Eala on track for Alexandrova, Fernandez rematch

Manila Times - Oct 11, 2026

FILIPINO sensation Alex Eala is on track for a rematch against Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova or a rubber match against Canadian Leylah Fernandez at the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open in China. World No. 18 Eala needs to get past a qualifier in her opening match likely on Monday before facing either No. 28 Alexandrova or No. 26 Fernandez who is of Filipino descent. Alexandrova and Fernandez were pitted against each other as the draw revealed on Saturday. Tournament No. 13 seed Eala battled Alexandrova at the Abu Dhabi Open quarterfinals where she fell to the latter, 3-6, 3-6, last February. Meanwhile, Eala first took on Fernandez at the Stuttgart Open round of 32, where she fell to the fellow lefty, 1-6, 4-6, last April. Eala exacted revenge on Fernandez at the Mubadala DC Open, dethroning the Fil-Canadian in the round of 16, 6–2, 7–6(1), and eventually ruled the tournament for her first WTA title last August. In the doubles of this Wuhan tournament, Eala will reunite with close pal Zeynep Sönmez. The Filipino-Turkish tandem will face the Ukrainian duo of Anhelina Kalinina and Dayana Yastremska in the first round. Eala and Sönmez last teamed up at the Madrid Open last May in Spain where they made a second round...

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Valdez reflects on decade-long milestone

Oct 11, 2026

Valdez reflects on decade-long milestone

PHILIPPINE volleyball icon Alyssa Valdez remains thrilled that, years after her career-defining stint with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, she is still playing the sport she loves. On the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) 10th anniversary, Valdez, who has been playing volleyball for nearly 20 years — sees her decade-long involvement in the league as a personal milestone. “It’s a very, very huge milestone for me because, in my career, I never really thought I would still be playing this long after graduating from college. And I never imagined that I would enjoy and love volleyball this much even after 10 years or more,” she said after Creamline’s win over Akari on Saturday night at the SM Seaside Arena Cebu. “I think the legacy... what we always practice in our Creamline team... I hope they see that when you enjoy doing what you love, everything will follow naturally — the wins and everything,” she added. Valdez’s rise to stardom started with Ateneo as she guided the team to consecutive titles in 2014 and 2015, with her explosive back-row attacks and precise cross-court swings soon earning her the nicknames “The Phenom” and “Bagyong Baldo.” In the professional ranks, Valdez has won all 11 championships with Creamline in the PVL. The 33-year-old hitter was also nostalgic about playing for Cebu, recalling that the last time she played in the Queen City of the South was when she was in college. “It’s so nice to be here in Cebu. It’s my first time playing in Cebu for the PVL. The last time I played here was still back in my Ateneo days... don’t even count how long ago that was.” “I’m very, very happy with how the turnout of people turned out, and wow — we can keep coming back here again and again because it really feels like Cebu loves volleyball so much. So thank you, thank you so much to everyone who supported us.” With over 19,000 spectators showing up for PVL’s opening day, Valdez did not anticipate that the league would fill the arena. With rumors of retirement circulating on social media, Valdez has one thing that she’s certain of — and that she’s still enjoying playing volleyball. “Maybe as players, we’ll love our job even more and work even harder so that we can stay here longer, 10 years or more, or even 20 years or more, for all of us, and for the future generations of athletes and volleyball players.”

Lumbo seeks redemption at ICTSI Pueblo  

Oct 11, 2026

Lumbo seeks redemption at ICTSI Pueblo  

COMING off back-to-back runner-up finishes that exposed the fine line between victory and heartbreak, Jeffren Lumbo returns to the Philippine Golf Tour with renewed hunger and a steeled resolve, seeking to turn painful lessons into a breakthrough performance in the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship, which blasts off Monday, Oct. 12, at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro. But the Sarangani ace will have his work cut out for him against a talent-laden field eager to seize the spotlight in the P2.5-million championship, with recent winners Art Arbole and Jhonnel Ababa leading the charge and golf legend Frankie Miñoza adding star power and prestige to the four-day tournament. Lumbo, whose lean frame belies his power off the tee, had two golden opportunities to claim his second career victory in the last two PGT stops. However, late-hole miscues and faltering finishes proved costly, allowing Arbole to clinch his maiden PGT title in Negros Occidental before Ababa ended a two-year title drought with a victory in Iloilo. The consecutive setbacks were particularly painful for Lumbo, who had put together four rounds of impressive golf in both tournaments only to fall short when the pressure mounted. Yet, rather than diminish his standing, the near-misses have underscored his potential as one of the Tour’s most dangerous emerging contenders — and given him added motivation to sharpen the decision-making and composure required to close out tight finishes. He is keeping his focus on the present, determined to put his best foot forward and enjoy the game. “I’m no longer thinking about my back-to-back second-place finishes heading into Pueblo de Oro. I’m just focused on my game and having fun,” said Lumbo. “I just hope everything clicks so I have a chance to win,” he added. The confidence is backed by a strong run of results. After capturing his maiden PGT crown in last year’s season-ending ICTSI South Pacific Championship in a dramatic five-hole playoff against Russell Bautista, Lumbo has continued to establish himself among the circuit’s leading contenders, posting three Top 10 finishes in the first five legs of the current season, including a runner-up effort to Lloyd Go at Pinewoods. His recent performances suggest that another victory is within reach. The challenge now is to sustain his sharp play when the stakes are highest, particularly over the closing holes where patience, discipline and sound judgment often prove decisive. Still, Lumbo’s bid for redemption will be tested by a formidable cast of challengers, including the very players who denied him in his last two starts. Arbole and Ababa will be out to capitalize on their newfound momentum, hoping their recent triumphs will provide the confidence and rhythm needed to sustain another title charge. Miñoza, meanwhile, brings a special dimension to the tournament with his rare appearance in the PGT field. One of Philippine golf’s most celebrated figures, the veteran campaigner is expected to draw added attention to the championship, lending it distinction while testing himself against a new generation of professionals and rising talents.

Alcaraz through in straight sets in Shanghai Masters

Oct 11, 2026

Alcaraz through in straight sets in Shanghai Masters

SHANGHAI — A mustached Carlos Alcaraz beat Juan Manuel Cerundolo, 6-3, 6-3, to kick-start his title bid at the Shanghai Masters on Saturday, days after winning the Tokyo Open for his first trophy since returning from injury. The Spanish star, seeded second, put on a dominant show to brush aside the 55th-ranked Argentinian in the second round in just 66 minutes. “Really, really happy with the way I played today. It wasn’t easy,” said the 23-year-old former number one. “Just had two days of preparation... I came from Tokyo, there were totally different conditions,” he added. “Just tried to play the best that I can.” Sporting a fresh moustache, Alcaraz signed a camera “Moustache Team” following his win. Asked by an on-court interviewer about the new look, Alcaraz said: “It’s gonna stay.” “It was just about a bet,” he elaborated later, telling reporters his team agreed to match moustaches in Shanghai if he won in Tokyo. “I wanted to play with a moustache, trying how I look with it,” he said. “So let’s see until when we’re going to wear it, but right now we’re just having fun.” He will play Zizou Bergs in the next round. Earlier, Daniil Medvedev fought back to beat Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, in the second round, the Russian’s first match since being disqualified from the China Open. Medvedev was defaulted from his semifinal against Novak Djokovic in Beijing for hitting a spectator with a ball and ended the 500-level event with zero ranking points and no prize money. The former world number one said it was an accident. Playing five days later in Shanghai, sixth-ranked Medvedev overcame an early wobble to hold off 59th-ranked Struff. He sent down 21 aces to advance and will face Czech qualifier Dalibor Svrcina in the next round. World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime also survived a scare, needing three hours to beat 77th-ranked Camilo Ugo Carabelli, 4-6, 7-6 (7/1), 7-5. The Canadian will play Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta in the third round. Several matches in the afternoon were suspended due to rain, but Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud and Arthur Fils all went through as play resumed.

Messi nets brace to win in 1st match after Argentina exit

Oct 11, 2026

Messi nets brace to win in 1st match after Argentina exit

MIAMI — Lionel Messi scored twice to help Inter Miami rout DC United, 4-0, on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), taking a victory in his first match since saying farewell to the Argentina national team. Four nights after scoring in his final match for the Albiceleste in a victory over Benin, the 39-year-old South American superstar struck in the 47th and 60th minutes as defending MLS champion Miami won for only the second time in their past 11 league matches. A first-half brace by Luis Suarez staked the Herons to the lead as they improved to 13-5 with 10 drawn for 49 points, jumping from third to second in the Eastern Conference Messi hopes to make Miami the first team to win back-to-back MLS crowns since the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2011-12. Messi, the top point producer in the league with 23 goals plus assists on 13 others, seeks a third consecutive MLS Most Valuable Player award. Uruguayan striker Suarez scored in the third minute to give Miami the lead, blasting a left-footed shot from the heart of the box into the top left corner. Suarez struck again in the 39th for his 16th goal of the campaign, assisted like his first of the night by German Berterame. Messi blasted home a left-footed shot off an assist from Suarez to give Miami a 3-0 lead and evaded three defenders to add another goal 13 minutes later as the pink-clad hosts pulled away to stay. In other games, Scottish striker Lewis Morgan and American Djordje Mihailovic scored in second-half stoppage time to rally Toronto for a 2-1 home victory over Montreal. The visitors grabbed the lead in the Canadian clash on a goal by Mexican forward Daniel Rios in the 52nd minute. Toronto, however, battled back for the equalizer by winger Morgan, obtained last month from San Diego, in the third minute of stoppage time, his first regular-season MLS goal in two years. Former Montreal standout Mihailovic struck for the decider in the fifth minute of extra time. "Now I've scored on both sides of this derby," he said. "It feels good." Toronto snapped a three-game losing streak to pull within a point of an East playoff berth. AFP

Scott, Thomas in contention at PGA Tour’s Baycurrent

Oct 11, 2026

Scott, Thomas in contention at PGA Tour’s Baycurrent

YOKOHAMA, Japan — Adam Scott and Justin Thomas moved into contention at the PGA Tour's Baycurrent Classic in Japan on Saturday night, one stroke off the lead after three rounds at the Yokohama Country Club. Scott, looking for his first PGA Tour win in six years, shot a 6-under 65 which included two eagles and Thomas a 67. They were tied for fourth. First-round leader Jacob Bridgeman (69) was in a tie for the third-round lead with Michael Brennan (65) and PGA Tour rookie Zach Bauchou (67) with 13-under 200 totals. “You got to be pleased with that and something like that tomorrow might be enough,” Scott said of his 65. “It’s not a bad spot to be a few back. Hopefully we’ll be in for a great day.” The PGA Tour’s lone stop in Asia features its strongest field of the FedEx Cup Fall series, with 13 of the 24 players who competed in the Presidents Cup two weeks ago at Medinah in the Chicago suburbs. In Madrid, Joe Dean of England made eight birdies in 15 holes, then recovered from a rough two-hole stretch by closing with a 30-foot birdie putt for a 6-under 65 and a share of the lead Saturday with Grant Forrest of Scotland in the Spanish Open. Forrest had a 67 to join Dean at 13-under 200, one shot ahead of Victor Perez, Joel Girrbach and Jacob Skov Olesen going into the final round. Dean won his first European title just six weeks ago in the British Masters. A victory Sunday would move him well into the top 10 in the Race to Dubai and practically assure the 32-year-old from England a PGA Tour card for 2027. He was brilliant for much of the third round, piling up eight birdies to take over the lead. But on the par-4 16th, he went bunker-to-bunker, came up short of the green, chipped too strong and missed a 15-foot putt to make double bogey. Then, he went long on the par-3 17th for another bogey. But he saved himself at the end with a birdie to share the 54-hole lead. Eugenio Chacarra, who is playing with a foot injury after banging his toe in the middle of the night, had a 70 and was five shots behind. Chacarra is trying to overtake American Patrick Reed for the lead in the Race to Dubai. Reed missed the 36-hole cut on Friday. AP

Caloocan LGU offers free mental health services to constituents

Oct 11, 2026

Caloocan LGU offers free mental health services to constituents

MANILA, Philippines — Constituents of Caloocan City can avail themselves of free mental health screening and consultation and other services to take care of their well-being.  According to the Caloocan City Public Information Office (PIO), the Caloocan City Calm Space is located on the 5th floor of Caloocan City Hall – South and is operational

Padilla: No info on other senators moving to majority bloc

Oct 11, 2026

Padilla: No info on other senators moving to majority bloc

MANILA, Philippines — After Sen. Mark Villar’s transfer to the Senate majority last week, no other senator has yet informed the minority bloc of planning to cross over the political fence, according to Sen. Robinhood Padilla. But if any of his colleagues in the minority should decide to follow Villar’s move, he said the group

Karl-Anthony Towns opens up about grief for World Mental Health Day

Oct 11, 2026

Karl-Anthony Towns opens up about grief for World Mental Health Day

NEW YORK — Karl-Anthony Towns has been traded from Minnesota, lost the conference finals and won the NBA title for his childhood team — and still feels he is in the period of grief that began six years ago. Just 10 days before the New York Knicks’ banner-raising celebration, the All-Star big man marked World

Formula One: Singapore Grand Prix results

Oct 11, 2026

Formula One: Singapore Grand Prix results

SINGAPORE — Results from Formula One Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit (62 laps): 1. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 305 km in 1hr 42min 0.785sec, 2. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) at 7.335sec, 3. Kimi Antonelli (ITA/Mercedes) at 24.573, 4. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren) at 40.506, 5. Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren) at 49.644, 6. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Ferrari) at 53.188, 7. Liam Lawson (NZL/RB) at 1:21.666, 8. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Audi) at 1:23.386, 9. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) at 1:24.677, 10. Isack Hadjar (FRA/Red Bull) at 1:30.862, 11. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine) at 1 lap, 12. Oliver Bearman (GBR/Haas) at 1 lap, 13. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Haas) at 1 lap, 14. Carlos Sainz (ESP/Williams) at 1 lap, 15. Arvid Lindblad (GBR/RB) at 1 lap, 16. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin) at 1 lap, 17. Sergio Perez (MEX/Cadillac) at 2 laps, 18. Alexander Albon (THA/Williams) at 3 laps, 19. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Cadillac) at 3 laps The other competitors were not classified World Championship standings Drivers 1. Kimi Antonelli (ITA) 340 pts, 2. George Russell (GBR) 238, 3. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 229, 4. Max Verstappen (NED) 221, 5. Charles Leclerc (MON) 215, 6. Lando Norris (GBR) 201, 7. Oscar Piastri (AUS) 138, 8. Isack Hadjar (FRA) 97, 9. Liam Lawson (NZL) 75, 10. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 41, 11. Arvid Lindblad (GBR) 38, 12. Franco Colapinto (ARG) 27, 13. Oliver Bearman (GBR) 23, 14. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) 13, 15. Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA) 10, 16. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 7, 17. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 7, 18. Carlos Sainz (ESP) 7, 19. Alexander Albon (THA) 5, 20. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) 1 Constructors 1. Mercedes 578 pts, 2. Ferrari 444, 3. McLaren 339, 4. Red Bull 332, 5. RB 100, 6. Alpine 68, 7. Haas 30, 8. Audi 23, 9. Williams 12, 10. Aston Martin 7

Mans Carpio feels like ‘collateral damage’ in wife Sara Duterte’s trial

Oct 11, 2026

Mans Carpio feels like ‘collateral damage’ in wife Sara Duterte’s trial

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon —  Manases “Mans” Carpio has felt exasperated over being dragged into the political controversies surrounding his wife, Vice President Sara Duterte, describing himself as a “collateral damage” in the impeachment case she is facing. “Pati ako, gidamay. Pastilan. Murag ako man gi-impeach da. Wala silay makita kang Sara ba, kaya murag collateral

Joey de Leon treated to 80th birthday surprise by ‘Eat Bulaga’ family

Oct 11, 2026

Joey de Leon treated to 80th birthday surprise by ‘Eat Bulaga’ family

Veteran host Joey de Leon was moved to tears during his 80th birthday celebration on “Eat Bulaga,” where he reunited with some of the celebrities he had worked with throughout his decades-long career. During the noontime show’s episode on Saturday, Oct. 10, de Leon was treated to a series of performances from program hosts, including

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