Jimmy Alapag —PHOTO FROM @JALAPAG3/INSTAGRAM

The start of the PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday will also be the start of the process Jimmy Alapag will have to go through in his new foray as head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors.

Alapag and the Road Warriors take on the guest team Macau Giant Pandas at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, with the goal of an auspicious debut that could bring some semblance of hope after coming off a Commissioner’s Cup campaign that ended in misery.

Terrafirma and Titan Ultra formally open the third conference at the 5:15 p.m.

As disappointing as that campaign went when the Road Warriors were ousted in the quarterfinals despite topping the eliminations, Alapag sees that as a good jump-off point.

“I don’t care what happened in the quarterfinals,” he said. “I think it’s important for us, together with the coaching staff, to build on their success in that elimination (round).”

The PBA and Gilas Pilipinas legend takes over from Jong Uichico, who will remain with NLEX as part of the coaching staff, and perhaps help in Alapag’s transition. Alapag stayed in the United States during the last three years and worked as player development coach for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.

He has plenty of talent at his disposal, namely MVP candidate Robert Bolick, JB Bahio, L-Jay Gonzales plus import DeQuan Jones, who is back after suiting up for the Road Warriors in last season’s Governors’ Cup.

NLEX takes on a Macau team that is returning for another participation despite a dismal 2-10 record in the Commissioner’s Cup.

The Giant Pandas, formerly known as the Black Knights, will come in with a few familiar names in Damian Chongqui, Jenning Leung and Ramon Cao, but have also tapped Kobey Lam, who had played for the Bay Area Dragons and Hong Kong Eastern.

Macau’s import is De’Vondre Perry, whose credentials include stints in Germany, Belgium and the Dominican Republic.

Meanwhile, Terrafirma and Titan Ultra try to get their campaigns off on the winning track after their disappointing runs last conference.

Little changes were made by the Giant Risers, with the most notable being the signing of the controversial John Amores to a one-conference deal after his professional license was reinstated by the Games and Amusements Board following a shooting incident two years ago in Laguna.

Terrafirma, on the other hand, once again has Juami Tiongson on its roster after it shipped Jerrick Ahanmisi and Paolo Hernandez to San Miguel Beer.

All four teams set to see action in the first twinbill of the conference are in Group A, together with San Miguel, TNT, and Converge. Teams will meet those in their group twice for a 12-game schedule, with the top four advancing to the crossover quarterfinals.

Because the Minnesota Vikings don’t have a singular announced quarterback for 2026, they don’t have total stability at the position — or so goes the theory, according to NFL writer Steve Silverman.

Silverman outlined how the Vikings’ quarterback position is suspect heading into 2026, comparing Minnesota to its division peers, the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears, who have exactly zero questions at quarterback.

Silverman Says Minnesota’s Ceiling Rests on QB1

Silverman: It’s Quarterback Trouble for Vikings

Silverman explained his theory this week, “The other three teams in the NFC North know who their starting quarterbacks will be but the Vikings don’t. The Chicago Bears found their quarterback a year ago when Caleb Williams came through in his second season led the team to the division title.”

“The Packers are secure in knowing Jordan Love is coming off an excellent season in which he had a 23-6 TD-interception ratio and led his team to the playoffs again. The Lions have Jared Goff under center as that team attempts to regain its stature after a disappointing 2025 season.”

Most Vikings are thrilled that the team stumbled upon Kyler Murray for $1.3 million in free agency and aren’t deathly afraid of quarterback optionality.

Silverman concluded, “That’s a problem that the Vikings will have to overcome, and it could turn out to be a season-long weak link. The ideal situation would have Murray asserting himself and demonstrating his excellence from Day 1. The locker room will be at risk if the Vikings struggle at the start.”

Maybe … Murray Will Just Be Good?

There’s just one problem with Silverman’s theory: the Vikings may not have quarterback instability. While the mystery over who will prevail at quarterback exists this summer, Murray could show up in Week 1 and look the part. After all, he’s a -770 favorite per sportsbooks to win the job from J.J. McCarthy at training camp.

The plan is not for the Vikings to debate the starting quarterback each week in September, October, November, and beyond. It’s to pick a winner this summer and start that man for the entire 2026 regular season.

Silverman’s argument will be useless if Murray thrives as the Vikings’ QB1. Nobody will care that he won the job in a training camp battle. Remember when Daniel Jones won the QB1 job in Indianapolis last season? No Colts fans debated weekly whether Anthony Richardson or Jones would start.

Murray can win the Vikings’ QB1 job and make it his own.

The Sam Darnold Example — and Mistake

There’s also precedent for this. Two years ago, Minnesota signed Darnold to pair with McCarthy, then a rookie, and after McCarthy tore his meniscus in the preseason, Darnold fully assumed QB1 duty. How did he respond? He threw for 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, with 4,319 passing yards, before collapsing in the season’s final two games.

Because Minnesota had McCarthy ready and waiting, the Vikings let Darnold leave in free agency, allowing the Seattle Seahawks to sign him and go on to win a Super Bowl 11 months later. If Darnold could put together a remarkable season in Minnesota, Murray can too.

There’s also the Baker Mayfield example. In 2023, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a flyer on him in free agency, signing him cheaply to see if he had QB1 juice left in the tank. He did — and now he’s the Buccaneers’ established starter.

Neither of these examples is far-fetched for Murray.

Good News: The Rest of the Roster Is Sweet

Pretend that Silverman is on to something, and a quarterback competition equals vertigo at the position, unlike Minnesota’s NFC North peers. It won’t mean the Vikings are cooked.

Brian Flores’s defense remains formidable, ranking third in the league last year per DVOA and EPA/Play. The group welcomed newcomers like Caleb Banks, Domonique Orange, Jake Golday, and James Pierre this offseason, while losing Jonathan Greenard via trade. With Flores in charge, the defense should remain a force.

Offensively, Murray — or McCarthy if he pulls off the upset — will have weapons galore, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T. J. Hockenson, Jordan Mason, and Aaron Jones. An offensive line of Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Blake Brandel, Will Fries, and Brian O’Neill should also have the personnel to rank in the NFL’s Top 15.

Meanwhile, the Vikings employ an All-Pro kicker in Will Reichard. And that’s all on top of a head coach whose winning percentage ranks fifth-best in the NFL since he came aboard in 2022.

Silverman delivers a fair point, but it won’t matter if Murray wins the QB1 job and establishes himself right away in September.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Sami Zayn‘s reign as the Undisputed WWE Champion came to an abrupt end, thus proving once again that no title is truly safe in the company. Although many fans expected the underdog to enjoy a longer run after his emotional victory at Night of Champions, Triple H shocked the fans by taking the championship off him well before SummerSlam.

With WWE’s biggest event of the summer rapidly approaching, creative could have more surprises in store. Whether due to storyline developments, mounting challengers or unfortunate injuries, several other champions may not make it to SummerSlam with their gold intact.

This article will look at three WWE Superstars who could lose their championships before SummerSlam 2026.

#3. Trick Williams — United States Champion

Trick Williams has enjoyed a memorable run as the United States Champion. Thus, proving that he belongs among WWE’s top stars. Ever since arriving on the main roster, the former NXT standout has continued building momentum, with the United States Championship serving as the biggest accomplishment of his career so far.

However, Williams’ reign may be approaching its biggest test. The U.S. Title picture has become increasingly competitive in recent weeks, with multiple superstars eyeing the prestigious title. Also, WWE has shown a willingness to use the championship as a launching pad for rising stars. Thus, Triple H could decide that it’s time for a fresh face to carry the gold into SummerSlam.

Timing also plays a role. If WWE wants to establish a blockbuster U.S. Title match for SummerSlam, changing the gold beforehand could immediately reshape the landscape. A surprise title switch on SmackDown or Saturday Night’s Main Event XLV would create buzz while giving the new champion momentum heading into the Biggest Party of the Summer.

That isn’t to say Trick Williams has failed as champion. On the contrary, he’s elevated the title through consistently entertaining performances. However, WWE often prioritizes unpredictability during the weeks leading up to SummerSlam. Thus, that could leave the United States Champion vulnerable.

#2. Sol Ruca — Women’s Intercontinental Champion

Sol Ruca has quickly become one of WWE’s brightest young stars. Her athleticism, unique offense and growing confidence have made her a standout performer. Thus, capturing the Women’s Intercontinental Championship cemented her status as one of the division’s rising talents.

Still, Ruca’s reign may not be guaranteed to last until SummerSlam. The Women’s IC Title continues to attract a growing list of challengers. Also, WWE has invested heavily in building depth across the women’s mid-card division. That means every title defense carries significant pressure.

Triple H could decide that a championship change is the best way to inject fresh life into the title picture before SummerSlam. Given this, a new champion would immediately create fresh rivalries and open the door for several stars who have been waiting for meaningful opportunities.

Also, there’s the possibility that the company wants Sol Ruca to move beyond the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. She has consistently demonstrated that she can compete with the biggest names in the division. Thus, losing the title wouldn’t necessarily hurt her momentum. Instead, it could free her to pursue a Women’s World Championship opportunity later in the year.

Sometimes, dropping a midcard championship is the first step toward something even bigger.

#1. Rhea Ripley — WWE Women’s Champion

Unlike the other champions on this list, Rhea Ripley‘s biggest threat isn’t another Superstar. It’s her injury.

Ripley is currently sidelined, thus leaving the future of the WWE Women’s Championship surrounded by uncertainty. With SummerSlam drawing closer, the company faces an increasingly difficult decision regarding one of its most prestigious titles.

If Ripley isn’t medically cleared in time, Triple H may have little choice but to ask her to vacate the championship. Although WWE has occasionally allowed injured champions to retain their titles during shorter absences, the company has also shown that it won’t leave a major championship inactive indefinitely, especially with one of the biggest PLEs of the year just around the corner.

Given this, keeping the title off television for too long would leave a significant gap in the SummerSlam card.

Vacating the championship would allow the company to crown a new champion before or at SummerSlam. Thus, ensuring the title remains central to the event. It would also create immediate opportunities for several top stars eager to step into the spotlight.

Of course, asking Mami to relinquish the title would be an unfortunate outcome rather than a reflection of her reign. She has consistently been presented as one of the most dominant competitors, and her absence is entirely beyond her control.

Should the creative team go in that direction, it’s almost certain that Ripley would return with a ready-made storyline centered on reclaiming the championship she never truly lost. In many ways, that could make her eventual comeback even more compelling.