The World Cup final is finally here as Spain and Argentina will play for soccer's greatest prize on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Gian Mamuyac admitted leaving Rain or Shine was never easy, but the newly acquired Phoenix Fuel Masters guard said the warm welcome from his new team has helped him embrace a fresh start as he looks to build another winning culture in his new home.
Mamuyac made his Phoenix debut in the Fuel Masters’ 81-78 victory over Barangay Ginebra on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, finishing with six points, three assists, one rebound, and one block as Phoenix improved to 2-0 in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
The former Rain or Shine guard said learning about the trade was initially difficult after spending four years with the Elasto Painters.
“Well, change is always hard. Four years din ako sa Rain or Shine,” Mamuyac said. “Lalo na, bagong territory. Naiilang talaga kasi aalis ka sa comfort zone mo.”
Despite his initial uncertainty, Mamuyac said everyone in the Phoenix organization immediately made him feel at home.
“But these guys in the locker room, they’ve been nothing but great in terms of helping me catch up and welcoming me with open arms from the bosses, the coaches, the players, and even the staff,” he said.
“Ramdam ko agad yung pag-welcome nila, which is a malaking bagay para sa akin. Kasi noon, natatakot ako kung ano ba ang feeling kapag na-trade.”
“But these guys, talagang tinulungan nila ako. Naging maganda itong experience na ito, and I’m really happy with this experience and this team.”
Mamuyac hopes to help Phoenix replicate the consistent success he experienced with Rain or Shine, where he reached the semifinals in consecutive conferences.
“Hopefully, makarating din kami sa semis nang sunod-sunod, and eventually, siguro hanggang finals,” he said.
Although he admitted it was difficult to leave behind the Elasto Painters, the 26-year-old stressed that his full commitment now belongs to Phoenix.
“Part naman talaga ng basketball. Parte talaga ito ng buhay namin,” Mamuyac said.
“So, I’m with Phoenix right now, and I’m committed.”
“Hopefully, kung ano man yung na-achieve ko sa Rain or Shine, tulad ng pag-abot sa semifinals, ma-achieve din namin dito.”
“Kasi I think we have something special. Most of my teammates, kasama ko rin noon sa UAAP, at mga winners din itong grupong ito. So hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy itong winning streak namin.”
Mamuyac also revealed that his jersey switch from No. 3 to No. 5 symbolizes a new beginning with the Fuel Masters.
“I’ve always wanted to wear No. 5,” he said.
“Pero siyempre, si Kuya Gabe ang may suot noon. Sakto lang din kasi si Kuya Perkins naman ang No. 3 dito sa Phoenix.”
“So okay lang din. New number, new start, fresh start. Hopefully, maging successful yung No. 5.”
The timing of the trade also sets up an emotional reunion, as Phoenix is scheduled to face Rain or Shine less than a week after the deal.
Mamuyac expects nothing less than a physical battle against the team that drafted him.
“May plano si Kuya Beau Belga,” he said with a laugh.
“But I expect them to go hard. Ganun naman talaga sa Rain or Shine, mga bata ni Coach Yeng. So I expect nothing less.”
“Siyempre, competitors kami. Pagdating sa court, once the ball goes up, wala nang kaibigan-kaibigan. Competitors muna kami.”
“Pero off the court naman, nagpaalam naman ako sa kanila personally at napag-usapan naman namin na close naman talaga kami.”
“So off the court, walang problema doon. Pero habang laro, galit-galit muna.”
Mamuyac’s debut may have been modest statistically, but with Phoenix off to a 2-0 start and another showdown looming against his former team, the Fuel Masters are hoping their newest acquisition can play a key role in sustaining their early momentum. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
The post Mamuyac embraces fresh start with Phoenix, eager for Rain or Shine reunion first appeared on Fastbreak.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded All-Defensive guard Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a three-team deal involving the Dallas Mavericks, ending the defensive stalwart’s six-year run with the franchise.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Hawks acquired Dort and Ryan Nembhard, while the Mavericks landed former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher. The Thunder received three second-round picks as they continued prioritizing long-term financial flexibility.
The move marks the end of Dort’s tenure in Oklahoma City after arriving as an undrafted free agent and developing into one of the NBA’s premier perimeter defenders. While never known for his offensive production, Dort became a key piece of the Thunder’s championship core because of his defense and toughness.
Last season, the 27-year-old averaged 8.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 38.5 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from beyond the arc. He routinely took on the assignment of guarding the opposing team’s top perimeter scorer and helped Oklahoma City establish itself as one of the league’s elite defensive teams.
Rather than declining Dort’s $17.2 million team option to create cap space, the Thunder exercised the option before including him in the trade. In return, Oklahoma City acquired three second-round picks while generating a trade exception worth nearly $17 million. The move also allows Dort to negotiate a long-term extension with Atlanta.
The trade is also a significant financial move for the Thunder. By dealing Dort, along with Isiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, Oklahoma City shed approximately $224 million in payroll and luxury tax obligations to move below the NBA’s second apron while maintaining flexibility for the future.
Atlanta, meanwhile, addressed one of its biggest needs on the wing after declining Jonathan Kuminga’s team option. Dort joins Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to give the Hawks a formidable group of perimeter defenders capable of guarding multiple positions. At 27 years old, he also fits the team’s long-term timeline and is extension eligible.
Dallas took a chance on Risacher, the former No. 1 overall pick. The French forward averaged 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in his second season with the Hawks, and the Mavericks are hoping a fresh start will help unlock his full potential.
The deal also sends Ryan Nembhard to Atlanta after the rookie guard averaged 6.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in his first NBA campaign.
Each team addressed a different priority through the blockbuster trade. Oklahoma City added future draft assets while preserving financial flexibility, Atlanta strengthened its perimeter defense, and Dallas acquired one of the league’s intriguing young forwards in Risacher.
For the Thunder, however, the trade signals the end of an era as they part ways with one of the defensive anchors of their championship core.
The post Thunder trade Dort to Hawks in three-team deal with Mavericks first appeared on Fastbreak.
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Englishman Todd Clements maintained his two-stroke lead Saturday with a 5-under-par 67 in the third round of the Corales Puntacana Championship in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Clements reached 18-under 198 at Puntacana Resort and Club, matching the third-round score of Ben James to keep the same advantage he carried into the day. He opened with three consecutive rounds in the 60s after beginning the tournament with a 65 and following with a 66.
The 29-year-old is seeking his first victory on the PGA Tour at the alternate event being played opposite the Open Championship.
“Look, you don’t turn up to any tournament not trying to win,” Clements said after the round. “Did I think it would be this week 1/2 Not sure, but here we are.”
His 54-hole total set a tournament record, bettering the 199 posted by Adam Long in 2021, Wesley Bryan in 2024, and Joel Dahmen last year. None of those three turned the record-setting pace into a victory.
James remains Clements’ closest challenger at 16-under 200. The 23-year-old also shot 67 for his third straight round in the 60s and will join Clements in the final pairing Sunday.
“I’m playing some good golf and I’m really excited for tomorrow,” James said. “We’ll try to keep it going. Very excited for hopefully a good day.”
Max McGreevy made the largest move near the top of the leaderboard, matching the low round of the day with a 7-under 65. He is tied for third at 14 under with Italian Stefano Mazzoli (66) and Gordon Sargent (69). McGreevy was 3 under through his first nine holes, but it was his eagle on the 12th hole that spurred his round.
“Nothing amazing at the start, just a couple solid birdies. I think I just kind of settled in and kept giving myself a bunch of chances,” McGreevy said. “Got pretty lucky, made a nice chip on 12 to make eagle there. I think that kind of booted me into trying to finish as well as I could and see if I could chase these guys. They just kept making birdies, so I was just hoping to just keep climbing up the leaderboard.”
Aaron Wise and South African Dylan Frittelli also posted 66s. Wise climbed into a five-player tie for sixth at 13 under alongside Blades Brown, German Marcel Schneider, Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen and Joe Highsmith.
Johannes Veerman began the round tied for second but fell eight shots off the lead after a 73 left him at 10 under.
Clements normally competes on the DP World Tour, where his lone title came at the 2023 Czech Masters after he closed with a 63 to beat fellow Englishman Matt Wallace by one stroke.
A victory Sunday would also give Clements PGA Tour status through the 2027 season, along with 300 FedEx Cup points and the $720,000 winner’s share.
“There’s a lot of golf left to go. I had my fair share of luck a little bit out there this week and that needs to continue for that to happen,” Clements said. “But I think we just kind of lean on my past experiences and see where it takes me.” (Reuters)
The post Todd Clements retains 2-stroke lead at Corales Puntacana Championship first appeared on Fastbreak.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- The CDC has issued a food safety alert after more than 1,600 people in five states have been infected with Cyclospora. The illnesses have been linked to a single supplier of shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. The Alabama Department of [...]
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Columbus families are gearing up for the upcoming school year with the help of the 4th Annual Motion Day that kicked off at the Abundant Life Campus on Buena Vista Road Saturday afternoon. Families and students met at Abundant Life for an afternoon filled with free meals and school supplies, a [...]
