Sports

Eya Laure on Saturday said she expects medical clearance to return from an abdominal strain and play for Alas Pilipinas in its women’s volleyball semifinal against Vietnam at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok. The Philippines listed Laure on its active roster and prepared lineup adjustments pending final medical updates before Sunday’s match at Indoor Stadium Huamark. Tournament officials confirmed that winners of the semifinals will advance to the gold-medal match, while losing teams will compete for bronze, as the national team seeks a higher regional finish.

NBA Executive Vice President James Jones says the Emirates NBA Cup has quickly become a staple of the league calendar, delivering playoff-level intensity and a new trophy to chase during the regular season. He details how the in-season tournament’s format, branding and global partnership with Emirates enhance competition, fan engagement and the NBA’s international reach, while outlining adjustments and long-term plans to cement the Cup as a permanent pillar of the league structure.

Aleah Finnegan captured the women’s gymnastics vault gold medal for the Philippines at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Wednesday at Thammasat University Rangsit Campus in Pathum Thani, Thailand. Finnegan topped the vault final by edging Vietnam’s Thiguynh Nhu Nguyen, who took silver, as judges scored routines under international gymnastics rules. Philippine gymnastics officials reported that Finnegan’s victory added significantly to the country’s medal haul in the 2025 SEA Games, a regional multi-sport event featuring 11 Southeast Asian nations. Organizers confirmed the results after technical officials validated the final scores and conducted the awarding ceremony at the Rangsit Campus venue.

Lionel Messi became Major League Soccer’s first back-to-back MVP winner after league officials named the 38-year-old Inter Miami captain the 2025 Most Valuable Player. The announcement followed a season in which Messi led Inter Miami to the MLS Cup title and topped club statistics in goals and assists. MLS confirmed that no player had previously secured consecutive MVP awards and said it would formally present the trophy at a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale. League and club officials reported increased global attention, higher attendance and rising merchandise sales tied to Messi’s tenure.

Cambodia on Wednesday withdrew from the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand as an escalating border conflict between the two countries triggered a mass exodus of civilians from both sides of a disputed frontier, according to a Games official. SEA Games organizers in Thailand confirmed receipt of Cambodia’s withdrawal and began reviewing event plans, participation lists and security coordination with remaining member nations. Authorities in both countries evacuated residents from conflict-affected border areas and provided assistance to displaced civilians. The SEA Games Federation monitored the situation and prepared contingency measures to keep the regional multi-sport event on track despite Cambodia’s exit.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier entered a not guilty plea on Monday in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, facing charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to launder money. Prosecutors allege he assisted gamblers in placing wagers on his own performance during NBA games.

Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges alleging he helped gamblers place bets on his NBA game performance. A judge ordered Rozier released on $3 million bond with travel restrictions and other conditions. Prosecutors outlined accusations involving electronic communications and financial transactions, while the defense vowed to review evidence and consider pretrial motions. The case remains under the Eastern District of New York as the NBA and the Miami Heat monitor developments.

Filipino Canadian Olympic medalist Kayla Sanchez will debut for the Philippines at the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand starting December 9. After leading the national swimming qualifiers, Sanchez posted times that broke the Philippine women’s 100m freestyle record and exceeded the previous SEA Games gold-medal mark in the event. She also registered a 29.00-second swim in the 50m backstroke. The SEA Games Thailand 2025 Organizing Committee has labeled her an “Olympic-Level Game Changer” and placed her among the top headline athletes of the Games.

National University forward Jolo Manansala suffered a hard fall in the final seconds of NU’s UAAP men’s basketball Final Four game against De La Salle University in Manila after a foul by La Salle guard Jacob Cortez on a three-point attempt. Officials immediately called the foul, and medical staff entered the floor to attend to Manansala as teammates and coaches from both sides checked on him. The NU forward later walked back to the bench under his own power and stayed out for the remaining seconds of the already decided game. UAAP organizers and team staff followed standard injury protocols and monitored his condition after the incident.

Jimmy Mariano, an 84-year-old former Olympian, PBA player and champion coach, has died, the Philippine Basketball Association announced on Sunday night. The league held a minute of silence before the Philippine Cup game between Rain or Shine and Converge to honor his memory, with players, officials and fans participating in the tribute. Mariano played in the PBA during its formative years, later guiding a team to a league championship, and previously represented the Philippines in the Olympic Games.