Noah Cabreros Falls to Rory Turner by TKO in ONE Championship Debut

Filipino mixed martial artist Noah Cabreros encountered a challenging debut in the ONE Championship, succumbing to a technical knockout at the hands of Australian Rory Turner during ONE Friday Fights 134 held on November 21 in Bangkok, Thailand. Turner seized control in the closing moments of the final round by securing a full mount position, enabling him to deliver relentless ground-and-pound strikes. With Cabreros unable to respond, the referee halted the bout at 4:52. From the outset, Turner demonstrated his wrestling superiority, repeatedly taking Cabreros down throughout the opening round. Despite being on his back, Cabreros remained active, landing precise up-kicks that showcased his resilience. The Australian maintained dominance in the second round, achieving side control and systematically targeting Cabreros with punches and elbows. Although Cabreros managed to scramble to his feet multiple times, Turner consistently brought him back to the mat. By the third round, Turner had fully asserted his command while Cabreros exhibited noticeable fatigue. At approximately 4:30, Turner executed another successful takedown and controlled the remainder of the round from the top position, ultimately securing the victory. Turner’s wrestling expertise proved decisive in this match, handing Cabreros a tough lesson in his first appearance under the ONE Championship banner.

Petro Gazz Claims PVL Reinforced Conference Title After Tough Battle with ZUS Coffee

In an electrifying showdown at Smart Araneta Coliseum, Petro Gazz emerged victorious over ZUS Coffee with a 21-25, 28-26, 25-23, 25-20 win, capturing the PVL Reinforced Conference crown on Sunday. Although the Angels took some time to find their rhythm, once they did, they countered every challenge posed by the determined Thunderbelles, solidifying their dominance. This triumph marked Petro Gazz’s third championship in the Reinforced Conference and their fourth overall title. The win also reinforces their successful 2023 season, having earlier secured the All-Filipino Conference title, a trophy that had eluded them in previous years. ZUS Coffee started strong, claiming the first set and maintaining control early in the second, hinting at a possible breakthrough championship win. However, Petro Gazz rallied strongly thereafter, turning the tide and firmly taking charge through the remaining sets. In the third-place playoff, Akari staged an impressive comeback against PLDT, overcoming a fourth-set deficit to win 15-25, 25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 20-18. Trailing 2-1 in sets and down 15-4 in the fourth set, the Chargers rallied back to even the match and carried the momentum to seal victory in the decisive final set. This marks Akari’s third podium finish as a franchise, following their runner-up performance in the same conference last year and a third-place result in the All-Filipino Conference earlier. Annie Mitchem was instrumental in Akari’s success, delivering a remarkable 36-point performance, including pivotal plays during the critical fourth-set comeback. Her clutch scoring in the final set proved key to Akari’s triumph. Akari coach Tina Salak praised her import, saying, "With Annie, I’m very proud. This is the seventh fifth-set match we’ve had and she never wavered or left us. I’m so grateful to her."

Jaylen Brown Drives to the Basket Amid Lakers Defense at TD Garden

On December 5, 2025, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown showcased his offensive prowess by penetrating the defense and driving to the basket in the first half. Brown faced significant resistance as three Los Angeles Lakers defenders converged on him, underscoring the intensity of trade rivalry on the court. The display highlighted both Brown's skill and determination as he navigated the tight defense in a closely contested matchup between the Celtics and Lakers.

Seattle Seahawks' "Dark Side" Defense Set to Challenge Injured 49ers in NFC Playoffs

Every dominant NFL defense has borne a memorable nickname, from the Vikings’ Purple People Eaters to the Seahawks’ own legendary Legion of Boom. While the current Seattle Seahawks defense hasn't reached those iconic heights, the team has embraced a new moniker: the "Dark Side." This defensive unit will play a pivotal role when the top-seeded Seahawks (14-3) host the sixth-seeded San Francisco 49ers (13-5) in Saturday’s NFC divisional playoff showdown. "Throughout the season, we felt like we had an exceptional defense with special players, doing special things," said Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams. "We kept hearing about the ‘Legion of Boom’ and started thinking maybe we deserved our own name." Seattle aggressively paced the league’s scoring defense, allowing just 17.2 points per game. Their standout performance came in the regular-season finale against the 49ers in Santa Clara, a game that decided the NFC West title and secured the Seahawks a first-round bye. The Hawks limited San Francisco to a mere 173 yards in a 13-3 victory, dropping the 49ers to the No. 6 playoff seed. San Francisco responded on the road, defeating the defending champions Philadelphia Eagles 23-19 last Sunday to advance. Yet, the victory came at a significant cost: star tight end George Kittle suffered a torn Achilles tendon and will be sidelined alongside All-Pro defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) for the upcoming clash with Seattle. Head coach Kyle Shanahan noted that linebacker Fred Warner, recently designated to return from injured reserve, might be ready for the NFC Championship Game but has not ruled out playing this weekend. Warner has been out since October with a fractured and dislocated right ankle. Additionally, safety Ji’Ayir Brown (hamstring) and linebacker Luke Gifford (quadriceps) missed recent practices. Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams reflected on the 49ers’ injury challenges: "Kittle going down early in the Philadelphia game tested our resilience. Without that experience, it would've been easy for us to fold, but we've grown stronger." The Seahawks’ lineup also faced minor setbacks in practice; offensive tackle Josh Jones missed both Tuesday and Wednesday sessions due to a knee issue, linebacker Tyrice Knight was limited Wednesday after missing Tuesday with a shoulder injury, and linebacker Ernest Jones sat out Wednesday with illness. Meanwhile, starting left tackle Charles Cross returned to full participation Tuesday after missing three regular-season games, but was limited Wednesday with knee and hamstring concerns. This weekend marks Seattle’s first home playoff game since January 2021. Defensive lineman Jarran Reed emphasized the need for a strong home crowd: "We need it loud, man, so the Dark Side can come alive." The two teams split their regular-season meetings, with the 49ers winning the opener 17-13 in Seattle, highlighted by Nick Bosa’s late strip sack and a go-ahead touchdown pass from Brock Purdy to tight end Jake Tonges in the closing minutes. As the NFC divisional round approaches, the clash between Seattle’s "Dark Side" and an injury-riddled San Francisco squad promises to be a test of defensive grit and team resilience.

University of Batangas and Immaculada Concepcion College Return to PG Flex-UCAL Volleyball Finals

MANILA, Philippines — Demonstrating their consistent dominance, the University of Batangas (UB) and Immaculada Concepcion College (ICC) have both advanced to the finals of the PG Flex-UCAL Season 8 Volleyball Tournament, marking their second straight appearance in the championship round. The event took place on Friday at Paco Arena in Manila. The UB Brahmans relied heavily on their dynamic duo, Aldrin Rosales and Prince Ramirez, to secure a hard-fought victory over the Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas. The match extended to four sets, ending 25-15, 18-25, 25-19, 25-21. Rosales contributed 14 points while Ramirez added 10, extending the Brahmans’ impressive winning streak to eight games in the men’s division and an overall 20-game winning run following their title sweep last season. This victory sets up a highly anticipated rematch against the ICC Blue Hawks in a best-of-three finals series beginning Tuesday, November 25. On the other side, the ICC Blue Hawks edged out the Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas Dolphins in a thrilling five-set semifinal showdown, 25-22, 19-25, 23-25, 26-16, 15-11. Aaron Devosoro’s 19 points were pivotal in securing the win amid numerous highlight-reel rallies and powerful spikes. The women’s semifinals were equally intense. The reigning champions, ICC Lady Blue Hawks, narrowly defeated the UB Lady Brahmans in four sets, 24-26, 25-20, 25-20, 25-20. Andrea Caparal led the charge with an outstanding 20 points, displaying formidable attacking and serving prowess. In the women’s finals, the Lady Blue Hawks will face the PCU-D Lady Dolphins, who triumphed in a gripping four-set encounter against Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas, 25-17, 25-22, 17-25, 31-29. The upcoming best-of-three finals promise to deliver high-caliber volleyball action, highlighting the skill and determination of the tournament’s top teams.

Spurs Rally Late to Defeat Grizzlies 126-119 with Barnes and Fox Leading the Charge

The San Antonio Spurs secured a 126-119 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, fueled by Harrison Barnes’ season-best 31 points and De’Aaron Fox’s clutch 29 points, which included an 11-point surge in the final three minutes. The Spurs held a narrow four-point lead at halftime, but Memphis responded to carry a slim 98-97 advantage into the final quarter of the closely contested matchup. The fourth quarter saw a back-and-forth exchange of leads, with the game’s 23rd lead change occurring when Keldon Johnson knocked down a three-pointer with 3:17 remaining, pushing San Antonio ahead 115-113. Fox then took control with a running jumper, combined with successful free throws and a three-pointer, to secure the decisive margin. With this win, the Spurs have improved to winning three of their last four games, while the Grizzlies had their three-game winning streak ended. Additional contributions for the Spurs included Dylan Harper with 15 points, Devin Vassell adding 12, and both Keldon Johnson and Jeremy Sochan chipping in 11 each. On the Grizzlies’ side, Cam Spencer led all scorers with 21 points, supported by Jaylen Wells’ 20, and Zach Edey’s impressive double-double of 19 points and 15 rebounds. John Konchar scored 13 points, Vince Williams Jr. contributed 12, and Jock Landale added 10 points. The game started with Carter Bryant’s three-pointer, part of an impressive 7-of-9 shooting performance from beyond the arc by the Spurs in the first quarter, which helped San Antonio establish a 36-32 lead after 12 minutes. Following a surge by Memphis, an alley-oop dunk from Sochan off a Vassell assist tied the game at 44-44 midway through the second quarter. The lead shifted several times, including a key running three-pointer by Fox that put San Antonio ahead 52-50. Fox’s pull-up three-pointer with just over a minute remaining in the first half extended the Spurs’ lead to seven points, though Memphis narrowed the gap to 63-59 by halftime. San Antonio stretched their lead to seven in the third quarter courtesy of a Barnes three-point play but Memphis responded, with Spencer’s four-point play giving the Grizzlies a brief lead near the quarter’s end. Ultimately, the Spurs pulled away late, propelled by Fox’s scoring burst, to close out the game.

Welec Trucking Edges Mighty Warriors 98-91 in Cebu City Christmas League Opener

In the opening game of the Cebu City Christmas League on December 16, 2025, at the City Sports Institute Gym in Barangay Sawang Calero, Welec Trucking Services showcased a star-studded lineup to claim a 98-91 win over the resilient Mighty Warriors of God. The match highlighted the explosive efforts of Jonathan Moses Manalili, Cedric Ablaza, Gab Cometa, and Reinhard Jumamoy. While Ablaza dominated inside the paint, Manalili was instrumental during the crucial closing moments, delivering consecutive baskets amidst heavy defense and demonstrating impressive court vision that captivated the packed audience. The Mighty Warriors, led offensively and defensively by Shaquille Imperial and Jaybie Mantilla, maintained control for over three quarters and held a slim 86-84 advantage entering the final five minutes. However, Welec’s offense, spearheaded by Manalili, Cometa, and Jumamoy, launched a multifaceted assault that shifted momentum. An 8-0 run, highlighted by Manalili’s two fast-break finishes and Jz Dizon’s under-the-basket basket, propelled Welec ahead. Mantilla missed a potential game-tying three-point play in the last 1:26, leaving Welec in front 92-91. Ablaza’s clutch free throws sealed the victory. Manalili finished as the top scorer for Welec with 19 points, six assists, and five rebounds. Ablaza recorded a double-double, contributing 18 points and 18 rebounds. Cometa and Jumamoy also reached double-digit scoring with 15 and 14 points, respectively. On the opposing side, Imperial led Mighty Warriors with 17 points, Mantilla added 16, while Bernie Brigondo and Vincent Menguito contributed 13 and 11 points each. In a separate game, the visiting Blancas overcame a late surge from Richie Boy Ballers to win 93-88. Rey Anthony Peralta led Blancas with 16 points, supported by former Cebu Greats guard Limuel Tampus and Norris Dave Arana, who each scored 14. Ivan Clark Alsola topped the Richie Boy Ballers with 24 points, while Charles Libatog and Raul Gentallan added 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Gilas Pilipinas Gears Up for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games

The Philippine national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, is actively preparing for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games. With heightened anticipation surrounding the tournament, the team is focused on delivering a strong performance to bring pride to the country. As the SEA Games approach, Gilas Pilipinas aims to leverage their skill and teamwork to contend for the championship title. The squad and coaching staff continue to fine-tune strategies and undergo rigorous training sessions in pursuit of excellence on the court. Fans and stakeholders remain eager to witness the team\'s progress as the competition draws near, hopeful for a successful campaign at the regional multi-sport event.

Gilas Pilipinas Competes in 2025 Southeast Asian Games

The Philippine national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas, is actively participating in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, displaying commendable performances in their quest for medals. The team has engaged in several key matches, drawing significant attention from supporters and sports enthusiasts alike. Coverage includes detailed event updates and a current medal tally reflecting the team\'s progress. The Southeast Asian Games continue to serve as a prominent platform for regional athletic competition, promoting sportsmanship and unity among participating nations.

Philippine Sports Commission Upgrades Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Ahead of Women’s Open

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is undertaking extensive renovations across key venues at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) as it prepares to host the Philippine Women’s Open later this month. According to a statement posted by the PSC on December 28, the agency is deploying all available resources to enhance the complex’s infrastructure in anticipation of upcoming sporting events. These improvements aim to improve the experience for athletes, fans, and event organizers alike, reinforcing RMSC’s status as a premier venue capable of hosting a diverse range of competitions, from international tournaments to collegiate and grassroots matches. Beyond the tennis center, the refurbishment work extends to the baseball stadium, football and track oval, and the aquatics center. Notably, iconic structures within the complex such as the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Ninoy Aquino Stadium, and the PSC’s administrative office are also receiving upgrades. The Philippine Women’s Open, classified as a WTA 125 event, is scheduled to take place from January 26 to 31, marking a significant occasion in the country’s sporting calendar. These comprehensive renovations underscore the PSC’s commitment to maintaining and elevating the quality of the nation’s sports facilities to international standards.