Barangay Ginebra and Meralco Secure Key Wins to Boost PBA Philippine Cup Playoff Hopes

Barangay Ginebra and Meralco asserted their dominance in separate matches on Thursday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, strengthening their bids for the quarterfinals in the PBA Philippine Cup. In the first game, Barangay Ginebra overcame Blackwater with a convincing 103-85 victory. The Gin Kings broke away during the second quarter, outscoring Blackwater 40-20 to establish a commanding 63-42 halftime lead. Ginebra maintained their momentum in the second half, extending their largest lead to 98-71 with under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Despite an 8-0 run from the Blackwater Bossing, Ginebra's cushion remained unassailable. RJ Abarrientos paced Ginebra with 15 points, supported by Stephen Holt and Jeremiah Gray who each contributed 12 points. Jayson David and Troy Rosario added 11 and 10 points respectively, helping the team improve to a 4-4 record. For Blackwater, Dalph Panopio led the scoring with 22 points, while Sedrick Barefield and Abu Tratter added 17 and 12 points respectively. The loss extended Blackwater's losing streak to eight games following their season-opening win. Earlier in the day, Meralco secured a commanding 120-87 victory over Terrafirma to also advance to a 4-4 standing. CJ Cansino led the Bolts with 20 points, alongside Chris Banchero and Chris Newsome who scored 13 and 12 points respectively. Bong Quinto and Raymond Almazan each chipped in 11 points. Despite a strong individual effort from Mark Nonoy, who scored 22 points, Terrafirma struggled to keep pace, with Paolo Hernandez and Louie Sangalang adding 18 and 13 points respectively. The loss dropped Terrafirma to 1-8, eliminating them from playoff contention. With these results, Barangay Ginebra and Meralco are tied for seventh place in the standings, while Blackwater and Terrafirma's chances of advancing have effectively ended.

Nesthy Petecio and Hergie Bacyadan Claim Bronze at 2025 SEA Games Boxing Semifinals

Filipino Olympians Nesthy Petecio and Hergie Bacyadan each earned bronze medals in their respective weight categories after falling in the semifinal bouts of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games boxing competition. Petecio, who advanced directly to the semifinals in the women's 63kg division, was edged out by Indonesia's Hasanah Huswatun in a closely contested match decided by a 3–2 split decision on Saturday. Meanwhile, Bacyadan, also granted an automatic semifinal spot in the women's 70kg division, was defeated by Thailand's Manikon Baison through a unanimous decision on Friday. Both fighters display commendable performances despite their semifinal losses, securing bronze medals for the Philippines in the regional sporting event.

Filipina Wushu Champion Agatha Wong Secures Sixth SEA Games Gold

Filipina wushu athlete Agatha Wong reinforced her supremacy at the Southeast Asian Games by clinching her sixth gold medal in the women’s taijiquan-taijijian category. The event took place at the Chaeng Watthana Government Complex in Bangkok on Sunday, December 14. Wong achieved scores of 9.773 in taijiquan and 9.783 in taijijian, culminating in a total of 19.556 points that secured her victory. This marks Wong’s fifth consecutive SEA Games gold, maintaining an unbroken streak since 2017. Since her initial triumph in the taijiquan event in 2017, Wong has consistently delivered top performances, including winning both taijijian and taijiquan titles during the 2019 SEA Games held in the Philippines and defending her taijijian crown in 2021. Even after the combination of the two disciplines into a single event in 2023, Wong prevailed against strong competitors. This win also serves as a comeback for Wong after a challenging 2023 Asian Games where she finished fifth, narrowly missing the podium behind Brunei’s Basma Lachkar, who claimed silver, and Malaysia’s Sydney Chin, who placed fourth. At the SEA Games, Wong outperformed both, with Lachkar earning silver with 19.546 points and Chin taking bronze with 19.523 points. With this latest achievement, Wong’s SEA Games medal tally now stands at eight, including previous silver medals in taijijian (2017) and taijiquan (2021). Balancing her career as an aspiring doctor, Wong continues to exemplify excellence in her sport and remains a key figure in regional wushu competitions.

Scottie Scheffler Earns Fourth Consecutive PGA Tour Player of the Year Honor

Scottie Scheffler has secured the PGA Tour Player of the Year award for the fourth consecutive season, the PGA Tour announced Monday. With six titles in 2025, including two major championships—the PGA Championship and the British Open—Scheffler equaled Tiger Woods by becoming one of only two golfers to win this accolade four or more times in a row. The world number one outperformed contenders Tommy Fleetwood, Ben Griffin, and Rory McIlroy to receive the Jack Nicklaus Award, which is voted on by PGA Tour members. Scheffler’s remarkable consistency was highlighted by a PGA Tour-leading 17 top-10 finishes without missing a cut throughout the year. His major victories increased his career total to four, placing him one US Open win shy of completing the illustrious career Grand Slam. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp praised Scheffler’s achievements, stating, "Scottie\'s consistent level of success has been nothing short of spectacular as he continues to chase history on the PGA Tour, and we\'re excited to see what he will deliver in 2026." In other honors, South African Aldrich Potgieter was awarded the Arnold Palmer Award as the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. Potgieter was the only rookie to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs in 2025 and was one of five first-year players to clinch a victory on the Tour. He becomes the third South African to earn this distinction, following Ernie Els in 1994 and Trevor Immelman in 2006. Rolapp lauded Potgieter’s early accomplishments, adding, "What Aldrich has achieved at such a young age is truly remarkable. He has captivated fans across the globe including his home country of South Africa and the Tour is thrilled to see what his future holds."

Philippines Reclaims Southeast Asian Games Men's Softball Title with 3-0 Win Over Singapore

The Philippine Blu Boys have once again ascended to the summit of Southeast Asian men’s softball by clinching the gold medal with a 3–0 victory over Singapore in the final match of the 2025 SEA Games held in Thailand. This triumph marks the Philippines’ ninth championship in the men’s softball category throughout the history of the SEA Games competitions where the sport has been featured. The win is especially significant as it sees the Philippines regain the top spot after finishing as runners-up to Singapore in the 2019 SEA Games. Demonstrating consistent excellence, the Blu Boys’ latest performance underscores their dominance in the regional softball scene. With this victory, the Philippines continues to fortify its legacy as a powerhouse in Southeast Asian men's softball, much to the pride of fans and supporters back home.

Golden State Warriors' Jimmy Butler Suffers Season-Ending ACL Injury

During Monday's 135-112 victory over the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee. Butler, who had contributed 17 points, injured himself while chasing the ball beneath the Warriors' basket with 7:41 remaining in the third quarter. He immediately fell to the court in pain and was assisted off to the locker room, where an MRI was performed following the game. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expressed concern after the match, stating, \"We're all really concerned. We'll know more after the MRI, obviously. We don't know anything at this point. Everybody is subdued because of the injury, waiting, waiting to hear the news.\" Butler, 36, has battled previous injuries to the same knee, including a torn meniscus in February 2018 and a sprained medial collateral ligament this past April. This season, he has averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists over 38 games. A six-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-Defensive Team honoree, Butler is in his 15th season and is currently with his fifth NBA franchise. Over his career, he has posted averages of 18.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. The Warriors improved to 25-19 on the season with the win, marking their best streak of four consecutive victories. Sitting eighth in the Western Conference, Golden State is within 1.5 games of the sixth seed, the final guaranteed playoff spot, positioning them currently in the play-in competition. Golden State will conclude their eight-game homestand on Tuesday with a matchup against the Toronto Raptors, before embarking on a four-game road trip to Dallas, Minnesota (two games), and Utah.

James Harden Leads Clippers to Overtime Victory Over Raptors as Cleveland Edges 76ers

In a thrilling NBA matchup, James Harden delivered a standout performance with 31 points, guiding the Los Angeles Clippers to a 121-117 overtime victory against the Toronto Raptors on Friday. Despite missing star Kawhi Leonard due to a sprained right ankle, the Clippers overcame an 11-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. Harden contributed 16 points in the final period and overtime, including key free throws that tied the game with 1:24 remaining in regulation. The Clippers dominated the overtime session, with Harden sinking four free throws to open the frame and leading the team to score eight of their 12 points in the extra period. Scottie Barnes paced the Raptors with 24 points, one of seven Toronto players reaching double figures. The win marked the Clippers’ fifth consecutive victory, improving their record to 12 wins in 14 games and elevating them to 10th place in the Western Conference post-season race after a difficult start to the season. Elsewhere, the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a narrow 117-115 win over the Philadelphia 76ers at Philadelphia’s home court. Evan Mobley sealed the game with a decisive dunk in the final 4.8 seconds. Despite holding a lead of up to 11 points late in the fourth quarter, the 76ers fell short, unable to fend off the Cavaliers’ comeback. Jaylon Tyson, starting due to injuries to key players Darius Garland and Sam Merrill, led Cleveland with a career-high 39 points and assisted on Mobley’s game-winning dunk. Mobley added 15 points, while Donovan Mitchell contributed 13 points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists. The 76ers were led by Joel Embiid with 33 points and Tyrese Maxey with 22, though Maxey’s last-second half-court shot missed wide. Additionally, the Brooklyn Nets overcame a 20-point lead loss in the fourth quarter to secure a 112-109 victory over the Chicago Bulls, snapping a five-game losing streak.

Chris Newsome Faces Uncertain Return as Meralco Prepares for PBA Semifinal Showdown

Meralco star Chris Newsome may miss a crucial Game 5 clash against TNT in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals due to an MCL sprain in his left knee. Newsome disclosed his injury status on Sunday following Meralco's 102-83 defeat by TNT. "The official diagnosis is that I have an MCL sprain on my left knee," Newsome explained. "I'm currently focused on recovery and taking all necessary precautions to return to the court." The injury occurred during Game 3 last Friday, and initial assessments suggest a recovery timeframe of three to five weeks. This duration puts Newsome's availability for the upcoming game in doubt. "Right now, the expected recovery is between three to five weeks, though it might be shorter depending on how the sprain heals," Newsome stated. "Trying to get back for Game 5 will be challenging, but the added rest day before the game is helpful. I'll continue rehab until Wednesday to see if I can rejoin the team. It's encouraging that I can already stand and walk on my own." If unable to play, Newsome affirmed his commitment to supporting Meralco from the sidelines. "I'll do everything I can to help, whether physically or by giving guidance. I feel like an extra assistant coach when I'm not on the court, and I know the players trust my insights." Meanwhile, TNT guard RR Pogoy is dealing with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, which is expected to sideline him for the forthcoming game. The injuries to key players add uncertainty to the semifinal series as both teams navigate critical roster challenges ahead of Game 5.

TNT Tropang G5 Dominates Meralco Bolts in PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals Game 2

TNT Tropang G5 delivered a comprehensive defensive performance to secure a 109-92 victory against the Meralco Bolts in Game 2 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. With this win, TNT now leads the best-of-seven series 2-0. From the opening tip, TNT set the tone offensively and defensively, building a 10-point lead after the first quarter with a score of 29-19. Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading spearheaded the offensive attack, contributing 26 points and seven rebounds for Oftana, and 24 points and two rebounds for Heading. Meralco attempted to rally midway, with Raymond Almazan's layup reducing the deficit to 13 points at 71-84. However, a decisive 14-5 run, highlighted by a stepback jumper from Rey Nambatac, expanded TNT's advantage to 22 points, 98-76, with under five minutes to go. TNT maintained control down the stretch, bolstered by contributions from Chris Newsome, Henry Galinato Jr., Jordan Heading, and Poy Erram, sealing the resounding victory. Meralco struggled significantly from long range, managing just a single successful three-pointer out of 14 attempts, alongside two out of six attempts from the four-point range. Kurt Reyson was the lone bright spot, hitting one three-pointer and two four-point shots. In contrast, TNT excelled from beyond the arc, converting 12 of their 28 three-point attempts and finishing the game shooting an efficient 44 of 80 from the field (55%). Meralco, by comparison, shot 30 of 72 (41.7%). Additional scoring for TNT included RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams with 12 points apiece and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser adding 11. For Meralco, Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge each tallied 18 points, while Bong Quinto, Kurt Reyson, and Aaron Black contributed 13, 11, and 10 points respectively. The best-of-seven series continues on Friday at 5:15 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with Game 3 between these two teams.

UV Baby Lancers Dominate USC to Open Cesafi 15-Under Basketball Tournament

The defending champions, University of the Visayas (UV) Baby Lancers, began their campaign with an emphatic 69-39 triumph over the University of San Carlos (USC) Baby Warriors in the opening game of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) 15-Under basketball tournament held at the USC Gym on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Coached by Ronald Bucao, the Baby Lancers, who were the inaugural 15-Under champions, started sluggishly and found themselves trailing early in the first quarter. However, the momentum shifted in the second quarter when UV embarked on a 14–5 run to establish a 29–20 lead at halftime. From there, the Baby Lancers maintained control for the remainder of the game and cruised to a decisive victory, sending a clear message of their intention to defend the title successfully. In the tournament's opening matchup, the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons, last year’s runners-up, narrowly edged out the University of San Jose–Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguar Cubs with a 54–48 scoreline. The Dragons managed the pace for most of the contest, building a 10-point lead early. Yet, midway through the fourth quarter, the Jaguar Cubs rallied to seize a brief 34–33 advantage. Led by Cedric dela Rosa’s leadership and scoring, CEC regrouped and reclaimed the lead. Despite USJ-R’s late push, time ran out before they could complete the comeback. Dela Rosa dominated the boards and contributed 16 points, with teammate Kristoffer Risabo adding 12. The Jaguars’ top scorer was Matthew Eroy, who posted 16 points. Elsewhere, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers delivered a convincing 68–27 win over the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC) Greywolves. Meanwhile, the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildkittens shocked the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu Magis Eagles with a 55–42 victory. The tournament, initially slated to conclude last month, was postponed due to calamities that affected Cebu late last year. Play is set to continue on Thursday, January 8, at the USC Gym.