Sports

Petro Gazz Angels won two Premier Volleyball League (PVL) championships in the most recent season, marking a major power shift in Philippine women’s professional volleyball as perennial contender Creamline completed the year without a title. League records, statistics, and match reports showed Petro Gazz’s consistent playoff runs, strong defense, and balanced scoring, which propelled the Angels to multiple crowns across different conferences. PVL officials and data highlighted rising parity in the league, sustained fan interest, and the impact of roster and tactical adjustments among top clubs.

Stephen Holt sent Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals with a decisive game-winning shot in a 99-98 overtime victory over Converge in a knockout quarterfinal. The overtime thriller, played on Sunday night, ended Converge’s Philippine Cup campaign and moved Ginebra into the next round of the all-Filipino conference. Holt’s buzzer-beating basket capped a tightly contested game that went beyond regulation after both teams finished the fourth quarter tied, forcing an extra period to decide which club advanced.

Cristiano Ronaldo said in Dubai that he aims to reach 1,000 career goals before retiring and believes he can achieve the milestone if he stays injury-free. The 40-year-old Portugal and Al Nassr forward stated that he feels physically strong, plans to keep playing as long as his body allows, and accepts that retirement will come “soon” after more than two decades in professional football. Ronaldo discussed his training, adaptation, and motivation as he continues to compete for club and country while pursuing personal and team achievements.

PBA guard Juan Gomez de Liaño aims for a strong bounce back after Converge FiberXers’ 99-98 overtime loss to Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals at Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The defeat ended Converge’s bid for a semifinals berth and marked the team’s final game of the conference, while Barangay Ginebra advanced in the Philippine Cup playoffs. Gomez de Liaño, who took on a key role in Converge’s rotation, said he will use the tight quarterfinal exit as motivation to prepare for the next PBA conference and future tournaments.

Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal financially supports Jordan Wilmore, an aspiring Texas police officer who narrowly missed passing his first police academy attempt. O’Neal’s sponsorship covers Wilmore’s costs to retake academy requirements as Wilmore pursues his goal of becoming the tallest officer in Texas. The article details Wilmore’s effort to meet Texas law enforcement standards, the scope of O’Neal’s involvement, and the regulatory framework that governs police academy admissions and officer certification in the state.

Nikola Jokic set an NBA record by scoring 18 points in overtime, all in the final 2:53, to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 142-138 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Denver on Thursday night. The Denver center surpassed Stephen Curry’s previous mark for points in a single overtime period and finished as the Nuggets’ top scorer. Game officials and the NBA confirmed Jokic’s performance as a new league record, and the outburst in the extra period secured a key Western Conference victory for Denver.

Dallas Mavericks center Anthony Davis exited a Thursday NBA game against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco with a groin injury in the second quarter. The Mavericks announced that Davis suffered groin spasms and would not return to the game. Team medical staff evaluated him before ruling him out, and the organization did not immediately provide a timetable for his recovery or details on further testing. The injury forced adjustments to the Mavericks’ rotations as the game continued at Chase Center.

Filipino tennis player Alex Eala will end her season with an exhibition match against Russian teen Mirra Andreeva at the Macau Tennis Masters on Sunday in Macau, China. The showdown follows Eala’s gold medal performance at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, where she represented the Philippines. Tournament organizers included the Eala-Andreeva clash in a star-studded lineup designed to showcase rising talents in women’s tennis. The match, which will not affect official rankings, forms part of a weekend schedule that features international players, broadcast coverage, and on-site fan activities.

Scottie Thompson recorded a triple-double to lead Barangay Ginebra to a 105-85 win over Converge in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals on Christmas Day at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, as the Gin Kings moved closer to advancing in the playoffs. Thompson approached the game with a businesslike attitude, directed Ginebra’s offense, contributed on defense and on the boards, and left the arena quickly after the final buzzer despite his all-around performance.

Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion, became the first player to leave Saudi-funded LIV Golf, creating a major shift in professional golf and raising questions about his possible return to the PGA Tour. LIV Golf confirmed his resignation on its website and named Talor Gooch as the new team captain to replace Koepka. Officials from LIV Golf and the PGA Tour did not immediately disclose details about contract terms, eligibility rules, or timelines for Koepka’s reinstatement.