RED BULL R1v1r Runes has found its rightful ruler of the river, as the third season of the esports tournament has come to a thrilling conclusion. The best Dota 2 players in the country battled it out at the National Finals on Nov. 27.

BRUSSELS — The European Union (EU) called on Beijing on Tuesday to show proof of the well-being of tennis star Peng Shuai, adding its voice to international concern about her fate since she alleged sexual assault by a former top Chinese official.

EUROPEAN soccer’s governing body Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has welcomed the Council of the European Union’s decision to adopt a resolution on the European Sport Model, which calls for strengthening of “value-based organized sport” on the continent.

TIGER Woods does not know when he will return to the Professional Goflers’ Association (PGA) Tour following a February car accident that left him in a wheelchair for two months, but said on Tuesday he would love to compete in the British Open next July at St. Andrews.

INNSBRUCK, Austria — Germany duo Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz sent their country into the Davis Cup semifinals as they beat British pair Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski in a tense doubles decider to earn a 2-1 victory on Tuesday.

JAE Crowder hit a pair of jumpers, including a 3-pointer, after the Golden State Warriors had closed within one point in the fourth quarter and the host Phoenix Suns went on to win the Pacific Division showdown 104-96 for a franchise-record-tying 17th consecutive victory on Tuesday night.

EMBATTLED Olympian pole-vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena isn’t following the lead of woodpusher Wesley So and golfer Yuka Saso and plans to remain a Filipino.

NATIONAL team mainstays Lea Denise Belgira and Eleazar Barba, Jr. showed their readiness to compete in next year’s Hanoi Southeast Asian (SEA) Games as they topped their respective categories in the PhilCycling Mountain Bike National Trials for Downhill in Danao City, Cebu yesterday.

LIPA CITY — Go For Gold-Air Force (PAF) punched a ticket to the semifinals with a sweep of pool play following a 25-15, 28-26, 25-20 win over Basilan Steel Spikers in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League men’s tournament at the Aquamarine Recreational Center Gym here.

ARGENTINA’S Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or award for the best player in the world for a record-stretching seventh time on Monday, beating Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho to lift soccer’s most prestigious trophy yet again.

REIGNING league MVP Nikola Jokić returned from a four-game injury absence to account for 24 points, a game-high 15 rebounds and a team-high seven assists as the Denver Nuggets defeated the host Miami Heat (120-111) on Monday night.

LONG-TIME International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Dick Pound has dismissed claims the organization vouched for the safety of Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai to avoid angering Beijing and credited it with getting in touch with her when others couldn’t.