Alexandra Eala Set to Compete in Suzhou Open WTA 125 Tournament

Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra “Alex” Eala is preparing to participate in the upcoming Suzhou Open WTA 125 tournament in Suzhou, China. The young athlete is scheduled to begin her campaign on Monday, September 29, at 10:00 a.m. local time. Eala, currently ranked 58th in the world, is seeded fourth in the tournament, which features several highly ranked competitors. The top seeds include Iva Jovic of the USA (WTA No. 37), Tatjana Maria from Germany (WTA No. 44), and Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands (WTA No. 57). Other seeded players in the event are Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan (WTA No. 63), Viktorija Golubic from Switzerland (WTA No. 70), and Lucia Bronzetti of Italy (WTA No. 73). Notably, Eala will contend with familiar opponents such as Lulu Sun, who recently defeated her in the semifinals of the Jingshan Tennis Open, and Katie Volynets, whom Eala had previously overcome in Miami. Eala's opening round match will be against Poland’s Katarzyna Kawa in the Round of 32, marking her official start at the Suzhou Open. The WTA 125 series serves as an important platform for both established players and rising talents to gain valuable ranking points and experience. Positioned below the WTA 250, WTA 500, and WTA 1000 tournaments, these events provide opportunities for athletes to advance toward the highest tiers of professional women’s tennis, ultimately leading to the Grand Slam tournaments that award 2,000 ranking points to champions. Alexandra Eala’s participation in the Suzhou Open underscores her continued ascent in the global tennis arena as she aims to build on her promising career trajectory.

Pasinos Leads Benilde-LSGH to Victory Over San Beda in NCAA Juniors Basketball

In a decisive game during the NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball tournament, newcomer Patrick Pasinos propelled the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Green Hills (Benilde-LSGH) Greenies to a 67-59 triumph over the San Beda University Red Cubs at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. Pasinos, a Grade 11 transferee from Far Eastern University, delivered an impressive all-around performance, contributing 20 points, 15 rebounds, two blocks, and one assist. His efforts energized the Greenies, who established a 12-point lead late in the fourth quarter following three consecutive baskets from the standout player. Despite San Beda narrowing the margin with a 10-3 rally, closing the gap to 64-59 with just 39 seconds left, clutch free throws from Josef Calo-oy and Andre Bautista ultimately secured the win for Benilde-LSGH. Head coach Renren Ritualo emphasized their continued pursuit of championship glory, stating, \"We lost many players from last season. This isn\'t about revenge because only five players remain from the previous team, and the rest are rookies. Our goal every season is clear — to win. We won\'t settle for less because I have been very vocal about aiming for a championship.\" Supporting Pasinos in scoring were Jaime Teodoro with 15 points and seven rebounds and Jose Calo-oy who added 13 points along with six rebounds. Final scores segmented by quarter reflected Benilde-LSGH ahead with scores of 11-13, 32-28, 46-41, and finishing 67-59. **Benilde-LSGH scoring:** Pasinos 20, Teodoro 15, Calo-oy 13, Yutuc 7, Jugo 4, Bautista 4, Gacrama 4, Hizon 0, Calanasan 0, Tuason 0. **San Beda scoring:** Nonato 13, Mejia 13, Uggadan 11, San Juan 10, Larosa 3, Bautista 3, San Buenaventura 2, Villanueva 2, Gravador 2, Feliciano 0, Agbayani 0, Bonzalida 0, Wagan 0, Tauber 0, Jomalesa 0.

LA Tenorio Leads Magnolia to Victory Over Former Team Barangay Ginebra in PBA Season Opener

In the opening match of the PBA’s 50th season held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, LA Tenorio made a victorious debut as head coach of the Magnolia Hotshots. The Hotshots secured an 80-73 triumph over Tenorio’s former team, Barangay Ginebra. Zavier Lucero was instrumental in Magnolia’s success, posting 17 points, along with seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals, driving the team to a hard-fought win. Tenorio’s leadership and Lucero’s all-around contribution highlighted Magnolia’s promising start under their new coaching regime.

Jalen Green Stars as Suns Defeat Clippers 115-102 in Season Opener

In his season debut, Jalen Green delivered a standout performance, scoring 29 points and hitting six three-pointers to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 115-102 victory against the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. Devin Booker contributed 24 points, while Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale added 18 and 17 points respectively, showcasing impressive three-point shooting as the Suns tallied 19 made treys, just shy of their season best. Ivica Zubac led the Clippers with a season-high 23 points and 11 rebounds, followed by Cam Christie’s 17 points and John Collins who added 13. The Clippers, missing key scorers Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, suffered their third consecutive loss and remain winless on the road with an 0-3 record. Leonard, averaging 24.3 points per game, was sidelined for the second straight game due to a sprained right knee, while Harden, who averages 23.3 points, was absent for personal reasons. Without their star players, the Clippers were unable to maintain momentum after keeping the game tight through the first half. The Suns took control in the third quarter, executing a decisive 33-11 run to establish an 84-64 lead. O'Neale sank three three-pointers during this surge, with Booker contributing two of his three threes. Phoenix outpaced Los Angeles 40-23 in the third and extended their lead to as much as 25 points in the fourth quarter. Although the Clippers narrowed the gap to 11 points late in the game, they could not mount a significant comeback. Green, returning from a right hamstring strain that sidelined him for the opening eight games, played 23 minutes under a minutes restriction. Mark Williams also had a strong outing for the Suns, recording 13 points and 10 rebounds. Phoenix improved to four wins in five home games, shooting 44.6% from the field and converting 38.8% of their 3-point attempts (19 of 49). The Clippers posted a similar field goal percentage at 44.3% but connected on just 32.3% of their three-point shots (10 of 31). Bradley Beal struggled in his first game back in Phoenix, scoring five points on 2-of-14 shooting. Beal previously played for the Suns before being waived and then signing with the Clippers. The two teams are set to face off again on Saturday in Inglewood, California, as part of a back-to-back series. The season series currently stands tied at one win apiece after splitting the first two contests.

LIV Golf Launches Offseason Player Transaction Window with New Roster Rules

LIV Golf announced on Thursday the commencement of its offseason window for player signings, trades, and other roster-related transactions. The league has outlined a structured system based on players’ final standings in the 2025 season, which determines their status for the upcoming year. Players who finish within the top 24 points standings, designated as the "Lock Zone," automatically secure their spots for the 2026 season. Those with expiring contracts receive a one-year extension from their current teams but retain the option to decline the extension and enter free agency. Competitors ranked between 25 and 48, referred to as the "Open Zone," become free agents if their contracts have expired. Should an Open Zone free agent fail to secure a new contract—as occurred last year with Pat Perez, John Catlin, and Eugenio Chacarra—they lose their position in the league. Perez notably transitioned to a broadcasting role within LIV Golf in 2025. Players finishing outside the top 48, categorized in the "Drop Zone," are relegated from the league and cannot participate in the 2026 season unless they requalify through the LIV Golf Promotions event or the International Series standings. This development impacts several notable players, including Majesticks GC co-captain Henrik Stenson of Sweden, who finished 49th, alongside Andy Ogletree (HyFlyers), Mito Pereira (Torque), South Korea’s Yubin Jang (Iron Heads), wild card entrant Anthony Kim, and Frederik Kjettrup (Cleeks). Teams with available roster spots may sign free agents from the Lock or Open Zones, engage in trades, recruit from the Promotions or International Series pathways, or bring in players from outside the league. HyFlyers captain Phil Mickelson commented on the offseason opportunities, stating, \"Every team has the chance to re-evaluate and build something special in the offseason, just like in other major sports. It also keeps fans invested and engaged in what we are doing and there’s terrific excitement heading into next year.\" He added, \"Losing a player on HyFlyers GC this season (Ogletree) opens the door to bring someone in who further elevates our team and makes us more competitive.\"

TNC Pro Team Secures Top Three Finish After Upsetting Onic Philippines in MPL PH Season 16

TNC Pro Team, historically absent from the playoffs for six consecutive seasons, has broken through this year as they secured at least a third-place finish in the MPL Philippines Season 16. The Phoenix Army achieved a stunning upset by eliminating the reigning world champions, Onic Philippines, with a narrow 3-2 victory in the knockout lower bracket semifinals. Looking ahead, TNC faces a challenging matchup against Team Liquid in the lower bracket finals. The winner of this contest will earn the chance to compete against the dominant Aurora Gaming in a best-of-seven Grand Finals series, as well as secure qualification for the prestigious M7 World Championship next year. Earlier in the day, Aurora Gaming extended its remarkable winning streak to 15 by defeating Team Liquid 3-1, sending the defending MPL champions to the lower bracket. This sets the stage for a high-stakes battle between TNC and Team Liquid on Saturday to determine the final spot in the Grand Finals. The continued success of TNC marks a significant milestone for the squad, signaling their resurgence in the competitive Mobile Legends scene after years of underperformance. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the Phoenix Army aims to capitalize on this momentum against a formidable Team Liquid roster.

University of Batangas and Immaculada Concepcion College Open 2025 PG Flex-UCAL Season 8 with Dominant Volleyball Wins

The University of Batangas (UB) Brahmans and Immaculada Concepcion College (ICC) Lady Blue Hawks commenced their title-retention campaigns emphatically at the opening day of the 2025 PG Flex-UCAL Season 8 volleyball competitions held on Tuesday at the UB Millennium Gym in Batangas City. UB displayed a commanding performance against the Centro Escolar University (CEU) Scorpions, winning in straight sets with scores of 25-18, 25-20, and 25-17. The Brahmans relied heavily on the dynamic duo of Christian Briones and Prince Ramirez. Ramirez contributed 13 points, generated from 12 attacks and one service ace. Meanwhile, Briones earned the Player of the Game accolade thanks to his skillful playmaking and timely offensive efforts. He recorded 13 excellent sets in addition to five points—three attacks, one block, and a service ace. In the women's division, ICC Lady Blue Hawks overwhelmed the Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas Lady Dolphins with a clean sweep of 25-16, 25-17, and 25-16. Jehiel Moraga stood out, scoring 12 points that included three blocks and a service ace. The standout athlete of the day was ICC’s Gio Devosora, who delivered an outstanding individual performance by amassing 28 points. His scoring included 24 powerful attacks, two blocks, and two service aces, setting a high standard for the season opener. Both UB and ICC look to build on these strong starts as they pursue successful title defenses in the ongoing PG Flex-UCAL volleyball tournaments.

NLEX Upsets San Miguel 85–84 in Philippine Cup Opener Despite Missing Star Player

In a thrilling Philippine Cup opener at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, NLEX upset the defending champions San Miguel with a close 85–84 win on Wednesday. The Road Warriors managed to pull off the surprise victory despite missing their star guard Robert Bolick, who was sidelined due to the recent passing of his father. San Miguel led 76-73 with less than eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but NLEX responded with a decisive 10-2 run to seize an 83–78 lead. Mo Tautuaa broke San Miguel's scoring drought with 2:41 left on the clock; however, the Beermen went scoreless during a critical stretch, jeopardizing their title defense opener. JB Bahio extended NLEX's lead to five points with clutch free throws, awarded after a Don Trollano foul. Trollano quickly answered back with a rare four-point play, narrowing the margin to 85–84 with just 11 seconds left. Later, Andreas Cahilig fouled Bahio, who unfortunately missed both free throws, but NLEX managed to withstand San Miguel's final assault and secure their first win of the conference. Leading the charge for NLEX were Brandon Ramirez and Jonnel Policarpio, each scoring 16 points, while Kevin Alas contributed 13. Bahio was instrumental by posting a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo led all scorers with 18 points and 15 rebounds, supported by Don Trollano’s 17 points and Jericho Cruz's 12. Final Scores and Top Performers: **NLEX 85** – Policarpio 16, Ramirez 16, Alas 13, Bahio 12, Rodger 9, Valdez 6, Amer 5, Semerad 4, Nieto 2, Torres 2, Fajardo 0, Herndon 0. **San Miguel 84** – Fajardo 18, Trollano 17, Cruz 12, Lassiter 8, Tiongson 7, Brondial 7, Tautuaa 6, Cahilig 5, Teng 2, Perez 2, Ross 0, Miller 0. Quarter Scores: 22-25, 32-42, 66-67, 85-84.

Jaden Lazo’s Fourth Quarter Surge Leads Ateneo to UAAP Victory Over Adamson

In a commanding performance on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Jaden Lazo’s explosive fourth-quarter display propelled Ateneo de Manila University to a 77-58 triumph over Adamson University in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament. Lazo contributed 13 of his 15 total points in the final period to help the Blue Eagles secure their third straight win. The game remained closely contested through three quarters, with Ateneo narrowly leading 51-48 going into the fourth. However, the Blue Eagles broke the game open with a decisive 17-1 run, extending their lead to 68-49 with just over three minutes left. Lazo sparked the rally with a three-pointer followed by a layup, and later capped it off with another triple. Despite a response from Matt Erolon, who scored a three-pointer for the Soaring Falcons during the run, Lazo hit another long-range shot, pushing Ateneo’s advantage to 19 points. Adamson tried to respond with two free throws from Erolon, but Ateneo’s Josh Lazaro nailed a jumper before Lazo sealed the victory with a basket under two minutes remaining. Lazo finished the game with 15 points, including three triples, alongside two assists. Nigerian center Divine Adili also made a significant impact with 16 points and six rebounds. For Adamson, Erolon was the standout player despite the loss, contributing a game-high 23 points on seven three-pointers, and was the only Falcon to reach double digits. With this win, Ateneo improved their record to 3-0, while Adamson slipped to 1-2 in the standings. **Final Scores:** **Ateneo** — Adili 16, Lazo 15, Ladi 14, Espinosa 10, Escobar 8, Lazaro 6, Bahay 3, Espina 3, Nieto 2 **Adamson** — Erolon 23, Torres 7, Manzano 6, Ojarikre 6, Anabo 5, Montebon 5 **Quarter Scores:** 18-11, 33-30, 51-48, 77-58

Lakers Struggle Without LeBron James in Season Opener Loss to Warriors

The Los Angeles Lakers began their NBA season on a challenging note, falling to the Golden State Warriors in the absence of injured star LeBron James. Coach JJ Redick acknowledged the difficulty of competing without the league’s all-time leading scorer but underscored the importance of making the existing roster work. "It’s hard to forget about LeBron," Redick said. "The reality is, when you’re focused on the group that you have, you’ve got to make the group work." Redick candidly admitted that there was a moment in the first half when the Lakers struggled offensively against the Warriors’ zone defense and wished they had James on the floor. Meanwhile, James watched from courtside, dressed in a suit and glasses, as he continues to recover from a flare-up of sciatica, marking the first time in his 23-year NBA career that he missed a season opener. Luka Doncic delivered an outstanding performance, nearly achieving a triple-double with 43 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. However, aside from Austin Reaves’ 26 points and Deandre Ayton’s 10, no other Lakers players reached double figures in scoring. Although the Lakers trailed by only one point at halftime, the Warriors dominated the third quarter with an 18-4 run that proved decisive. "The trend I see is that we continue to be a terrible third-quarter team," Redick remarked. "That was last year, that was the preseason. We’ve got to rethink some things and it’s, you know, a two-way thing with the guys: What do they need at halftime to make sure they’re ready to play? They’re not ready to play to start the third quarter." With James expected to remain sidelined into November, Redick stressed the need for all Lakers players to excel in their roles regardless of the superstar’s availability. "We need our guys to star in their roles," he added. "I don’t think that changes if LeBron is in the lineup or out of the lineup. We need our guys to star in their roles." Despite Doncic’s impressive outing, he took responsibility for not involving newcomer Ayton more effectively, noting his seven shot attempts were insufficient and indicating a need for better communication. Adding to the Lakers’ concerns, Doncic appeared to experience some groin discomfort late in the game and required treatment afterward. However, he downplayed the issue, stating, "Felt it a little bit, but it’s probably nothing."