Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Andrei Caracut during a game vs San Miguel Beermen in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –PBA IMAGES

Rain or Shine knows the second game of a twice-to-beat bonus isn’t as safe as the first one.

Not with the Painters paired with powerhouse San Miguel Beer in the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

“We earned the twice-to-beat advantage, but we knew that if we got to Sunday, we wouldn’t be able to beat SMB,” coach Yeng Guiao said after his team’s 113-104 victory over the Beermen on Sunday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

The Sunday schedule would have materialized had Rain or Shine lost in its quarterfinal opener. There, the Painters would have been the one facing pressure.

“This was our best chance to beat SMB. We took care of business today,” Guiao said. “We felt that this was our best chance to get to the semis.”

Caracut shines

Rain or Shine used a 13-3 run to dig itself out of a four-point hole and take a 99-93 lead at the 6:13 mark of the final quarter, with Andrei Caracut capping that exchange with a huge triple.

It wouldn’t be the last big shot that the Painters got from Caracut.

Jericho Cruz and Bennie Boatwright helped push San Miguel closer, 99-97, but Rain or Shine showed how unwilling it was to get dragged to a Sunday decider when it responded with nine straight points, which featured a triple from Caelan Tiongson and a four-pointer from Caracut, to pull away for good, 108-97, 2:35 remaining.

“I just became consistent [through] practice,” said Caracut, who finished with 29 points, six rebounds and five assists.

“We’re happy because it’s been a while since Rain or Shine defeated SMB in a series, but we still need to work. The semis won’t be easy,” he added.

Jaylen Johnson had 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead the No. 3 seed, but he got a lot of help from his teammates. Tiongson also had 23 points, while Adrian Nocum finished with 18 points and six rebounds.

Forced deciders

Bennie Boatwright finished with 24 points and seven rebounds while June Mar Fajardo tallied 12 points and 12 rebounds in the San Miguel loss. CJ Perez added 19 points for the Beermen.

Rain or Shine, the first team to make the semifinals after two higher seeds were forced into deciders on Wednesday.

The Painters await the winner of the Barangay Ginebra-Phoenix matchup, which got going at press time.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has released the fixtures for the Round of 64 of the 2026 President Federation Cup for both men’s and women’s competitions after a draw held at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja.

Speaking at the draw, NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said the process followed the usual format and confirmed that no team received a bye in this year’s competition. He added that the federation is committed to fairness and transparency in the tournament.

Dr Sanusi also confirmed that Asaba, the capital of Delta State, will host the grand finale of this year’s competition.

The competition remains a straight knockout format, with defending champions Kwara United placed as number one seed, while last season’s runners-up Abakaliki FC were drawn at number 64.

Women’s fixtures highlights

Some of the key women’s Round of 64 fixtures include:

• **Rivers Angels vs NAF Queens
• Abia Angels vs Ikukuoma Queens
• FC Robo Queens vs Rangers Women
• Remo Stars Ladies vs Onimarg FC
• Delta Queens vs Royal Queens
• Nasarawa Amazons vs Osklean FC

Men’s fixtures highlights

In the men’s category, standout fixtures include:

• Kwara United vs Sporting Supreme U19
• Akwa United vs Wilbros FC
• Bendel Insurance vs Katsina United Jnr
• Bayelsa United vs OISA FC
• Rivers United vs G12 FC
• Enyimba FC vs El Sharma FC
• Sunshine Stars vs Niger Tornadoes

Akwa United target third title

Nigeria Premier Football League side Akwa United will begin their campaign for a third President Federation Cup title against Wilbros FC on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba.

Wilbros FC, an NLO side, qualified as runners-up of the Rivers State FA Cup, while Akwa United entered the competition as champions of the Akwa Ibom State FA Cup.

Akwa United previously won the competition in 2015 and 2017.

Head coach Paul Offor said his team is fully focused on progressing to the next round.

“The boys have been working really hard for this game. We have prepared very well for the game against Wilbros FC. Our target is to progress to the next round. We will take each round as it comes,” Offor said.

“The Federation Cup is one tournament Akwa United has a rich history in after winning the title twice in 2015 and 2017, so we will give it our best effort.”

The 2021 NPFL champions are expected to rely on their experience as they aim for another strong run in the national competition.

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — In some ways, it should come as zero surprise that Justin Thomas is in the mix at the PGA Championship.

Thomas is a two-time winner at this event, after all; he won the 2017 PGA at Quail Hollow and the 2022 edition at Southern Hills. He’s among this generation’s very best golfers. Of course, he’s inside the top 10 at Aronimink’s halfway mark.

But here’s what’s strange: in 15 majors since that 2022 win, Thomas has logged exactly one finish inside the top 30. He’s missed seven cuts in that span. It defies logic that the 16-time PGA Tour winner would be an also-ran in the game’s biggest events, but that’s been his frustrating reality.

“Just got to get back to work and try to get better,” Thomas said at the conclusion of last year’s Open Championship, where he finished T34.

And that’s why Thomas’ back-to-back rounds of one-under 69 to start this week’s PGA meant a little something extra.

“A lot of satisfaction for sure,” Thomas said after Friday’s round. “I felt like — I was very comfortable getting there. I think that’s what I’m probably more proud of or happy about than the scores itself was I didn’t put any extra pressure on myself these first couple days. I didn’t feel like I made this moment bigger than it was.”

That was a window into Thomas’ mind; it’s clear that he’s been trying to solve the riddle, and sometimes trying too hard, and then trying not to try too hard. So he was proud to stay the course even after two bogeys in his first three holes on Friday.

“It’s just, I really have felt like I’m doing a lot of things well and swinging well and playing well and been putting it well. So, just go out and play,” he said. “It sounds so easy when you say it, but it’s one of the hardest things to do in this sport, in my opinion.

“So I’m very, very pleased and proud of myself for doing that these first couple days and, yeah, just kind of playing what the course kind of gives me. So just try to do more of that this weekend.”

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The Minnesota Vikings finally answered their WR3 question last week with the free agency acquisition of Jauan Jennings. The move looks like a good fit for both parties, and I’m predicting a successful year for Jennings in Minnesota.

Jennings Could Thrive in Kevin O’Connell’s Offense

Jennings agreed to a one-year deal that includes a base salary of $8 million, which can rise to $13 million. It was a bigger splash than I was expecting from the Vikings. I thought they might roll with the cheap option of promoting Tai Felton up the depth chart. The move for Jennings makes sense, though.

He brings something different to Kevin O’Connell’s offense. His predecessor, Jalen Nailor, brought speed and the ability to stretch the field. Jennings is a big physical WR at 6’3 “and 212 lbs, with great hands. Jennings will be a great target in both the underneath and intermediate areas of the field.

He should also be a great target in the red zone, and this is where my bold prediction comes in. With Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison occupying the minds of opposing teams, there should be plenty of space for Jennings to work.

O’Connell likes to take advantage of the spaces his two-star players create, and he has the perfect guy to do that in Jennings. Now, O’Connell has a target, T.J. Hockenson, who will make it tough for defenses looking to slow down Jefferson and Addison.

My bold prediction is Jennings leads the Vikings in touchdowns in 2026.

Jennings Career So far

Jennings joins the Vikings after spending the first six seasons of his career with the 49ers. This past season, the 28-year-old  caught 55 passes for 643 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games. For reference, Jordan Mason led the Vikings last season with just six touchdowns, and the departed Nailor led the team in touchdown catches with just four. Of course, Minnesota will be hoping for more consistency and better luck with injuries at the quarterback position this year.

Overall in San Francisco, the former seventh-round pick compiled 210 receptions for 2,581 yards and 22 touchdowns, including a career-high 975 receiving yards in 2024. Jennings is capable of stepping up to a larger role, which he regularly did for a 49ers team that always seemed to be plagued by injuries. 

The Vikings offense became more dangerous with Jennings in it, thanks to his ability to pick up yards after the catch and his great run-blocking. There is plenty of competition to be the Vikings’ leading touchdown scorer in 2026, but as the guy who teams will perhaps fear least, the stage is set for Jennings to take the crown.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

Pep Guardiola says he has been ‘f****** fun’ as he continues to keep people guessing over his future.

The Manchester City manager was in a playful mood when asked if Saturday’s FA Cup final could be his last trip to Wembley with the club.

There has been speculation all season that Guardiola could stand down as City manager this summer after a decade in charge in which he has so far won 19 trophies.

The Spaniard has repeatedly pointed out he still has another year remaining on his contract, but he has also stopped short of explicitly committing himself beyond this season.

Asked at a press conference on Friday if he had achieved greatness in his time at City, Guardiola flexed his biceps before answering with a smile: “Yes, of course, 19 titles in 10 years is not bad!

“They know, they don’t need to wait (for) when I’m leaving, they know I’ve been fun. I’ve been f****** fun!

“So, 19 titles – fighting for the 20 in 10 years – it’s not bad, honestly.”

He was then asked if Saturday would be his Wembley swansong with City.

After it was indicated this would be the final question of the press conference, he responded in a jokey tone.

He said: “No way! I have one more year (on my) contract.”

He then headed sharply for the exit.

Earlier in the meeting, Guardiola had been asked about reports that two of his backroom staff in Lorenzo Buenaventura and Xabi Mancisidor were set to leave.

Again responding with humour, he declined to comment on whether the developments had any implications for his own future.

“I extended the contracts of all of them for three more years,” he said sarcastically.

Asked if this was really the case, he said: “No.”

He later said he would have no problem if the coaches wanted to move on.

He said: “As with the players, if you’re not happy you just have to knock on the sporting director’s door and get an agreement with another club. What sense is there to stay?

“It’s the same with the backroom staff. You have to follow your dreams. You cannot stay in your comfort zone. You have to go for it – life is too short.”

Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez has rated Naoya Inoue’s performance against Junto Nakatani ahead of their potential undisputed showdown early next year.

The super-bantamweight king retained his titles against Nakatani earlier this month, claiming a unanimous decision victory at a sold-out Tokyo Dome.

While not being the most action-packed affair, the pair engaged in a high-intensity chess match that seemed to be favouring the challenger between rounds eight and 10.

In response, though, Inoue was able to demonstrate his elite-level adaptability, making the necessary adjustments to outpoint the three-weight world champion.

This saw him make a seventh successful defence of his undisputed crown at 122lbs, where he has reigned supreme for the best part of two years.

Someone who could pose a threat to his supremacy, meanwhile, is Rodriguez, who looks to become a three-division world champion in his next outing.

The 26-year-old will face WBA bantamweight champion Antonio Vargas on June 13, having unified the super-flyweight division with back-to-back stoppages over Phumelela Cafu and Fernando Martinez.

Like Inoue, ‘Bam’ is considered a top five pound-for-pound operator, with preliminary talks for their possible blockbuster encounter having already taken place.

In the meantime, Rodriguez must remain in the win column, but tells Fight Hub TV that he gives ‘The Monster’ an A-plus rating for his performance against Nakatani.

“I believe he did a great job – A-plus performance. He beat another [top] pound-for-pound fighter in Nakatani, so I think that’s one of his best wins.”

Clearly, there is a tremendous amount of respect between ‘Bam’ and Inoue, who, at the age of 33, is perhaps approaching the closing stages of his illustrious career.

The Washington Mystics face Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. Both teams have split their first two games of the season. Clark scored 24 points in the Fever’s 87-78 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday. The Mystics haven’t played since dropping a 98-93 overtime loss to the New York Liberty on Sunday.

How to watch Washington Mystics vs. Indiana Fever

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

• Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

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Team records

Roy Jones Jr has urged David Benavidez to follow in his footsteps, rather than face Dmitry Bivol in an undisputed light-heavyweight clash.

‘The Mexican Monster’ comes off a sixth-round finish over Gilberto Ramirez, whom he dethroned to become a three-division world champion earlier this month.

But despite claiming the WBO and WBA cruiserweight titles, Benavidez has expressed his interest in moving back down to 175lbs, where he still holds the WBC belt.

This would be in pursuit of a showdown with unified champion Bivol, who must first defeat IBF mandatory challenger Michael Eifert on May 30.

The Russian has not fought since outpointing Artur Beterbiev in February 2025, when he exacted his revenge by majority decision to become the undisputed king.

Bivol then vacated his WBC title after deciding to undergo back surgery, enabling Benavidez to be elevated from ‘interim’ to full champion.

Instead of moving back down to light-heavyweight, though, Jones would much rather see Benavidez test himself at heavyweight, just like he did against John Ruiz in 2003.

Speaking with Pro Boxing Fans, the pound-for-pound legend said a shot at Oleksandr Usyk, who still holds the WBC, IBF and WBA titles, is the only fight that makes sense for him.

“That’s the only fight for him right now; that’s the only fight I want to see him in.

“You beat everybody else in all the other divisions, [so] go up and fight Usyk. That’s the best fight for him.”

🗣️ “𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧’𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗙𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗜 𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗘𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗠 𝗜𝗡” 🤷‍♂️

‼️ @RealRoyJonesJr CALLS FOR @Benavidez300 to fight @usykaa 👀 pic.twitter.com/pcSxWeol3n

— Pro Boxing Fans (@ProBoxingFans) May 14, 2026

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While Benavidez has expressed his desire to challenge Usyk at heavyweight, he has said that he will not be rushing up in weight anytime soon, and it is, therefore, far more likely that his next assignment will arrive against Bivol.

It then becomes a case of whether Usyk remains in the sport long enough to face the 29-year-old, who may end up fighting a different heavyweight champion.

Dalton Rushing is in a bit of a slump, and he sure knows it.

The Los Angeles Dodgers catcher and first baseman got off to a scorching start to the season as he found playing time with Will Smith, hitting .444 with a 1.761 OPS in his first eight games of the season.

But in 14 games since then, he’s 7 for his last 39, which accounts for a .179 batting average, and has posted a .484 OPS.

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Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing reacts in the dugout after striking out with two runners on base and the game tied against the San Francisco Giants in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on May 14, 2026. It was his third strikeout of the game. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

In the bottom of the fourth inning with a runner on second against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night, Rushing struck out on a breaking ball out of the zone and was not pleased with himself. Rushing broke his bat over his leg and slammed his leg guard on the dugout bench.

Two innings later, with men in scoring position, Rushing struck out on a high fastball, and he put himself in harm’s way by slamming his new bat over his helmet — still on his head — three times.

Overall, it was a game to forget for Rushing, who struck out three times in a hitless effort. He has not gotten a hit since May 6.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing walks back to the dugout after striking out against Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo López in the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on May 9, 2026. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

BASEBALL FAN HOSPITALIZED AFTER FALLING INTO VISITING BULLPEN DURING WHITE SOX-ROYALS GAME

After losing four consecutive games, each by at least four runs, the Dodgers, even with Rushing’s struggles, got back on track to win the final two games of their four-game series against the Giants, including a 5-2 victory on Thursday.

They haven’t exactly wowed the competition, as they sit at 25-18, but they have not let go of first place in the National League West yet this season. However, the San Diego Padres remain right on their tail.

The Dodgers embark on a nine-game road trip on Friday night, although they don’t have to go far for the first three, as they’ll face the Los Angeles Angels.

Dalton Rushing bats for the Los Angeles Dodgers during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on April 26, 2026. (Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

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But then, it’s a big series against the Padres before taking on the Milwaukee Brewers in a National League Championship Series rematch.

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