LETRAN and San Beda University battle for survival in the race for the last playoffs berth in Pool A of the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup on Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.     With the unbeaten reigning champion National University already through to the second round, four other squads in the pool are scrambling for the final bus ride to the next phase. The Lady Knights and Lady Red Spikers are looking to get back on the winning track when they collide at 1 p.m. to open the busy triple-header playdate of the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R&B Milk Tea.    Letran, the reigning NCAA champion, suffered a 21-25, 14-25, 19-25, defeat at the hands of the Lady Bulldogs last week and slipped to a 1-1 win-loss slate tied with University of Perpetual Help System Dalta. Winless San Beda, on the other hand, squandered a 2-1 match lead against Lady Altas in a sorry 30-28, 19-25, 25-23, 17-25, 14-16, loss last Saturday for a 0-2 slate, pushing the team on the brink of elimination.    Meanwhile, NU shoots for a group stage sweep when it takes on desperate Perpetual at 5 p.m. The five-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs rolled past their first three opponents without dropping a single set. But head coach Norman Miguel is not taking the Lady Altas lightly. “Honestly, that’s No. 1 that I always remind the team: not to underestimate the skills of NCAA teams. I always tell them that they train hard too in order to win. The level of competition in the NCAA is getting higher,” he said. In Pool B action, College of Saint Benilde and Jose Rizal University collide at 3 p.m., with the winner earning a lifeline to the group’s last playoff ticket. Both squads dropped their opening assignments.  Only the top two teams in each pool will advance to the next phase of the tournament, supported by Smart, PusoP.com DICT, Executive Optical, Milo and Summit Natural Drinking Water.     Pool D’s University of the Philippines (2-0) and Adamson University (2-1), Far Eastern University (2-0) of Pool C and Pool B’s University of Santo Tomas (2-0) have also punched their way to the playoffs of the competition, which has the Philippine Sports Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, Mikasa, Asics, Rigour Technology, Jersey Haven, Solar Sports and 12 Beyond Production as technical partners.

WUHAN, China — A frustrated Aryna Sabalenka suffered a second successive early exit as her bid for a fourth Wuhan Open title was foiled by American world No. 31 Ann Li, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5), in round two on Wednesday night. The top-seeded Sabalenka fell to Nikola Bartunkova in the third round at the China Open last week and squandered a 6-3, 4-2 lead against Li to stumble at her very first hurdle in Wuhan. The Belarusian four-time major winner lost her number one ranking to Elena Rybakina last month and has not won a title since March. Playing with protective taping around her right knee, Sabalenka was in control of the match until Li swung the momentum in her direction halfway through the second set. Sabalenka asked for the trainer when she was broken early in the decider and appeared to be struggling with her movement. Still, she was able to wipe a 2-5 deficit, saving nine match points along the way. Li steadied the ship, though, and finished the job in two hours and 27 minutes on her 10th opportunity, to set up a last-16 clash with Indonesia’s Janice Tjen. Meanwhile, second-seeded Jessica Pegula, the runner-up in Wuhan last year, was also sent packing. The American suffered a 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-3 upset at the hands of Jelena Ostapenko, wasting three match points en route. Ostapenko is the first player to beat Pegula in her opening match at a WTA 1000 event since Indian Wells two and a half years ago, snapping Pegula’s 22-event winning streak in openers at this level. Earlier, six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek launched her Wuhan Open campaign by triumphing 6-2, 6-1 in an all-Polish battle against lucky loser Magdalena Frech. Swiatek posted her 40th victory of the season in one hour and 42 minutes and no longer has Sabalenka as a potential roadblock in the quarterfinals. “We know each other pretty well, so I just wanted to focus on being consistent and playing as good as possible,” Swiatek, the seventh seed, said of Frech. “I know she is running to every ball always and sometimes using the power of the opponent, so I wanted to not play too crazy but play solid and I’m happy that I did that,” said Swiatek, who is chasing a qualification spot for the year-end WTA Finals. Despite the lopsided scoreline the opening set was tight, lasting over an hour and requiring Swiatek to erase a 0-2 deficit and save seven of eight break points before she finally took the lead on her fourth set point. Upping the pressure with her relentless forehand, Swiatek breezed through the second set to advance to a round of 16 meeting with American lucky loser Ashlyn Krueger. Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova weathered a three-hour storm to come through 3-6, 7-6 (7/1), 7-6 (7/4) against American qualifier Caty McNally to extend her record in tiebreaks this season to a perfect 10-0. The sixth-seeded Muchova will face Diana Shnaider in the round of 16. British world number 170 Sonay Kartal, who missed six months this year with a spinal stress fracture, upset ninth-seeded Belinda Bencic, 6-0, 7-5, to book a third-round date with Italian 15th seed Jasmine Paolini.

NEW DELHI — Since completing the career Grand Slam, Rory McIlroy has been constantly looking for new ways to inject some freshness and spark into his golf. Turns out two of his longtime Ryder Cup teammates are providing some inspiration. For this week’s DP World India Championship, McIlroy has brought along a new look — baggy golf pants. After all, Tommy Fleetwood has been wearing them for a while. “I have watched and I have admired Tommy Fleetwood over the past year,” McIlroy said, with a smile, on Wednesday’s DP World Locker Room show about his style that has generated plenty of chatter in New Delhi this week. “And in my everyday life, when I don’t have to wear what is my golf uniform, I wear a lot of wide-legged pants. It is the in-thing, the fashionable thing.” But how, McIlroy was asked, do they feel to play golf in? “These hit a little low, maybe a little short ... I understand they are maybe not as well-fitting as they need to be,” he said, “but they are a work in progress.” Also in the works for the Northern Irishman is a replica of what he calls his “performance trailer” that he uses in the United States to aid his fitness and recovery during and between PGA Tour events, in an effort to gain an edge over rivals. Now, he wants one for when he plays on the European tour, too. McIlroy said that idea came from tennis great Novak Djokovic but also fellow golfer Justin Rose. “I decided to pull the trigger on it when Justin won in Memphis last year,” McIlroy said. “He’s 45 years old, playing great, contending in major championships, and at that time I was 36. I was like, I want to play really well for the next 10 years — I feel like I need to do something like this.”

THIS is firmly Luka Doncic’s team now after LeBron James left behind the Lakers — and his oldest son — to chase another ring in Philadelphia, and the reigning NBA scoring champion seems determined to demonstrate his ability to carry a team deep into the playoffs.  Doncic spent the offseason getting into top shape after mis-sing last spring’s playoffs with a hamstring injury, and he invited the entire roster on a bonding trip to his native Slovenia.  The Lakers will miss James’ playmaking and reliability when healthy, but Doncic and high-scoring Austin Reaves lead a roster that is deeper than last season, according to Redick.  It’s definitely younger, and it should be better defensively. The Lakers brought in nine new players in the latest summer of total roster upheaval, but they believe this group will stay together long enough to turn into a true title contender.  That’s largely up to the brilliance of the 27-year-old Doncic, who is squarely in his prime years as he chases his first NBA championship. The good: Doncic remains one of the NBA’s most brilliant offensive players, and the undrafted Reaves has grown into a dependable counterpoint who deserved his $185 million extension.  The biggest addition is center Kessler, who fills Doncic’s desire for a rim protector and lob finisher. Kessler has been dominant at times when healthy in his brief NBA career, and he appears to embrace the challenge of playing under Holly-wood’s bright lights.  The Lakers are indeed deeper, with guards Sexton and Grimes leading a new supporting cast. The not-so-good: It’s hard to imagine the Lakers being more than mediocre without Doncic, whose health will be paramount.  He hasn’t played in more than 70 games since he was a rookie, and he managed only 64 last season.  Reaves has carried the Lakers for short stretches without Doncic and James, but he was limited to 51 games last season. Kessler played only five games for Utah last year before starting the preseason deliberately, but he expects to be at full health.  The Lakers also need somebody to step up as a 3-and-D contributor on the perimeter, but they have several good candidates.

MIAMI — Lionel Messi set up a Rodrigo De Paul goal and German Berterame snapped his scoring drought as Inter Miami booked their place in the MLS playoffs with a 2-0 win over New York City FC on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila). Victory gave Cristian ‘Kily’ Gonzalez his first back-to-back wins since taking over as head coach last month, guaranteeing second-placed Miami at least a place in the wild card round, with five games left to play. “I’m leaving happy. Obviously, there’s a lot to improve, but we’re making progress little by little,” Gonzalez said. Messi — who had scored twice on Saturday after returning to his club side from last week’s emotional Argentina send-off — was again a dangerous presence, playing a hand in both first-half goals. In the 20th minute Messi trapped the ball just outside the penalty area and passed it to De Paul, who found Suarez on the byline with a diagonal looping ball. Suarez rolled it flat across the face of the goal, giving Berterame a simple finish for his first goal since May. De Paul grabbed Miami’s second on a quick counter with the final kick of the first half. Berterame brought the ball across the halfway line and was slightly fortunate to find Messi to his right with a mishit pass. Messi drew in three defenders then laid it off with the outside of his left foot to De Paul, who slammed it high to the keeper’s right. In a goalless second half, Messi sent a curling effort from just outside the box over the bar. As the game clock hit 90, Messi played a short corner to De Paul, who unleashed a shot from outside the box toward the far top corner. United States national team goalkeeper Matt Freese made a superb diving save, tipping the ball onto the post. New York City, on a dire streak of just one win in their last 11 MLS games, at least had a chance for a consolation deep in stoppage time with a penalty. Ian Fray brought down fellow substitute Talles Magno, who turned sharply away from goal and ran into the defender’s trailing leg. But Dayne St. Clair made a brilliant save, flinging himself low and right to palm the ball around the bar. It was Inter Miami’s second straight clean sheet, after none in their previous 10.

Team preview of the Los Angeles Clippers ahead of the 2026-2027 NBA season. Last NBA season: 42-40, lost in the play-in tournament. Coach: Tyronn Lue (17th season, 750-527). SEASON OPENER: Oct. 21 vs. Sacramento. DEPARTURES: F Kawhi Leonard, F/C John Collins, G Bogdan Bogdanovic, G Chris Paul, F Nicolas Batum, G/F Bennedict Mathurin. ADDITIONS: F

Team preview of the Memphis Grizzlies ahead of the 2026-2027 NBA season. Last season: 25-57, missed playoffs and draft lottery moved them up to No. 3 overall. Coach: Tuomas Iisalo (29-62, second full season). Season opener: Oct. 21 at home vs. Utah Jazz. Departures: F Jaren Jackson Jr., G Ja Morant, F Santi Aldama, G

Team preview of the Portland Trail Blazers ahead of the 2026-2027 NBA season. Last NBA season: 42-40, lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. Coach: Micah Nori (first-time NBA coach, hired on June 23). Season opener: Oct. 21 vs. the Phoenix Suns. Departures: F Jerami Grant, F Kris Murray,

Team preview of the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of the 2026-2027 NBA season. Last NBA season: 64-18, lost to San Antonio in Western Conference finals Coach: Mark Daigneault (7th season, 275-207) Season opener: Oct. 20 at San Antonio Departures: (F) Lu Dort, (G) Isaiah Joe, (G) Aaron Wiggins Addition: (C) Aday Mara, (G) Bennett Stirtz

Team preview of the Indiana Pacers ahead of the 2026-2027 NBA season. Last NBA season: 19-63, missed the playoffs. Coach: Rick Carlisle (11th season with Pacers, 357-381, 26th season overall, 1,012-923). Season opener: Oct. 21 at New Orleans. Departures: Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, Micah Potter. Additions: Ivica Zubac, Kelly Oubre Jr., Larry Nance Jr. What

The first postseason victory of the year for the LG Twins came at a cost Wednesday night, as speedster Shin Min-jae suffered a left hamstring injury on a run-scoring squeeze play. By the looks of it, Shin may not be available for the rest of the Twins' postseason, however long it lasts. The Twins defeated the Doosan Bears 4-1 to grab the wild card in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, with Shin driving in a key insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Twins were nursing a 2-1 lead when they had runners at the corners for Shin. He bunted down the third base line as pinch runner Choi Won-young scored easily from third, and Shin beat out the throw by third baseman An Jae-seok. But after running past the first base bag, Shin came up limping, grabbing the back of his left thigh. The team said Shin experienced some tightness in his hamstring but no immediate testing was scheduled for Wednesday. When asked about Shin's status after the game, Twins manager Youm Kyoung-youb said: "It doesn't look good. He will have some tests tomorrow

Robert Moreno has not had long in the job as Korea's interim national team coach but must have already realized that this is not a simple one. Moreno was appointed after the World Cup with a contract until the end of November with a possibility of extending it to the Asian Cup in January and beyond. What happens if there is no Asian Cup is anyone’s guess. The former boss of Spain's national football team was given four games in September and October and then two more in November to prove to the Korea Football Association (KFA) that he is the man for the job. Those two fixtures had not been confirmed but it was expected that they would take place in the Middle East, probably Saudi Arabia. That is because the country is hosting the Asian Cup, starting on January 7 and it seemed like a good idea to spend some time in the region. But then there have been attacks on Saudi airports and other targets by the Houthis, an Iran-backed militant group based in Yemen. There have been deaths and casualties and it caused the closure of Riyadh airport for the best part of a week. In such times when c