. Eala lost steam down the stretch for a 6-3, 5-7, 3-6 defeat in Round 1 of the 500-level tour serving as the pre-tournament for the Roland Garros on May 24 to June 7.\nA day after re-entering the Top 40 (No. 38) of the world rankings, Ms. Eala\u2019s quick elimination now gives her a full week of individual preparation, possibly at her home base at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain, before slugging it out against the big guns.\nMs. Eala, the No. 1 seed in the qualifying round, had high hopes of refining that buildup after being promoted to the main draw of Strasbourg as a replacement to late pullout Hailey Baptiste of the United States, against a qualifier who happened to be Ms. Oliynykova, but to no avail.\nThe lefty ace was broken seven times by the 25-year-old Ukrainian, including twice in the homestretch of the deciding set as she wasted a 3-2 lead. Ms. Oliynykova will face No. 27 Marie Bouzkova of Czechia, who scored a 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 win over her compatriot Katerina Siniakova (WTA singles No. 36, doubles No. 1), in the second round.\nMs. Eala also exited early in the Upper Austria Ladies Linz Open in Austria (second round), the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany (first round) and the Mutua Madrid Open (second round) with a third-round finish in the Italian Open serving as her only breakthrough run so far.\nThe Italian Open, where she also played doubles with Ms. Baptiste, was Ms. Eala\u2019s highest finish in any clay tournament in her budding career.\nBut it gets tougher from here in Paris, especially with Ms. Eala also looking to improve on a first-round exit last year against Emiliana Arango of Colombia, 0-6, 6-2, 3-6.\nAs a Top 50 player, Ms. Eala is already listed in the main draw of the French Open singles as well as in the doubles, where she\u2019ll team up with world No. 9 and fellow rising star Victoria Mboko of Canada for the first time. \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday", "date_published": "2026-05-19T18:44:24+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-19T18:44:24+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alex-Eala-2.jpg", "tags": [ "John Bryan Ulanday", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=750675", "url": "/sports/2026/05/19/750675/fatally-flawed-pistons/", "title": "Fatally flawed Pistons", "content_html": "A series-deciding score of 125-94 will inevitably waylay any given set-to in the dustbins of hoops history. That the Pistons\u2019 was a Game Seven loss at home serves only to accentuate their forgettable stand. It casts the unmistakable shadow of collapse, leaving in its wake the visual of empty seats well before the final buzzer, not to mention the determination that the moment proved too large for them.
\nYet context matters, especially in May, when narratives often get to be too harsh. The Pistons were not just beaten the other day; they were reminded of what the upper reaches of the postseason actually demand. They entered the East semifinals as the top seeds and owners of one of the National Basketball Association\u2019s most improbable turnarounds. They then exited bruised and battered, but with a lesson that should ultimately prove useful.
\nFor six games, the Pistons convinced themselves, and much of the basketball world, that resolve alone could bend the series their way. They forced a deciding contest after winning four elimination games en route; it was no small feat, but built on stubbornness rather than polish. Cade Cunningham played through physicality with uncommon composure in the face of relative inexperience. Ausar Thompson turned chaos into utility. Even the supporting cast, patched together in places, seemed to understand its disruptive role.
\nWhich is to say the Pistons were not supposed to ascend so quickly. But Game Seven stripped away any upstart romance and reminded all and sundry of hierarchy. The Cavaliers looked older in the ways that matter: more regular rotations, cleaner reads, sharper recognition of when to attack and when to wait. With everything on the line, Donovan Mitchell came up with a star turn that made all the difference; even as his 26, six, and eight will not be placed alongside far more remarkable Game Seven explosions in league history, there can be no doubting their significance. He dictated tempo without forcing it, understanding what the defense gave and acting accordingly. The others fed off him; Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley combined for 44, 19, and seven, while Sam Merrill\u2019s shooting effectively widened the floor.
\nThe numbers don\u2019t lie. The Cavaliers shot better, rebounded better, and, most importantly, appeared unbothered by the stakes. The distinction separated them from the competition all evening. They have been there and done that, never mind their absence from the Conference Finals since 2018. On the flipside, there is temptation to mark the Pistons as fatally flawed. Cunningham missed all seven of his three-point attempts. Tobias Harris failed to convert a field goal. They shot 35 percent from the floor.
\nThe stat lines will populate offseason discussions, along with the usual observations about roster imbalance and lack of perimeter creation. Yet the truth is less punitive. Young contenders rarely move up in a straight line. The Thunder needed repeated disappointments before becoming who they are now. The Celtics wandered through years of near misses. Even the Cavaliers\u2019 own journey following LeBron James\u2019 second departure remains framed by their monumental comeback from a 1-3 Finals deficit in 2016. The playoffs do not simply assess talent; they test endurance and the ability to metabolize humiliation without allowing it to calcify.
\nHead coach J.B. Bickerstaff\u2019s insistence in his postmortem that the season was \u201cnot a disappointment\u201d has been received poorly. That said, he\u2019s not wrong. The Pistons won 60 games, survived the first round, and stared at death repeatedly. None of the strides they made disappeared just because the Cavaliers administered a brutal beating. If anything, the manner of the defeat underscores how much they need to keep working before reaching elite status. They\u2019re well on their way to success. How long the journey will take depends on them.
\n\n
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
\n", "content_text": "A series-deciding score of 125-94 will inevitably waylay any given set-to in the dustbins of hoops history. That the Pistons\u2019 was a Game Seven loss at home serves only to accentuate their forgettable stand. It casts the unmistakable shadow of collapse, leaving in its wake the visual of empty seats well before the final buzzer, not to mention the determination that the moment proved too large for them.\nYet context matters, especially in May, when narratives often get to be too harsh. The Pistons were not just beaten the other day; they were reminded of what the upper reaches of the postseason actually demand. They entered the East semifinals as the top seeds and owners of one of the National Basketball Association\u2019s most improbable turnarounds. They then exited bruised and battered, but with a lesson that should ultimately prove useful.\nFor six games, the Pistons convinced themselves, and much of the basketball world, that resolve alone could bend the series their way. They forced a deciding contest after winning four elimination games en route; it was no small feat, but built on stubbornness rather than polish. Cade Cunningham played through physicality with uncommon composure in the face of relative inexperience. Ausar Thompson turned chaos into utility. Even the supporting cast, patched together in places, seemed to understand its disruptive role.\nWhich is to say the Pistons were not supposed to ascend so quickly. But Game Seven stripped away any upstart romance and reminded all and sundry of hierarchy. The Cavaliers looked older in the ways that matter: more regular rotations, cleaner reads, sharper recognition of when to attack and when to wait. With everything on the line, Donovan Mitchell came up with a star turn that made all the difference; even as his 26, six, and eight will not be placed alongside far more remarkable Game Seven explosions in league history, there can be no doubting their significance. He dictated tempo without forcing it, understanding what the defense gave and acting accordingly. The others fed off him; Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley combined for 44, 19, and seven, while Sam Merrill\u2019s shooting effectively widened the floor.\nThe numbers don\u2019t lie. The Cavaliers shot better, rebounded better, and, most importantly, appeared unbothered by the stakes. The distinction separated them from the competition all evening. They have been there and done that, never mind their absence from the Conference Finals since 2018. On the flipside, there is temptation to mark the Pistons as fatally flawed. Cunningham missed all seven of his three-point attempts. Tobias Harris failed to convert a field goal. They shot 35 percent from the floor.\nThe stat lines will populate offseason discussions, along with the usual observations about roster imbalance and lack of perimeter creation. Yet the truth is less punitive. Young contenders rarely move up in a straight line. The Thunder needed repeated disappointments before becoming who they are now. The Celtics wandered through years of near misses. Even the Cavaliers\u2019 own journey following LeBron James\u2019 second departure remains framed by their monumental comeback from a 1-3 Finals deficit in 2016. The playoffs do not simply assess talent; they test endurance and the ability to metabolize humiliation without allowing it to calcify.\nHead coach J.B. Bickerstaff\u2019s insistence in his postmortem that the season was \u201cnot a disappointment\u201d has been received poorly. That said, he\u2019s not wrong. The Pistons won 60 games, survived the first round, and stared at death repeatedly. None of the strides they made disappeared just because the Cavaliers administered a brutal beating. If anything, the manner of the defeat underscores how much they need to keep working before reaching elite status. They\u2019re well on their way to success. How long the journey will take depends on them.\n \nAnthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.", "date_published": "2026-05-19T18:43:01+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-19T18:43:01+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sports-basketball-default.jpg", "tags": [ "Anthony L. Cuaycong", "Courtside", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=750429", "url": "/sports/2026/05/18/750429/eala-jumps-to-no-38-in-wta-world-rankings-ahead-of-strasbourg/", "title": "Eala jumps to No. 38 in WTA world rankings ahead of Strasbourg", "content_html": "ALEXANDRA \u201cALEX\u201d EALA has returned inside the Top 40 world rankings leading up to the Strasbourg Open and her much-awaited stint in the French Open, the queen of clay.
\nFrom No. 42, Ms. Eala climbed to No. 38 in the latest Women\u2019s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings, thanks to a breakthrough run in the Italian Open last week.
\nMs. Eala has now 1,340 points, collecting a gain of 55 points after reaching the third round of a clay tournament for the first time in her career. She bowed to world No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, 6-4, 6-3, in the Round of 64 of the 1000-level tour in Rome.
\nThe 20-year-old Filipino hovered at the Top 40s for almost two months since a 16-spot drop in March from a career-best No. 29 after falling short of defending her ranking points in the Miami Open.
\nMs. Eala reached the Final Four last year but settled for Round of 16 this time around, thus losing 270 ranking points to fall all the way to No. 45.
\nSlowly but surely though, the lefty ace is regaining her ground just in time for the season\u2019s second Grand Slam, the queen of clay at the Roland Garros, on May 24 to June 7 in Paris.
\nMs. Eala will also play doubles in the French Open with the 19-year-old Canadian star Victoria Mboko, world No. 9 and the No. 1 seed in Strasbourg, for their first team-up after two meetings in their young careers.
\nBut first things first for Ms. Eala, who was to play qualifier and No. 66 Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine at press time in the first round of the WTA 500 Strasbourg serving as the pre-tournament of the French Open in a city near Paris.
\nThe 25-year-old Ms. Oliynikova beat No. 75 Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan in the finals of the two-round qualifiers.
\nMs. Eala, the No. 1 seed in the qualifiers, advanced straight to the main draw after replacing late pull-out Hailey Baptiste of the United States.
\nAside from the Italian Open, Ms. Eala also fine-tuned her bearings in the Upper Austria Ladies Linz Open in Austria (second round), the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany (first round) and the Mutua Madrid Open (second round) that helped her climb the WTA rankings once more.
\nIn the doubles however, Ms. Eala slid from a career-best of No. 88 to No. 115 after a pair of first-round exits in the Madrid Open and the Italian Open, both against the powerhouse duo of Czechia\u2019s Katerina Siniakova (world No. 1) and USA\u2019s Taylor Townsend (world No. 2).
\nMs. Eala and Turkish partner Zeynep Sonmez absorbed a 6-1, 7-5 defeat in Madrid before another beating in Rome, 6-2, 6-1, with American partner Ms. Baptiste. \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday
\n", "content_text": "ALEXANDRA \u201cALEX\u201d EALA has returned inside the Top 40 world rankings leading up to the Strasbourg Open and her much-awaited stint in the French Open, the queen of clay.\nFrom No. 42, Ms. Eala climbed to No. 38 in the latest Women\u2019s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings, thanks to a breakthrough run in the Italian Open last week.\nMs. Eala has now 1,340 points, collecting a gain of 55 points after reaching the third round of a clay tournament for the first time in her career. She bowed to world No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, 6-4, 6-3, in the Round of 64 of the 1000-level tour in Rome.\nThe 20-year-old Filipino hovered at the Top 40s for almost two months since a 16-spot drop in March from a career-best No. 29 after falling short of defending her ranking points in the Miami Open.\nMs. Eala reached the Final Four last year but settled for Round of 16 this time around, thus losing 270 ranking points to fall all the way to No. 45.\nSlowly but surely though, the lefty ace is regaining her ground just in time for the season\u2019s second Grand Slam, the queen of clay at the Roland Garros, on May 24 to June 7 in Paris.\nMs. Eala will also play doubles in the French Open with the 19-year-old Canadian star Victoria Mboko, world No. 9 and the No. 1 seed in Strasbourg, for their first team-up after two meetings in their young careers.\nBut first things first for Ms. Eala, who was to play qualifier and No. 66 Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine at press time in the first round of the WTA 500 Strasbourg serving as the pre-tournament of the French Open in a city near Paris.\nThe 25-year-old Ms. Oliynikova beat No. 75 Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan in the finals of the two-round qualifiers.\nMs. Eala, the No. 1 seed in the qualifiers, advanced straight to the main draw after replacing late pull-out Hailey Baptiste of the United States.\nAside from the Italian Open, Ms. Eala also fine-tuned her bearings in the Upper Austria Ladies Linz Open in Austria (second round), the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany (first round) and the Mutua Madrid Open (second round) that helped her climb the WTA rankings once more.\nIn the doubles however, Ms. Eala slid from a career-best of No. 88 to No. 115 after a pair of first-round exits in the Madrid Open and the Italian Open, both against the powerhouse duo of Czechia\u2019s Katerina Siniakova (world No. 1) and USA\u2019s Taylor Townsend (world No. 2).\nMs. Eala and Turkish partner Zeynep Sonmez absorbed a 6-1, 7-5 defeat in Madrid before another beating in Rome, 6-2, 6-1, with American partner Ms. Baptiste. \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday", "date_published": "2026-05-18T18:46:16+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-18T18:46:16+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ALEX-EALA-.jpg", "tags": [ "ohn Bryan Ulanday", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=750427", "url": "/sports/2026/05/18/750427/world-no-2-chesser-hikaru-nakamura-coming-for-wr-bughouse-championship/", "title": "World No. 2 chesser Hikaru Nakamura coming for WR Bughouse Championship", "content_html": "WORLD No. 2 chesser Hikaru Nakamura is descending to the Philippines on June 1.
\nBut the American super Grandmaster (GM) is bringing in a different kind of chess as he will suit up in the inaugural WR Bughouse Championship at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in BGC in Taguig.
\n\u201cExcited to go to Manila,\u201d Mr. Nakamura, who is the planet\u2019s second-highest rated woodpusher next only to former world champion Magnus Carlsen, said recently on his X account.
\nInterestingly, Mr. Nakamura will play side by side with German and WR Chess founder Wadim Rosenstein, who said he has teamed up with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in staging the one-day event.
\n\u201cI am proud to announce that, together with the Philippine Chess Federation, we are launching the WR Bughouse Championship,\u201d said Mr. Rosenstein. \u201cMany of you know that over the past years, I have organized private high-level bughouse events.\u201d
\n\u201cWhat started as a niche format has grown into something much bigger,\u201d he added.
\nHe said the event would have a cash pot worth $100,000, or a whopping P6.1 million, with the half going to the eventual champion.
\nBughouse, or known as transfer chess, is expected to draw around 100 squads, mostly Filipinos, that would play 12 games per team of two players with the top eight advancing to the knockout playoff phase.
\nRegistration is now ongoing on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the NCFP.
\nLiving legend Eugene Torre, Asia\u2019s first GM, along with organizer GM Jayson Gonzales are expected to attend the event.
\nAs for the rules, the same chess moves are followed except for the captured pieces that will be given straight to his or her teammate who will use it on his or her next move with each player given five minutes each with no increments for the duration of the game.
\nNo outright checkmate is allowed though for the captured pieces while a unique promotion rule will allow the player to take any piece from the partner\u2019s foe\u2019s board.
\nThe first team to win first by any means \u2014 checkmate, resignation or time forfeiture \u2014 will seal the match.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a unique and exciting type of chess that is easy to learn,\u201d said Mr. Gonzales. \u2014 Joey Villar
\n", "content_text": "WORLD No. 2 chesser Hikaru Nakamura is descending to the Philippines on June 1.\nBut the American super Grandmaster (GM) is bringing in a different kind of chess as he will suit up in the inaugural WR Bughouse Championship at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in BGC in Taguig.\n\u201cExcited to go to Manila,\u201d Mr. Nakamura, who is the planet\u2019s second-highest rated woodpusher next only to former world champion Magnus Carlsen, said recently on his X account.\nInterestingly, Mr. Nakamura will play side by side with German and WR Chess founder Wadim Rosenstein, who said he has teamed up with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in staging the one-day event.\n\u201cI am proud to announce that, together with the Philippine Chess Federation, we are launching the WR Bughouse Championship,\u201d said Mr. Rosenstein. \u201cMany of you know that over the past years, I have organized private high-level bughouse events.\u201d\n\u201cWhat started as a niche format has grown into something much bigger,\u201d he added.\nHe said the event would have a cash pot worth $100,000, or a whopping P6.1 million, with the half going to the eventual champion.\nBughouse, or known as transfer chess, is expected to draw around 100 squads, mostly Filipinos, that would play 12 games per team of two players with the top eight advancing to the knockout playoff phase.\nRegistration is now ongoing on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the NCFP.\nLiving legend Eugene Torre, Asia\u2019s first GM, along with organizer GM Jayson Gonzales are expected to attend the event.\nAs for the rules, the same chess moves are followed except for the captured pieces that will be given straight to his or her teammate who will use it on his or her next move with each player given five minutes each with no increments for the duration of the game.\nNo outright checkmate is allowed though for the captured pieces while a unique promotion rule will allow the player to take any piece from the partner\u2019s foe\u2019s board.\nThe first team to win first by any means \u2014 checkmate, resignation or time forfeiture \u2014 will seal the match.\n\u201cIt\u2019s a unique and exciting type of chess that is easy to learn,\u201d said Mr. Gonzales. \u2014 Joey Villar", "date_published": "2026-05-18T18:45:26+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-18T18:45:26+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HIKARU-NAKAMURA.jpg", "tags": [ "Joey Villar", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=750426", "url": "/sports/2026/05/18/750426/rain-or-shine-guns-for-pba-commissioners-cup-finals-berth-against-barangay-ginebra/", "title": "Rain or Shine guns for PBA Commissioner\u2019s Cup finals berth against Barangay Ginebra", "content_html": "AFTER getting stranded in the semifinals in four previous stints, can Rain or Shine (ROS) finally get over the hump and contend for the crown this time?
\nThat\u2019s something the Elasto Painters would certainly aspire for as they battle Barangay Ginebra in the Season 50 PBA Commissioner\u2019s Cup Final Four, riding on the momentum of their impressive disposal of mighty San Miguel Beermen (SMB) in the Last Eight.
\n\u201cI think that\u2019s a good sign (beating SMB). We made the semifinals, yes, but this is just the start for us,\u201d coach Yeng Guiao said.
\nThird-seeded ROS pounced on its win-once advantage to give No. 6 SMB the boot, 113-104, and advance to its fifth semis in the last six conferences.
\nWith that, the squad also ended a string of playoff losses to the Beermen at the Season 42 Philippine Cup quarterfinals, Season 44 Commissioner\u2019s Cup semis and Season 48 Commissioner\u2019s Cup quarterfinals and Philippine Cup semis.
\nThe last time ROS topped SMB in the post-elims was back in the Season 41 Commissioner\u2019s Cup best-of-five semis, 3-1, and from there, the Elasto Painters collared the title with a 4-2 verdict over Alaska.
\nIs this a good omen for Mr. Guiao\u2019s hungry crew moving forward?
\nThe Jaylen Johnson-led E-Painters and the Justin Brownlee-reinforced Gin Kings begin their race-to-four duel on Wednesday night at Ynares Center-Antipolo in a double-header that also features the equally explosive dispute between defending champion TNT and Meralco. \u2014 Olmin Leyba
\n", "content_text": "AFTER getting stranded in the semifinals in four previous stints, can Rain or Shine (ROS) finally get over the hump and contend for the crown this time?\nThat\u2019s something the Elasto Painters would certainly aspire for as they battle Barangay Ginebra in the Season 50 PBA Commissioner\u2019s Cup Final Four, riding on the momentum of their impressive disposal of mighty San Miguel Beermen (SMB) in the Last Eight.\n\u201cI think that\u2019s a good sign (beating SMB). We made the semifinals, yes, but this is just the start for us,\u201d coach Yeng Guiao said.\nThird-seeded ROS pounced on its win-once advantage to give No. 6 SMB the boot, 113-104, and advance to its fifth semis in the last six conferences.\nWith that, the squad also ended a string of playoff losses to the Beermen at the Season 42 Philippine Cup quarterfinals, Season 44 Commissioner\u2019s Cup semis and Season 48 Commissioner\u2019s Cup quarterfinals and Philippine Cup semis.\nThe last time ROS topped SMB in the post-elims was back in the Season 41 Commissioner\u2019s Cup best-of-five semis, 3-1, and from there, the Elasto Painters collared the title with a 4-2 verdict over Alaska.\nIs this a good omen for Mr. Guiao\u2019s hungry crew moving forward?\nThe Jaylen Johnson-led E-Painters and the Justin Brownlee-reinforced Gin Kings begin their race-to-four duel on Wednesday night at Ynares Center-Antipolo in a double-header that also features the equally explosive dispute between defending champion TNT and Meralco. \u2014 Olmin Leyba", "date_published": "2026-05-18T18:44:29+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-18T18:44:29+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/YENG-GUIAO.jpg", "tags": [ "Olmin Leyba", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=750425", "url": "/sports/2026/05/18/750425/fil-am-rico-hoey-finishes-at-joint-60th-place-in-the-pga-championship-won-by-englishman-aaron-rai/", "title": "Fil-Am Rico Hoey finishes at joint 60th place in the PGA Championship won by Englishman Aaron Rai", "content_html": "RICO HOEY faded in the final push, carding a three-over 73 to finish joint 60th in the PGA Championship that was ruled by Englishman Aaron Rai on Sunday in Pennsylvania.
\nIn striking position early on with a pair of 70s then a 71, Mr. Hoey failed to regain footing and recorded three birdies against four bogeys and a double bogey in the last round.
\nThe closing 37-36 dragged the Fil-Am ace down from his previous standing at 34th after 54 holes.
\nIt was also far off the 22nd spot he held after Round 2 hostilities at the formidable Aronimink Golf Club but still, Mr. Hoey posted his best finish at the majors.
\nPrior to this, he missed the cut in his maiden appearances at the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club and at last year\u2019s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club.
\nFor his four-day work, Mr. Hoey earned $29,218 (around P1.8 million).
\nMr. Rai, meanwhile, stole the thunder from the elite cast of aspirants, firing a career-low round of 65 to capture his first major title and England\u2019s first in the event since 1919.
\nThe 31-year-old Mr. Rai got the better of his rivals in a thrilling back-nine shootout, gunning down four birdies in the last eight holes, including a jaw-dropping 68-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th, to seal his winning nine-under 271.
\nThe 31-year-old from Wombourne beat two-time major winner Jon Rahm (68) of Spain and Alex Smalley (70) of the US by three strokes for the Wanamaker Trophy and the $3.69-million top prize from a record purse of $20.5 million. \u2014 Olmin Leyba
\n", "content_text": "RICO HOEY faded in the final push, carding a three-over 73 to finish joint 60th in the PGA Championship that was ruled by Englishman Aaron Rai on Sunday in Pennsylvania.\nIn striking position early on with a pair of 70s then a 71, Mr. Hoey failed to regain footing and recorded three birdies against four bogeys and a double bogey in the last round.\nThe closing 37-36 dragged the Fil-Am ace down from his previous standing at 34th after 54 holes.\nIt was also far off the 22nd spot he held after Round 2 hostilities at the formidable Aronimink Golf Club but still, Mr. Hoey posted his best finish at the majors.\nPrior to this, he missed the cut in his maiden appearances at the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club and at last year\u2019s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club.\nFor his four-day work, Mr. Hoey earned $29,218 (around P1.8 million).\nMr. Rai, meanwhile, stole the thunder from the elite cast of aspirants, firing a career-low round of 65 to capture his first major title and England\u2019s first in the event since 1919.\nThe 31-year-old Mr. Rai got the better of his rivals in a thrilling back-nine shootout, gunning down four birdies in the last eight holes, including a jaw-dropping 68-foot birdie putt on the par-3 17th, to seal his winning nine-under 271.\nThe 31-year-old from Wombourne beat two-time major winner Jon Rahm (68) of Spain and Alex Smalley (70) of the US by three strokes for the Wanamaker Trophy and the $3.69-million top prize from a record purse of $20.5 million. \u2014 Olmin Leyba", "date_published": "2026-05-18T18:43:33+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-18T18:43:33+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rico-Hoey.jpg", "tags": [ "Olmin Leyba", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=750158", "url": "/sports/2026/05/17/750158/eala-joins-the-strasbourg-main-draw-as-replacement-to-baptiste/", "title": "Eala joins the Strasbourg main draw as replacement to Baptiste", "content_html": "ALEXANDRA \u201cALEX\u201d EALA will come in as a late replacement against a qualifier in the main draw of the WTA 500 Strasbourg Open as she enters the final stage of her French Open buildup.
\nMs. Eala, listed as No. 1 in the qualifying list, replaced her former doubles partner Hailey Baptiste of the United States, who pulled out on Sunday, for a sudden jump in the main tournament.
\nStrasbourg is serving as the pre-tourney for the Roland Garros set on May 24 to June 7 in Paris.
\nThe Strasbourg qualifiers is yet to reach its final phase, giving Ms. Eala an ample time to plot her attack and refine her bearings from a week-long break on the heels of her breakthrough campaign in the Italian Open.
\nThe 20-year-old Ms. Eala for the first time ever reached the third round of a clay tournament, where she bowed to world No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, 6-4, 6-3.
\nMs. Eala and Ms. Baptiste also played in the Italian Open doubles where they folded to Czechia\u2019s Katerina Siniakova (doubles world No. 1) and USA\u2019s Taylor Townsend (doubles world No. 2), 6-2, 6-1, in Round 1.
\nEither Ms. Siniakova, WTA singles No. 39, or her compatriot Marie Bouzkova, WTA No. 26, will be Ms. Eala\u2019s opponent in Strasbourg second round should she hurdle the still-to-be-determined qualifier.
\nThe Strasbourg will be Ms. Eala\u2019s fifth clay stint that should serve her well in a bid to score a deep run in the queen of clay after a Round of 128 exit in her main draw debut last year against Colombia\u2019s Emiliana Arango, 0-6, 6-2, 3-6.
\nShe also vied in the Upper Austria Ladies Linz Open in Austria (second round), the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany (first round) and the Mutua Madrid Open (second round).
\nBefore the French Open and Strasbourg though, Ms. Eala is expected to climb to No. 38 from No. 42 with 1340 points according to the WTA live rankings after gaining 55 points from a strong showing in Rome.
\nMs. Eala will also play in the doubles of the Roland Garros with the 19-year old Canadian star Victoria Mboko, the world No. 9 and the No. 1 seed in Strasbourg.
\nIt will be the first team- up for the two rising stars after two meetings in their young careers. \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday
\n", "content_text": "ALEXANDRA \u201cALEX\u201d EALA will come in as a late replacement against a qualifier in the main draw of the WTA 500 Strasbourg Open as she enters the final stage of her French Open buildup.\nMs. Eala, listed as No. 1 in the qualifying list, replaced her former doubles partner Hailey Baptiste of the United States, who pulled out on Sunday, for a sudden jump in the main tournament.\nStrasbourg is serving as the pre-tourney for the Roland Garros set on May 24 to June 7 in Paris.\nThe Strasbourg qualifiers is yet to reach its final phase, giving Ms. Eala an ample time to plot her attack and refine her bearings from a week-long break on the heels of her breakthrough campaign in the Italian Open.\nThe 20-year-old Ms. Eala for the first time ever reached the third round of a clay tournament, where she bowed to world No. 2 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, 6-4, 6-3.\nMs. Eala and Ms. Baptiste also played in the Italian Open doubles where they folded to Czechia\u2019s Katerina Siniakova (doubles world No. 1) and USA\u2019s Taylor Townsend (doubles world No. 2), 6-2, 6-1, in Round 1.\nEither Ms. Siniakova, WTA singles No. 39, or her compatriot Marie Bouzkova, WTA No. 26, will be Ms. Eala\u2019s opponent in Strasbourg second round should she hurdle the still-to-be-determined qualifier.\nThe Strasbourg will be Ms. Eala\u2019s fifth clay stint that should serve her well in a bid to score a deep run in the queen of clay after a Round of 128 exit in her main draw debut last year against Colombia\u2019s Emiliana Arango, 0-6, 6-2, 3-6.\nShe also vied in the Upper Austria Ladies Linz Open in Austria (second round), the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany (first round) and the Mutua Madrid Open (second round).\nBefore the French Open and Strasbourg though, Ms. Eala is expected to climb to No. 38 from No. 42 with 1340 points according to the WTA live rankings after gaining 55 points from a strong showing in Rome.\nMs. Eala will also play in the doubles of the Roland Garros with the 19-year old Canadian star Victoria Mboko, the world No. 9 and the No. 1 seed in Strasbourg. \nIt will be the first team- up for the two rising stars after two meetings in their young careers. \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday", "date_published": "2026-05-17T18:31:16+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-17T18:31:16+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MIAMI-OPEN-TOURNAMENT-DAY7-1.jpg", "tags": [ "John Bryan Ulanday", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=750157", "url": "/sports/2026/05/17/750157/alyssa-valdez-committed-to-nationals-for-avc-womens-cup-in-candon-city-slated-next-month/", "title": "Alyssa Valdez committed to Nationals for AVC Women\u2019s Cup in Candon City slated next month", "content_html": "IN ITS time of need, Alyssa Valdez is able and willing to lend a helping hand to Alas Pilipinas even for one last time.
\nThe battle-scarred former many-time national team captain said she is ready to answer the call as the Nationals start practice on Monday as part of their preparation for the AVC Women\u2019s Cup slated June 6 to 14 in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
\n\u201cVery willing to support,\u201d Philippine National Volleyball Federation President Tonyboy Liao on Sunday told The STAR referring to Ms. Valdez.
\nAsked in what capacity, Mr. Liao said as a \u201cplayer.\u201d
\nBut Mr. Liao was noncommittal as to the status of the final national team lineup as well as the interim coach who will temporarily hold the reins while head mentor Tai Bundit recovers from an ankle injury he sustained from a scooter accident back home in Bangkok, Thailand more than a week ago.
\nHe hinted though it could come from one of the coaching staff consisting of multi-titled Creamline tactician Sherwin Meneses, Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos, De La Salle University\u2019s Benson Bocboc and Adamson\u2019s JP Yude.
\nLa Salle\u2019s Angel Canino, Shevana Laput and Amie Provido as well as Akari libero Justine Jazareno have reportedly committed to play.
\nThose who have reportedly said no were Alas skipper Jia de Guzman, Bella Belen, and Alyssa Solomon, who didn\u2019t give reasons for declining it, and Shaina Nitura, who is injured.
\nAnd there is hope that Ms. Valdez, a former Southeast Asian Games flag-bearer, would show up. \u2014 Joey Villar
\n", "content_text": "IN ITS time of need, Alyssa Valdez is able and willing to lend a helping hand to Alas Pilipinas even for one last time.\nThe battle-scarred former many-time national team captain said she is ready to answer the call as the Nationals start practice on Monday as part of their preparation for the AVC Women\u2019s Cup slated June 6 to 14 in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.\n\u201cVery willing to support,\u201d Philippine National Volleyball Federation President Tonyboy Liao on Sunday told The STAR referring to Ms. Valdez.\nAsked in what capacity, Mr. Liao said as a \u201cplayer.\u201d\nBut Mr. Liao was noncommittal as to the status of the final national team lineup as well as the interim coach who will temporarily hold the reins while head mentor Tai Bundit recovers from an ankle injury he sustained from a scooter accident back home in Bangkok, Thailand more than a week ago.\nHe hinted though it could come from one of the coaching staff consisting of multi-titled Creamline tactician Sherwin Meneses, Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos, De La Salle University\u2019s Benson Bocboc and Adamson\u2019s JP Yude.\nLa Salle\u2019s Angel Canino, Shevana Laput and Amie Provido as well as Akari libero Justine Jazareno have reportedly committed to play.\nThose who have reportedly said no were Alas skipper Jia de Guzman, Bella Belen, and Alyssa Solomon, who didn\u2019t give reasons for declining it, and Shaina Nitura, who is injured.\nAnd there is hope that Ms. Valdez, a former Southeast Asian Games flag-bearer, would show up. \u2014 Joey Villar", "date_published": "2026-05-17T18:31:02+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-17T18:31:02+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Alyssa-Valdez.jpg", "tags": [ "Joey Villar", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=750156", "url": "/sports/2026/05/17/750156/hoey-drops-to-joint-44th-place-in-pga-championship/", "title": "Hoey drops to joint 44th place in PGA Championship", "content_html": "RICO HOEY slowed down with a one-over 71 to find himself seven strokes off the pace going to the last 18 holes of the $20.5-million PGA Championship in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
\nIt was a roller-coaster round on moving day for the Fil-Am ace, who after a pair of 70s, mixed four birdies with five bogeys to bring his aggregate to one-over 211.
\nThis dropped the 30-year-old Mr. Hoey 22 spots to joint 44th, his distance from leader Alex Smalley stretched by three more shots from the previous day.
\nMr. Smalley, the co-leader after two rounds, fired a 68 to grab the solo pole position at 204 and hold a two-shot lead against a powerhouse pack of chasers.
\nJon Rahm (67), Matti Schmid (65), Nick Taylor (65), Ludvig \u00c5berg (67), and Aaron Rai (68) stood in striking distance at identical 206s while two-time Masters champ Rory McIlroy vaulted into the hunt at 207 after a 66.
\nJoining Mr. McIlroy at seventh were Xander Schauffele, Patrick Reed and Maverick McNealy, who turned in 66, 67 and 71, respectively.
\nMr. Hoey carded an even-par 35 at the front nine of Aronimink Golf Club after canceling out bogeys on Nos. 4 and 8 with birdies on the fifth and ninth holes, respectively.
\nThings got a lot more difficult at the back, where the Philippine pride dropped a shot on the 10th and 12th after missing par-saving shots from six and eight feet, respectively. He made three birdies against two bogeys in his last six holes en route to his first over-par round in the prestigious major championship. \u2014 Olmin Leyba
\n", "content_text": "RICO HOEY slowed down with a one-over 71 to find himself seven strokes off the pace going to the last 18 holes of the $20.5-million PGA Championship in Pennsylvania on Saturday.\nIt was a roller-coaster round on moving day for the Fil-Am ace, who after a pair of 70s, mixed four birdies with five bogeys to bring his aggregate to one-over 211.\nThis dropped the 30-year-old Mr. Hoey 22 spots to joint 44th, his distance from leader Alex Smalley stretched by three more shots from the previous day.\nMr. Smalley, the co-leader after two rounds, fired a 68 to grab the solo pole position at 204 and hold a two-shot lead against a powerhouse pack of chasers.\nJon Rahm (67), Matti Schmid (65), Nick Taylor (65), Ludvig \u00c5berg (67), and Aaron Rai (68) stood in striking distance at identical 206s while two-time Masters champ Rory McIlroy vaulted into the hunt at 207 after a 66.\nJoining Mr. McIlroy at seventh were Xander Schauffele, Patrick Reed and Maverick McNealy, who turned in 66, 67 and 71, respectively.\nMr. Hoey carded an even-par 35 at the front nine of Aronimink Golf Club after canceling out bogeys on Nos. 4 and 8 with birdies on the fifth and ninth holes, respectively.\nThings got a lot more difficult at the back, where the Philippine pride dropped a shot on the 10th and 12th after missing par-saving shots from six and eight feet, respectively. He made three birdies against two bogeys in his last six holes en route to his first over-par round in the prestigious major championship. \u2014 Olmin Leyba", "date_published": "2026-05-17T18:29:48+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-17T20:42:00+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/RICO-HOEY.jpg", "tags": [ "Olmin Leyba", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=750155", "url": "/sports/2026/05/17/750155/batangas-city-rules-u18-asaphil-mens-softball-national-championship/", "title": "Batangas City rules U18 ASAPHIL men\u2019s softball national championship", "content_html": "BATANGAS CITY turned back Calaca, 4-3, in the super round to emerge as the grand champion in the recently concluded Cebuana Lhuillier Under-18 Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) men\u2019s softball national championship at the Barangay Libjo grounds in Batangas.
\nThe tournament, which was done to help the country discover new talents from far flung areas, also saw Pandi, Bulacan besting Batang Gen Tri to claim a third place finish.
\nIn the placement round, Agoncillo dumped Nasugbu to rule the division while Lemery edged Cuenca to settle for third.
\n\u201cThis year\u2019s championship showed exactly why grassroots development remains vital to the future of Philippine softball,\u201d said ASAPHIL and Cebuana Lhuillier chief Jean Henri Lhuillier.
\n\u201cThe level of discipline, competitiveness, and teamwork displayed by these young athletes proves that the country has a very promising pipeline of talent.\u201d
\n\u201cBeyond the wins and awards, tournaments like this help shape character, build confidence, and strengthen communities through sports,\u201d he added.
\nThere is a strong chance that most of the best performers in this event will be part of the national team seeing action in the Asian Softball Championships set in December this year at a still unspecified venue.
\nAmong the individual awardees were Rick De Guzman (best slugger, most home run and most valuable player) and Omar Driz (best pitcher). \u2014 Joey Villar
\n", "content_text": "BATANGAS CITY turned back Calaca, 4-3, in the super round to emerge as the grand champion in the recently concluded Cebuana Lhuillier Under-18 Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) men\u2019s softball national championship at the Barangay Libjo grounds in Batangas.\nThe tournament, which was done to help the country discover new talents from far flung areas, also saw Pandi, Bulacan besting Batang Gen Tri to claim a third place finish.\nIn the placement round, Agoncillo dumped Nasugbu to rule the division while Lemery edged Cuenca to settle for third.\n\u201cThis year\u2019s championship showed exactly why grassroots development remains vital to the future of Philippine softball,\u201d said ASAPHIL and Cebuana Lhuillier chief Jean Henri Lhuillier.\n\u201cThe level of discipline, competitiveness, and teamwork displayed by these young athletes proves that the country has a very promising pipeline of talent.\u201d\n\u201cBeyond the wins and awards, tournaments like this help shape character, build confidence, and strengthen communities through sports,\u201d he added.\nThere is a strong chance that most of the best performers in this event will be part of the national team seeing action in the Asian Softball Championships set in December this year at a still unspecified venue.\nAmong the individual awardees were Rick De Guzman (best slugger, most home run and most valuable player) and Omar Driz (best pitcher). \u2014 Joey Villar", "date_published": "2026-05-17T18:29:28+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-17T18:29:28+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sports-track-default.jpg", "tags": [ "Joey Villar", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=750151", "url": "/sports/2026/05/17/750151/the-return-of-spurs/", "title": "The return of Spurs", "content_html": "The ascent of the San Antonio Spurs was supposed to revolve around Victor Wembanyama. Even in the age of accelerated timelines and instant contention, the blueprint seemed straightforward enough: Draft the generational center, endure the growing pains, accumulate experience, and wait for the inevitable. What has happened instead is dangerous for the rest of the National Basketball Association. The silver and black have arrived ahead of schedule, and not just because the first overall pick of the 2023 draft has become the singular force everyone expected. Their 139-109 dismantling of the Timberwolves in Game Six of the West semifinals was proof of concept made real.
\nThe box score nearly obscured the more significant point. Stephon Castle looked every bit the postseason closer, pouring in 32 points with the type of composure uncommon even among veterans. De\u2019Aaron Fox controlled the tempo with ruthless efficiency. Dylan Harper fit seamlessly into the system. And Wembanyama, remarkably, no longer appears burdened with carrying the entire enterprise on his own shoulders. The Spurs did not so much beat as suffocate the Timberwolves with depth, pace, spacing, and discipline. At one point, they uncorked a devastating 20-to-nothing run that effectively turned the encounter into extended garbage time. They shot better than 55% from the field and nearly 48% from beyond the arc, all while making the supposedly battle-tested competition squad look like junior varsity scrubs.
\nIn fact, the Timberwolves were not fraudulent contenders. They entered the postseason believing they had finally transformed from being simply intriguing to decidedly formidable. Anthony Edwards remains among the league\u2019s brightest stars, equal parts charisma and force, capable of bending entire defenses with talent and athleticism. Yet he was, if nothing else, resigned in his postmortem. Asked how they could eventually get past such powerhouses as the Thunder and, now, the Spurs, he said matter-of-factly: \u201cI don\u2019t know, man.\u201d The Conference, long a venue for grueling battles of attrition, no longer houses hopeful climbers. It now belongs to fully armed superstructures.
\nWhich, for all intents, is the larger story emerging from the 2026 Playoffs. The Spurs and Thunder are not simply talented; they are together. Every rotation choice, every defensive adjustment, every possession reflects systemic solidarity. The Lakers were eliminated without much visible strain, and the Timberwolves fared marginally better. Skill can threaten to prevail on any given night, but organization is required to sustain championship basketball over two whole months. Edwards and even all-time-great LeBron James can produce brilliance, but brilliance alone is increasingly insufficient against opposition constructed with precision and continuity.
\nAnd so the Conference Finals now deliver both familiarity and newness. The Spurs, in one form or another, always seem to find their way back into relevance. That said, the Wemby-led version is clearly untethered from nostalgia. In heralding a younger, faster, less patient, and perhaps even more terrifying iteration, he does not echo Tim Duncan\u2019s orderliness or Manu Ginobili\u2019s improvisational genius. He remains the axis, certainly, but the machine around him is already functioning at title speed. The rest of the league had years to prepare for the arrival of a generational phenomenon. What it failed to anticipate was the return of an empire.
\n\n
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
\n", "content_text": "The ascent of the San Antonio Spurs was supposed to revolve around Victor Wembanyama. Even in the age of accelerated timelines and instant contention, the blueprint seemed straightforward enough: Draft the generational center, endure the growing pains, accumulate experience, and wait for the inevitable. What has happened instead is dangerous for the rest of the National Basketball Association. The silver and black have arrived ahead of schedule, and not just because the first overall pick of the 2023 draft has become the singular force everyone expected. Their 139-109 dismantling of the Timberwolves in Game Six of the West semifinals was proof of concept made real.\nThe box score nearly obscured the more significant point. Stephon Castle looked every bit the postseason closer, pouring in 32 points with the type of composure uncommon even among veterans. De\u2019Aaron Fox controlled the tempo with ruthless efficiency. Dylan Harper fit seamlessly into the system. And Wembanyama, remarkably, no longer appears burdened with carrying the entire enterprise on his own shoulders. The Spurs did not so much beat as suffocate the Timberwolves with depth, pace, spacing, and discipline. At one point, they uncorked a devastating 20-to-nothing run that effectively turned the encounter into extended garbage time. They shot better than 55% from the field and nearly 48% from beyond the arc, all while making the supposedly battle-tested competition squad look like junior varsity scrubs.\nIn fact, the Timberwolves were not fraudulent contenders. They entered the postseason believing they had finally transformed from being simply intriguing to decidedly formidable. Anthony Edwards remains among the league\u2019s brightest stars, equal parts charisma and force, capable of bending entire defenses with talent and athleticism. Yet he was, if nothing else, resigned in his postmortem. Asked how they could eventually get past such powerhouses as the Thunder and, now, the Spurs, he said matter-of-factly: \u201cI don\u2019t know, man.\u201d The Conference, long a venue for grueling battles of attrition, no longer houses hopeful climbers. It now belongs to fully armed superstructures.\nWhich, for all intents, is the larger story emerging from the 2026 Playoffs. The Spurs and Thunder are not simply talented; they are together. Every rotation choice, every defensive adjustment, every possession reflects systemic solidarity. The Lakers were eliminated without much visible strain, and the Timberwolves fared marginally better. Skill can threaten to prevail on any given night, but organization is required to sustain championship basketball over two whole months. Edwards and even all-time-great LeBron James can produce brilliance, but brilliance alone is increasingly insufficient against opposition constructed with precision and continuity.\nAnd so the Conference Finals now deliver both familiarity and newness. The Spurs, in one form or another, always seem to find their way back into relevance. That said, the Wemby-led version is clearly untethered from nostalgia. In heralding a younger, faster, less patient, and perhaps even more terrifying iteration, he does not echo Tim Duncan\u2019s orderliness or Manu Ginobili\u2019s improvisational genius. He remains the axis, certainly, but the machine around him is already functioning at title speed. The rest of the league had years to prepare for the arrival of a generational phenomenon. What it failed to anticipate was the return of an empire.\n \nAnthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.", "date_published": "2026-05-17T18:28:46+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-17T18:28:46+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sports-basketball-default.jpg", "tags": [ "Anthony L. Cuaycong", "Courtside", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=749755", "url": "/sports/2026/05/14/749755/capital1-acquires-vanie-gandler-erika-santos-and-jaja-maraguinot/", "title": "Capital1 acquires Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos and Jaja Maraguinot", "content_html": "CAPITAL1 acquired two of the country\u2019s highly-sought free agents in former PVL MVPs Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos from the disbanded Cignal to shore up its contender bid in the next PVL season in July.
\nAfter days of speculations, the Solar Spikers on Thursday formalized the signing of the blue chip recruits to form a lethal troika of wingers now with No. 1 rookie pick and three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen. Also in is former Nxled setter Jaja Maraguinot as Capital1 doubled down on its seriousness to slug it out with the PVL\u2019s big guns only in its second year.
\n\u201cThis is the beginning of a new story in Capital1. We had this dream with my sister Mandy two years ago when we joined the PVL and it\u2019s part of a long journey. Welcoming experienced veterans is what we need to put an exclamation point to the purpose of the team, which is to win a championship along the way,\u201d said team owner Milka Romero on Thursday during the official launch at the Gameville Ball Park, also the team\u2019s official partner, in Mandaluyong.
\nCapital1, as an expansion squad, struggled as cellar-dweller in its first season before landing the top pick in last season\u2019s draft, which it used to select arguably the greatest collegiate player of all time in Ms. Belen from National University. With Ms. Belen in, Capital1 improved significantly with a pair of quarterfinal finishes.
\nAnd she will not be alone this time around as Capital1, with still a projected Top 5 pick in next month\u2019s Rookie Draft, positions itself to the forefront of the league with now three of the top scorers on its stable. For Ms. Belen, it\u2019s a good problem to have amid questions on how they will all share the ball on the court.
\nAsked if they\u2019re enough though to bring Capital1 over the hump for a possible shot at the championship, the three recruits toned it down, reiterating that it would not be an overnight success.
\n\u201cOur goal is not to reach the end right away. Our goal is to focus on the process. I have no doubt in this team that we\u2019ll get there one step at a time. I\u2019m not sure about the timeline of a championship but I know one day, we\u2019ll get there. For now, we\u2019ll enjoy building this team together,\u201d vowed Ms. Gandler, who just won the 2026 All-Filipino Conference MVP for the Super Spikers after their runner-up finish to Creamline before a surprise disbandment.
\nWith Mses. Belen, Gandler and Santos on the wings, Capital1 is banking on new playmaker Ms. Maraguinot to engineer a well-oiled offense.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s not easy pero I\u2019m thankful for Capital1. They gave me this opportunity and it will be a process. I\u2019m ready to face the challenges,\u201d said Ms. Maraguinot, who\u2019s coming off a year-long hiatus after parting ways with Nxled last season. \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday
\n", "content_text": "CAPITAL1 acquired two of the country\u2019s highly-sought free agents in former PVL MVPs Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos from the disbanded Cignal to shore up its contender bid in the next PVL season in July.\nAfter days of speculations, the Solar Spikers on Thursday formalized the signing of the blue chip recruits to form a lethal troika of wingers now with No. 1 rookie pick and three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen. Also in is former Nxled setter Jaja Maraguinot as Capital1 doubled down on its seriousness to slug it out with the PVL\u2019s big guns only in its second year.\n\u201cThis is the beginning of a new story in Capital1. We had this dream with my sister Mandy two years ago when we joined the PVL and it\u2019s part of a long journey. Welcoming experienced veterans is what we need to put an exclamation point to the purpose of the team, which is to win a championship along the way,\u201d said team owner Milka Romero on Thursday during the official launch at the Gameville Ball Park, also the team\u2019s official partner, in Mandaluyong.\nCapital1, as an expansion squad, struggled as cellar-dweller in its first season before landing the top pick in last season\u2019s draft, which it used to select arguably the greatest collegiate player of all time in Ms. Belen from National University. With Ms. Belen in, Capital1 improved significantly with a pair of quarterfinal finishes.\nAnd she will not be alone this time around as Capital1, with still a projected Top 5 pick in next month\u2019s Rookie Draft, positions itself to the forefront of the league with now three of the top scorers on its stable. For Ms. Belen, it\u2019s a good problem to have amid questions on how they will all share the ball on the court.\nAsked if they\u2019re enough though to bring Capital1 over the hump for a possible shot at the championship, the three recruits toned it down, reiterating that it would not be an overnight success.\n\u201cOur goal is not to reach the end right away. Our goal is to focus on the process. I have no doubt in this team that we\u2019ll get there one step at a time. I\u2019m not sure about the timeline of a championship but I know one day, we\u2019ll get there. For now, we\u2019ll enjoy building this team together,\u201d vowed Ms. Gandler, who just won the 2026 All-Filipino Conference MVP for the Super Spikers after their runner-up finish to Creamline before a surprise disbandment.\nWith Mses. Belen, Gandler and Santos on the wings, Capital1 is banking on new playmaker Ms. Maraguinot to engineer a well-oiled offense.\n\u201cIt\u2019s not easy pero I\u2019m thankful for Capital1. They gave me this opportunity and it will be a process. I\u2019m ready to face the challenges,\u201d said Ms. Maraguinot, who\u2019s coming off a year-long hiatus after parting ways with Nxled last season. \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday", "date_published": "2026-05-14T18:25:20+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-14T18:25:20+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Capital1-team.jpg", "tags": [ "John Bryan Ulanday", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=749754", "url": "/sports/2026/05/14/749754/eala-mboko-team-up-in-french-open-doubles/", "title": "Eala, Mboko team up in French Open doubles", "content_html": "ALEXANDRA \u201cALEX\u201d EALA will partner with fellow rising star Victoria Mboko of Canada against the best of the best in the 2026 French Open doubles next week.
\nIt will be the first team up for the 20-year-old Filipina and the 19-year-old Canadian after meeting twice in the singles of their budding careers.
\nMs. Eala, WTA No. 42, beat Ms. Mboko in the semifinals of the 2022 US Open girls\u2019 singles, 6-1, 7-6, en route to becoming the first Filipino Grand Slam junior champion. Ms. Mboko, who has since ascended to world No. 9, returned the favor in the pros, scoring a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback win at Hong Kong Open Round of 16 last year.
\nNow, they\u2019ll be on the same side of the clay court with hopes of a deep campaign even against the doubles titans led by No. 1 seed pair of Czechia\u2019s Katerina Siniakova (world doubles No. 1) and USA\u2019s Taylor Townsend (world doubles No. 2) who eliminated Ms. Eala, with Turkey\u2019s Zeynep Sonmez in the Madrid Open and in the Italian Open with American partner Hailey Baptiste.
\nMs. Eala is No. 88 in doubles while Ms. Mboko is No. 133, making it a tall order against more experienced tandems in Roland Garros set on May 24 to June 7 in Paris.
\nBoth rising stars are also listed in the main draw of the French Open singles for a double duty.
\nBut first things first for Ms. Eala and that\u2019s to qualify in the main draw of the WTA 500 Strasbourg Open, her last tournament leading up to the Queen of Clay.
\nIt will be her fifth clay tournament as preparation for the French Open after the Upper Austria Ladies Linz Open in Austria (second round), the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany (first round), Mutua Madrid Open (second round) and the Italian Open (third round). \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday
\n", "content_text": "ALEXANDRA \u201cALEX\u201d EALA will partner with fellow rising star Victoria Mboko of Canada against the best of the best in the 2026 French Open doubles next week.\nIt will be the first team up for the 20-year-old Filipina and the 19-year-old Canadian after meeting twice in the singles of their budding careers.\nMs. Eala, WTA No. 42, beat Ms. Mboko in the semifinals of the 2022 US Open girls\u2019 singles, 6-1, 7-6, en route to becoming the first Filipino Grand Slam junior champion. Ms. Mboko, who has since ascended to world No. 9, returned the favor in the pros, scoring a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback win at Hong Kong Open Round of 16 last year.\nNow, they\u2019ll be on the same side of the clay court with hopes of a deep campaign even against the doubles titans led by No. 1 seed pair of Czechia\u2019s Katerina Siniakova (world doubles No. 1) and USA\u2019s Taylor Townsend (world doubles No. 2) who eliminated Ms. Eala, with Turkey\u2019s Zeynep Sonmez in the Madrid Open and in the Italian Open with American partner Hailey Baptiste.\nMs. Eala is No. 88 in doubles while Ms. Mboko is No. 133, making it a tall order against more experienced tandems in Roland Garros set on May 24 to June 7 in Paris.\nBoth rising stars are also listed in the main draw of the French Open singles for a double duty.\nBut first things first for Ms. Eala and that\u2019s to qualify in the main draw of the WTA 500 Strasbourg Open, her last tournament leading up to the Queen of Clay.\nIt will be her fifth clay tournament as preparation for the French Open after the Upper Austria Ladies Linz Open in Austria (second round), the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany (first round), Mutua Madrid Open (second round) and the Italian Open (third round). \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday", "date_published": "2026-05-14T18:24:50+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-14T18:24:50+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sports-tennis-default.jpg", "tags": [ "John Bryan Ulanday", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=749752", "url": "/sports/2026/05/14/749752/mptc-tour-of-luzon-plans-to-add-three-stages-in-2027-with-stops-in-bicol-quezon/", "title": "MPTC Tour of Luzon plans to add three stages in 2027 with stops in Bicol, Quezon", "content_html": "AFTER the cacophony of sound fades in the brutal but successful 14-stage MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026, questions on whether or not there will be a third offering of the country\u2019s biggest cycling race next year should be answered.
\nThe response was a resounding yes. And it would be bigger and better than the recent one.
\n\u201cSee you all in 2027,\u201d said MPTC Tour of Luzon Chief Executive Officer and Chief Organizer Arrey Perez during the awarding and closing ceremonies on Wednesday night at the convention center inside Camp John Hay in Baguio.
\nMr. Perez said they are planning to increase the stages to 17 that will include stops in Bicol and Quezon.
\n\u201cJoin and help me to convince our sponsors to make this another success,\u201d he added.
\nPatrick C. Gregorio, Philippine Sports Commissioner chair and founder of the Tour\u2019s revival, for his part, said they might also bring the race to the Visayas, if not next year, but in the year or years after.
\n\u201cIn the near future, we can start in the Visayas,\u201d he said.
\nAnother certainty in next year\u2019s staging is that it will still be in the mountaintop city.
\n\u201cI was with Mayor Benjie and he asked that the Tour\u2019s final stage should remain in Baguio and we will do that in 2027,\u201d said Mr. Gregorio, whose sports-funding agency, along with the Manuel V. Pangilinan Group of Companies, had lent a helping hand in the organization of the race.
\nWhile foreigners lorded it over the Tour, Mr. Gregorio said it remained helpful to the Filipino cyclists in their growth.
\nNash Lim, a 23-year-old rider for Metro Pacific Tollways Drive Hub team, was the beneficiary after ending up fourth overall and emerging as the top local cyclist.
\n\u201cI\u2019ve learned a lot in this race and I hope to win the Tour also in the future,\u201d said Mr. Lim, who is already part of the national team.
\nMr. Gregorio himself was impressed by Mr. Lim.
\n\u201cActually I\u2019ve been asking around who among the local riders really have the potential and his name had come up,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s why we should think deeper on how we can help our young athletes like him more.\u201d \u2014 Joey Villar
\n", "content_text": "AFTER the cacophony of sound fades in the brutal but successful 14-stage MPTC Tour of Luzon 2026, questions on whether or not there will be a third offering of the country\u2019s biggest cycling race next year should be answered.\nThe response was a resounding yes. And it would be bigger and better than the recent one.\n\u201cSee you all in 2027,\u201d said MPTC Tour of Luzon Chief Executive Officer and Chief Organizer Arrey Perez during the awarding and closing ceremonies on Wednesday night at the convention center inside Camp John Hay in Baguio.\nMr. Perez said they are planning to increase the stages to 17 that will include stops in Bicol and Quezon.\n\u201cJoin and help me to convince our sponsors to make this another success,\u201d he added.\nPatrick C. Gregorio, Philippine Sports Commissioner chair and founder of the Tour\u2019s revival, for his part, said they might also bring the race to the Visayas, if not next year, but in the year or years after.\n\u201cIn the near future, we can start in the Visayas,\u201d he said.\nAnother certainty in next year\u2019s staging is that it will still be in the mountaintop city.\n\u201cI was with Mayor Benjie and he asked that the Tour\u2019s final stage should remain in Baguio and we will do that in 2027,\u201d said Mr. Gregorio, whose sports-funding agency, along with the Manuel V. Pangilinan Group of Companies, had lent a helping hand in the organization of the race.\nWhile foreigners lorded it over the Tour, Mr. Gregorio said it remained helpful to the Filipino cyclists in their growth.\nNash Lim, a 23-year-old rider for Metro Pacific Tollways Drive Hub team, was the beneficiary after ending up fourth overall and emerging as the top local cyclist.\n\u201cI\u2019ve learned a lot in this race and I hope to win the Tour also in the future,\u201d said Mr. Lim, who is already part of the national team.\nMr. Gregorio himself was impressed by Mr. Lim.\n\u201cActually I\u2019ve been asking around who among the local riders really have the potential and his name had come up,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s why we should think deeper on how we can help our young athletes like him more.\u201d \u2014 Joey Villar", "date_published": "2026-05-14T18:24:25+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-14T18:24:25+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sports-track-default.jpg", "tags": [ "Joey Villar", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=749751", "url": "/sports/2026/05/14/749751/nlexs-bolick-leads-race-for-best-player-of-the-conference/", "title": "NLEX\u2019s Bolick leads race for Best Player of the Conference", "content_html": "ROBERT BOLICK rolled to pole position in the race for the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award after helping NLEX take top spot in the Commissioner\u2019s Cup playoffs.
\nThe do-it-all guard piled up 41.9 statistical points (SPs) in the eliminations built around a league-best 8.8 assists plus 20.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals to make a case for the individual accolade.
\nMr. Bolick led June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beermen (SMB) (39.5 SPs), Barangay Ginebra sophomore RJ Abarrientos (37.5 SPs), Phoenix\u2019 breakout star Ricci Rivero (34.9 SPs) and Magnolia\u2019s Zav Lucero (33.5 SPs) at the end of the 13-game preliminaries.
\nMr. Fajardo, who won a record-extending 13th BPC plum in the previous Philippine Cup, topped the locals in rebounding with 14.8 boards while accounting for 16.8 markers, 2.5 assists and 1 steals for sixth-seeded SMB.
\nRounding out Top 10 of the BPC derby are Jerrick Ahanmisi of eliminated Terrafirma (32.8 SPs), Scottie Thompson of Ginebra (32.2), CJ Perez of SMB (31.6), Deschon Winston of NLEX (31.1) and CJ Cansino of No. 4 Meralco (29.9). \u2014 Olmin Leyba
\n", "content_text": "ROBERT BOLICK rolled to pole position in the race for the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award after helping NLEX take top spot in the Commissioner\u2019s Cup playoffs.\nThe do-it-all guard piled up 41.9 statistical points (SPs) in the eliminations built around a league-best 8.8 assists plus 20.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals to make a case for the individual accolade.\nMr. Bolick led June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beermen (SMB) (39.5 SPs), Barangay Ginebra sophomore RJ Abarrientos (37.5 SPs), Phoenix\u2019 breakout star Ricci Rivero (34.9 SPs) and Magnolia\u2019s Zav Lucero (33.5 SPs) at the end of the 13-game preliminaries.\nMr. Fajardo, who won a record-extending 13th BPC plum in the previous Philippine Cup, topped the locals in rebounding with 14.8 boards while accounting for 16.8 markers, 2.5 assists and 1 steals for sixth-seeded SMB.\nRounding out Top 10 of the BPC derby are Jerrick Ahanmisi of eliminated Terrafirma (32.8 SPs), Scottie Thompson of Ginebra (32.2), CJ Perez of SMB (31.6), Deschon Winston of NLEX (31.1) and CJ Cansino of No. 4 Meralco (29.9). \u2014 Olmin Leyba", "date_published": "2026-05-14T18:24:07+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-14T18:24:07+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sports-basketball-default.jpg", "tags": [ "Olmin Leyba", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=749750", "url": "/sports/2026/05/14/749750/pagdanganan-del-rosario-qualified-for-us-womens-open-set-for-june/", "title": "Pagdanganan, del Rosario qualified for US Women\u2019s Open set for June", "content_html": "OLYMPIAN Bianca Pagdanganan is priming up for her third US Women\u2019s Open start next month, determined to fight for the Philippines\u2019 pride again in one of golf\u2019s major championships.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s the US Open. Everyone wants to be able to play the US Open with it being one of five majors. And I think every year they just continue to raise the bar for us. That\u2019s why people want to experience it,\u201d Ms. Pagdanganan said after earning her ticket to the $12-million event set on June 4 to 7 at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California.
\n\u201cIt definitely means a lot, and I\u2019m excited to go to Riviera for the first time,\u201d she added.
\nThe power-hitting Pinay had her initial stints in 2020 and 2022, missing the cut at Champions Golf Club in her maiden appearance and placing 68th the second time at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club.
\nMs. Pagdanganan secured Stint No. 3 by dominating the grueling 36-hole US Women\u2019s Open sectional qualifier in Westminster, Colorado on Wednesday.
\nShe fired a brilliant seven-under 137 built around rounds of 68 and 69 at the Walnut Creek Golf Preserve to grab the lone seat to the $12-million at stake in that qualifier.
\n\u201cI\u2019m proud of myself for getting through the longest day in golf,\u201d she said.
\n\u201cI felt pretty confident out here and really good about my game. Being able to push through and get it done after such a long day, I think I needed that boost for the rest of the season.\u201d
\nThe 28-year-old Ms. Pagdanganan won\u2019t be alone in carrying the Philippine flag at Riviera. She\u2019ll be with Pauline del Rosario.
\nEpson Tour campaigner Ms. del Rosario secured one of two spots up for grabs in the qualifying event staged over at Cross Timbers course in Azle, Texas on Thursday.
\nMs. del Rosario carded 67 and 70 in two rounds played in one day to finish tied with Napat Lertsadwattana of Thailand for top spot at 137, a finish that sealed her first LPGA start and maiden majors appearance. \u2014 Olmin Leyba
\n", "content_text": "OLYMPIAN Bianca Pagdanganan is priming up for her third US Women\u2019s Open start next month, determined to fight for the Philippines\u2019 pride again in one of golf\u2019s major championships.\n\u201cIt\u2019s the US Open. Everyone wants to be able to play the US Open with it being one of five majors. And I think every year they just continue to raise the bar for us. That\u2019s why people want to experience it,\u201d Ms. Pagdanganan said after earning her ticket to the $12-million event set on June 4 to 7 at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California.\n\u201cIt definitely means a lot, and I\u2019m excited to go to Riviera for the first time,\u201d she added.\nThe power-hitting Pinay had her initial stints in 2020 and 2022, missing the cut at Champions Golf Club in her maiden appearance and placing 68th the second time at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club.\nMs. Pagdanganan secured Stint No. 3 by dominating the grueling 36-hole US Women\u2019s Open sectional qualifier in Westminster, Colorado on Wednesday.\nShe fired a brilliant seven-under 137 built around rounds of 68 and 69 at the Walnut Creek Golf Preserve to grab the lone seat to the $12-million at stake in that qualifier.\n\u201cI\u2019m proud of myself for getting through the longest day in golf,\u201d she said.\n\u201cI felt pretty confident out here and really good about my game. Being able to push through and get it done after such a long day, I think I needed that boost for the rest of the season.\u201d\nThe 28-year-old Ms. Pagdanganan won\u2019t be alone in carrying the Philippine flag at Riviera. She\u2019ll be with Pauline del Rosario.\nEpson Tour campaigner Ms. del Rosario secured one of two spots up for grabs in the qualifying event staged over at Cross Timbers course in Azle, Texas on Thursday.\nMs. del Rosario carded 67 and 70 in two rounds played in one day to finish tied with Napat Lertsadwattana of Thailand for top spot at 137, a finish that sealed her first LPGA start and maiden majors appearance. \u2014 Olmin Leyba", "date_published": "2026-05-14T18:23:51+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-14T18:23:51+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sports-golf-default.jpg", "tags": [ "Olmin Leyba", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=749762", "url": "/sports/2026/05/14/749762/ros-gin-kings-battle-with-tough-opponents-in-smb-and-phoenix/", "title": "ROS, Gin Kings battle with tough opponents in SMB and Phoenix", "content_html": "Games on Friday
\n(Ynares Center-Antipolo)
\n5:15 p.m. \u2013 San Miguel vs Rain or Shine*
\n7:30 p.m. \u2013 Phoenix vs Ginebra*
\n*Rain or Shine, Ginebra with twice-to-beat advantage
WITH their win-once advantages as higher seeds, No. 2 Barangay Ginebra and No. 3 Rain or Shine (ROS) have a maximum of two shots at landing in the PBA Commissioner\u2019s Cup semifinal stage.
\nBut for sure, both the Gin Kings and the Elasto Painters would rather make it there on first try than giving No. 7 Phoenix and No. 6 San Miguel Beermen (SMB), respectively, the opening for a potential two-game steal in the Last 8.
\nThe Beermen\u2019s firepower and championship pedigree is a given, making ROS coach Yeng Guiao wary ahead of the squad\u2019s clincher attempt on Friday at Ynares Center-Antipolo.
\nThe E-Painters got the better of the Beermen in their elims meeting, 116-112, as part of their franchise-best 7-0 start. But SMB didn\u2019t have Bennie Boatwright back then, and was instead reinforced by Justin Patton who shot 12.
\n\u201cThey have better cohesion with Mr. Boatwright, better scorer than their import when we first played them. He will always be a matchup problem. But we have factors going for us,\u201d said Mr. Guiao, referring to ROS\u2019 speed game.
\n\u201cThe real advantage of San Miguel is the experience they have, unlike us relatively new. But that is not an excuse for us not to pull this through.\u201d
\nWhile ROS is comparatively greener than his seasoned crew, SMB mentor Leo Austria recognizes the challenge their twice-to-beat opponents pose.
\n\u201cThat team is really dangerous. They are out here to prove something,\u201d he said.
\nAdvantage in playoffs experience notwithstanding, Ginebra tactician Tim Cone braces for a tough one against Phoenix, a bunch that\u2019s not only hungry for PBA glory but also determined to give Charles Tiu a rousing PBA debut conference at the helm.
\n\u201cThey\u2019ve been good all conference long. I\u2019m talking Charles up to everybody,\u201d said Mr. Cone of Mr. Tiu and the Fuel Masters, who are in their first playoffs stint since making the semis of the same conference in Season 48. \u201cYou know he\u2019s doing a wonderful job over there.\u201d \u2014 Olmin Leyba
\n", "content_text": "Games on Friday\n(Ynares Center-Antipolo)\n5:15 p.m. \u2013 San Miguel vs Rain or Shine*\n7:30 p.m. \u2013 Phoenix vs Ginebra*\n*Rain or Shine, Ginebra with twice-to-beat advantage\nWITH their win-once advantages as higher seeds, No. 2 Barangay Ginebra and No. 3 Rain or Shine (ROS) have a maximum of two shots at landing in the PBA Commissioner\u2019s Cup semifinal stage.\nBut for sure, both the Gin Kings and the Elasto Painters would rather make it there on first try than giving No. 7 Phoenix and No. 6 San Miguel Beermen (SMB), respectively, the opening for a potential two-game steal in the Last 8.\nThe Beermen\u2019s firepower and championship pedigree is a given, making ROS coach Yeng Guiao wary ahead of the squad\u2019s clincher attempt on Friday at Ynares Center-Antipolo.\nThe E-Painters got the better of the Beermen in their elims meeting, 116-112, as part of their franchise-best 7-0 start. But SMB didn\u2019t have Bennie Boatwright back then, and was instead reinforced by Justin Patton who shot 12.\n\u201cThey have better cohesion with Mr. Boatwright, better scorer than their import when we first played them. He will always be a matchup problem. But we have factors going for us,\u201d said Mr. Guiao, referring to ROS\u2019 speed game.\n\u201cThe real advantage of San Miguel is the experience they have, unlike us relatively new. But that is not an excuse for us not to pull this through.\u201d\nWhile ROS is comparatively greener than his seasoned crew, SMB mentor Leo Austria recognizes the challenge their twice-to-beat opponents pose.\n\u201cThat team is really dangerous. They are out here to prove something,\u201d he said.\nAdvantage in playoffs experience notwithstanding, Ginebra tactician Tim Cone braces for a tough one against Phoenix, a bunch that\u2019s not only hungry for PBA glory but also determined to give Charles Tiu a rousing PBA debut conference at the helm.\n\u201cThey\u2019ve been good all conference long. I\u2019m talking Charles up to everybody,\u201d said Mr. Cone of Mr. Tiu and the Fuel Masters, who are in their first playoffs stint since making the semis of the same conference in Season 48. \u201cYou know he\u2019s doing a wonderful job over there.\u201d \u2014 Olmin Leyba", "date_published": "2026-05-14T18:23:20+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-14T18:23:20+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sports-basketball-default.jpg", "tags": [ "Olmin Leyba", "Sports" ], "summary": "WITH their win-once advantages as higher seeds, No. 2 Barangay Ginebra and No. 3 Rain or Shine (ROS) have a maximum of two shots at landing in the PBA Commissioner\u2019s Cup semifinal stage." }, { "id": "/?p=749761", "url": "/sports/2026/05/14/749761/uncertain-james/", "title": "Uncertain James", "content_html": "There was a time when the future of the Lakers could be measured almost entirely through the prism of LeBron James. Every transaction, every coaching hire, every championship aspiration began and ended with the question of how best to maximize the remaining years of a once-in-a-century player. These days, the assessment is significantly altered: not abruptly, and certainly not disrespectfully, but inevitably. In the wake of another relatively early playoff exit, the all-time-great admitted that he does not \u201cknow what the future holds.\u201d And as far as declarative statements went, it carried unusual weight precisely because it lacked theatrics. The uncertainty hangs over him, and his employers, like a closing chapter of a book still searching for one last plot point.
\nThe Lakers, for their part, have chosen diplomacy over pressure. Team president Rob Pelinka has publicly insisted that the organization would \u201clove\u201d to have James back, while also emphasizing that the decision belongs to him and his family. The degree of deference in the disclosure is typically reserved for aging icons whose value extends beyond the box score. To be sure, he remains productive enough to distort conventional expectations of decline. Even in a season where he found his role diminished behind Luka Don\u010di\u0107 and the increasingly indispensable Austin Reaves, he still posted elite numbers and continued rewriting portions of the league\u2019s historical ledger.
\nYet therein lies the rub: the Lakers are no longer solely James\u2019 to lead, and perhaps cannot afford to behave as though they are. The distinction matters because they now stand at a crossroad. The acquisition of Don\u010di\u0107 effectively accelerated a succession plan that organizations rarely get the luxury to script in advance. Superstars do not usually arrive before legends leave; transitions of this magnitude are often chaotic, painful, and prolonged. Which is to say the purple and gold have stumbled into a bridge between eras. Don\u010di\u0107 is young enough to anchor the next decade, while Reaves has evolved from useful complement into foundational piece. The offseason, consequently, is as much about clarity as about sentimentality. Will contention come with him as a highly compensated third option? Or does honoring him ultimately mean allowing him the freedom to seek one final basketball purpose elsewhere?
\nJames may be all of 41 and clearly diminished, but possibilities abound. A reunion with the Cavaliers carries the romance of closure. A partnership with the Warriors and Stephen Curry would amount to fan fiction made real. And then there is retirement, a plausible option since he no longer has anything left to prove. Yet none of those scenarios feel entirely satisfying because he has spent two decades defying the National Basketball Association\u2019s natural order. All and sundry are conditioned to expect another reinvention. The problem is that Father Time no longer needs to defeat him outright; it merely needs to complicate the arithmetic of team-building.
\nWhat makes the outlook fascinating is that the Lakers do not appear desperate. For years, their fortunes rose and fell according to James\u2019 championship window. Now they possess enough young star power, trade flexibility, and cap maneuverability to imagine a future without and beyond him. Not that the reality diminishes his legacy; If anything, it is further fortified. He arrived in Los Angeles to give relevance back to the city, and then delivered a championship under extraordinary circumstances. But dynasties and icons rarely depart in sync. One side inevitably starts thinking about tomorrow before the other is ready to stop competing today. And perhaps for the first time in his long and distinguished career, he is left contemplating a future in which the league moves forward without waiting for him to decide.
\n\n
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
\n", "content_text": "There was a time when the future of the Lakers could be measured almost entirely through the prism of LeBron James. Every transaction, every coaching hire, every championship aspiration began and ended with the question of how best to maximize the remaining years of a once-in-a-century player. These days, the assessment is significantly altered: not abruptly, and certainly not disrespectfully, but inevitably. In the wake of another relatively early playoff exit, the all-time-great admitted that he does not \u201cknow what the future holds.\u201d And as far as declarative statements went, it carried unusual weight precisely because it lacked theatrics. The uncertainty hangs over him, and his employers, like a closing chapter of a book still searching for one last plot point.\nThe Lakers, for their part, have chosen diplomacy over pressure. Team president Rob Pelinka has publicly insisted that the organization would \u201clove\u201d to have James back, while also emphasizing that the decision belongs to him and his family. The degree of deference in the disclosure is typically reserved for aging icons whose value extends beyond the box score. To be sure, he remains productive enough to distort conventional expectations of decline. Even in a season where he found his role diminished behind Luka Don\u010di\u0107 and the increasingly indispensable Austin Reaves, he still posted elite numbers and continued rewriting portions of the league\u2019s historical ledger.\nYet therein lies the rub: the Lakers are no longer solely James\u2019 to lead, and perhaps cannot afford to behave as though they are. The distinction matters because they now stand at a crossroad. The acquisition of Don\u010di\u0107 effectively accelerated a succession plan that organizations rarely get the luxury to script in advance. Superstars do not usually arrive before legends leave; transitions of this magnitude are often chaotic, painful, and prolonged. Which is to say the purple and gold have stumbled into a bridge between eras. Don\u010di\u0107 is young enough to anchor the next decade, while Reaves has evolved from useful complement into foundational piece. The offseason, consequently, is as much about clarity as about sentimentality. Will contention come with him as a highly compensated third option? Or does honoring him ultimately mean allowing him the freedom to seek one final basketball purpose elsewhere?\nJames may be all of 41 and clearly diminished, but possibilities abound. A reunion with the Cavaliers carries the romance of closure. A partnership with the Warriors and Stephen Curry would amount to fan fiction made real. And then there is retirement, a plausible option since he no longer has anything left to prove. Yet none of those scenarios feel entirely satisfying because he has spent two decades defying the National Basketball Association\u2019s natural order. All and sundry are conditioned to expect another reinvention. The problem is that Father Time no longer needs to defeat him outright; it merely needs to complicate the arithmetic of team-building.\nWhat makes the outlook fascinating is that the Lakers do not appear desperate. For years, their fortunes rose and fell according to James\u2019 championship window. Now they possess enough young star power, trade flexibility, and cap maneuverability to imagine a future without and beyond him. Not that the reality diminishes his legacy; If anything, it is further fortified. He arrived in Los Angeles to give relevance back to the city, and then delivered a championship under extraordinary circumstances. But dynasties and icons rarely depart in sync. One side inevitably starts thinking about tomorrow before the other is ready to stop competing today. And perhaps for the first time in his long and distinguished career, he is left contemplating a future in which the league moves forward without waiting for him to decide.\n \nAnthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.", "date_published": "2026-05-14T18:22:21+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-14T18:26:32+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sports-basketball-default.jpg", "tags": [ "Anthony L. Cuaycong", "Courtside", "Sports" ], "summary": "There was a time when the future of the Lakers could be measured almost entirely through the prism of LeBron James." }, { "id": "/?p=749481", "url": "/sports/2026/05/13/749481/russias-nikita-shulchenko-wins-this-years-mptc-tour-of-luzon/", "title": "Russia\u2019s Nikita Shulchenko wins this year\u2019s MPTC Tour of Luzon", "content_html": "BAGUIO CITY \u2014 Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE and Antoine Huby of 7-Eleven Cliqq Roadbike promised fireworks in the 14th and final stage of the MPTC Tour of Luzon.
\nThey didn\u2019t disappoint.
\nThe Russian and the Frenchman turned the killer Baguio lap into their own playground and battled with all their might before the former ended up doing just enough to emerge as the new champion of this annual race that was revived just a year ago.
\nBut Mr. Shulchenko had to dig deep from his last reservoir of energy to parry Mr. Huby\u2019s desperate but serious attempt to snatch the title away from him by taking the 169.9-kilometer (km) lap that unfurled in Lingayen, Pangasinan and ended before a boisterous crowd at Camp John Hay.
\nMr. Huby checked in with a time of four hours, 26 minutes and 42 seconds while Mr. Shulchenko came in just 2:12 minutes after.
\nRonnilan Quita, also of 7-Eleven, took third in the lap, 2:58 minutes adrift.
\nThe Uzel, France native ended up as the undisputed king of the mountain while Mr. Shulchenko the king of the hill.
\nAfter 14 stages and a total distance of 1709.3 km covered that included long sprints and steep climbs under brutal conditions, Mr. Shulchenko was the unshakable force up front with an aggregate time of 41:11:10, 1:34 minutes atop Mr. Huby.
\nIt was his second race win after ruling a 13-stage meet back home in Russia two years ago.
\nIt was also a fitting gift for him personally as he would turn 27 on May 31.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a race for my team and for new experience, I\u2019m happy to win,\u201d said Mr. Shulchenko, who pocketed P1 million courtesy of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the Manuel V. Pangilinan Group of Companies and the Philippine Sports Commission.
\nAfter practically sticking with one another like leeches, Mr. Huby finally made his move out of the peloton right after the iconic Lion\u2019s Head and while Mr. Shulchenko tried to stay close, the former finally broke loose in the last seven kilometers and never looked back.
\nGood thing Mr. Shulchenko didn\u2019t let up and tried to minimize the damage.
\nMr. Shulchenko admitted he got scared approaching the finish line.
\n\u201cIt was really dangerous, but I cut the gap,\u201d he said.
\nBut there was no shame for the Uzel, France native as he made up for his runner-up effort by taking the Eagle of the Mountain award as well as powering his squad to the team victory and the P2-million purse that went with it.
\n\u201cI did my best to get the yellow jersey but his time lead was just too much,\u201d said Mr. Huby, who will be best remembered for taming three of the most savage and beastly mountains in the race \u2014 Bessang Pass, Daang Kalikasan and Baguio.
\n\u201cI\u2019m sad because you always want to be the best for yourself. But I\u2019m still happy, it was a good race,\u201d he added.
\nFinishing third was LCW UAE\u2019s Ibrahiem Alrefai, who was 6:45 minutes off the pace while MPTD\u2019s Nash Lim, a 23-year-old national team standout and Southeast Asian Games veteran, wound up fourth or 9:13 minutes off and the best placed Filipino.
\nRounding out the top 10 were Mr. Quita (41:21:44), Malaysia\u2019s Muhammad Syawal Mazlin (41:22:11), 7-Eleven\u2019s Mervin Corpuz (41:22:58), MPTD\u2019s Rustom Lim (41:26:14), Seoul\u2019s Jung Woo Ho (41:27:36) and Go for Gold\u2019s Rench Michael Bondoc (41:27:51).
\nMr. Huby will split the team prize with Mr. Quita, Mr. Corpuz, Jonel Carcueva, Jaypee Olarte, Jonty Harris, and Cormac McGeough Breffni.
\n7-Eleven had an overall clocking of 162:25:49, 18:27 ahead of Go for Gold and 19:39 over LCW UAE. \u2014 Joey Villar
\n", "content_text": "France\u2019s Antoine Huby is Eagle of the Mountain\nBAGUIO CITY \u2014 Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE and Antoine Huby of 7-Eleven Cliqq Roadbike promised fireworks in the 14th and final stage of the MPTC Tour of Luzon.\nThey didn\u2019t disappoint.\nThe Russian and the Frenchman turned the killer Baguio lap into their own playground and battled with all their might before the former ended up doing just enough to emerge as the new champion of this annual race that was revived just a year ago.\nBut Mr. Shulchenko had to dig deep from his last reservoir of energy to parry Mr. Huby\u2019s desperate but serious attempt to snatch the title away from him by taking the 169.9-kilometer (km) lap that unfurled in Lingayen, Pangasinan and ended before a boisterous crowd at Camp John Hay.\nMr. Huby checked in with a time of four hours, 26 minutes and 42 seconds while Mr. Shulchenko came in just 2:12 minutes after.\nRonnilan Quita, also of 7-Eleven, took third in the lap, 2:58 minutes adrift.\nThe Uzel, France native ended up as the undisputed king of the mountain while Mr. Shulchenko the king of the hill.\nAfter 14 stages and a total distance of 1709.3 km covered that included long sprints and steep climbs under brutal conditions, Mr. Shulchenko was the unshakable force up front with an aggregate time of 41:11:10, 1:34 minutes atop Mr. Huby.\nIt was his second race win after ruling a 13-stage meet back home in Russia two years ago.\nIt was also a fitting gift for him personally as he would turn 27 on May 31.\n\u201cIt\u2019s a race for my team and for new experience, I\u2019m happy to win,\u201d said Mr. Shulchenko, who pocketed P1 million courtesy of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the Manuel V. Pangilinan Group of Companies and the Philippine Sports Commission.\nAfter practically sticking with one another like leeches, Mr. Huby finally made his move out of the peloton right after the iconic Lion\u2019s Head and while Mr. Shulchenko tried to stay close, the former finally broke loose in the last seven kilometers and never looked back.\nGood thing Mr. Shulchenko didn\u2019t let up and tried to minimize the damage.\nMr. Shulchenko admitted he got scared approaching the finish line.\n\u201cIt was really dangerous, but I cut the gap,\u201d he said.\nBut there was no shame for the Uzel, France native as he made up for his runner-up effort by taking the Eagle of the Mountain award as well as powering his squad to the team victory and the P2-million purse that went with it.\n\u201cI did my best to get the yellow jersey but his time lead was just too much,\u201d said Mr. Huby, who will be best remembered for taming three of the most savage and beastly mountains in the race \u2014 Bessang Pass, Daang Kalikasan and Baguio.\n\u201cI\u2019m sad because you always want to be the best for yourself. But I\u2019m still happy, it was a good race,\u201d he added.\nFinishing third was LCW UAE\u2019s Ibrahiem Alrefai, who was 6:45 minutes off the pace while MPTD\u2019s Nash Lim, a 23-year-old national team standout and Southeast Asian Games veteran, wound up fourth or 9:13 minutes off and the best placed Filipino.\nRounding out the top 10 were Mr. Quita (41:21:44), Malaysia\u2019s Muhammad Syawal Mazlin (41:22:11), 7-Eleven\u2019s Mervin Corpuz (41:22:58), MPTD\u2019s Rustom Lim (41:26:14), Seoul\u2019s Jung Woo Ho (41:27:36) and Go for Gold\u2019s Rench Michael Bondoc (41:27:51).\nMr. Huby will split the team prize with Mr. Quita, Mr. Corpuz, Jonel Carcueva, Jaypee Olarte, Jonty Harris, and Cormac McGeough Breffni.\n7-Eleven had an overall clocking of 162:25:49, 18:27 ahead of Go for Gold and 19:39 over LCW UAE. \u2014 Joey Villar", "date_published": "2026-05-13T19:28:52+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-13T19:28:52+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NIKITA-SHULCHENKO-2.jpg", "tags": [ "Joey Villar", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ], "summary": "BAGUIO CITY \u2014 Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE and Antoine Huby of 7-Eleven Cliqq Roadbike promised fireworks in the 14th and final stage of the MPTC Tour of Luzon." }, { "id": "/?p=749480", "url": "/sports/2026/05/13/749480/alex-eala-shifts-focus-to-strasbourg-open-ahead-of-french-open/", "title": "Alex Eala shifts focus to Strasbourg Open ahead of French Open", "content_html": "ALEXANDRA \u201cALEX\u201d EALA will be heading straight to France for one final tune-up tournament leading up to the French Open after skipping one more scheduled campaign in Italy.
\nMs. Eala was previously listed in the main draw of the WTA 125 Parma Ladies Open, which already started on Wednesday. Parma was a city neighboring Rome, where she just opted to play in the doubles of the Italian Open after a singles exit.
\nThe 20-year-old Filipina now shifts her focus to the WTA 500 Strasbourg Open, where she\u2019s officially added to the qualifying draw. Her stint in Strasbourg, a city near Paris, was supposed to depend on her Parma Ladies Open campaign.
\nIt will serve as her final preparation for the queen of clay, the French Open on May 24 to June 7 in Paris.
\nMs. Eala will be bringing a bevy of lessons to France after productive campaigns in four clay tournaments, highlighted by her first career third-round finish in the Italian Open.
\nThere, she stood her ground against top-ranked opponents with two wins before bowing to world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, who scored a hard-earned 6-4, 6-3 win in the Round of 32.
\nIn the same tourney, Ms. Eala and American partner Hailey Baptiste came in as late replacements in the doubles but were eliminated early by the second-seeded Czechia\u2019s Katerina Siniakova (world doubles No. 1) and USA\u2019s Taylor Townsend (world doubles No. 2), 6-2, 6-1.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s lot of things to work on and learn from this but I think I\u2019m in a good way,\u201d said Ms. Eala.
\nBefore France, Ms. Eala also refined her bearings in the Upper Austria Ladies Linz Open in Austria (second round), the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany (first round), and the Mutua Madrid Open (second round).
\nHer solid play so far is projected to push her back inside the Top 40 (No. 38) from No. 42 as per the WTA live rankings, which will be updated after the Italian Open, approaching the French Open, the second Grand Slam of the season. \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday
\n", "content_text": "ALEXANDRA \u201cALEX\u201d EALA will be heading straight to France for one final tune-up tournament leading up to the French Open after skipping one more scheduled campaign in Italy.\nMs. Eala was previously listed in the main draw of the WTA 125 Parma Ladies Open, which already started on Wednesday. Parma was a city neighboring Rome, where she just opted to play in the doubles of the Italian Open after a singles exit.\nThe 20-year-old Filipina now shifts her focus to the WTA 500 Strasbourg Open, where she\u2019s officially added to the qualifying draw. Her stint in Strasbourg, a city near Paris, was supposed to depend on her Parma Ladies Open campaign.\nIt will serve as her final preparation for the queen of clay, the French Open on May 24 to June 7 in Paris.\nMs. Eala will be bringing a bevy of lessons to France after productive campaigns in four clay tournaments, highlighted by her first career third-round finish in the Italian Open.\nThere, she stood her ground against top-ranked opponents with two wins before bowing to world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, who scored a hard-earned 6-4, 6-3 win in the Round of 32.\nIn the same tourney, Ms. Eala and American partner Hailey Baptiste came in as late replacements in the doubles but were eliminated early by the second-seeded Czechia\u2019s Katerina Siniakova (world doubles No. 1) and USA\u2019s Taylor Townsend (world doubles No. 2), 6-2, 6-1.\n\u201cThere\u2019s lot of things to work on and learn from this but I think I\u2019m in a good way,\u201d said Ms. Eala.\nBefore France, Ms. Eala also refined her bearings in the Upper Austria Ladies Linz Open in Austria (second round), the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany (first round), and the Mutua Madrid Open (second round).\nHer solid play so far is projected to push her back inside the Top 40 (No. 38) from No. 42 as per the WTA live rankings, which will be updated after the Italian Open, approaching the French Open, the second Grand Slam of the season. \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday", "date_published": "2026-05-13T19:28:19+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-13T19:28:19+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MIAMI-OPEN-TOURNAMENT-DAY7-1.jpg", "tags": [ "John Bryan Ulanday", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=749083", "url": "/sports/2026/05/12/749083/shulchenko-versus-huby-in-mptc-tour-of-luzon-final-stop-in-baguio/", "title": "Shulchenko versus Huby in MPTC Tour of Luzon final stop in Baguio", "content_html": "\r\n \r\n\r\nLINGAYEN, Pangasinan \u2014 Expect war when the MPTC Tour of Luzon makes its final stop in the mystical mountain passes of Baguio.
\nIt will be waged by two of the toughest cyclists that emerged from the 13 grueling stages covering a total distance of 1539.4 kilometers (km) and laced by brutal ascents \u2014 yellow jersey holder Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE and closest pursuer Antoine Huby of 7-Eleven.
\nMr. Shulchenko should come in as the favorite approaching Wednesday\u2019s Stage 14 after he reclaimed the time he lost in the Agoo-Mangatarem Stage 12 on Sunday to Mr. Huby by placing second behind eventual stage winner Min Kyeong Ho of Seoul at the Pangasinan Baywalk fronting the historic Lingayen Gulf.
\nMr. Min, a 29-year-old four-time Asian champion, blazed through the humidity, slippery sands and strong head winds in ruling the 20-km Stage 13 Individual Time Trial (ITT) in 25 minutes and 39 seconds, 22 seconds ahead of eventual second Mr. Shulchenko and 30 seconds faster than Excellent Noodles\u2019 Joseph Javiniar.
\nIt was the second stage triumph for Mr. Min, who ruled the Tuguegarao-Pagudpud Stage 6 last May 4, while making up for his third-place finish in the Pagudpud Stage 7 ITT topped by Mr. Shulchenko on May 5.
\n\u201cI was a little bit tired in Stage 7 but I was fresh (on Tuesday) and had confidence and determination,\u201d said Mr. Min, who is using this race as part of his preparation for the Asian Championship and Asian Games this year.
\nThe Russian appeared to have the upper hand entering the terrifying 177.8-km Stage 14, which starts in Lingayen and ends at Camp John Hay in Baguio, as he has a three-minute and 50-second lead over his French rival with an aggregate time of 36:42:22.
\nNever mind that the 25-year-old former French national juniors and U-23 champion had beaten Mr. Shulchenko twice in two savage climbs \u2014 the first in Bessang Pass in Stage 10 and the Daang Kalikasan in Stage 12.
\nUnless fate intervenes, the odds look to be in Mr. Shulcheko\u2019s favor.
\nBut Mr. Shulchenko vowed he\u2019s not going to leave any stones unturned.
\n\u201cI\u2019m not relaxing,\u201d he said.
\nThe rest of the top 10, headed by No. 3 Ibrahiem Alrefai of LCW UAE, would just be a sideshow.
\nFor Mr. Huby, he isn\u2019t promising the moon but vowed to throw cushion to the wind and try to snatch the win from Mr. Shulchenko.
\n\u201cI was expecting to lose some time in the ITT. Now I\u2019ll do my best in Baguio,\u201d said the Uzel, France native. \u2014 Joey Villar
\n", "content_text": "1 of 2\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n NIKITA SHULCHENKO of LCW UAE \u2014 PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSELL PALMA\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n ANTOINE HUBY of 7-Eleven \u2014 PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSELL PALMA\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \nMin Kyeong Ho of Seoul tops 20-km Stage 13 \nLINGAYEN, Pangasinan \u2014 Expect war when the MPTC Tour of Luzon makes its final stop in the mystical mountain passes of Baguio.\nIt will be waged by two of the toughest cyclists that emerged from the 13 grueling stages covering a total distance of 1539.4 kilometers (km) and laced by brutal ascents \u2014 yellow jersey holder Nikita Shulchenko of LCW UAE and closest pursuer Antoine Huby of 7-Eleven.\nMr. Shulchenko should come in as the favorite approaching Wednesday\u2019s Stage 14 after he reclaimed the time he lost in the Agoo-Mangatarem Stage 12 on Sunday to Mr. Huby by placing second behind eventual stage winner Min Kyeong Ho of Seoul at the Pangasinan Baywalk fronting the historic Lingayen Gulf.\nMr. Min, a 29-year-old four-time Asian champion, blazed through the humidity, slippery sands and strong head winds in ruling the 20-km Stage 13 Individual Time Trial (ITT) in 25 minutes and 39 seconds, 22 seconds ahead of eventual second Mr. Shulchenko and 30 seconds faster than Excellent Noodles\u2019 Joseph Javiniar.\nIt was the second stage triumph for Mr. Min, who ruled the Tuguegarao-Pagudpud Stage 6 last May 4, while making up for his third-place finish in the Pagudpud Stage 7 ITT topped by Mr. Shulchenko on May 5.\n\u201cI was a little bit tired in Stage 7 but I was fresh (on Tuesday) and had confidence and determination,\u201d said Mr. Min, who is using this race as part of his preparation for the Asian Championship and Asian Games this year.\nThe Russian appeared to have the upper hand entering the terrifying 177.8-km Stage 14, which starts in Lingayen and ends at Camp John Hay in Baguio, as he has a three-minute and 50-second lead over his French rival with an aggregate time of 36:42:22.\nNever mind that the 25-year-old former French national juniors and U-23 champion had beaten Mr. Shulchenko twice in two savage climbs \u2014 the first in Bessang Pass in Stage 10 and the Daang Kalikasan in Stage 12.\nUnless fate intervenes, the odds look to be in Mr. Shulcheko\u2019s favor.\nBut Mr. Shulchenko vowed he\u2019s not going to leave any stones unturned.\n\u201cI\u2019m not relaxing,\u201d he said.\nThe rest of the top 10, headed by No. 3 Ibrahiem Alrefai of LCW UAE, would just be a sideshow.\nFor Mr. Huby, he isn\u2019t promising the moon but vowed to throw cushion to the wind and try to snatch the win from Mr. Shulchenko.\n\u201cI was expecting to lose some time in the ITT. Now I\u2019ll do my best in Baguio,\u201d said the Uzel, France native. \u2014 Joey Villar", "date_published": "2026-05-12T18:48:19+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-12T18:48:19+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Nikita-Shulchenko-1.jpg", "tags": [ "Joey Villar", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ], "summary": "LINGAYEN, Pangasinan \u2014 Expect war when the MPTC Tour of Luzon makes its final stop in the mystical mountain passes of Baguio." }, { "id": "/?p=749082", "url": "/sports/2026/05/12/749082/la-salle-womens-seniors-to-play-for-fifth-and-final-year-for-title-defense/", "title": "La Salle women\u2019s seniors to play for fifth and final year for title defense", "content_html": "\r\n \r\n\r\nDE LA SALLE University (DLSU)will have its full armory of arrows for an expected tougher title defense in Season 89.
\nShevana Laput, Angel Canino, Amie Provido, and Lyka De Leon on Tuesday announced their decision to play for a fifth and final year to ensure an intact DLSU Lady Spikers\u2019 core that just swept the UAAP Season 88.
\nThe quartet anchored the Lady Spikers to a 16-0 sweep punctuated by a masterclass without dropping a set against back-to-back champion National University (NU) in the finals over the weekend in front of more than 22,000 fans.
\nAnd the writing on the wall could be read as early as then as Mses. Laput, Canino, Provido and De Leon, didn\u2019t go at centercourt for the \u201cArcher Stance\u201d just yet, admitting that they\u2019re undecided in opting for a final year of eligibility or going pro.
\nThe \u201cArcher Stance\u201d was a decades-long tradition for senior Lady Spikers (Green Archers for basketball) to go to centercourt for one last bow to be followed by a standing ovation and applause from the La Salle community, win or lose.
\n\u201cUs four, we wish to continue this legacy and we want to stay for one more year,\u201d Ms. Laput said on Archers Network on Tuesday during a courtesy call with La Salle university officials, team management and coaches after delivering the school\u2019s 13th championships in 21 finals appearances.
\nLa Salle\u2019s feat this season slew its own ghost in 2014 after a 14-0 elims sweep only to collapse and waste a thrice-to-beat edge against Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) while replicating the feat of the ADMU Blue Eagles (2015) and the NU Lady Bulldogs (2022) with 16-0 season sweeps.
\nMoreover, La Salle became the only two-time unbeaten team in UAAP women\u2019s volleyball history after wiping out the eliminations in 2004, 14-0, and was declared as automatic champions due to the old UAAP format.
\nAnd they\u2019re not done yet.
\nMs. Laput will return as the team captain after hoisting the Finals MVP and Best Opposite Spiker crown this season, the former Rookie-MVP Ms. Canino is out to defend her 2nd Best Outside Spiker plum, Ms. Provido will try to keep her 1st Best Middle Blocker citation while Ms. De Leon will shoot for another Best Libero award.
\nBut as a whole, La Salle will aim for a 14th title all under the wings of legendary mentor Ramil de Jesus, regardless if it\u2019s another sweep or not. \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday
\n", "content_text": "1 of 4\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Shevana Laput \u2014 UAAP\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Amie Provido \u2014 UAAP\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Lyka De Leon \u2014 UAAP\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Angel Canino \u2014 UAAP\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n \nDE LA SALLE University (DLSU)will have its full armory of arrows for an expected tougher title defense in Season 89.\nShevana Laput, Angel Canino, Amie Provido, and Lyka De Leon on Tuesday announced their decision to play for a fifth and final year to ensure an intact DLSU Lady Spikers\u2019 core that just swept the UAAP Season 88.\nThe quartet anchored the Lady Spikers to a 16-0 sweep punctuated by a masterclass without dropping a set against back-to-back champion National University (NU) in the finals over the weekend in front of more than 22,000 fans.\nAnd the writing on the wall could be read as early as then as Mses. Laput, Canino, Provido and De Leon, didn\u2019t go at centercourt for the \u201cArcher Stance\u201d just yet, admitting that they\u2019re undecided in opting for a final year of eligibility or going pro.\nThe \u201cArcher Stance\u201d was a decades-long tradition for senior Lady Spikers (Green Archers for basketball) to go to centercourt for one last bow to be followed by a standing ovation and applause from the La Salle community, win or lose.\n\u201cUs four, we wish to continue this legacy and we want to stay for one more year,\u201d Ms. Laput said on Archers Network on Tuesday during a courtesy call with La Salle university officials, team management and coaches after delivering the school\u2019s 13th championships in 21 finals appearances.\nLa Salle\u2019s feat this season slew its own ghost in 2014 after a 14-0 elims sweep only to collapse and waste a thrice-to-beat edge against Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) while replicating the feat of the ADMU Blue Eagles (2015) and the NU Lady Bulldogs (2022) with 16-0 season sweeps.\nMoreover, La Salle became the only two-time unbeaten team in UAAP women\u2019s volleyball history after wiping out the eliminations in 2004, 14-0, and was declared as automatic champions due to the old UAAP format.\nAnd they\u2019re not done yet.\nMs. Laput will return as the team captain after hoisting the Finals MVP and Best Opposite Spiker crown this season, the former Rookie-MVP Ms. Canino is out to defend her 2nd Best Outside Spiker plum, Ms. Provido will try to keep her 1st Best Middle Blocker citation while Ms. De Leon will shoot for another Best Libero award.\nBut as a whole, La Salle will aim for a 14th title all under the wings of legendary mentor Ramil de Jesus, regardless if it\u2019s another sweep or not. \u2014 John Bryan Ulanday", "date_published": "2026-05-12T18:47:14+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-12T18:47:14+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/UAAP-88-WVB-FG2-NU-vs.-DLSU-FINALS-MVP-SHEVANA-LAPUT-8248.jpg", "tags": [ "John Bryan Ulanday", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ] }, { "id": "/?p=749081", "url": "/sports/2026/05/12/749081/nlex-meralco-to-cash-in-on-win-once-advantage-vs-tnt-magnolia/", "title": "NLEX, Meralco to cash in on win-once advantage vs TNT, Magnolia", "content_html": "Games on Wednesday
\n(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
\n5:15 p.m. \u2013 TNT vs NLEX*
\n7:30 p.m. \u2013 Magnolia vs Meralco*
\n*NLEX, Meralco with twice-to-beat advantage
FOR TOP SEED NLEX and No. 4 Meralco, the time is ripe to cash in on the win-once advantage they fought so hard to get their hands on.
\nBut of course, their respective opponents in the PBA Commissioner\u2019s Cup quarterfinals have other plans, ready to move heaven and earth to stop them from reaping the profit and force them to a sudden death instead.
\nThe Road Warriors and the Bolts are up against proud franchises with rich championship tradition in No. 8 TNT and No. 5 Magnolia, respectively.
\nThe defending champion TNT Tropang 5G go into the 5:15 p.m. duel armed with that basest of instincts \u2014 survival. It\u2019s one miss and you die so count on the likes of Bol Bol and Calvin Oftana to battle the Cady Lalanne and Robert Bolick-led Road Warriors with grit and ferocity to live to fight another day.
\nJong Uichico\u2019s crew is driven further by the desire to give NLEX its only second semifinal stint in franchise history. First and only time so far was in the Season 46 Governors\u2019 Cup.
\nMr. Uichico, whose troops are intent on getting the job done after previously blowing their twice-to-beat advantage as No. 2 in the quarters of the Season 49 Philippine Cup versus seventh-ranked Rain or Shine.
\nLike NLEX, the Meralco Bolts are out to make the most of the bonus against the Magnolia Hotshots to get past the quarterfinals stage for the first time since their historic title run in the Season 49 All-Filipino.
\nOut to foil the plans of Meralco\u2019s Marvin Jones, Chris Newsome and CJ Cansino in the 7:30 p.m. tussle are the Hotshots, who are emboldened by fiery 5-1 roll in the elims capped by their 93-76 romp over the former only last Sunday.
\n\u201cWith the way we are playing, I\u2019m really confident with my players and my team, how they\u2019ve been playing right now, and the fact they have that sense of urgency that this is already the playoffs,\u201d said coach LA Tenorio.
\n\u201cI\u2019m really excited about the coming playoffs,\u201d added Mr. Tenorio, looking to surpass the Hotshots\u2019 quarters finish in his debut campaign in the previous Philippine Cup. \u2014 Olmin Leyba
\n", "content_text": "Games on Wednesday\n(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)\n5:15 p.m. \u2013 TNT vs NLEX*\n7:30 p.m. \u2013 Magnolia vs Meralco*\n*NLEX, Meralco with twice-to-beat advantage\nFOR TOP SEED NLEX and No. 4 Meralco, the time is ripe to cash in on the win-once advantage they fought so hard to get their hands on.\nBut of course, their respective opponents in the PBA Commissioner\u2019s Cup quarterfinals have other plans, ready to move heaven and earth to stop them from reaping the profit and force them to a sudden death instead.\nThe Road Warriors and the Bolts are up against proud franchises with rich championship tradition in No. 8 TNT and No. 5 Magnolia, respectively.\nThe defending champion TNT Tropang 5G go into the 5:15 p.m. duel armed with that basest of instincts \u2014 survival. It\u2019s one miss and you die so count on the likes of Bol Bol and Calvin Oftana to battle the Cady Lalanne and Robert Bolick-led Road Warriors with grit and ferocity to live to fight another day.\nJong Uichico\u2019s crew is driven further by the desire to give NLEX its only second semifinal stint in franchise history. First and only time so far was in the Season 46 Governors\u2019 Cup.\nMr. Uichico, whose troops are intent on getting the job done after previously blowing their twice-to-beat advantage as No. 2 in the quarters of the Season 49 Philippine Cup versus seventh-ranked Rain or Shine.\nLike NLEX, the Meralco Bolts are out to make the most of the bonus against the Magnolia Hotshots to get past the quarterfinals stage for the first time since their historic title run in the Season 49 All-Filipino.\nOut to foil the plans of Meralco\u2019s Marvin Jones, Chris Newsome and CJ Cansino in the 7:30 p.m. tussle are the Hotshots, who are emboldened by fiery 5-1 roll in the elims capped by their 93-76 romp over the former only last Sunday.\n\u201cWith the way we are playing, I\u2019m really confident with my players and my team, how they\u2019ve been playing right now, and the fact they have that sense of urgency that this is already the playoffs,\u201d said coach LA Tenorio.\n\u201cI\u2019m really excited about the coming playoffs,\u201d added Mr. Tenorio, looking to surpass the Hotshots\u2019 quarters finish in his debut campaign in the previous Philippine Cup. \u2014 Olmin Leyba", "date_published": "2026-05-12T18:46:19+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-12T18:46:19+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/TNT-Tropang-5G-1.jpg", "tags": [ "Olmin Leyba", "Editors' Picks", "Sports" ], "summary": "FOR TOP SEED NLEX and No. 4 Meralco, the time is ripe to cash in on the win-once advantage they fought so hard to get their hands on." }, { "id": "/?p=749080", "url": "/sports/2026/05/12/749080/wembanyama-ejection/", "title": "Wembanyama ejection", "content_html": "For all the wonder surrounding Victor Wembanyama, there remains one truth that even prodigies cannot escape: playoff basketball punishes lapses in composure with unusual cruelty. The Spurs learned their lesson the hard way the other day as they witnessed a series that seemed to be tilting firmly in their favor suddenly snap back to equilibrium after the Most Valuable Player candidate\u2019s first career ejection. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, emerged with a 114-109 victory, and, with it, renewed belief. In a postseason where momentum seems to mutate by the quarter, the semifinal round set-to now looks headed in another direction.
\nThe sequence itself was simple, albeit no less shocking. Early in the second quarter, Wembanyama secured a rebound amid heavy traffic and swung his elbow into the neck and jaw area of Naz Reid. Officials reviewed the play and assessed a Flagrant 2 penalty, triggering an automatic ejection. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson argued afterward that his franchise cornerstone had been subjected to constant physicality throughout the series and insisted there was no malicious intent. Perhaps so. Yet intent often becomes secondary to the outcome, especially in May. The playoffs are filled with accumulated provocations and irritations specifically designed to test emotional thresholds. Veteran contenders understand that surviving such moments is in and of itself a competitive skill.
\nTo be sure, the Spurs remained strikingly competent even without their generational centerpiece. They still carried an eight-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter behind the steady work of De\u2019Aaron Fox and rookie Dylan Harper. In another setting, the remarkable display of grit might have become the defining narrative. Instead, the night belonged to Anthony Edwards, whose fourth-quarter eruption steered the Timberwolves from the edge of a potentially devastating 1-3 deficit. He scored 16 of his 36 markers in the final frame, repeatedly attacking a tiring defense that missed Wembanyama\u2019s dominant rim protection.
\nIn Game Three, Wembanyama authored one of the greatest playoff performances in recent memory, posting 39 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks in hostile territory en route to a stirring triumph. The Spurs appeared to have size, poise, defensive versatility, and the best player in the series. A mere outing later, and the conversation has shifted toward calm and control amid seemingly erratic officiating. Such reversals are not uncommon in playoff hoops, but they do underscore how thin the margins become once every possession carries consequence. One reckless moment can undo all other positive exertions.
\nThat said, it would be dangerous to frame the ejection as a referendum on Wembanyama\u2019s maturity, or lack thereof. Superstars often acquire their scar tissue publicly. Michael Jordan had his confounding confrontations before encountering success. LeBron James went through the same. Even the most disciplined champions eventually learn where competitive fury becomes self-sabotage. What Sunday revealed was not fragility, but humanity: the reality that a 22-year-old carrying franchise-sized expectations can still be pulled into the emotional undertow of playoff combat. And for the remainder of what has now become a best-of-three affair, the question is how the Spurs will respond. After all, contenders are measured not by avoiding turbulence, but by how quickly they steady themselves after encountering it.
\n\n
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
\n", "content_text": "For all the wonder surrounding Victor Wembanyama, there remains one truth that even prodigies cannot escape: playoff basketball punishes lapses in composure with unusual cruelty. The Spurs learned their lesson the hard way the other day as they witnessed a series that seemed to be tilting firmly in their favor suddenly snap back to equilibrium after the Most Valuable Player candidate\u2019s first career ejection. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, emerged with a 114-109 victory, and, with it, renewed belief. In a postseason where momentum seems to mutate by the quarter, the semifinal round set-to now looks headed in another direction.\nThe sequence itself was simple, albeit no less shocking. Early in the second quarter, Wembanyama secured a rebound amid heavy traffic and swung his elbow into the neck and jaw area of Naz Reid. Officials reviewed the play and assessed a Flagrant 2 penalty, triggering an automatic ejection. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson argued afterward that his franchise cornerstone had been subjected to constant physicality throughout the series and insisted there was no malicious intent. Perhaps so. Yet intent often becomes secondary to the outcome, especially in May. The playoffs are filled with accumulated provocations and irritations specifically designed to test emotional thresholds. Veteran contenders understand that surviving such moments is in and of itself a competitive skill.\nTo be sure, the Spurs remained strikingly competent even without their generational centerpiece. They still carried an eight-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter behind the steady work of De\u2019Aaron Fox and rookie Dylan Harper. In another setting, the remarkable display of grit might have become the defining narrative. Instead, the night belonged to Anthony Edwards, whose fourth-quarter eruption steered the Timberwolves from the edge of a potentially devastating 1-3 deficit. He scored 16 of his 36 markers in the final frame, repeatedly attacking a tiring defense that missed Wembanyama\u2019s dominant rim protection.\nIn Game Three, Wembanyama authored one of the greatest playoff performances in recent memory, posting 39 points, 15 rebounds, and five blocks in hostile territory en route to a stirring triumph. The Spurs appeared to have size, poise, defensive versatility, and the best player in the series. A mere outing later, and the conversation has shifted toward calm and control amid seemingly erratic officiating. Such reversals are not uncommon in playoff hoops, but they do underscore how thin the margins become once every possession carries consequence. One reckless moment can undo all other positive exertions.\nThat said, it would be dangerous to frame the ejection as a referendum on Wembanyama\u2019s maturity, or lack thereof. Superstars often acquire their scar tissue publicly. Michael Jordan had his confounding confrontations before encountering success. LeBron James went through the same. Even the most disciplined champions eventually learn where competitive fury becomes self-sabotage. What Sunday revealed was not fragility, but humanity: the reality that a 22-year-old carrying franchise-sized expectations can still be pulled into the emotional undertow of playoff combat. And for the remainder of what has now become a best-of-three affair, the question is how the Spurs will respond. After all, contenders are measured not by avoiding turbulence, but by how quickly they steady themselves after encountering it.\n \nAnthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.", "date_published": "2026-05-12T18:45:45+08:00", "date_modified": "2026-05-12T18:49:05+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "大象传媒", "url": "/author/cedadiantityclea/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc38d2668fdee8f1e2b22df5e72ae6f4ad265ab7814de4aa60060edd377a70ce?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/sports-basketball-default.jpg", "tags": [ "Anthony L. Cuaycong", "Courtside", "Sports" ] } ] }![\"\"](\"/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PVL-4.jpg\")
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