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The Cleveland Guardians named right-hander Daniel Espino their starter for Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox, turning to the rookie as an opener in a must-win contest.

Yaxel Lendeborg is showing himself to be a pretty quick learner. After scoring just four points for the Golden State Warriors in his preseason debut in a 104-101 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Dubs head coach Steve Kerr implored him to be more aggressive in hunting his own shot. Stephen Curry said that he needed to find a greater balance between […] The post Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg grabs attention with notable stat line vs. Lakers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Pickleball gains momentum in China as participation and events surge

MANILA, Philippines — Unranked Ella Mhae Paglalunan and fellow Gen. Trias, Cavite standout Raven Licayan powered a sweep of the MVP honors in the Zentro Juniors Age-Group Championships, with Paglalauan completing a two-title romp and Licayan adding a boys’ crown at the Zentro courts and Pulilan Tennis Club in Bulacan. Paglalunan stole the spotlight in the girls’ 16-and-under singles, toppling three seeded rivals on her way to the title before ruling the 14-and-U division as well to emerge as the lone double-gold medalist in the Group 2 tournament sanctioned by Philta and Universal Tennis Ranking. The rising star from Gen. Trias first disposed of Maxine Chua and Alexa Morales in the opening rounds, then routed No. 4 seed Michaela Suarez, 6-1, before scoring a 6-3, ret. victory over No. 2 Jan Cadee Dagoon in the semifinals. Paglalunan then capped her stunning run with a 6-1, 6-0 demolition of No. 6 seed Lilith Rufino in the championship. Earlier, Paglalunan lived up to her top billing in the girls’ 14-and-U class, dropping just eight games in five matches. She completed the sweep with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Rufino in the final. Licayan likewise emerged as a double finalist and one of the tournament’s two co-MVPs, securing the boys’ 12-and-U crown with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Leonardo Manio III. The Gen. Trias bet, however, fell short in his bid for a second title after yielding to top seed Jan Caleb Villeno, 2-6, 6-4, 2-6, in the boys’ 14-and-U semifinals. Villeno went on to beat Juan Antonio Cablitas, 6-2, 6-1, for the championship. The two Gen. Trias players’ MVP performances highlighted a week-long tournament that drew a maximum field of 256 entries across eight boys’ and girls’ age-group divisions, underscoring junior tennis’ continued growth and popularity. Troan Vytiaco, unseeded Cyrus Javier, Eilythia Comia and Dagoon were the other singles champion in the tournament, backed by ICON Golf & Sports and Palawan Group of Companies, the event marked the resumption of the Palawan Pawnshop junior circuit following another successful swing through Mindanao in September. Vytiaco edged Anthony Cosca, 4-6, 6-1, 5-1, ret., for the boys’ 16-and-U title, while Javier stunned Cosca, 6-0, 6-2, in the boys’ 18-and-U final. Comia turned back Misty Principe, 7-5, 6-3, to rule the girls’ 12-and-U division, while Dagoon bounced back from her 16-and-U setback to regain redemption in the girls’ 18-and-U class, trouncing Suarez, 6-3, 6-3. Licayan also teamed up with Rafael Cablitas to capture the boys’ 14-and-U doubles crown, while Patrice Garcia and Suarez topped the girls’ doubles field in the same age group. Dagoon and Ayl Gonzaga claimed the girls’ 18-and-U doubles plum, while Javier and Raffy Pagtalunan ruled the boys’ side. Morales and Lance Recto completed the list of champions by taking the 14-and-U mixed doubles title. TMT

After a surprise T20I recall, Bhuvneshwar Kumar could now be in the mix for India's 2027 ODI World Cup plans

India kicked off their five-match T20I series against the West Indies with an emphatic eight-wicket victory in Lucknow on Tuesday (October 6). Chasing 172, the hosts rode on skipper Shreyas Iyer’s maiden T20I ton to overhaul the target in just 14.4 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. Iyer smashed 102 not out off 43 balls, striking 10 fours and 6 sixes at a staggering strike rate of 237.21. Fresh off winning a gold medal at the Asian Games and rushing back to India, Iyer emphasized that the team refused to use travel as an excuse against a highly "destructive" West Indies T20I side. Despite heavy travel fatigue, the captain quickly adjusted to the conditions at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. “[Do you feel at home in Lucknow?] Not really. After that exhausting travel, I didn't realize where I was, to be honest. I think every day I just need to wake up like this. But yeah, I adapted quickly to the wicket, to the conditions, and I think bowling first helped us a lot,” Iyer said at the post-match presentation. “[How did you overcome the travel fatigue?] We just didn't look at it as an excuse. We wanted to come and play as any other cricketer would, and yeah, we saw the excitement of India versus West Indies in the ODIs, how amazing it was. But coming into T20s, we know that they are a destructive side. So for us, it's important that we stuck to the process, and that's what we did today. So great efforts by every individual,” he added. Shreyas used the word "exultant" to describe his emotions after hitting a whirlwind match-winning century. “[How special was your first T20I hundred?] Well, definitely exultant. That's the word I would use today, (for the) the performance. And yeah, obviously speaking, I was actually thinking about getting my first century, and it came through. So, you know, I definitely want to say that dreams do come true,” he stated. A night to remember for Shreyas Iyer! ???? Hear it from Shreyas Iyer as he reflects on his maiden hundred and #TeamIndia ’s victory! ???? Watch #INDvWI | 2nd T20I ???? FRI, 9th OCT, 6 PM! pic.twitter.com/yEjPSzC3Fb — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 6, 2026 Reflecting on the clinical performance, Iyer said winning always tastes different and expressed confidence that India can become one of the most destructive teams in T20 cricket if they continue playing with the same mindset and intent. “[Do you want to overwhelm opponents like this?] Winning definitely tastes different, and that's what we keep talking about in the dressing room. If it's your day, make sure that you win the match for the team. And today it was me. Previous couple of games, it was the batsmen who finished off the game. So yeah, overall I feel it was a comprehensive performance, and I think if we continue with the same mindset, we will be one of the destructive teams in T20s,” he remarked. Naman Dhir stepped up brilliantly with the ball on his T20I debut. He picked up 3/31, capitalizing on a turning track after noticing how fellow spinner Axar Patel was finding grip and turn early on. Commenting on Dhir’s bowling, Iyer said: “Yeah, special player, I must say. Like showing that attitude and approach, wanting to bowl in those crucial moments, he realized that the ball was turning, and then he capitalized on it. So commendable performance by him, and I love his attitude." Shreyas Iyer concluded by jokingly noting how exhausted the squad was after rigorous travel. He mentioned that both he and Axar (who also took 2/26 in the match) were entirely sleep-deprived and looking forward to a long rest before the next game. “[Will you get a long sleep tonight?] Looking forward to (it). I'm already sleepy. I could see Axar's eyes as well have become red. So I'm sure all of us are." (With Cricbuzz Inputs)

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino boxers will begin to hunt for Olympic berths at the World Boxing Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan in April next year. The tournament is the first direct qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. A total of 44 total quota spots will be rewarded across 14 Olympic weight categories -- seven each for men and women. Carlo Paalam, the lone Philippine boxer to make the podium at the just concluded Asian Games in Japan, is expected to lead the charge for the Filipino pugs. Paalam claimed a silver medal in the men's 55kg class after a controversial split decision loss to home bet Rui Yamaguchi in Nagoya. Paalam's fellow Olympians Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas are seen as the top bets for the Philippines in the women's side. Paalam is a silver medalist at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, while Petecio likewise snared silver in Tokyo and bronze at the 2024 Paris Games. Villegas took her bronze medal in Paris as well. If the Filipino pugs could not secure Olympic berths in Astana, they can still make the Games in three tournaments. Offering Olympic spots are the Asian qualifier in China and two final world qualifying tournaments in 2028. The schedule for the three tournaments hasn't been released yet.

Bronny James has been impressing fans with his performances during the LA Lakers’ preseason games. James played as a starter for the Lakers in their ...

The Dodgers took control of their NL Division Series on Tuesday night, and the Padres ensured they'll have one more game.

Red Bull took over and rebranded the Prem’s perennial bottom-feeders Newcastle and as Luke Baker explains, there is unbridled excitement about rugby at Kingston Park

The Philadelphia Phillies’ search for a manager in 2027 took a clear turn Tuesday when Alex Cora informed the club he will sit out the season. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski had spoken with Cora about the job, according to USA Today.

Just to make some NBA fans feel older than they think they are, Jameer Nelson Jr., the son of the former NBA guard who was most famous for his time with the Dwight Howard-led Orlando Magic, is now in the NBA as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers’ training camp roster as an Exhibit 10 player. Nelson, who spent the past two seasons in the G-League, […] The post 76ers’ Jameer Nelson Jr. shows out in NBA debut with his dad watching appeared first on ClutchPoints.