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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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