Ladi's Late Three Propels Ateneo to Narrow Victory Over UE in UAAP Season 88

In a tightly contested UAAP Season 88 men's basketball matchup, Kymani Ladi's crucial three-pointer in the final moments helped the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles edge out the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 62-60. The game took place on Wednesday, September 24, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila. With only 22.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Ladi nailed a decisive triple to give Ateneo a 61-60 advantage. He finished the game with a double-double, contributing 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Blue Eagles showcased solid defense down the stretch as Dominic Escobar intercepted a pass from UE's Nico Mulingtapang and later sank one of two free throws. Meanwhile, Ladi prevented Precious Momowei from scoring a last-second three-pointer as the clock expired. Other notable performers for Ateneo included Joaqui Espina, who scored 17 points with two assists, and Jared Bahay, who added eight points and six boards. This victory puts Ateneo at the top of the standings with a 2-0 win-loss record, while UE remains winless as they continue to search for their initial triumph this season. Leading UE’s effort was Welo Lingolingo, who tallied 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Looking ahead, Ateneo is set to face the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on September 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. On the same day, UE will take on the defending champions, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

Rookie Dalph Panopio Seals Victory for Blackwater Bossing Against Meralco Bolts

In a nail-biting tune-up match held at the Meralco Gym in Ortigas on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, rookie Dalph Panopio played a pivotal role in securing a 95-93 victory for the Blackwater Bossing against the Meralco Bolts. As the third overall pick in the recent Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft, Panopio demonstrated remarkable composure and skill during the final moments of the game. With only a few seconds left on the clock, Panopio executed a decisive layup that put the Bossing ahead. Immediately following this, he successfully defended against a crucial attempt by Chris Banchero, one of Meralco’s key players, ensuring the team's narrow lead was preserved. Panopio’s combination of offensive and defensive efforts ultimately clinched the win for Blackwater in an intense and closely contested matchup.

UST’s Collins Akowe Earns High Praise from La Salle Captain After Key UAAP Win

In a thrilling UAAP Season 88 encounter, UST Growling Tigers’ rookie center Collins Akowe showcased his potential as he powered his team to a 93-84 win over the De La Salle Green Archers on September 27 at the Araneta Coliseum. Akowe’s dominant presence in the final half was pivotal, especially during the crucial moments in the fourth quarter. De La Salle team captain Mike Phillips lauded Akowe, acknowledging his blend of size, stamina, and effort as a formidable combination. "[Akowe\'s] motor is very high. And that\'s a really dangerous combo when you have a person of that size, but also that effort and that energy and that motor," Phillips remarked after the game. Phillips also emphasized Akowe\'s adaptability within UST\'s system and coaching strategy, highlighting the rookie\'s work ethic and ability to seamlessly fit into the team. Despite a modest first half where he tallied 8 points and 6 rebounds, Akowe exploded in the second half, accumulating 12 points and 13 rebounds, finishing with nearly a double-double of 20 points and 19 rebounds. UST relied heavily on Akowe in the closing stages, where he successfully scored key post-up baskets against Phillips, pushing the lead to 11 points with under two minutes remaining. The former UAAP juniors MVP from NU Nazareth School is currently leading the league, averaging an impressive 24.5 points and 18 rebounds in his first two games. Phillips also noted Akowe\'s basketball IQ, commending him not as a selfish player but one who actively involves his teammates. "He\'s not the type of player that\'s [bwakaw] (a ball hog), but he knows how to find his teammates too," he shared. The commanding showing from the rookie signals a promising future in UAAP men\'s basketball, earning respect even from seasoned opponents. "He\'s definitely one of the hardest to face, because I\'m just really excited because he\'s just a rookie," Phillips added.

Steve Kerr Expresses Confidence in Contract Situation Amid Warriors' 2023-24 Season

Despite Steve Kerr's contract with the Golden State Warriors concluding after the 2025-26 season, the head coach remains unconcerned about his contractual future. Speaking to reporters on the first day of training camp, Kerr stated, "I don\'t anticipate any negotiation during the season. Who knows, maybe it all comes up at some point and they come to me. But I\'m not the slightest bit concerned about it. I don\'t think about it. I just think it makes perfect sense for all of us (to wait)." Kerr has led the Warriors to four NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022) over his 11-year tenure. During the previous season, he was coaching under an expiring contract until reaching a two-year, $35 million extension that secures his position through the end of the 2025-26 campaign. "I\'m very comfortable going into the season with a year left," Kerr added. "I\'m so aligned with (general manager) Mike (Dunleavy) and (owner) Joe (Lacob). We talked about this -- there\'s no reason for discussion or concern. This is kind of a point in our relationship where let\'s just see how it is at the end of the year." The Warriors' championship aspirations rely heavily on veteran players Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and recently acquired Jimmy Butler, who joined the team at last season\'s trade deadline. Having turned 60 recently, Kerr—who had a career in broadcasting before coaching—acknowledged the possibility of retirement but affirmed his commitment to the team. "I love my job," he emphasized. "I love what I\'m doing every day. I can\'t wait to get to the building. Hopefully I\'m here for another few years. But I think it makes sense for the organization and for me to see where this thing is at the end of the year -- where they are and where I am. Hopefully that means we run it back, we keep going with this group, that\'d be awesome. But I like the fact we can do it how we want it." Kerr also expressed his desire for an amicable and professional conclusion to his tenure whenever that occurs. "However this ends it\'s going to be done in a really quality way," he said. "It\'s going to happen the right way. If it\'s meant for me to keep going, I\'m going to keep going. If it\'s meant to be for the team to move on to someone else, there will be nothing but gratitude and appreciation. This makes it easy for everybody."

Alex Eala Advances to Quarterfinals at 2025 Suzhou WTA 125 Tournament

Filipino tennis prodigy Alex Eala progressed to the quarterfinal stage of the 2025 Suzhou WTA 125 tournament in China after a grueling win against Belgium's Greet Minnen. The match, held on the evening of Wednesday, October 1, 2025, saw Eala triumph with a scoreline of 7-6(5), 6(3)-7, 7-5 in the Round of 16. The 20-year-old Eala battled for three hours and eighteen minutes to overcome the experienced Minnen, demonstrating remarkable resilience and stamina. This victory marked Eala's second consecutive three-set match win, following her first-round success over Poland's Katarzyna Kawa, where she prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. Looking ahead, Eala is set to face Serbian competitor Viktorija Golubic in the quarterfinals as she continues her strong performance in the tournament.

Karl-Anthony Towns Reflects on Trade to New York Knicks Despite Time Passed

More than a year after being traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the New York Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns continues to express disbelief over the transfer. This sentiment was shared following his impressive performance, in which he scored 15 points to help the Knicks secure a 137-114 victory over the Timberwolves on Thursday, November 6, 2025 (Philippine time), during an NBA match. "I\'m still stunned, I mean, I\'m still stunned. It\'s weird," Towns admitted, reflecting on the profound impact the trade has had on him even after an extended period. His statement highlights the emotional and psychological adjustments professional athletes often face when transitioning between teams, especially when facing a former team in competition. Towns’ contribution to the Knicks\' win underscored his continued value and adaptability within the league.

Pascal Siakam Leads Indiana Pacers Against Jonathan Kuminga and Golden State Warriors

On November 1, 2025, in a thrilling second-half contest, Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam skillfully handled the ball while being closely guarded by Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga. The game showcased Siakam's agility and ball-handling abilities under pressure from Kuminga's tight defense. This moment underscored the competitive spirit between the two teams as they battled for dominance on the court.

Luka Doncic Leads Lakers to Convincing 128-110 Win Over Timberwolves

Luka Doncic delivered a spectacular performance, scoring 49 points—including 32 in the first half—while contributing 11 rebounds and eight assists to guide the Los Angeles Lakers to a commanding 128-110 triumph against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday (Saturday, October 25, Manila time). Austin Reaves complemented the effort with 25 points and 11 assists, Rui Hachimura added 23 points, and Deandre Ayton contributed 15 as the Lakers secured a win against the team that eliminated them from last season's playoffs. Minnesota, seeded sixth in the Western Conference, had previously defeated the third-seeded Lakers in a five-game series. Doncic was highly efficient, converting 14 of 23 field goal attempts (60.9%) and making 5 of 12 from beyond the arc, setting a new season high in points. Overall, Los Angeles shot an impressive 59.2% from the floor compared to Minnesota's 46.6%. Despite approaching a 50-point milestone for the eighth time in his career, Doncic missed one of two free throws with just over three minutes remaining and exited the game shortly after. On the Timberwolves side, Anthony Edwards led with 31 points, while Julius Randle added 26 points and nine rebounds. The Timberwolves struggled as the Lakers heated up, especially during a dominant second quarter where Los Angeles shot 64.7%, outscoring Minnesota 32-19. Additional contributions for Minnesota came from Donte DiVincenzo with 13 points and Jaden McDaniels with 10. The Timberwolves are now 1-1 on their season-opening road trip and will host the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers in their home opener on Sunday. The game’s opening quarter was marked by high scoring and minimal defensive pressure, with Minnesota holding a slight 40-36 edge aided by Edwards’ 14 points. Doncic countered with 23 points, stepping up in the absence of LeBron James, sidelined with sciatica, and Lakers big men Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes, who missed the game due to injuries. The Lakers surged ahead by closing the first half on a 14-4 run, taking a 68-63 lead into halftime while maintaining a 60% shooting accuracy compared to Minnesota's 50%. Extending their advantage in the third quarter, Los Angeles executed a 13-6 run to take a 97-86 lead after a driving layup from Reaves. They maintained control with a 108-94 lead going into the final period, eventually sealing the victory.

Tesssie Dante Shines as Bowler of the Week in SugBU Sunday Shootout

Tessie Dante emerged as the standout bowler during the Sugbuanon Bowlers United (SugBU) Sunday Shootout held on October 5, 2025, at the SM Seaside Cebu Bowling & Leisure Center. Competing in Division C, Dante secured the Bowler of the Week title after delivering an impressive final game score of 225, surpassing rivals Frenzy Williams and Terence "TBonz" Williams who scored 164 and 155 respectively. Dante's victory was the culmination of a strong overall showing, having led the Mixed Division B & C earlier with a four-game total of 794. This performance underscored her dominance throughout the event. A highlight of the shootout was the unusual competition between spouses Terence "TBonz" Williams and Frenzy Williams. However, it was Dante who ultimately took center stage with a composed and powerful display, clearly securing her position at the summit of the leaderboard. In Division A qualifying rounds, Terence "TBonz" Williams topped a closely contested field with an aggregate score of 808. He narrowly outpaced Edgar Marshall "Egay" Alqueza (763), Ivan "Aui" Padawan (761), and both Nestor Ranido and Luther Tapaya, who were tied at 760. Despite his steady performance, TBonz could not overcome Dante’s momentum in the final face-off. The Mixed Division B & C rankings saw Dante outpace a competitive set of contenders, with Frenzy Williams placing second at 713. Rounding out the top ranks were Division B participants Dory Enoveso (710), John Zamora (680), and Mabin Villamin (676). Dante’s triumph carries deeper significance as it comes just days after Cebu faced the devastating impact of a 6.9-magnitude earthquake on September 30. Her success serves as a powerful symbol of the resilience and unwavering spirit of the Cebuano community, highlighting their commitment to perseverance and competitive excellence despite recent challenges.

Swiatek Marks 400th Win as China Open Progresses; Sinner and Medvedev Advance in Men's Draw

Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek celebrated her 400th career win by defeating Camila Osorio to reach the fourth round of the China Open on Monday, September 29, 2025. Swiatek, who has set a record with 25 or more wins at WTA-1000 events over three consecutive seasons, dominated the first set 6-0 before Osorio retired early in the second set due to injury. \"I feel for Camila because she always gives her all,\" Swiatek said. \"Apart from that, I think I played well in the opening set and used my game effectively to apply pressure.\" The top-seeded Swiatek, fresh off her victory at last week’s Korea Open in Seoul, is set to face American Emma Navarro in the next round. Navarro advanced after France’s Lois Boisson retired against her while trailing 6-2, 1-0. In other women’s third-round action, fifth seed Jessica Pegula saved three match points to overcome Britain’s Emma Raducanu 3-6, 7-6(9), 6-0, improving her head-to-head record to 3-1. Fourth-seeded Mirra Andreeva secured a straight-sets win against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, 6-4, 6-1, and Marta Kostyuk defeated Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-4, 6-2. On the men’s side, top seed Jannik Sinner advanced to the semifinals with a 6-1, 7-5 win over Fabian Marozsan. The Italian will face third seed Alex de Minaur, who moved forward via walkover after Jakub Mensik retired injured while down 4-1 in the opening set. Daniil Medvedev notched a 6-3, 6-3 victory over second seed Alexander Zverev, marking his 60th career semifinal and his first since June. This marked Medvedev’s second triumph over Zverev this year and his only two wins against a top-10 opponent in 2025. Meanwhile, in Tokyo, world number one Carlos Alcaraz mounted a comeback from a set down to defeat fourth-seeded Casper Ruud 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the Japan Open semifinals, achieving a personal best of 66 wins this season. \"I had plenty of opportunities in the first set, including four break points,\" Alcaraz commented. \"I tried to maintain a more positive mindset in the subsequent sets.\" Alcaraz will face second seed Taylor Fritz in Tuesday’s final. Fritz advanced by defeating fellow American Jenson Brooksby 6-4, 6-3 in the other semifinal and recently bested Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2 at last week’s Laver Cup.