PARIS, France - Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil struck late on as Arsenal gave their Champions League hopes a shot in the arm with a stirring 2-0 win over Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, October 20.

Meanwhile, Chelsea had to settle for a 0-0 draw away to Dynamo Kiev but reigning European champions Barcelona won in Belarus and Bayer Leverkusen played out a thrilling 4-4 draw with Roma in Germany.

Bayern arrived in London having won every game this season and they dominated possession for much of an absorbing Group F encounter.

However, they only remained on level terms at the break thanks to a stunning save by Manuel Neuer to keep out a header from point-blank range by the unmarked Theo Walcott.

But Arsenal, in desperate need of a win after defeats to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos in their first two games, took advantage of a howler by Neuer to get the crucial breakthrough with 13 minutes remaining.

The Germany goalkeeper came and missed a free-kick, allowing substitute Giroud to bundle the ball into the net.

Arsenal then secured the points that keep alive their chances of progressing to the last 16 when Ozil's finish from Hector Bellerin's assist crossed the line despite Neuer's best efforts to keep it out.

The Gunners remain bottom of the group with a trip to Bayern to come next, but the four sides are separated by just three points after Olympiakos won 1-0 in Croatia in the night's other game thanks to a late Brown Ideye goal.

"We had an absolute necessity to win the game and we did it in a disciplined way," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

"Bayern had more possession than us, but we decided to make it tight in our final third and catch them on the break."

Mourinho targets officials 

Chelsea remain in a precarious position in Group G after a 0-0 draw with Dynamo Kiev in chilly Ukraine as the recalled Eden Hazard and Willian both hit the woodwork for the visitors.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho also felt that his side should have been given a penalty after Cesc Fabregas went down in the Dynamo box during the first half and later told UK television that the referee had been "weak and naive".

The Premier League champions are third in the group, a point behind Dynamo and three points adrift of Porto, who beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-0 in Portugal thanks to goals by Vincent Aboubakar and Yacine Brahimi.

But with home games against Dynamo and Porto to come, as well as a trip to Israel, Mourinho remains confident his side will go through.

"We have the destiny in our hands," he said. "We play two matches at home and one in Israel, so the qualification depends clearly on us."

Barcelona strengthened their position atop Group E with a 2-0 victory away to BATE, secured by two fine second-half goals from substitute Ivan Rakitic, both set up Neymar.

"It was a very good game overall from the team. We pressed well and I don't think BATE had a single chance," said Rakitic.

The other match in the group was without doubt the game of the evening, with Leverkusen taking a two-goal lead and then falling 4-2 down before fighting back to snatch a precious point against Roma.

Javier Hernandez opened the scoring from the penalty spot for the Bundesliga side and increased their lead in the 19th minute, but Daniele De Rossi replied with a double for Roma before the break.

A tremendous Miralem Pjanic free-kick put the visitors in front and Iago Falque appeared to have secured a first win of the campaign for the Italians in the 73rd minute.

But Kevin Kampl reduced the deficit and substitute Admir Mehmedi rounded off a breathtaking game by making it 4-4 four minutes from time to keep Leverkusen in second place and leave Roma bottom of the group.

Zenit St Petersburg closed in on a quarter-final place with a third straight win in Group H as Artem Dzyuba, Hulk and Danny netted in a 3-1 victory over Lyon, for whom Alexandre Lacazette had equalised.

Valencia are three points back in second place after beating Gent 2-1 in Spain thanks to a Sofiane Feghouli shot that went in off Lasse Nielsen and a Stefan Mitrovic own goal either side of a Thomas Foket strike for the Belgians. – Rappler.com

PERTH, Australia - World number one Serena Williams and British star Andy Murray will start their 2016 seasons at the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia, organizers said Wednesday, October 21. 

An exhausted Williams cut her 2015 season short this month, pulling out of both the China Open and the year-ending WTA Finals, saying she needed "time to heal".

But the American great will be back on court for the January 3-9 tournament as she prepares to defend her Australian Open title at Melbourne Park later that month.

"Perth definitely started something quite amazing so I think it’s only natural and fair and reasonable that I go back to Perth,” said Williams, who went on to win not only the Australian Open but the French Open and Wimbledon.

She teamed up with John Isner at the mixed team tournament in Perth this year, losing in the final to Poland.

"We were so close to winning last year. I’m really excited to be back," she said, with doubles specialist Jack Sock her partner in 2016.

“For me the Hopman Cup is super great preparation for the Australian Open.

"In 2016 I want to play doubles in Australia so it will be really exciting for me to get there, play some doubles and get some little experience at the Hopman Cup.”

Murray will partner Heather Watson for Britain while retiring Australian star Lleyton Hewitt will play alongside Casey Dellacqua.

Among other teams, Gael Monfils and Caroline Garcia play for France while Lucie Safarova and Jiri Vesely turn out for the Czech Republic. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The last time the Ateneo Blue Eagles faced the UST Growling Tigers, the boys in blue squandered a 16-point lead and wound up losing the game.

The next time both teams faced in the second round, Ateneo built a 17-point lead. And this time around, they made sure to hang on for the victory.

They have last year’s Rookie of the Year to thank for that.

Arvin Tolentino took over late in the fourth period, hitting big jumpers en route to tying his career-high with 20 points to lead his Blue Eagles past the Growling Tigers, 80-74, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tolentino did most of his damage in the fourth period, where he scored 13 points and Ateneo lost Ravena after he twisted his ankle. The reigning UAAP MVP returned late in the game and hit a clutch layup to seal the victory.

The win improved Ateneo’s record to 6-4, while UST, who entered the contest with a 5-game winning streak, fell to 8-2 and will have to wait another game before getting to book a ticket to the UAAP Season 78 Final Four round.

“This is actually a very big win for us. It’s kind of traumatic for us. There were moments in the game where, personally, I was asking myself, ‘Is this a second run for them?,'" said Ateneo coach Bo Perasol.

Tolentino led all scorers with his career high and did a terrific job defending Kevin Ferrer, an MVP candidate this season, who scored 13 points but shot 1-of-11 from the field.

Von Pessumal helped out with 16 points, while Ravena finished with 11 points, 7 boards, and 5 dimes. 

Ed Daquioag led UST with 19 points while rookie Marvin Lee finished with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Karim Abdul pitched in 12 points and 9 boards, but also went just 2-of-10 from the floor.

“We needed some maturity and I think we were able to get that a little bit. I think the key there is scoring from the bench,” said Perasol, who received 43 points from his reserves. 

“What a way for Arvin to get out of his slump. He knows and I could see in his eyes he was confident.”

“Masaya, dahil last round diba talo kami sa UST?” Tolentino said post-game. “Malaki rin lamang namin. So, coming into this game, ang naisip ko talaga is defend, defend, defend.”

(I'm happy, because we lost to UST last round, right? We had a huge lead that game. Coming into this game, I just thought about defense, defense, defense.)

The Blue Eagles extended their edge to 17 following a Pessumal triple in the third quarter, but the Growling Tigers rallied by hitting a numbers of 3-pointers and at one point had trimmed the deficit to 3, 53-50. 

Ateneo responded strong to end the quarter, and was ahead by 8, 60-52, entering the fourth period thanks to a Pessumal step-back.

Tolentino hit his first 3-ball in the fourth quarter with 7:40 left in the game, extending his club’s edge to 13. After Abdul nailed a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 11, Tolentino hit another triple with 6:37 left to extend the lead to 68-54.

Later with 5:15 to go, Tolentino hit a layup to make the count 70-57. A few players later, the second-year standout hit another 3 to extend his team’s lead 73-59.

Later with just 1:24 to go, Ravena converted on a layup to put the finishing touches, 77-67.

The Blue Eagles will be back in action against the NU Bulldogs on Sunday, October 25. UST will face UE on Wednesday, November 4, for their next game.

Scores:

ADMU (80): Tolentino 20, Pessumal 16, Ravena 11, Black 9, Wong 6, Babilonia 5, Capacio 5, Gotladera 3, Ikeh 2, Nieto 2, Go 1, Cani 0

UST (74): Daquioag 19, Lee 15, Ferrer 13, Abdul 12, Lao 7, Sheriff 4, Vigil 4, Bonleon 0, Faundo 0, Garrido 0, Subido 0

Quarter scores: 21-12, 41-28, 60-52, 80-74 – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Although it was postponed for 3 days, the PBA still pulled off a colorful opening ceremony to kick-start its 41st season Wednesday, October 21 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Asia's first and oldest play-for-pay league put on a festive opening show with a very modern vibe for all its performances.

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From a light show bannered by dancers on hover boards and others sporting laser beam glasses, to a shadow play to the tune of the PBA's theme song "Ito Ang Liga" – the show was short yet entertaining for the sizable crowd.

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New PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa reiterated in his opening speech his desire to iron out officiating and ensure consistency of calls as well as make it understandable from the referees down to the casual fans. (Rappler Talk: The PBA's New Commissioner)

He bared he wants to see more running and fast-paced game for the entertainment of fans, and less pulling or tugging that not only tend to be physical but can also slow the game down.

Additionally, Narvasa re-stated the league's support to Philippine national team Gilas Pilipinas, which recently took home the silver medal from the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship.

(IN PHOTOS: Alyssa Valdez, Mika Reyes headline PBA muses)

The 12 men of Gilas 3.0 and head coach Tab Baldwin were honored later in the ceremony for their gallant stand in the continental tilt. Reserve Gary David, though not officially called, was urged by his Gilas teammates to join them at centercourt.

Proceeds from opening day will be donated to the victims of Typhoon Lando.

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Volleyball stars hung their jerseys for a day to dress up as muses during the PBA's 41st season opener on Wednesday, October 21 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Alyssa Valdez of the Ateneo Lady Eagles, Mika Reyes of the DLSU Lady Spikers, as well as Rachel Ann Daquis and Alexa Micek of the Petron Blaze Spikers were among 12 beautiful muses for PBA teams during the league's colorful opening rites.

Two-time UAAP MVP Valdez was the muse for projected title contender Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters. Reyes walked for Barako Bull Energy, while Daquis and Micek accompanied last season's two-time champions San Miguel Beermen.

Among the other muses were singer and actress Karylle and the Miss Global 2015 candidates.

See photos of all the muses below!

– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The PBA honored members of Philippine national team during the opening ceremony of its 41st season Wednesday, October 21 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

(IN PHOTOS: Alyssa Valdez, Mika Reyes headline PBA muses)

Head coach Tab Baldwin and all 12 members of the Gilas 3.0 squad that brought home the silver medal in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship were called to centercourt for a moment of tribute.

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Reserve Gary David was urged by his Gilas teammates Ranidel De Ocampo and Asi Taulava to join them as well. (READ: SBP officially submits letter of intent for FIBA OQT hosting)

Fans applauded the team for their sacrifice and gallant stand the last few months in a bid to bring the Philippines to the Olympics for the first time since 1972.

(IN PHOTOS: Alyssa Valdez, Mika Reyes headline PBA muses)

Gilas failed to win the gold and the accompanying Olympics berth but will instead try to go through the backdoor in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. (READ: PBA names Olympic Qualifier player pool, pledges full support)

 – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters pulled away late in the fourth quarter to claim its first victory in the PBA's 41st season over the Star Hotshots, 96-87, in the 2016 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, October 21 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

JR Quiñahan led the Painters with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks, while sophomore shooting guard Jericho Cruz had 15 points, including 7 in the fourth. Big man Beau Belga also poured 8 of his 11 points in the payoff period.

For head coach Yeng Guiao, however, it was not exactly a happy victory.

"It’s actually an ugly win. We couldn’t get any rhythm in the first half on offense and defense," said the fiery coach, who rued they found it hard to adjust to the new calls, rookies, and new acquisitions in the team. "We just tried to be patient, we just tried to be patient with our execution. The patience paid off."

"There were plenty of adjustments. But it all resulted positively, fortunately for us. But in the first half I had some doubts especially without Paul (Lee)," he added. "But we were able to settle down, I guess that’s the key."

The Painters found their rhythm in the payoff period and overturned a 12-point first half deficit. They pulled away from a precarious 80-79 advantage with under 6 minutes left to play with a 10-2 run capped off by a Gabe Norwood steal and ensuing breakaway jam for a 90-81 edge with 2:34 remaining.

The Painters also eked out the opening day victory despite the absence of star combo guard Paul Lee, who is out for about a month due to a slight tear in his lateral meniscus and a mild sprain in his anterior cruciate ligament – both in his left knee.

"It's hard to lose Paul for a long time," Guiao admitted. "It’s really a burden on the whole team. On the positive side we look at it as an opportunity for our rookies and our guards to step up."

Guard Mark Barocca led 5 Hotshots in double figures with 15 pointst, 4 rebounds, two assists and a steal. Alex Mallari and James Yap had 15 points apiece, while comebacking Ian Sangalang tallied 13 markers and 9 boards in over 32 minutes of play.

Sangalang missed the entire 2015 season due to an ACL injury. (READ: Sangalang shocked but excited to reunite with Abueva at Gilas Pilipinas)

PJ Simon chipped in 11 points as Jason Webb lost his first game as new head coach of Star. – Rappler.com

Although disappointed, Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles Head Coach Bo Perasol says he still supports his player John Apacible.

Apacible issued an apology late Tuesday night, October 20, for the apparent drunk driving incident he was involved in on Sunday morning, October 18.

Naveen Ganglani files this VLOG. - Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – New Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Chito Narvasa is on a mission: to make officiating understandable from game officials to coaches, all the way down to casual fans.

In his first season as Commissioner, Narvasa immediately took charge and implemented the option for referee substitution Wednesday, October 21, on opening day of the PBA's 41st season. (IN PHOTOS and VINES: PBA opens 41st season)

Instead of just 3 referees per game, an extra fourth referee will be waiting on the sidelines and can brought in at any point during the contest but only upon the discretion of the Commissioner. In the absence of Narvasa, only deputy commissioner Rickie Santos is allowed to make substitutions.

"It gives them an opportunity during the game to focus totally." Narvasa explained when he would make the judgment call to substitute a referee – "Sometimes they lose focus. So when I see them lose focus, I just bring them out, tell them what went wrong, and let them come back in." (Rappler Talk: The PBA's New Commissioner)

For now, there is no set limit to the number of times a substitution can be made. More specific rules depending on situations have yet to be established.

"It's the educational process that we're going through. It helps them (referees) understand the game a little bit more on the coaches' and players' side," said Narvasa, who also previously served as league commissioner for local collegiate leagues UAAP and NCAA. "We're getting to understand each other better. That's the whole idea."

Rain or Shine and Star were the first teams to experience the new rule during the first game of the 2016 Philippine Cup.

Painters coach Yeng Guiao, who has long been vocal about improving officiating in the PBA, is keen to take on the experiment.

"I think it's something worth trying. I think the results will prove whether it's good or not," he said. "It's always good to experiment. I guess if FIBA or NBA gets wind of this they might do it too. Maybe we're setting a trend somehow."

"But bottomline, did the officiating improve or did it create a positive outlook on all the teams? Let's give it some time and then let's make a judgment," he added, noting the new rule could be beneficial to avoid fatigue on the part of the referees.

Narvasa, who has better officiating as his major agenda for this 2016 season, substituted a referee twice during Wednesday's game as Rain or Shine went on to defeat Star. – Rappler.com

PARIS, France - Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne saw Manchester City home against Sevilla in dramatic style in Wednesday's Champions League action as Paris Saint-Germain held 10-time titleholders Real Madrid to a goalless draw.

De Bruyne's injury time contribution earned City a 2-1 home win against Spain's Europa League champions to improve their chances of escaping from Group D and into the last 16.

An open affair at the Etihad Stadium was heading for a draw after Adil Rami's own goal cancelled out Yevhen Konoplyanka's 30th-minute opener for Sevilla, only for De Bruyne to gather a pass from Yaya Toure and slam home with his left foot seconds into stoppage time.

Manuel Pellegrini's men moved up to second, one point behind Juventus, the Serie A giants held to a 0-0 stalemate by Borussia Moenchengladbach in Turin.

"We improved a little bit in the last 10 minutes and we had the character to try to win the game," reflected Pellegrini.

"We tried to make some changes because we were not arriving to their box. That's why we put Kevin up front with Yaya. Fortunately it led to the goal."

Manchester United, who host City in the Premier League on Sunday, faced a tricky assignment away to CSKA Moscow, their French starlet Anthony Martial firmly leaving his imprint on the encounter.

The 19-year-old was called for handball which led to CSKA taking the lead on 15 minutes, Seydou Doumbia slamming in the rebound after United keeper David de Gea had parried Roman Eremenko's penalty onto the post.

But the French teenager atoned for his mistake with a fine header after the hour for his first goal in the competition and fifth since his high profile move from Monaco in August.

"I knew it would be a very difficult game," United boss Louis van Gaal told BT Sport.

'Exceptional performance' 

"They had the present from Anthony Martial and then it is difficult when you are behind.

"We could not play at a high tempo, it was too slow in the first half. We could have won but a draw was deserved."

Bundesliga side Wolfsburg top the pool on six points after defeating PSV Eindhoven 2-0, with United and CSKA on four and the Dutch champions bringing up the rear on three. 

Ronaldo, the Brazilian 2002 World Cup winner, was in the stands at Parc des Princes to watch the headline tie between PSG and Real.

But despite both clubs deploying their all-time top scorers the game ended goalless, Real legend Cristiano Ronaldo coming as close as anyone to breaking the deadlock in the French capital with a second-half volley that whistled wide.

"Given the circumstances, the performance of the team was not good, it was exceptional," said Madrid coach Rafael Benitez.

"We had chances to win the game, more than them, and decent control of the match against a team who are not easy to play against. As coach I am very satisfied."

PSG manager Laurent Blanc said: "Even against a Real side with lots of absentees it's not easy, but we competed with them and the draw was fair."

Both sides remain unbeaten this season and are yet to concede after three games as they sit locked together on seven points at the top of Group A.

Malmo won 1-0 at home to Shakhtar Donetsk but Paris and Madrid are each four points clear of the Swedes and will have an opportunity to clinch qualification for the last 16 when they meet again in Spain in a fortnight.

In Group C, Diego Simeone's 2014 runners-up Atletico Madrid eased past Astana 4-0 to get their European campaign back on track after a shock defeat to Benfica last time out.

Saul Niguez opened the scoring before Jackson Martinez scored his first goal at the Vicente Calderon for Atletico. Substitute Oliver Torres added a third after the break before Denis Dedchenko's late own goal rounded off the scoring.

Galatasaray's 2-1 win over Benfica in the other game in the group means Atletico draw level with Benfica at the top on six points, two points clear of the Turkish champions.

"I am happy to get the victory because it puts us ahead in a difficult group that is further complicated by Galatasaray's win," Simeone told BeIN sports. – Rappler.com

CHICAGO, USA - Daniel Murphy hit a historic home run and Lucas Duda knocked in 5 runs Wednesday, October 21 as the New York Mets advanced to the World Series by routing the Chicago Cubs 8-3.

New York reached Major League Baseball's best-of-7 championship series for the first time since 2000 by sweeping the National League final 4 games to none over a Cubs team that has not won the World Series in 107 years.

The Mets will seek their first title since 1986 when the World Series opens Tuesday at the home ballpark of the American League champion, either the Kansas City Royals or Toronto Blue Jays. The Royals lead that series 3-2 and play host to game 6 Friday.

"We're going to the World Series. It's just incredible," Murphy said. "Words can't describe what it's like.

"The miracle Mets. You've got to believe. This team has so much fight in it. We were tested. We came through," Murphy said.

Murphy blasted a two-run homer in the eighth inning to stretch his major league record streak of playoff games with a homer to 6, breaking the old mark of 5 set by Carlos Beltran with Houston in 2004.

"When you are in the backyard playing as a kid, you dream of playing in the World Series and now we're going to be there," Murphy said. "It just feels too good to be true."

Duda smashed a three-run home run to centerfield in the first inning to open the scoring and added a two-run double in the second inning to match a team playoff record for run production in a single game and provide all the scoring New York needed.

"I was trying to make solid contact and fortunate enough to put the barrel on it," Duda said. "It's an unbelievable feeling. The chemistry in the clubhouse is just fun to be around."

For Chicago, the loss foiled dreams of ending the longest title drought in North American sports. The Cubs having not won the World Series since 1908. They have not reached the World Series in 70 years.

The Mets, who were only 52-50 in early July, never trailed in the entire series.

Duda was 3-for-24 in the playoffs until his first playoff homer off Cubs starter Jason Hammel in the first inning.

Travis D'Arnaud followed with a solo homer to right field to give the Mets a 4-0 edge and the Cubs were in trouble. They never recovered from a 4-run deficit in a playoff game since the team was founded in 1870.

In the second inning, Duda smacked a two-run double to right field to stretch New York's lead to 6-0.

Chicago's Kyle Schwarber put the Cubs on the scoreboard with a bases-loaded ground out to first base in the fourth inning.

Murphy's streak-stretching homer put the Mets in front 8-1 and Kris Bryant's two-run homer in the eighth for Chicago could only trim the final margin. – Rappler.com

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo bring their two-man battle for the MotoGP title to Malaysia's tricky track this weekend for the penultimate race in a season streaking toward a nail-biting finish.

The contest between the Yamaha teammates tightened at last weekend's spectacular Australian Grand Prix, where Lorenzo shaved Rossi's season points lead down to just 11.

Rossi, 36, is a legend in the sport who has won 7 world championships in the premier class over the course of his glittering career, but the Italian hasn't taken home the crown since 2009.

"There are only two races for the championship left and it will be important not to make any mistakes," said Rossi, whose slip to a fourth-place finish at Phillip Island opened a crack for Lorenzo.

"In Australia we had a good race but it could have been much better. Now we need just two good races to finish this successful season off." 

Rossi is comfortable on Malaysia's muggy, slippery Sepang circuit, winning 6 times in the top-tier class. 

There is a chance he could clinch the title on Sunday if he tops the podium and Lorenzo falters to finish lower down in the pack.

But that looks unlikely, with Lorenzo a fixture on the podium all season, and the championship could go down to the wire next month at Valencia.

Lorenzo, 28, who won the world championship in 2010 and 2012, is yet to win in the premier race at Sepang.

He may need victories in the final two contests for a shot at his third MotoGP world title.

"The main goal is to cut some more points from Valentino's margin and I will try to arrive to Valencia with a smaller disadvantage. I feel strong and look forward to racing in Malaysia," said the Spaniard.

(READ: Lorenzo closes MotoGP world title gap on Rossi)

Rossi's lead would have been even slimmer had Lorenzo been able to close out a victory at Phillip Island.

But defending champion Marc Marquez swept beneath Lorenzo on the final go-around to win a thrilling race that saw 52 overtakes between the top four finishers. 

Rossi has 296 points, followed by Lorenzo's 285. 

Despite his stirring victory in Australia, Marquez is well back in third on 222 points.

His chances of repeating as champion were dashed by a broken left hand suffered last month while training on his mountain bike at home in Spain.

Rossi was the runner-up at Sepang last year in a race that was meaningless for the world title, as Marquez had already secured it with a dominant season. – Rappler.com

SYDNEY, Australia - World number one golfer Jason Day has won Australian sport's The Don Award, two months after claiming his first major title.

The accolade came in the same week that the Australian, who won his first major at the PGA Championship in August, took golf's top spot for the second time in his career.

Day, whose mother Dening is a native of Tacloban City, Philippines, was honored at the annual Sport Australia Hall Of Fame awards on Wednesday night, winning the top award, which honors the Australian sportsperson who most inspired the nation in the past 12 months.

"Such a great year as this, to be able to cap it off with The Don Award, it goes down in my memory as one of the best years that I've ever had," Day said in a video message. 

"I'm looking forward to hopefully replicating or improving on years like this and really trying to represent not only myself but represent golf, and golf in Australia and also the Australian nation around the world, the best I possibly can."

Other nominees included surfer Mick Fanning, who made global headlines for punching a shark during an event in South Africa, track cyclist Anna Meares and Jarryd Hayne, who successfully made the switch from rugby league to America's National Football League.

The Don Award is named after legendary cricketer Donald Bradman. – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines - Anyone can be a boxer. All you have to do is buy a membership at your local fitness center, pick up a pair of handwraps and a jumprope and you're all set.

It takes a certain brand of courage, the will to risk a part of yourself that may never return in search of victory, to be a fighter. There are no timeouts in boxing, no substitutions when hurt. Fighters continue to press forward far beyond the point when normal people would turn away in self preservation.

This viral video compilation, set to the tune of Johnny Cash's rendition of "Hurt," encapsulates the struggle that fighters endure in pursuit of glory.

The video compiles footage from Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito, Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez IV, Austin Trout vs Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, and several other fights.

The lights may be bright above the ring, but when the show is over, a fighter is all alone with his thoughts. Boxers conceal their struggle from opponents, but the pain is always real. – Rappler.com

DALLAS, USA —In all my years of watching the WWE, I cannot recall a PPV event so hamstrung by offscreen factors.

I mean sure, there’s Over the Edge 1999 and Survivor Series 1997, but neither of those truly affected the excitement level going into the shows. It’s like somebody decided to take a baseball bat to the WWE’s kneecaps this time around; the product is not paralyzed, but it does hurt, and it is awkward. The top and middle are left intact, although it’s not the best it could be.

Allow me to highlight everything that’s going wrong as I predict the outcomes for Hell in a Cell this Sunday, October 25 (Monday morning Manila time).

Kickoff: Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, and Neville vs. Rusev, Sheamus, and King Barrett

This is the latest problem WWE’s come across. It was originally going to be Dean Ambrose and Randy Orton vs. Luke Harper and Braun Strowman in a completely logical spinoff of the Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt feud, but Orton apparently got injured last weekend and Luke Harper is now mysteriously nowhere to be found. Rusev is involved in a scandal that totally broke kayfabe (which is already pretty dead to begin with), so here we are. Does this match matter? It could have, but one week and 3 WWE shows are never enough for Vince McMahon and his Creative team to figure out a decent raison d’etre for this 6-man tag.

Winner: The team of Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, and Neville

Kevin Owens vs. Ryback for the Intercontinental Championship

It’s funny; Kevin Owens is the perfect heel foil for a babyface straight man in Ryback, and these two are two of the hungriest people on the roster, but I’d say this feud is plain heatless. Ryback really doesn’t work in his role as an artificial inspirational leader, a poor man’s Roman Reigns (who was already a poor man’s Hulk Hogan around this time last year). It’s just formalities at this point.

Winner: Kevin Owens (still Intercontinental Champion)

Charlotte vs. Nikki Bella for the Divas Championship

Remember when Charlotte winning the Divas Championship was a big deal and we all thought it could be a new, better chapter to the Diva Revolution? Now, do you remember when Paige and Natalya took center stage, and the Bellas started feuding with Team BAD just because? Who was the Divas Champion again?

Winner: Nikki Bella (new Divas Champion)

The New Day vs. The Dudley Boyz for the Tag Team Championships

There is no stopping the New Day right now. It’s like John Cena, only that they’re on the opposite side of the spectrum; whether you love them or you hate them, they generate Fukushima-levels of nuclear heat every night they’re on. No team should be taking the titles off their waists. On the other hand, this is the Dudley Boyz’ 5121275134^th shot at the championships since they’ve returned after SummerSlam, and one would think they’re due to win this time. But like Cena’s opponents, just because they’ve got a rematch, that doesn’t really mean they’re going to win. Besides, a younger team deserves the momentum of defeating such an over heel team.

Winner: The New Day (still Tag Team Champions)

Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt in a Hell in a Cell match

This seems to be the only Hell in a Cell match people are genuinely excited for, and it also seems to be the Hell in a Cell match people forget is actually a Hell in a Cell match. But that’s okay. It hasn’t always been perfect, but they’ve given it a lot of effort, and at the end of the day it’s looked at as a top program. When Bray Wyatt loses, it will be okay, because even though Roman Reigns will have a win he can say he’s earned, Wyatt’s still got a Family that’s four strong. The more intriguing question is whether they’ll let this stretch out some three more weeks in order to take advantage of Survivor Series.

Winner: Roman Reigns

John Cena’s United States Championship Open Challenge

This isn’t a matter of who’s going to win—that much is already foregone, since we all know Cena’s taking an extended vacation after this show until December—it’s a matter of who’s showing up to answer the call. (Cena’s vacation is another force majeure that wrecks plans, but in a good way.) All signs pointed to Dolph Ziggler being that guy, especially after he accidentally superkicked Cena during a battle with the New Day and teasing a heel turn in last week’s championship turn. Orton’s injury forced plans to change, shunting Ziggler to the six-man tag on the pre-show. Since Ambrose is now the guy who’s out of a job on this card, I have a funny feeling about this…

Winner: Dean Ambrose (new United States Champion)

Seth Rollins vs. Kane for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

I say Reigns vs. Wyatt is looked at as a top program because it’s pretty clear, especially after the events of this week’s RAW (where—spoiler alert—the Shield reunited for one night on free TV to face the Wyatts) it’s bigger than its supposedly biggest stories. WWE’s desperation for TV ratings caused that to happen, ending up in even less heat for their world championship program. I had so much hope for multiple-personality Kane, but the lack of concerted effort toward nuance (that would have made Kane something truly different this time around) just sapped all that excitement away. And I fall for it every single time.

Winner: Seth Rollins (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)

The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar in a Hell in a Cell match

Brock Lesnar’s Go to Hell Tour was a valiant attempt to inject something into this storyline, but it just ended up falling short. There was no real drive to progress the story, the intensity, and the urgency after SummerSlam. Brock Lesnar beat Big Show, and Paul Heyman appears every now and then, but then what? Their biggest story is so handicapped by the unavailability of their biggest stars—now you know what happens when you book two part-timers against each other in a non-Big Four PPV. It just feels like an afterthought of an ending, a big match for the final cap of the trilogy just because they feel they should do that before moving everyone on in time for WrestleMania season. The lesson here for the WWE is that you really cannot book a big match on name power alone.

Winner: Brock Lesnar

We’ll see you all on Monday morning.

Do you like wrestling? Do you enjoy listening to podcasts? Would you want to listen to a podcast about wrestling? If the answers to those questions – especially that last one – are yes, then you should check out the cleverly-named Smark Gilas-Pilipinas Podcast, featuring Mellow 94.7 DJ and PWR General Manager Stan Sy, wrestling writer Romeo Moran, and all-around multimedia person (and voice of PWR) Raf Camus! On their latest episode, it’s the second part of their interview with ECW Original Chilly Willy! Chilly Willy discusses how he found Philippine wrestling, what he thinks of PWR and how they could improve, and tells stories of Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon, among others! Listen to it here!– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – The 65-year-old rivalry between San Beda College and Colegio de San Juan de Letran will be reignited once more as both schools are set to face each other in the NCAA Season 91 Finals, beginning on Friday, October 23 at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

San Beda is aiming for a record-setting sixth-straight NCAA basketball championship and its ninth title in 10 years. Letran is entering the championship round of the country's oldest collegiate league for the first time since 2013 and hasn’t won an NCAA title since 2005.

The Red Lions earned their entry to the Finals after finishing Jose Rizal University, 78-68, on Tuesday, October 22 behind the gutsy effort of young gunslinger AC Soberano, who registered 10 points, 4 rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Helping Soberano on the offensive end were Baser Amer and Roldan Sara, who also played a pivotal role in San Beda’s victory over JRU by contributing 11 markers apiece.

Also that day, Letran sealed a date with San Beda in the Finals by thumping Mapua Institute of Technology with a 91-90 escape in a jittery semifinal faceoff.

Mark Cruz scored 24 points, including a huge basket that gave Letran an 87-83 edge with 1:31 remaining in the fourth canto.

Kevin Racal finished with 19 markers and 12 boards, while Rey Nambatac also had a double-double feat by hauling 12 points and 11 rebounds for Letran.

A rivalry renewed

The heated rivalry started on October 28, 1950 when the “Murder Inc.” duo of Lauro “The Fox” Mumar and Herminio "Togay" Astorga steered Letran to an NCAA seniors title over the Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga-led San Beda.

During that period, Letran was on the verge of sweeping the double-round elimination tournament to bag the top prize outright as the Final Four format was not yet implemented, but San Beda spoiled it to arrange a championship showdown with the Knights.

Known for its merciless brand of basketball, Letran avenged the setback by beating San Beda in the finals and captured its second championship in the league.

Following the aforementioned match-up, San Beda kept on winning championships until 1978, which included taking home the coveted Crispulo Zamora Cup in 1955.

As San Beda shied away from the championship spotlight, Letran peaked in the 1980’s as a powerhouse team and captured 11 NCAA basketball titles since then.

San Beda and Letran were not the original arch-nemesis of the Philippine collegiate hard-court. The Red Lions were matched up against Ateneo de Manila University, highlighting the fierce faceoff between Loyzaga and Francisco “Frankie” Rabat.

Letran faced off with De La Salle University on numerous occasions, and the rivalry came to a climax on August 16, 1980 when the bleacher section of the Rizal Memorial Coliseum turned into bedlam, with supporters of both schools engaged in an all-out altercation.

Ateneo’s departure from the league in 1978, and La Salle’s follow-up exit from the NCAA in 1981 led to more exciting competition between San Beda and Letran, which died down slowly as the Red Lions went through a 28-year championship drought.

San Beda returned to prominence by routing Philippine Christian University in 2006 to win the NCAA title.

In 2007, San Beda got a measure of revenge for its disappointing defeat in the finals 57 years earlier by sweeping Letran in a best-of-3 encounter.

Since the 2007 finals showdown, San Beda has beaten Letran in the championship round twice - in 2012 and 2013 - with both series stretching to a decisive game 3.

Familiar foes in Season 91 Finals

In this year’s regular season, San Beda crossed paths with Letran thrice, with the Knights slaying the Red Lions with three-pointers to claim a 93-80 triumph on July 16 before the latter settled the score with a 77-73 conquest on October 6.

San Beda handed another loss to Letran, 83-78, in a tiebreaking contest for the top seed on October 13.

Aside from the longstanding rivalry, this season’s Finals will see two rookie coaches going head-to-head in executing plays from the bench.

When asked about the match-up with Letran in the Finals, San Beda head coach Jamike Jarin promptly replied, “It’s going to be interesting.”

Jarin is known for his smooth-flowing ball rotation on the court and utilizing every player in his 15-man roster.

In the semi-final meeting against JRU, San Beda’s bench combined for 47 points and sparked the decisive 26-10 blitz that turned an eight-point third-quarter deficit into a 66-58 cushion with 5:35 left in the final frame.

Although JRU kept its starters on the floor in the fourth period, Jarin opted to field his second unit to finish the game.

“Start of the season, people criticized me too much for playing 15 players every game. I have been criticized for that,” Jarin stated. “But I have done this from time immemorial. I think everybody is not going to criticize me anymore as the bench delivered.”

Meanwhile, Letran mentor Aldin Ayo is famous for his pressure defense and fourth-quarter rally that he was able to pull it off against high-profile squadrons such as San Beda, Mapua, JRU, Arellano University and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta all season long.

After Letran’s victory over Mapua, Ayo admitted that he and his dirty dozen keep their sights on a heftier prize.

“We can focus now on championship and we really want to win it. We are not satisfied if we’re not going to capture this year’s crown,” he stressed. – Rappler.com

MANCHESTER, England - Ahead of his 30th birthday on Saturday, October 24, the view of Wayne Rooney as a player whose career, though hugely successful, has not quite fulfilled its early promise is being quietly reappraised.

The Manchester United and England captain may no longer be the force of nature of his teens, but the dawn of his fourth decade brings the achievements of his 13-year professional career into sharp focus.

He has won 9 major honors, is England's all-time leading scorer and looks set to become United's, and while on the international stage he has never recaptured the heights of his breakthrough tournament at Euro 2004, few English footballers have dominated the sporting landscape for so long.

"History has already judged him, because when you pick up the record books, there will be the name of Wayne Rooney," David Moyes, Rooney's former manager at Everton and United, told the Daily Mirror recently.

"He's already surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton as England's leading goal-scorer and I'm sure he will go on to do the same at United.

"For Wayne to be breaking records at his age is remarkable - and he's not finished yet."

A recent BBC documentary about Rooney has helped to soften attitudes towards him in Britain.

Renowned for his aggressive on-pitch demeanor, all angry scowls and expletive-strewn outbursts, the Rooney in the film came across as a shy and softly spoken family man.

(WATCH: Wayne Rooney gets knocked out in bizarre boxing match)

Viewers saw him chatting with former neighbors on the housing estate in the tough Croxteth district of Liverpool where he grew up and were treated to the surprising admission that the young footballer wooed his future wife Coleen with poetry.

According to former England striker Gary Lineker, whose production company made the film, the public reaction on social media was "overwhelmingly positive".

Seriousness and sensitivity 

While attitudes towards Rooney the man appear to be evolving, so too are perceptions of Rooney the footballer.

His emergence with Everton as a raw, preternaturally gifted 16-year-old in 2002 sent England's football media into paroxysms of excitement, while Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger described him as "a complete footballer".

Rooney, it was felt, was the most talented player England had produced since Paul Gascoigne and his performances at Euro 2004 in Portugal, where he scored four goals, made the world sit up and take notice.

Since joining United later that year, he has won 5 Premier League titles, two League Cups, the Champions League and the World Club Cup, scored some of the modern era's great goals, won countless awards, surpassed Charlton as England's leading scorer with 50 goals and needs 14 more to break the former midfielder's United record of 249.

Viewed objectively, it is a staggering list of achievements and with his thirties beckoning, those achievements are perhaps belatedly being given their dues.

Though no longer possessed of the explosive power he once had, Rooney is now a wilier footballer and a sharper finisher, while he has taken to captaincy for club and country with a seriousness and sensitivity that has surprised even his managers.

Despite twice coming close to leaving United, in 2010 and 2013, Rooney has become imbued with the relentlessly forward-thinking mindset that characterized the club's success under Alex Ferguson.

It is why, despite his impending milestone, he is still setting his sights on the goals ahead, notably Charlton's United scoring record and a first major trophy with England at next year's European Championship in France.

A retreat into midfield, meanwhile, may yet offer him further longevity.

"I physically feel good and obviously your 30th is a big birthday in anyone's life, but I still feel I am young enough, that I have a lot of years ahead of me," he said this week.

"I have had no major muscle injuries. As players now, we have all the support of the sports science and all the guys to help us in terms of preparation, training and games, so I think it's still a fairly young age." – Rappler.com

LOS ANGELES, USA - US Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy came out as gay on Thursday, October 22, revealing that his failure to be open about his sexuality during the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi had soured his silver medal win. 

Kenworthy announced this on Twitter to coincide with publication of an interview with ESPN Magazine, declaring simply: "I am gay," shortly after a separate post which read: "Today is the first day of the rest of my life." 

The 24-year-old world champion was part of a US clean sweep of medals at the Sochi Olympics, which were dogged beforehand by protests from gay rights activists over Russia's stringent laws banning gay "propaganda." 

However Kenworthy said he wanted to wait to announce his decision over his sexuality until he had won a world title. 

"I never got to be proud of what I did in Sochi because I felt so horrible about what I didn't do," Kenworthy told ESPN Magazine. 

"I didn't want to come out as the silver medalist from Sochi. I wanted to come out as the best freeskier in the world." 

Kenworthy is one of a small but growing band of US professional athletes to have come out in recent years. 

His announcement on Thursday triggered an outpouring of support on social media, with Olympic snowboarding gold medallist Sage Kotsenburg writing on Twitter: "Gus you are the man! So proud of you for this I know it couldn't have been easy but we're all supporting you #GoGus." 

The US Olympic Team's Twitter account added: "We are PROUD to say you are part of #Team USA" above a message of a rainbow-tinted US team logo. 

Actress Chloe Grace Moretz added: "So proud and amazing to see you so strong ... couldn't be happier for you." – Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Sharp-shooter Jeff Chan says he cannot wait to be back in a jersey with “Pilipinas” plastered up front in bold letters.

“I’m very excited to be part of it again,” said Chan in Filipino as he will once again shoot for flag and country as part of the 17-man Gilas Pilipinas pool of players from the PBA for the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament set for July.

“I’ve always wanted to play ever since. It’s truly a different feeling to represent your country.”

The 31-year old gunslinger was not part of Gilas 3.0 and missed the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship as only Gabe Norwood was released by Rain or Shine. 

Chan played for the Gilas 2.0 squad that similarly bagged the silver in the 2013 FIBA Asia to earn a spot in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain. He is expected to be utilized once more by Gilas coach Tab Baldwin for his offensive capabilities.

Chan’s 3-point shooting was critical for Gilas at FIBA Asia as he lit up the scoreboard either with a barrage of triples or timely shots. He normed 9.1 points and 1.8 rebounds per game then, and played his best game versus Jordan in the group phase going 5-of-7 from downtown for 17 points.

During the FIBA World Cup, the 6-foot-3 Chan also exploded for 17 points on 4-for-6 3-point shooting as Gilas nearly took down Croatia. Chan had 4.8 points a game during the World Cup.

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“Hopefully this time the result will be positive,” he said of his return stint for the nationals, whose journey to another 2015 FIBA Asia silver he closely followed.

Gilas Pilipinas will begin once-a-week practices come November as they hope to land one of 3 wildcard slots for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

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– Rappler.com

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tab Baldwin wants to incorporate the members of his 2015 FIBA Asia Championship team into the pool for the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

“What I do plan to do is bring the Gilas 3.0 members who were not asked to join this pool. I plan to bring them in and I want to translate the message of the team that we built from 3.0,” the American-Kiwi coach said.

“The character of that team, the tightness, the bond and the chemistry within that team – I want to transfer that to the next team.”

A 17-man pool comprised of PBA players has already been released and it does not include a few members of Gilas 3.0, namely Dondon Hontiveros, Asi Taulava, JC Intal, and Sonny Thoss. Reserves Gary David, Jimmy Alapag, Aldrech Ramos, and Moala Tautuaa were also not named to the pool.

Gilas 3.0 managed to foster solid chemistry and bond despite just 52 days of full practice ahead of the continental tilt. The PBA honored them during its 41st season opening rites Wednesday, October 21.

“When you change personalities and you change character, you change the chemistry,” Baldwin explained. “And we want to try and re-establish that chemistry we have this year into the team next year.”

“More than the additional talent, we have to have that if we hope to succeed,” he further emphasized.

After less than a year as head coach of the Philippine national men’s basketball team, Baldwin, 57, led them to the FIBA Asia silver medal in China at the beginning of October. He did so despite a crammed training camp and having several top player beg off from the pool.

This time around Baldwin will have more options with the inclusion of June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, Paul Lee, Greg Slaughter, LA Tenorio, Jeff Chan, Ian Sangalang, Japeth Aguilar, and Ryan Reyes in addition to the 3.0 members.

Practice schedule ‘a misnomer’

This Gilas team eyeing to win one of 3 Olympic Qualifying tournaments by July next year will begin practicing in November every Monday for 28 weeks.

The early start makes it seem as if there is still plenty of time to practice, but Gilas will still have more or less the same two-month preparation, including a little over a month of full practices after the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup concludes either in mid- or late-May.

“That’s a complete misnomer. We actually will have less preparation time for the Olympic Qualifier,” said Baldwin, who admitted he will have a tough job ahead of him. “We’ll have less practices stretched out over a longer period of time. But that’s the way it is. Let’s not mis-report and mis-characterize what our preparation is going to be.”

“It’s gonna be very difficult given the short preparation time we have and the number of hours on the court we have together. But that’s also gonna be true for all the other teams too,” he added. “We just have to maximize that, we have to get together and work hard and work smart. And not relax at any point in time.”

Baldwin plans to recommend out-of-town training camps as well as bringing in foreign teams to the Philippines for tune-up games.

“Everything is on an accelerated pathway. If we want to succeed, we don’t have any alternative other than to bust our tails every single second we get a chance to be together.”

Baldwin also warned the qualifier will be tougher due to strong competition from around the world as well as the nature of the tournament where the best team in each group of 6 will advance.

“If we did another Palestine, we’ll be out,” he remarked.

He went on to emphasize that the Philippines has no plans of simply competing in the tournament. They are dead set on winning and playing in the Rio Olympics for the first time since 1972.

“Yes, we were competitive in Spain (2014 FIBA World Cup) and that is a testament to what we can achieve and what we can aspire to. But we can no longer get to where we want to by being competitive. We’ve got to win,” said Baldwin, who also welcomes the possibility Gilas will play before its home crowd as the Philippine basketball federation is bidding to host one of the 3 tourneys.

(READ: SBP officially submits letter of intent for FIBA OQT hosting)

“We shouldn’t be in it just to compete and to perform well. The goal is to make a mark on the world stage and you do that by winning not competing.” – Rappler.com