LeBron James had the shot. He was wide open, having executed a deft crossover dribble that had defender Trevor Ariza literally skidding on the hardwood. The purple-and-gold faithful at Staples Center let out a collective gasp, anticipating a basket that would keep the rally going and firmly shift momentum on their side. They needed a hero, needed a fitting end to a game prefaced by a moving tribute to the passing of one of their own. And he was ready, and willing -- and as he launched from beyond the arc, he very clearly wanted to be able as well. He backpedaled, believing his aim to be true, only to be greeted by a brick and a long bounce to the sideline.

PROMISED to bring the heat in his Manila debut for ONE Championship, Filipino Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang delivered on it, emerging on top in the opening round over Thai Pongsiri Mitsatit in their strawweight fight at “ONE: Fire & Fury” on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

FILIPINO tennis sensation Alex Eala captured the 2020 Australian Open Juniors women’s doubles title, partnering with Priska Nugroho of Indonesia to beat the duo of Matilda Mutavdzic and Ziva Falkner, 6-1, 6-2, in the finals on Friday.

ONE Championship’s first live event in the Philippines for 2020 happens today with “ONE: Fire & Fury” at the Mall of Asia Arena.

MELBOURNE -- Sofia Kenin sent world number one Ash Barty spinning out of the Melbourne Park semifinals 7-6(6) 7-5 on Thursday, crushing Australian hopes...

AFTER a long wait, Qatar Airways was finally introduced as official title sponsor of the Philippines Football League (PFL).

FRESH off its impressive qualifying run in AFC Champions League, Philippines Football League champion Ceres-Negros FC reclaimed its position as the No. 1 football club in Southeast Asia in the latest AFC club rankings.

APOLLO Petroleum Jelly is co-presenting the first leg of the highly anticipated Bike Run 2020 events, aptly named the Apollo Petroleum Jelly TRI 2020.

THE rich history of Philippine sports as represented by the many great Filipino athletes who brought pride and honor to the country throughout the years is the focus of a newly launched book.

LOS ANGELES -- Three days after Los Angeles basketball great Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others perished in a helicopter crash, his wife, Vanessa, broke her silence with an Instagram message saying she was “completely devastated” by their loss.

For whatever reason, Rafael Nadal hasn’t fared as well in the Australian Open as in the sport’s other major championships. True, he boasts of a career Grand Slam, as definitive an indication as any of his outstanding brand of tennis. On the other hand, there’s a reason he has gone all the way only once at Melbourne Park, with his 1-4 slate in the final including a straight-sets shellacking at the hands of reigning king Novak Djokovic last year. The hard courts have invariably seemed too fast and too conducive to short points that don’t play to his strengths.

OLYMPIC weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz fortified her push for a spot at the Tokyo 2020 Games after hauling gold medals at the Roma Weightlifting World Cup on Tuesday night (Manila time).