Leylah Fernandez sweeps Japanese qualifier to start Singapore Open

Leylah Fernandez began her Singapore Open campaign with a straight-sets victory over Japanese qualifier Kyoka Okamura, 6-2, 6-3, on Monday at OCBC Arena in Singapore.

The sixth-seeded Canadian-Filipino took control early but had to deal with a determined challenge from Okamura, who entered the WTA 500 tournament ranked No. 307 in the world.

Fernandez closed out the match after Okamura fought off two match points in the seventh game. A forehand error from the Japanese qualifier eventually ended the contest on center court.

The 24-year-old Fernandez, ranked No. 31 in the world, is competing in Singapore for the first time after receiving a wild card for the hard-court tournament.

Filipino supporters inside the venue provided Fernandez with added encouragement throughout her opening-round match.

“I’m just glad to be playing in front of you guys, the Singaporean fans, [and] I know there’s a lot of Pinoy (Filipino) fans here, so salamat (thank you) for all the support, it truly means a lot to me,” Fernandez said after the match.

Fernandez will next face either American Alycia Parks or Japanese Mei Yamaguchi in the second round. (Adrian Co)

The post Leylah Fernandez sweeps Japanese qualifier to start Singapore Open first appeared on Fastbreak.

Rey Remogat reminds teammates to keep emotions under control

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines guard Rey Remogat emphasized the importance of composure and accountability after the Fighting Maroons remained unbeaten in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.

Remogat, who played a key role in UP’s comeback and eventual rout of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles, said every game must be treated with the same level of importance, particularly when emotions begin to affect the team.

“Sinasabi ko lang sa kanila na every game is important talaga eh. So iyung mga ganung sitwasyon kasi puwede siyang madala sa mga susunod na game kung sakaling lumala iyun,” Remogat said.

As one of the team’s leaders, Remogat said he felt the responsibility to remind his teammates to keep their emotions under control.

“Ako sa leader lang, siyempre ayoko naman mangyari ‘yun. And at the same time, gusto ko rin sabihin sa kanila na hindi mo puwedeng laging idaan sa ganung way iyung magiging emotion mo,” he added.

The victory also continued UP’s impressive run against its Katipunan rival, with the Fighting Maroons reportedly extending their winning streak over Ateneo to seven games.

Remogat, however, said he was not focused on the historical significance of the streak.

“Ako, for me, hindi ko na alam iyung ganyan eh. Ang focus ko lang talaga pumasok sa game na lang and manalo,” he said.

While grateful for the team’s continued success against Ateneo, Remogat stressed that the Fighting Maroons are already looking ahead.

“Masaya and grateful na gano’n iyan, 7-0. Pero tapos na iyung game eh. So focus naman kami sa next game namin,” he said.

UP improved to 2-0 with the victory, while Ateneo dropped to 1-1. (Adrian Co)

The post Rey Remogat reminds teammates to keep emotions under control first appeared on Fastbreak.

Adamson sweeps Santo Tomas, claims V-League semis berth

Adamson University secured its place in the semifinals of the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge after dispatching University of Santo Tomas in straight sets, 25-23, 25-17, 25-17, on Sunday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City.

The defending champions needed only one hour and 28 minutes to finish off the Golden Tigresses and improve to 5-1, pulling level with Arellano University at the top of the standings.

Arellano remains the only team to beat Adamson in the tournament.

The Lady Falcons established control at the net, with Joy Aseo making a major impact after entering the game off the bench in the opening set.

Aseo repeatedly disrupted UST’s attack in the third set, turning back Em Banagua and Ashley Knop with well-timed blocks. Her defense helped Adamson build a double-digit advantage as the Tigresses struggled to find their rhythm.

“We were eager talaga, especially yung mga bata, because of that loss (to Arellano). Siyempre, kung ano yung babaunin namin sa next games. I’m very happy and grateful on how my players responded properly sa training and sa game today,” head coach JP Yude said.

Aseo finished with 19 points, including 16 kills and three blocks, two of which came in the deciding set.

Lhouriz Tuddao added 12 points while Frances Modri contributed 10 for Adamson. Fhei Sagaysay directed the offense with 14 excellent sets and chipped in two points.

Adamson will close its preliminary-round schedule against San Beda University on September 27 at noon.

San Beda enters the match with a 3-3 record.

UST, meanwhile, dropped to 3-3 and now faces a crucial showdown with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (2-4) on September 27 at 10 a.m.

Angge Poyos led the Golden Tigresses with 13 points, while Reg Jurado was held to eight.

The UST-Benilde matchup could determine the final team to advance to the semifinals. (Adrian Co)

The post Adamson sweeps Santo Tomas, claims V-League semis berth first appeared on Fastbreak.

Coach Chris Gavina admits UE lacks consistency, toughness

UNIVERSITY of the East (UE) head coach Chris Gavina identified consistency and toughness as the biggest concerns for the Red Warriors after they drop their first two games in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.

UE was outplayed from the opening tip against National University (NU) Bulldogs on Saturday and trailed 25-8 after the first quarter. Although the Red Warriors managed to compete more evenly in the succeeding periods, the early deficit proved too costly.

“I think the key word is inconsistency. Today, we come out flat,” Gavina said.

He pointed out that the game could have been much closer had UE avoided its poor opening period.

“We gave up on 25-8. And then when we took out the first quarter, and then the second, third, and fourth, it would’ve been a three-point game if we take out that 17-point deficit in the first,” he said.

Gavina acknowledged that his players showed flashes of their potential but also struggled whenever they failed to follow the team’s principles.

“We showed, like you said, spurts of what we’re capable of, and then we showed the ugly side of what we’re incapable of when we don’t stick to our rules, our principles,” he said.

The coach said UE must improve its physical and mental toughness, especially against opponents that consistently play with high intensity.

“Against every team in the UAAP, everyone’s so aggressive. We come out soft the way we did today, these moments are just not happening,” Gavina said.

Gavina also stressed that UE needs more consistent production from its guards and greater physicality from its returning big men.

“Our guard production needs to be more consistent between our point guards and our returning bigs. They need to be able to at least give us toughness. That’s what’s expected of them,” he said.

With UE still searching for its first victory, Gavina said the team has a full week to prepare for its next assignment, the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws.

“You know, we got a whole week to get prepared for FEU on next Saturday,” he said.

The Red Warriors have also been outrebounded by a significant margin through their first two games, another area Gavina wants addressed.

“We’ve been minus 20 on rebounds, so that’s definitely a category that we need to improve on. Hopefully, with all that Johnny coming into our lineup, we can kind of resolve that issue,” he said.

UE dropped to 0-2 with the loss, extending its UAAP losing streak to 22 games since 2024. (Adrian Co)

The post Coach Chris Gavina admits UE lacks consistency, toughness first appeared on Fastbreak.

Ateneo coach Louie Alas vows to make defensive adjustments after UP loss

Ateneo de Manila University head coach Louie Alas admitted his team needs to make immediate adjustments after the Blue Eagles suffered a 94-75 defeat to the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday.

After opening the season with a 101-74 victory over the University of the East, Ateneo struggled to sustain its defensive intensity against UP, which rallied from a seven-point deficit before pulling away in the second half.

Alas said the Blue Eagles must quickly address the lapses that surfaced against the Fighting Maroons, particularly as they prepare for their next assignment.

“I’m hoping that we will not have to face that again,” Alas said.

He acknowledged that preparation played a major role in the loss and said the coaching staff would immediately begin working on the team’s shortcomings.

“We need to arrest that as soon as possible,” he said.

The coach also discussed the challenge of handling a young Ateneo squad that is still adjusting to his system and the demands of UAAP basketball.

He noted that the Blue Eagles cannot rely solely on their offense to recover from difficult stretches and must instead develop a stronger defensive mindset.

“Let’s change the mentality na we will come back through offense. It’s not the same. Siguro hindi pa lang kami used to it,” Alas said.

Alas added that the team’s impressive defensive showing in its opening game may have raised expectations too quickly.

“Actually, yung first game. I was expecting a close game. So, nangyari-nangyari. Yan yung best defensive game namin. So, tumaas yung expectations sa atin,” he said.

The result against UP served as a reminder that Ateneo must maintain the same level of discipline regardless of the opponent or previous result.

The coach believes the young Blue Eagles will need time to mature and adjust to the demands of the college game.

“We just hope na madali silang mag-mature,” he said.

With the Blue Eagles falling to 1-1, the coach said the team must respond through its preparation, defense and collective effort ahead of their next game against Adamson University Falcons. (Adrian Co)

The post Ateneo coach Louie Alas vows to make defensive adjustments after UP loss first appeared on Fastbreak.

Kai Sotto set to join Chiba Jets in Japan B.League

KAI Sotto is set to continue his professional career in Japan after signing a deal with the Chiba Jets of the B.League Premier, according to Fastbreak columnist Homer Sayson.

The 7-foot-3 center’s move to Chiba also provides clarity on his absence from Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

Contrary to speculation that Sotto was not invited to join the national team, it was his newly-signed contract with the Japanese club that created a conflict with the Asian Games schedule.

Sotto was among several overseas-based players unavailable for the Asian Games, along with Dwight Ramos, Kevin Quiambao, AJ Edu and Carl Tamayo.

Sotto last played for Gilas just over a month ago, helping the Philippines sweep its two games in the fourth window of the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The move to Chiba gives Sotto another opportunity to build his professional career in Japan and possibly boost his chance to reach NBA.

The Jets is Sotto’s fourth team in the B.League after previously suiting up for Hiroshima Dragonflies, Yokohama B-Corsairs, and Koshigaya Alphas. (By the Staff)

The post Kai Sotto set to join Chiba Jets in Japan B.League first appeared on Fastbreak.

Women’s soft tennis team makes history, assured of bronze medal in Asian Games

THE Philippine women’s soft tennis team made history after securing the country’s first-ever Asian Games medal in the sport more than three decades after making its debut in 1994.

Princess Catindig, Christy Sanyosa, Shyryn Salazar, Hilary Paas and Bien Zoleta defeated Mongolia and Thailand in the group stage to book a spot in the semifinals.

Despite falling to Chinese Taipei, the Filipinas still advanced to the semifinals and assured the Philippines of at least a bronze medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Zoleta described the breakthrough as a historic moment for Philippine soft tennis.

“Wow! Can we move on first? Siyempre masayang-masaya kasi for Philippine soft tennis, this is a very historic win since this is our first ever medal for soft tennis in Asian Games,” said Zoleta.

The team had to overcome limited preparation time and difficult weather conditions both in the Philippines and in Nagoya.

Now, the Filipinas face another major challenge in the semifinals against defending champions Japan, who went unbeaten in the group stage and will be looking to protect their crown on home soil.

But Zoleta remains confident in the team after years of quarterfinal exits.

“I believe in our team. So iyung pinaghandaan namin dito, so walang imposible. Ngayon nga sir, apat na beses kami, puro quarters-quarters. Ngayon nag-imposible ang lahat,” added Zoleta.

With a medal already secured ahead of the opening ceremony, the Philippine soft tennis women have given Team Philippines an early podium finish and a chance to turn history into gold. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)

The post Women’s soft tennis team makes history, assured of bronze medal in Asian Games first appeared on Fastbreak.

Veteran middle blocker Maika Ortiz announces retirement

FORMER Philippine women’s national volleyball team middle blocker Maika Ortiz has called time on her playing career.

Ortiz announced her retirement in a heartfelt message on Thursday night, looking back on her journey from collegiate volleyball to the national team and professional ranks.

The former UST Golden Tigresses standout most recently played for the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the Premier Volleyball League.

Reflecting on her decision, Ortiz said volleyball had been a major part of her life, with years of training, competition, injuries, sacrifices and memorable experiences shaping her career.

“And now, I think it’s time to say goodbye to this chapter. . No regrets. Not even for the difficult days. I would do it all again. ,” Ortiz said.

She also credited the sport for teaching her discipline, patience, courage, humility, and the importance of hard work.

Volleyball, she added, brought her lifelong friendships, opportunities to travel, and lessons that helped shape her both as an athlete and as a person.

“I may be leaving the game, but I’m taking everything it taught me wherever I go,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz closed her message by thanking volleyball for the journey and describing her retirement as the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

“A beautiful chapter comes to an end, but I’m excited for the next one. Forever grateful. Forever a volleyball player at heart. ,” Ortiz said. (Adrian Co)

The post Veteran middle blocker Maika Ortiz announces retirement first appeared on Fastbreak.

Melissa Bulanhagui’s journey from national skating champion to adult entertainment resurfaces

The story of Filipino-American figure skater Melissa Bulanhagui has once again drawn attention online, years after she won consecutive Philippine national titles before entering the adult entertainment industry under the name Jada Kai.

Several content creators have recently revisited Bulanhagui’s career shift, but reports about her skating struggles date back to 2013.

Bulanhagui previously represented the United States before choosing to compete for the Philippines in 2011. She went on to become the country’s national figure skating champion in 2012 and 2013.

In a Philippine Star report published on September 23, 2013, Bulanhagui detailed the sacrifices she made after switching allegiances.

“I gave up all my funding, support and travel to compete for the Philippines,” she said back then.

She said she personally covered expenses related to training, equipment, costumes and international competitions. Bulanhagui also revealed that her skates alone cost $2,000, with travel expenses adding to the financial burden.

“My skates alone cost $2,000 and travel costs about as much,” she said.

She also recalled not receiving a Philippine team uniform and not being sent to an Olympic qualifying event.

Despite the difficulties, Bulanhagui took pride in winning two national championships while representing the country.

“I came here from Team USA to compete as a Filipino national, hoping to prove that I was the best in the country and I did that twice,” she said.

She later voiced concern over the possible impact of limited support on younger athletes.

“I have so much love for the sport but if they can do it to me, the more they can do it to the kids who spent so much time and effort,” she lamented.

Bulanhagui retired from competitive skating in 2015. Years later, she transitioned into the adult entertainment industry and adopted the professional name Jada Kai.

While her funding concerns during her skating career were documented, there is no established evidence directly linking those difficulties to her later decision to enter adult entertainment. The two developments occurred during separate stages of her life. (Adrian Co)

The post Melissa Bulanhagui’s journey from national skating champion to adult entertainment resurfaces first appeared on Fastbreak.

Jarencio credits team effort in UST’s huge win over DLSU

University of Santo Tomas head coach Pido Jarencio credited the Growling Tigers’ collective effort after they recovered from their opening-day defeat to the University of the Philippines with an 80-75 victory over De La Salle University on Wednesday.

Jarencio said the coaching staff, players and management were determined to respond after the setback against UP. He also revealed that team mentor Alfrancis Chua called before the game to remind them of the need to bounce back.

“Coaches, players, management, siyempre mentor ko si Alfrancis Chua tumawag pa nga sa akin. Hindi tayo pwede matalo ngayon kasi last time natalo tayo against UP, kailangan bumawi tayo,” Jarencio said.

The UST coach added that the team carefully studied DLSU and prepared for the individual strengths of the Green Archers’ players.

“Ngayon sila talagang nag-scout nang husto, bawat player, in-coaching team,” he said.

Despite the expectations surrounding the Growling Tigers, Jarencio insisted that his squad is not taking its supposed strength for granted. He said the team must avoid relying on individual performances and instead focus on playing together.

“Saka actually walang pressure sa amin, sa amin lalaro lang kami. Marami lang nagsasabi malakas ang team namin, hindi po malakas ang team namin,” Jarencio said.

“Pero hindi kami malakas. … individualistic kami, kanya-kanya. Lesson learned, iyan natalo kami against UP.”

Jarencio described the loss to UP as an immediate wake-up call that helped the team recognize the need for greater discipline and teamwork.

“Wake-up call kaagad iyan. That’s a good wake-up call for us kasi first game talo kaagad para magising na lahat,” he said.

The coach emphasized that UST’s progress would depend on its ability to improve with every game and remain united.

“Because we work together, we improve each game, ako masaya na ako roon,” he said.

He also dedicated the victory to the UST community, whose support has continued to grow during the season.

“And then para masaya rin ang UST community. This is for the community na bumabalik, tinitingnan kami at naroonood. Marami nang noonood,” Jarencio said.

Jarencio said the team’s hard work in practice translated into its performance against La Salle.

“We stand as a unit. We play as a team. It’s a collective effort,” he said. “We stay composed. We lost to UP. We had to bounce back and do what we gotta do. In practice, we practiced hard coming into the game. So, the result was not surprising.”

The victory improved UST’s record to 1-1, while DLSU also dropped to 1-1. (Adrian Co)

The post Jarencio credits team effort in UST’s huge win over DLSU first appeared on Fastbreak.

Pido Jarencio, UST dedicate games to late Bobet Baterbonia

University of Santo Tomas head coach Pido Jarencio said the Growling Tigers would dedicate their games to the memory of the late Ateneo de Manila University member Rene Baterbonia after an emotional encounter involving Baterbonia’s mother and UST player Koji Buenaflor.

Jarencio shared the moment following UST’s 80-75 victory over De La Salle University Green Archers in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday.

According to the veteran coach, Baterbonia’s mother approached Buenaflor because of the player’s resemblance to her late son. The emotional meeting brought back memories of Rene and moved his mother to tears.

“First of all, touching ang nangyari kanina kasi iyung mother pumunta sa amin, pumunta kay Koji kasi si Koji parang lookalike ni Rene. Naalala tuloy ng nanay si Koji na siya si Rene niyakap, umiyak ang nanay,” Jarencio said.

He added that he assured Baterbonia’s mother that UST would honor Rene throughout the season.

“Ang sinabi ko naman sa kanya, nandito kayo, ide-dedicate namin lahat ng games namin para sa anak ninyo kay Rene, itong tumayong nanay,” he said.

Jarencio explained that Buenaflor had also become a reminder of Rene for Baterbonia’s family.

“Koji, naaalala nila parang anak nila. Kaya kami naman, iyan lang ang nai-offer ko sa kanila, every game dedicated to Rene Baterbonia,” the coach said.

Although Baterbonia was associated with Ateneo de Manila University, Jarencio stressed that UST’s gesture came from the team’s own compassion and respect for the late student-athlete.

“We’re not from Ateneo. Basta kami sarili namin, sa puso namin ang galing,” he said.

Baterbonia and Ateneo teammate Divine Adili died in a drowning incident during a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8. The UAAP honored both student-athletes with a moment of silence before Ateneo’s Season 89 opener. (Adrian Co)

The post Pido Jarencio, UST dedicate games to late Bobet Baterbonia first appeared on Fastbreak.

Knicks sign F John Konchar to 1-year deal

The New York Knicks signed free agent forward John Konchar, his agency announced Tuesday, with ESPN reporting it was a one-year agreement.

Konchar, 30, spent most of his NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies before being moved to Utah as part of the trade that sent Jaren Jackson to the Jazz.

In 363 career games, including 65 starts, for the Grizzlies (2019-26) and Jazz, Konchar has averaged 4.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 34.9% from 3-point range. A defensive-minded wing, he put up career highs of 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game last season to go with 4.4 points and 4.3 rebounds across 56 games.

After defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals, the Knicks retained most of their championship roster and added center Andre Drummond after Mitchell Robinson left for the Boston Celtics.

The post Knicks sign F John Konchar to 1-year deal first appeared on Fastbreak.

Kulang sa research! NCAA commentators criticized for not recognizing coaching legend Turo Valenzona

BASKETBALL fans have called out NCAA game commentators for failing to recognize multi-time champion coach Arturo “Turo” Valenzona during a recent league game.

A social media post from @tigersbasketball1611 criticized the incident after television cameras focused on Valenzona, who was seated alongside two other basketball officials.

While the commentators acknowledged the two officials sitting beside him, they failed to identify Valenzona despite his distinguished coaching career in Philippine basketball.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TIGERS BASKETBALL (@tigersbasketball1611)

The omission drew criticism from the account, which highlighted the legendary coach’s championship achievements in the PBA, UAAP and NCAA.

“Ngayon sa game ng JRU at MAPUA may isang portion na medyo nakakasama ng loob. Binanggit pa yun TURO pero di naman pala si Coach,” the post read.

“Magkaroon tayo ng pagkakataon na tumingin sa nakaraan kasi DI BIRU ANG NAPATUNAYAN NG ‘TURO VALENZONA,” the post added.

The post emphasized Valenzona’s eight UAAP championships as Far Eastern University Tamaraws head coach, six NCAA titles with San Sebastian College Golden Stags, and three PBA championships with Tanduay.

His NCAA accomplishments included a four-peat from 1993 to 1996 and back-to-back championships in 2000 and 2001 with the Golden Stags.

The post ended by urging NCAA broadcaster One Sports and its commentators to do their homework and avoid repeating what it described as disrespect toward the coaching legend. (By the Staff)

The post Kulang sa research! NCAA commentators criticized for not recognizing coaching legend Turo Valenzona first appeared on Fastbreak.

Gregorio eyes Dumaguete as model for pickleball, multi-sport development

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio sees Dumaguete City’s growing pickleball scene as a potential model for how local governments can build sports programs from the grassroots while developing facilities for bigger competitions.

Dumaguete has seen a rapid rise in pickleball, with more than 300 courts across the city and thousands more throughout Negros Oriental, making the sport increasingly visible in communities and attracting players from different age groups.

Gregorio said the growth of the sport is significant not only because of its popularity, but because it shows how a local community can embrace a relatively new discipline while continuing to invest in established sports.

“What we see here in Dumaguete could be a model of how local governments can embrace new sports while strengthening traditional ones,” Gregorio said.

Pickleball has particularly taken root among families and older residents, giving the sport a broad base of participants while creating opportunities for competition and tourism.

Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel “Chiquiting” Sagarbarria said the sport fits well with the city’s growing older population, while Negros Oriental Governor Chaco Sagarbarria pointed to its accessibility across generations.

For Gregorio, however, the bigger picture goes beyond pickleball.

The PSC is also working with Dumaguete and Negros Oriental on the development of facilities for football, track and field and archery, with the goal of creating more venues where athletes can train and compete at a higher level.

“The PSC is committed to working with Dumaguete and Negros Oriental to ensure that facilities for football, track and field, and archery are developed to world-class standards,” Gregorio said.

His push reflects the PSC’s broader strategy of expanding sports opportunities outside the traditional centers of competition, while giving athletes access to proper facilities closer to their communities.

Dumaguete’s experience with pickleball provides one example of how local interest can grow into a wider sports ecosystem when matched with government support and investment in infrastructure.

For Gregorio, the objective is not simply to produce more courts or host more competitions, but to create a system where grassroots participation can eventually lead to elite athletes.

“This is how we build pathways from grassroots to gold, and from gold to greatness,” he said.

With pickleball continuing to expand across Dumaguete and Negros Oriental, the city is now emerging as a test case for the kind of multi-sport development Gregorio wants to see replicated in other parts of the country. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)

The post Gregorio eyes Dumaguete as model for pickleball, multi-sport development first appeared on Fastbreak.

Lamine Yamal says Mbappe his only rival for Ballon d’Or

Lamine Yamal said his World Cup success with Spain and winning LaLiga with Barcelona should give him the edge over Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Ballon d’Or.

France striker Mbappe was the top scorer at the World Cup as well as in LaLiga and the Champions League and said last week no player was better than him last season, though he failed to win any silverware.

Lamine was named LaLiga’s best player in 2025-26 as Barcelona successfully defended the title, and later played a key role in Spain winning the World Cup in North America.

“I honestly believe there are two of us who are the best in the world, and this year I’d deserve it because of what I’ve won,” Lamine said in an interview clip shared by Movistar on Sunday.

“As far as I’m concerned, Mbappe and I are the two best in the world. It’s clear to me and everyone who watches the matches knows it.”

Lamine was runner-up to Ousmane Dembele last year, while Mbappe was third in 2023, when Lionel Messi won the award for a record eighth time.

The Ballon d’Or will be awarded in London on October 26. (Reuters)

The post Lamine Yamal says Mbappe his only rival for Ballon d’Or first appeared on Fastbreak.

Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title amid ongoing eye issues

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has vacated his title after suffering ongoing complications from an eye injury sustained during his bout with Ciryl Gane last year, the British fighter said on Monday.

The 33-year-old has undergone multiple surgeries since receiving severe eye pokes in his title defence against Gane in Abu Dhabi in October last year. The contest was ruled a first-round no-contest after Aspinall was unable to continue.

Aspinall said he had decided to relinquish the belt rather than delay the division while he recovers.

“I had previously agreed to a fight date and was back sparring, feeling great and ready to compete when an accident caused further damage to my right eye,” Aspinall wrote on Instagram.

“This means more time away from the sport, and right now, the timing of my return is unclear.”

His departure clears the way for Ciryl Gane, who captured the interim heavyweight title with a victory over Alex Pereira in June, to be elevated to undisputed champion.

Despite vacating the belt, Aspinall stressed that he was not retiring and remains determined to compete again.

“Stepping away from the title is not stepping away from the sport or the dream,” he wrote.

“I’ll continue doing everything I can to get healthy, get cleared and get back to competing as soon as possible.” (Reuters)

The post Aspinall vacates UFC heavyweight title amid ongoing eye issues first appeared on Fastbreak.

Gilas assured of quarters berth even with a 37-point loss to China

GILAS Pilipinas can absorb a loss of up to 37 points against China and still have a chance to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Games men’s basketball tournament.

With Groups A and B already completed, Saudi Arabia finished third in Group A with a minus-11 point differential, while Iran ended Group B at minus-five.

The Philippines enters its final Group C game against China this noon with a plus-27 point differential after losing to Bahrain, 89-85, and defeating Kazakhstan, 109-78.

Based on the current standings, Gilas could lose to China by as many as 37 points and finish with a minus-10 differential.

That would keep the Philippines ahead of Saudi Arabia and place the defending champions in position to claim one of the two best third-place quarterfinal berths.

However, a 38-point defeat would bring Gilas down to minus-11, creating a tie with Saudi Arabia and potentially forcing the tournament’s additional tiebreaker procedures.

The equation is clear for the Philippines: a loss by 37 points or fewer should be enough to preserve its quarterfinal hopes, while a defeat by 38 points or more could put its title defense in danger.

Gilas faces China at noon on Monday, Philippine time, in its final Group C preliminary-round game. (Adrian Co)

The post Gilas assured of quarters berth even with a 37-point loss to China first appeared on Fastbreak.

Jean Silva rallies to submit Jose Miguel Delgado at Noche UFC

Featherweight Jean Silva made good on his second Noche UFC main event opportunity, defeating late-replacement Jose Miguel Delgado at UFC Fight Night at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz., on Saturday, but it wasn’t without adversity.

Delgado (12-3 MMA) stunned Brazil’s Silva in the opening round with a series of strikes before Silva maintained forward pressure in Rounds 2 and 3, finding an opening at 2:57 of the third frame to secure a one-arm rear-naked choke that left the Arizona crowd in stunned silence. Silva (18-3 MMA) didn’t throw a single strike in the first three minutes of the fight.

Silva is eyeing a shot at UFC featherweight gold soon, regardless of who the champion is next year. Silva didn’t offer a prediction for UFC 333’s main event, set for Saturday, Oct. 24, in Abu Dhabi, featuring Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski and Russia’s Movsar Evloev, with Volkanovski defending his title.

“This message is not for the division,” Silva said through a translator. “It’s not for anybody out there. This message is for the next champion. Whoever holds that belt, the next champion is right here. There’s a new champion in town.”

Silva was originally scheduled to fight Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez, a former interim champion, before Rodriguez withdrew because of an injury he disclosed on Instagram Aug. 20.

The co-main event saw former two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno earn a split decision over UFC veteran Joseph Morales. Moreno (24-10-2 MMA) won 30-27 on the scorecards of Mike Bell and Eric Colon. Judge Andrew Topps scored it 29-28 for Morales in an entertaining, all-around fan-friendly bout with dynamic striking and grappling exchanges throughout the 15 minutes.

Moreno called for a quick turnaround in December for his next fight, expressing keen interest in fighting on the UFC’s end-of-year Las Vegas event, UFC 335, set for Saturday, Dec. 12, at T-Mobile Arena.

Morales (14-3 MMA) fell to 2-1 during his current UFC run and 3-3 dating to 2017. Meanwhile, Moreno has won three of his last five fights.

Featherweight Tommy McMillen nearly secured an arm-triangle choke attempt in Round 1, followed by more volume-based striking in Round 2 before nearly securing a TKO in the third round to win a unanimous decision over Morocco’s Marwan Rahiki (29-28, 29-28, 29-27) in a battle of previously unbeaten prospects. McMillen (12-0 MMA) and Rahiki (9-1 MMA) had an intense buildup, which included a shoving incident at the fighter hotel earlier in the week and another tense exchange at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins.

“I knew I could just out-dog him at the end of the day,” McMillen said in his in-Octagon interview. “And that’s what I did.”

In a women’s flyweight title eliminator, a top-three matchup began when former UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso of Mexico used elusive striking to frustrate France’s Manon Fiorot. After Fiorot bounced back with a productive second round, Round 3 saw much of the same from Fiorot, who opened a cut over Grasso’s eyes, with visible damage to both. The judges favored Grasso’s boxing over Fiorot’s damage, awarding a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) and keeping Grasso in the title picture.

Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan, who is 1-1-1 in head-to-head record against Grasso, was forced to vacate her flyweight title earlier this month. According to her head coach, Pavel Fedotov, Shevchenko may be out for a full year due to shoulder and back injuries, according to MMAFighting. To keep the division moving, UFC 332, set for Saturday, Oct. 3, in Salt Lake City, will feature a vacant title fight between Brazil’s Natalia Silva and China’s Wang Cong to crown a new champion.

Grasso’s victory strengthens her case to challenge the Silva-Wang winner while Shevchenko recovers. Meanwhile, Fiorot (13-3 MMA) lost to Shevchenko in May 2025 in her lone UFC title fight. Fiorot has dropped two of her last three fights, while Grasso (18-5-1 MMA) improved to 2-0 this year.

At heavyweight, four successful takedowns from Curtis Blaydes in the 15-minute contest were enough to outlast Waldo Cortes Acosta of the Dominican Republic and win a unanimous decision, to the audience’s dismay. Blaydes (20-6 MMA) swept the scorecards 29-28, 29-28, 29-28, handing Cortes Acosta (17-4 MMA) his first back-to-back losses in his MMA career.

Blaydes rebounded from his April loss to Josh Hokit at UFC 327 in Miami, where he lost a closely contested decision in a potential fight-of-the-year candidate. Blaydes has won two of his last three, improving his UFC mark to 15-6, 1 NC, since 2016.

Opening the main card, Mexican bantamweight David Martinez ignited the crowd with his 15th win in his last 16 outings, a unanimous decision over Hawaii’s Dan Ige. Martinez (15-1 MMA), who entered as a heavy betting favorite, took the cards 30-27, 30-27, 29-28, as Ige (19-12 MMA) has now lost three in a row.

Noche UFC 4 (also known as UFC Fight Night 288) was part of a busy Saturday in combat sports, with Ryan Garcia defending his WBC welterweight title against Conor Benn later at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. (Reuters)

The post Jean Silva rallies to submit Jose Miguel Delgado at Noche UFC first appeared on Fastbreak.

After losing her father on 9/11, a young Yankees fan built an unbreakable bond with Derek Jeter

Brielle Saracini came full circle at her cherished Yankee Stadium on Friday, throwing out the first ceremonial pitch 25 years after her father’s death on September 11, a tragedy that sparked an unlikely friendship with her childhood idol.

She was 10 when her father, United Airlines pilot Victor Saracini, died when his hijacked Flight 175 collided with the South Tower of the World Trade Center.

The tragedy set into motion a sequence of improbable events worthy of a Hollywood film, as Saracini formed an enduring bond with generational superstar Derek Jeter and met her husband, whose father died in the South Tower.

“You’re so happy and thankful for so many things that have come your way after 9/11,” she explained. “But it comes at a terrible price.”

Saracini and her now-husband Sean McGuire met two years after the attacks at a camp for children who lost a parent on September 11. They married in 2017 and he was standing by her side as she took the mound, wearing a jersey for the New York Mets talismanic catcher Mike Piazza.

It was perhaps the only circumstance in which the Yankees were likely to allow their bitter rival Mets blue-and-orange to be part of a pre-game ceremony. McGuire got to throw a pitch, as well.

“There are some things that are bigger than baseball. Everyone always knows that phrase, and this is definitely just one of them,” said Saracini, dressed in the Yankees pinstripes.

She was also accompanied by Jeter at center field and at the post-ceremony press conference, where he recalled meeting Saracini after the attacks.

“As an athlete, it was the first time that I said to myself, ‘Why am I even playing?'” Jeter told reporters.

“And then you had a chance to meet a lot of family members who lost loved ones, and Brielle is right at the top of the list… that’s when you realize that our job was to win. At least try to give people something to cheer for for a few hours a day.”

The two have kept in touch since, meeting up repeatedly as the Hall of Famer periodically called to check in.

“I actually had a battle with cancer,” Saracini told reporters. “I was able to get a personal voicemail (from Jeter) wishing me well, telling me to keep my head down and stay positive. And the amount of times I played that voicemail, you know, in the hospital over and over, just being like, ‘OK, I got someone in my corner’.”

The ceremonial pitch was not up to her standards – “I bounced it,” she would later tell reporters with a laugh. But the bittersweet moment was enough to make her father proud.

“My dad would probably open up by saying, ‘I taught you how to throw. How did you bounce it?’ And then he would give me a big hug and say, ‘You did great, kid,'” said Saracini.

“He would also then immediately turn to Derek and say, ‘Thank you for taking care of my girl’.”

‘LIFE COULD GO ON’

The ceremonial pitch was one of several commemorations at the Bronx stadium, where the Yankees took on the Mets in a Subway Series steeped with added meaning.

The American pastime became a symbol of American resilience in the weeks after the September 11 attack, with the first sporting event in the five boroughs played between the New York Mets and the Atlanta Braves in Queens.

The Mets won 3-2, courtesy of Piazza’s dramatic two-run homer in the eighth inning. Weeks later, then-president George W. Bush threw his ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium on October 30, Game 3 of the World Series.

“When the nation started playing baseball again, to me, it was like life could go on,” said Fred Houston, 75, a lifelong Yankees fan, who came to the Bronx dressed in NYPD apparel.

“It wasn’t going to change who we are and what we do.” (Reuters)

The post After losing her father on 9/11, a young Yankees fan built an unbreakable bond with Derek Jeter first appeared on Fastbreak.

2025 SEA Games athlete’s PBBM Presidential citation reportedly found in a garbage room

A framed presidential citation bearing the name of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. was reportedly found in a garbage room, with the document believed to have been awarded to a Filipino athlete who competed in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in 2025.

Threads user @daventurous shared photos of the framed citation, which was seen leaning against a wall inside what appeared to be a condominium garbage or utility room.

“Saw this in the garbage room. To the athlete who was awarded this, I hear you,” the user wrote.

View on Threads

The document is identified as a “Presidential Citation” and prominently carries the name of Marcos. The identity of the athlete was covered in the post.

According to the citation, the recognition was presented on Jan. 21, 2026, during the “Parangal at Pasasalamat sa mga Bayaning Atleta” ceremony at Malacañang, where Marcos honored Filipino athletes who represented the country at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand.

The post quickly drew attention online, with @daventurous suggesting that the reported disposal of the citation could reflect an athlete’s dissatisfaction with the government’s treatment of sports achievers.

“This is what happens when trapos don’t really care about supporting athletes. They’ll hand you a certificate with their name in the biggest font, and it’s no wonder you’d throw it away,” @daventurous wrote.

“If they treat award-winning athletes like an afterthought, imagine how much less they care about the common citizen,” the post added.

The post has since fueled a broader discussion about the prominence of Marcos’ name on government-issued citations, as well as the role of politics in the recognition of Filipino athletes.

For now, the viral photos show only a PBBM presidential citation apparently given to a 2025 SEA Games athlete and later found in a garbage room, leaving unanswered questions about how and why it ended up there. (By the Staff)

The post 2025 SEA Games athlete’s PBBM Presidential citation reportedly found in a garbage room first appeared on Fastbreak.