TNT Tropang 5G’s Bol Bol during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –PBA IMAGES

ANTIPOLO–TNT became the lone team to overcome a twice-to-beat disadvantage after eliminating top-seeded NLEX, 118-112, in the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday at Ynares Sports Center here.

The Tropang 5G arranged a best-of-seven semifinal showdown with Meralco, which earlier edged Magnolia in overtime, 105-102.

“The key was finally getting the lineups we wanted on the floor,” coach Chot Reyes said. “I think that was big in our turnaround. They did a lot for this team.”

NLEX trailed by just one early in the second quarter, 39-38, before TNT unleashed an 11-2 run to build a 50-40 cushion at the 6:57 mark.

WATCH: TNT’s Roger Pogoy and coach Chot Reyes after beating NLEX and advancing to the semifinals. #PBA50 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/44utGgWMfY

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) May 16, 2026

The Road Warriors later cut the deficit to four, 55-51, behind a triple from Brandon Ramirez, but TNT answered with a 9-3 closing run to take a 64-54 lead at halftime.

By the end of the third quarter, TNT had stretched the lead to 101-84.

TNT Tropang 5G’s Roger Pogoy during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –PBA IMAGES

Bol Bol dominated anew for the Tropang 5G with a monster double-double of 35 points and 13 rebounds. The local pair of Roger Pogoy and Calvin Oftana finished with 21 and 20 points, respectively.

“I think this momentum started because when we had an ugly elimination, we all talked as a team. We asked each other if we really wanted to win and it just started from there,” said Pogoy.

For NLEX, Cady Lalanne finished with 46 points and 15 rebounds, while Schonny Winston added 24 points.

Robert Bolick chipped in 16 points and six assists in the loss.

TNT Tropang 5G’s Roger Pogoy during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—TNT’s locals didn’t have the best showing in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round.

But when it mattered most, they showed up in TNT’s 118-112 quarterfinal win over the top-seeded NLEX on Saturday at Ynares Sports Center.

Leading that charge was Roger Pogoy, who got the starting nod for the first time this conference.

“We just needed to step up like this. It can’t all be Bol (Bol),” said Pogoy in Filipino. “All of our games in the elimination looked like he did all the work, so in this one, we all worked together.”

Pogoy finished with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals as TNT completed the upset of NLEX, which was armed with a twice-to-beat-advantage.

Calvin Oftana and Jayson Castro also chipped in 20 and 14 points, respectively, in the win.

The TNT locals perfectly complemented Bol Bol, who once again delivered a monster double-double of 35 points and 13 rebounds.

Coach Chot Reyes was among the first to praise Pogoy’s effort.

“We couldn’t start Roger before because we were managing his minutes,” said Reyes. “Aside from Roger’s scoring ability, he’s really our main defender.”

Pogoy and company take on Meralco in a best-of-seven series in the semifinals starting Wednesday at the same venue.

The Minnesota Vikings released their 2026 schedule on Thursday night, on tap for nine true home games, seven on the road, and one at a neutral site (Mexico City). With that in the books, it’s time to glance at the “easy” games on the schedule.

A handful of games should favor Minnesota on paper.

We say easy loosely because good teams can pop up out of nowhere, but from a May standpoint, here’s the list.

Home Matchups Give the Vikings a Clear Path to Wins

The cakewalk sections of the 2026 docket, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = easiest game).

5. Week 7 — vs. Colts

This game makes the cut to start the list because it is at home — plain and simple.

The Vikings’ defense will be familiar with Daniel Jones; they saw him in practice for two months during the 2024 season. The Colts have a decent roster, not a dream team.

Minnesota has also had luck against Indianapolis as of late, even orchestrating the largest comeback in NFL history against the franchise in 2022. The Colts’ defense ranked 16th in the league last year per EPA/Play, so the Vikings will not face an overly daunting test in Week 7.

4. Week 4 — vs. Dolphins

This team’s roster stinks. Its best wide receiver is arguably Jalen Tolbert or Parker Washington. You have to be pretty damn deep into fantasy football to know who those guys are. Miami has been conducting a fire sale over the last several months. It’s probably not a serious contender in 2026 unless Malik Willis becomes an All-Pro-caliber asset.

At home, Minnesota should trash Miami.

SI.com’s Gilbert Manzano gave the Dolphins’ an ‘F’ grade this offseason: “Miami Dolphins: F. Notable moves: TE Greg Dulcich (one year, $3.25 million), CB Lonnie Johnson Jr. (one year, $1.48 million), edge David Ojabo (contract n/a), G Jamaree Salyer (one year, $1.4 million), WR Jalen Tolbert (contract n/a), QB Malik Willis (three years, $67.5 million).”

“Clearly, the Dolphins are in rebuild mode and have their eyes on 2027. The team needed a fresh start, and there was no need to add Willis, who now has to play for a team that said goodbye to wide receivers Waddle and Tyreek Hill this offseason. It would have been better if this team had fully committed to the rebuild and taken its lumps with a veteran quarterback who would have commanded a lot less money than Willis.”

3. Week 13 — vs. Panthers

Another home contest, the Panthers will visit U.S. Bank Stadium for the first time with fans in attendance. Carolina and Minnesota did battle in 2020, but that was the pandemic season, and no fans were allowed.

Last season, the Panthers’ defense ranked 23rd in the NFL per EPA/Play. The group is not scary. The offense checked in at No. 26 per the same metric. Carolina made the postseason because of poor competition in the NFC South.

The Vikings should win this one, almost no matter what.

Not everyone agrees, though. A to Z Sports‘ Kole Noble predicted a Panthers dub on Thursday, explaining, “Headline: Tetairoa McMillan fourth-down catch sets up game-winning field goal. This game will be a defensive chess match between Ejiro Evero and Brian Flores.”

“The tight game lasts deep into the final quarter until the Panthers pull off a fourth-down conversion when Young connects downfield with McMillan to set up the game-winning field goal. Score Prediction: Panthers win 13-10 (5-7).”

2. Week 12 — vs. Falcons

Will this contest feature Tua Tagovailoa as the Falcons’ quarterback? Will this contest feature Michael Penix Jr. as the Falcons’ quarterback? Nobody knows.

If it’s Tagovailoa, you can circle it as the “Brian Flores Revenge Game.” A couple of summers ago, out of nowhere, Tagovailoa called Flores a “terrible person” on a random podcast. Flores will remember the unnecessary dig and make sure Tagovailoa knows how terrible his pass rush can be.

Minnesota also needs revenge here because the Falcons’ defense embarrassed the Vikings’ offense in 2025.

1. Week 17 — at Jets

Unless the Jets are forced to sign a free agent outsider 6-7 months from now, the Vikings will face Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik, Brady Cook, or Bailey Zappe at quarterback. That should not be a difficult test. Weather could be a factor in this game, but generally speaking, the Vikings are battle-tested in the elements from games in Green Bay and Chicago.

The Jets were one of the NFL’s worst teams last year, and despite a pretty formidable defense, they’re not on track to be a playoff team in 2026. This one should be a win unless Jets coach Aaron Glenn fully reverses his fortune.

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A clash for the WBC lightweight title, which became vacant following Shakur Stevenson’s victory over Teofimo Lopez, has reportedly been confirmed.

Stevenson moved up to 140lbs and became a four-weight world champion in January, producing a dominant performance to unanimously outpoint Lopez for the WBO strap.

The American had previously made three successful WBC title defences at 135lbs, but was ultimately stripped of the belt shortly after defeating ‘The Takeover’.

As a result, the vacant title is set to be contested by Lamont Roach and William Zepeda, who has not fought since his unanimous decision defeat to Stevenson last July.

Back then, Zepeda maintained a typically high punch output but was convincingly outclassed by the generational talent in his first attempt at world honours.

Roach, meanwhile, is coming off back-to-back draws against Isaac Cruz and Gervonta Davis, who was considered fortunate to retain his WBA title in March 2025.

After a failed attempt to rematch Davis, the American then entered another lightweight outing, this time against Cruz in December, when far less controversy surrounded their majority draw.

Having remained unbeaten since 2019, Roach is now set to face Zepeda for the vacant WBC lightweight title, as reported by BoxingScene’s Lance Pugmire on social media.

“The WBC vacant lightweight title will be decided by Lamont Roach and William Zepeda [on August 1] on DAZN in Las Vegas. Told that effort is to take it to [Mandalay Bay Resort].”

Confirmed by @boxingscene: The WBC vacant lightweight title will be decided by @OneOf1x Lamont Roach Jnr and William Zepeda Aug. 1 on @DAZNBoxing @boxingontnt in Las Vegas. Told that effort is to take it to @MandalayBay.

— Lance Pugmire (@pugboxing) May 15, 2026

Zepeda and Roach are ranked No.1 and No.2 by the WBC, respectively, while the sanctioning body’s ‘interim’ lightweight title is currently held by unbeaten Cuban Jadier Herrera.

In January, soon after the 2025 season ended, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning had foot surgery. The recovery limited Manning in Spring Camp. Details of the extent of the injury and recovery timeline have been guareded. Would Manning be ready this fall? We now know the answer is yes.

Manning has been officially medically cleared. That means the UT QB can participate in summer workouts and will be fully when fall camp starts in a few months.

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UT officials School officials called the procedure “minor” and said it was a “preventative measure to address a previous injury.” But that was the only information made public. Many fans have been concerned Manning hasn’t been getting enough reps and feared a slow start to the 2026 season.

If the Horns have title aspirations this season, a they cant’ afford a slow start against one of the toughest schedules in college football.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is one of eight players shortlisted for the Player of the Season award.

Manchester United fans are desperate to see captain Bruno Fernandes win the Player of the Season award, insisting he is the standout candidate on the list of nominees.

Eight players have been shortlisted for the 2025/26 award with Fernandes named alongside Arsenal trio Gabriel, David Raya and Declan Rice, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo, Brentford’s Igor Thiago and Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White.

Fernandes has made 33 Premier League appearances this season, registering eight goals and 19 assists, but supporters have been keen to stress his influence goes far beyond the numbers.

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Fernandes has been the driving force behind United’s return to the top three, stepping up in key moments and often being the player United rely on to create chances and make things happen.

Many supporters described the nomination as overdue recognition for Fernandes after several seasons consistently delivering for the club during difficult periods.

Lifetime supporter James Flemming, 71, said Fernandes’ influence is impossible to ignore.

“You can see the difference when he’s not in the team,” he said. “His leadership, his goals and assists, he’s central to everything.”

Aryan Anand, 18, said Fernandes’ importance becomes even clearer when he is not on the team.

“If you take him out of the team his impact is clearly seen,” he said. “I just think the numbers he’s been putting up, he’s brought us to third place, brought us back into Europe. I think he deserves it.”

He added: “He embraces what it means to be the captain of United: Leadership, vocal, everything that a captain should be for this club.”

“He’s not selfish, he creates everything and leads the team,” said United fan Adejumo Oluwaseun. “Every player listens to him. He has that leadership quality.”

Nana Agyemang, 43, said Fernandes’ impact on the side could not be matched by any other nominee.

“I don’t think there’s any player who can compare to Bruno. Look at the way he has led the United team, I think he deserves the award more than any player.”

Jonathan, 22, said Fernandes has repeatedly proven himself during difficult periods for the club.

“He’s one of the best midfielders I’ve seen,” he said. “Even when things were difficult at the beginning of the season, he’s really taken that captain role and proven himself.”

United fans insist Fernandes’ all-round impact and leadership make him the standout candidate for the award.

With the winner to be announced next week, many supporters believe Bruno has done what it takes to receive the individual recognition they feel he has deserved for years.

Daniil Medvedev has struggled mightily on clay during his career. The Russian was notoriously blanked 6-0, 6-0 in Monte Carlo last month. On his way to an early exit from that ATP Masters 1000 event, the former world No. 1 drew ire and received a fine for smashing his racket seven times in a contest that lasted all of 49 minutes.

But on Friday, against the current world No. 1, Medvedev found himself playing much longer in Rome, on the very surface that’s caused him so much trouble over the years. The 30-year-old Medvedev, seeded seventh in the Italian Open, gave top-seeded Italian Jannik Sinner everything he could handle in the semifinals.

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Medvedev forced a third set, threatening Sinner’s 32-match win streak in Masters 1000 events — a record-breaking mark he set on Thursday, surpassing Serbian great Novak Djokovic — and, by extension, jeopardizing Sinner’s similarly trail-blazing streak of five consecutive Masters 1000 titles.

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Ultimately, Sinner escaped unscathed in a match that saw him physically taxed, bent over and taking a medical timeout in the third set. After all of that, play was suspended due to rain in the seventh game of that fateful set. Following a postponement, Sinner, already up 4-2, finished off Medvedev on Saturday after 15 minutes, advancing to the final, thanks to a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 triumph.