Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts during practice at training camp on Aug. 3, 2024, in Eagan, Minnesota. O’Connell continued overseeing preparations for the upcoming season while guiding Minnesota through another competitive summer filled with roster battles, quarterback development, and schematic installation on both sides of the football during training camp practices. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings have completed free agency and the draft, and the roster is basically set, aside from typical summer maintenance. But that doesn’t mean the club is fully ready to go; it still has a significant to-do list.
With no further ado, here’s the itinerary, ranked from least to most important (No. 1 = most important).
The Vikings Still Have Work to Do Before Training Camp
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill celebrates with running back Cam Akers after a touchdown during fourth-quarter action on Dec. 16, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. O’Neill reacted as Minnesota gained late momentum against the Chicago Bears in a pivotal NFC North matchup, with Akers contributing to the Vikings’ push toward a divisional victory. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
7. Extend Brian O’Neill’s Contract
O’Neill is scheduled to test free agency in 2027; the deal he signed in 2021 is finally winding down. Thankfully for his sake, this feels like a no-brainer and more a matter of when than if.
And O’Neill will continue to be a rich man. The new contract will likely pay him something in the ballpark of $75 million over the subsequent three additional seasons. Minnesota can also lower his cap hit in 2026 to have more salary cap flexibility.
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Always remember: O’Neill is arguably the most consistent Vikings player of the last several seasons, along with Justin Jefferson. He’s the real deal.
6. Prepare Rookie DT Caleb Banks for Week 1
Banks injured his foot at Florida Gators training camp in the summer of 2025, played three games, declared for the draft, and broke his foot at the NFL Combine in February. The injury — especially for a huge human — sunk his draft stock to Round 2, or so the draft community would lead the masses to believe.
The Vikings ignored the injury concern, picking Banks in Round 1, which is where his original draft forecast aligned.
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The problem? Minnesota is fresh off the steam of a few poor drafts, especially 2022 and 2023, besides Jordan Addison. It needs youth in the pipeline. Therefore, having Banks ready to contribute — and not another draft bust — is vital.
It will be a horrendous look if he’s not regular for the regular season. Thankfully, he is trending to be ready for training camp in late July.
5. Get a Verdict on Harrison Smith
The Vikings, as an organization and fan base, treated Week 18 of 2025 as Smith’s final game, and then that was the final correspondence the world got from the 37-year-old. Smith has not expressly retired, nor has he re-upped with the Vikings.
If he returns for Year No. 15, he’s probably guaranteed to get at least 400 snaps, probably more, in Brian Flores’s defense. It’s just that June is three days away, and nobody knows if Smith will return or retire.
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4. Cultivate or Sign an OLB3
Minnesota has four internal options at the OLB3 spot behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner: promote Bo Richter, promote Tyler Batty, mold rookie Jake Golday into a hybrid OLB-ILB, or groom a defensive tackle, like Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, to play on the EDGE.
Brigham Young Cougars defensive end Tyler Batty lines up against Arizona State on Nov. 23, 2024, at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe. Batty helped anchor BYU’s defensive front during a key Big 12 matchup, using his size and edge pressure to challenge the Sun Devils throughout a tightly contested conference showdown late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
If none of those sound promising to Flores, he must explore the free-agent wire for a player like Joey Bosa, Jadeveon Clowney, or Leonard Floyd.
For the first time since 2020, Vikings fans wonder if the EDGE depth is enough for the regular season.
3. Ensure LT Christian Darrisaw Is Ready
Darrisaw tore his ACL in October 2024. He’s back at OTAs and reportedly looks fine, which is fantastic, but that’s what everyone said at 2025 OTAs, too.
Minnesota put Darrisaw on a bizarre pitch count plan in 2025, even removing him from a close game in the 4th Quarter because he played too much. That doesn’t sound like an ideal ACL recovery.
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Darrisaw is one of the highest-paid Vikings. The team must ensure he’s fully healed and ready for 2026 without any hiccups.
2. Hire a General Manager
After Sam Darnold helped the Seattle Seahawks win the NFC Championship, the Vikings’ owners fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the previous general manager, five days later. Darnold became a Super Bowl champion soon after, and the Vikings looked like chumps.
The owners, the Wilfs, elevated Rob Brzezinski to an interim general manager role, and he steered the ship in free agency and the draft. Now, the franchise is smack dab in the middle of a general manager search that should conclude sometime next week.
It will always be strange that Minnesota didn’t interview general manager candidates the day after Adofo-Mensah left — that was January 31st, and free agency didn’t start until March 9th — but it’s “better late than never” on finding a new boss.
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The Vikings might even keep Brzezinski in a powerful role, with the new general manager overseeing scouting or a similar role.
1. Decide a QB1 for Week 1
Minnesota signed Kyler Murray in March to a one-year, $1.3 million contract, a tiny sum because the Arizona Cardinals are paying him to play for the Vikings. J.J. McCarthy quarterbacked the Vikings last year, but injuries and up-and-down performance rocked his world as a first-time starter.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy warms up before facing Green Bay on Jan. 4, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, while Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray competes against Seattle on Sep. 25, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. The image pairing highlights two NFC quarterbacks connected to offseason discussion and speculation entering the 2026 campaign. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images and Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The team’s front office and coaching staff insist that Murray vs. McCarthy is an honest, working man’s quarterback battle. Sportsbooks claim Murray has a 90% chance of winning.
May the best man win.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) goes through pregame warmups ahead of a matchup with the Tennessee Titans, with the scene unfolding on Nov. 17, 2024 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, as Greenard stretches and readies himself on the field before Minnesota’s road contest begins. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard not necessarily because they wanted to, but in some facet, because they needed to. He had an expensive cap hit, and he wanted an extension beyond what they could commit.
Vikings Cap Space Decision Carries Defensive Consequences
The problem is that those realities were present heading into the offseason, and Minnesota waited until the final hour to do a deal. Sometimes you extract more value by allowing time to place constraints, but it was always the Vikings who were up against it when it came to Greenard’s future.
Sep 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates a sack during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Philadelphia had been rumored as a potential suitor from the outset, and they got a deal done while giving up just a pair of third-round picks. Only one of them was available in 2026, and the 2027 pick isn’t likely to be high given the Eagles’ expectations.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell looked at what other defensive line talents earned in trade compensation, and it’s hard not to be disappointed in what looks like a light return for the Minnesota Vikings.
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However, defensive tackles like Quinnen Williams and Dexter Lawrence landed first-round picks in deals, and edge rusher Maxx Crosby (briefly) netted the Raiders two first-rounders.
The Vikings were facing a difficult cap situation this offseason, but the four-year, $98 million deal Greenard signed with the Eagles is structured in a team-friendly manner. Greenard will have cap hits of $6.2 million in 2026 and $11.1 million in 2027. The Eagles will face a potential dead cap hit for Greenard well down the line, but the Vikings could have opted to give Greenard this same deal while reducing his cap number by nearly $16 million in 2026 and more than $11 million in 2027 in the process.
I understand wanting to open up more snaps for Turner, but for what they landed and what they apparently needed to pay Greenard to make him happy, I’d rather have kept one of my best players around for another year or two.
Dallas Turner looked good as he continued to carve out a greater role last season. He also had Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel to force the opposition to prepare for. Not only is that safety blanket now half gone, but the Vikings don’t exactly have depth behind the youngster, either.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman before Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Right now, there is an argument to be made that the Turner deal was both misguided and light. There’s an avenue for it to get really bad if the Eagles get the 2024 version of Greenard (Pro Bowl, 12.0 sacks) and Minnesota is looking for answers on the edge.
Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler
Fonseca has long been touted as the next big thing, first garnering attention when he followed in the footsteps of Sinner and Alcaraz to win the 2024 ATP Next Gen finals – the end-of-season showpiece for players under the age of 21 – before bursting into the spotlight with his victory over Rublev in Melbourne barely a month later.
He clinched his maiden ATP title on the clay courts of Buenos Aires in February 2025 before reaching the third round on his French Open debut, where he lost to Britain’s Jack Draper. And wherever he went, a carnival of Brazilian flags followed.
Twelve months after making his bow in Paris as the world number 65, he returned as the 28th seed but, while there have been flashes of promise in that period – reaching the third round at Wimbledon, a second career title at last October’s Swiss Indoors, and a quarter-final at the Monte-Carlo Masters – there was a sense he hadn’t quite lived up to his precocious talent.
No more. At the sixth time of asking, Fonseca is through to the second week of a major.
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He’s gone where no teenager has gone before in beating Djokovic at a Grand Slam, and is only the sixth to do so at any ATP Tour-level event.
He is the first player since Philipp Kohlschreiber, in 2009, to knock Djokovic out before the quarter-finals at the French Open and the first to do so at any Slam since the 2024 US Open.
“Joao Fonseca has definitely announced himself now,” Annabel Croft said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “He can proudly say he has lived up to the hype, because everyone was saying he hadn’t done much since the hype.
“When all the Brazilians and South Americans were running to the courts to watch him play a couple of years ago, now we know why.”
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“It took time for him to find his feet, and the crowd was going to play such an important part if he could get them going, and it literally ended in fireworks,” added former French Open semi-finalist Jo Konta on TNT Sports.
“It was exactly the situation Joao needed to bring out that level of tennis.
“He just played one of the biggest matches we’ve seen for some time.”
USA President Donald Trump has made a massive move on the stock market as WWE Clash in Italy draws close, according to reports.
Trump has been closely involved with WWE in the past, even having made some on-screen appearances. He has also been inducted into the Hall of Fame in the celebrity wing in 2013. His contributions to the Stamford-based promotion were numerous, including his participation in the “Battle of the Billionaires” at WrestleMania 23.
Thanks for the submission!
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According to a report from HuffPost, Trump has apparently purchased between $15,001 and $50,000 of stock of TKO Group Holdings. It should be noted that TKO is the parent company of both the Stamford-based company and UFC. The purchase reportedly happened earlier this month on the 25th.
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Donald Trump’s association with WWE has been criticized by some notable veterans
Mick Foley made headlines a while back after he openly criticized Donald Trump, and chose to end his ties with the Stamford-based promotion.
Foley announced that he would be leaving the promotion and not renewing his legends contract with the company. Taking to Instagram, he wrote:
“PARTING WAYS WITH WWE. While I have been concerned about WWE’s close relationship with Donald Trump for several months — especially in light of his administration’s ongoing cruel and inhumane treatment of immigrants (and pretty much anyone who ‘looks like an immigrant’) — reading the President’s incredibly cruel comments in the wake of Rob Reiner’s death is the final straw for me,” he wrote.
Furthermore, Jesse Ventura has also been very vocal about his disdain for Trump. In an interview on the SpinSisters podcast, Ventura noted that the USA President seemed intent on fracturing the country.
“Make this part of Canada, because it’s obvious Donald Trump doesn’t want us. It’s obvious that he’s ready to fracture the whole country for his own folly, whatever he’s doing. I think we should petition to get out of the United States. If they don’t want us, I’m sure Canada would be happy to take us,” he added.
The authorities of the pro wrestling company have yet to make any moves regarding these criticisms and their association with Donald Trump.
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Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk her third round match against Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic at the French Open on May 29, 2026.
Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, who has not lost on the clay courts this season, advanced to the fourth round of the French Open on Friday in Paris — with four-time champion Iga Swiatek her next opponent.
The 15th-seeded Kostyuk won titles on the clay courts in Madrid and Rouen leading up to the French Open. She advanced with a 6-4, 6-3 defeat of Viktorija Golubic of Switzerland.
Swiatek, the third seed, most recently won the title at Roland Garros in 2024. She defeated Magda Linette 6-4, 6-4 in an all-Polish match on Friday to advance. With the win, she avenged her three-set loss to Linette earlier this year in Miami.
Swiatek has yet to win a tournament on clay this season and has a record of 9-3. Her most recent title on any surface came last September in Seoul.
Kostyuk had an optimistic tone in her post-match news conference, even though she has lost all three career matchups against Swiatek and hasn’t won a set from her.
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“I definitely have a different feeling going into this match,” she said. “Because I feel like last time that I played her in Cincinnati, I lost this match way before it even started, and I don’t feel the same this time.”
Swiatek also won the tournament in 2020 before three straight victories from 2022-24 and is 43-3 overall at Roland Garros. Only Chris Evert (seven) and Steffi Graf (six) have more singles titles in Paris during the Open Era.
Kostyuk knows that history, too.
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“She’s won this tournament four times. I would love to be the one who is a favorite in this match, but I still don’t think it’s the case, even though I have this really long streak,” the Ukrainian said. “But it’s not going to ruin my day or ruin my game. I still want to go out and try my best and enjoy. Like, I have never taken a set off her. Even if I win one set in the next match, I’m going to be very happy. That’s how I look at it, and I’m excited for this match.”
Other winners Friday were eighth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia, who defeated Czech 27th seed Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-2. In the fourth round, she will face Jil Teichmann of Switzerland, who upset 10th-seeded Karolina Muchova of Czechia 6-1, 7-5.
Sorana Cirstea of Romania, the 18th seed, shut out Solana Sierra of Argentina 6-0, 6-0 to set up a fourth-round meeting with Xiyu Wang of China, who produced a 6-3, 7-5 win over Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Seventh-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine ousted Tamara Korpatsch of Germany 6-2, 6-3. She will play 11th-seeded Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, who sailed 6-3, 6-3 past Peyton Stearns.
The leaderboard is tight at Colonial entering the weekend, and that means golf fans are likely in for a treat.
Jordan Smith carries the 36-hole lead at the Charles Schwab Challenge but it sure is anybody’s tournament with 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama and 2023 Open winner Brian Harman just one shot back.
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And then there’s reigning U.S. Open winner J.J. Spaun, who sits two off Smith’s lead at 10 under. He’s T-6 with names like Russell Henley (the world’s 12th-ranked player), Akshay Bhatia (this year’s Arnold Palmer champ and Alex Smalley (2026 PGA runner-up).
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Here’s how the TV schedule breaks down for Saturday.
Katie Boulter has implored French Open organisers to remove advertising hoardings at the back of the court after a lucky escape on Thursday.
A row at Roland Garros has broken out after several players have tripped over the concrete blocks – adorned with ‘Lacoste’ branding – beyond the baseline at the clay court Grand Slam.
Turkish doubles player Zeynep Sonmez had to retire from her match in the second round after she tripped over the hoarding and fell into the back wall. The 24-year-old was attended to by medics for 10 minutes, required stitches and eventually was forced to retire.
During her loss to Anastasia Potapova in round two, Boulter also tripped over a similar block on Court 13 and afterwards posted on X: “THESE THINGS HAVE TO GO. Got lucky last night but next time I might not be…”
Sonmez concurred: “I stand with Katie. Five incidents in five days. I left the court with two stitches and a bruised knee. Thankfully, it wasn’t worse.
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“Do we really have to wait until a player is seriously injured before these courtside boards are removed? Player safety must come first.”
Belgian player Alexander Blockx has also threatened legal action against the tournament after he injured his ankle, sarcastically posting on Instagram that he had tripped over the “really necessary” blocks before editing the post. He had to withdraw from the tournament.
Former Grand Slam doubles champion Pat Shriver was particularly critical, detailing that the concrete signs add to the growing list of concerns pros have at the moment.
She posted: “Tarps in play, Lacoste signs in play, large white sponsor signage on back wall hurting vision, sub par umbrellas for shade, suboptimal % of prize money, no heat rule…
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“How else are players well fair [sic] not being looked after?”
Tournament organisers will make changes as a result of the complaints, saying in a statement: “We have taken this feedback into account and are maintaining ongoing communication with the players and their teams.
“All Roland Garros courts currently exceed the international circuit minimum requirements regarding the distance between the baseline and the back of the court.
“However, the tournament’s priority remains the well-being of the players taking part. With this in mind, and based on our own observations, adjustments are currently being made to the area around the playing surface.”
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot believes that leading Portugal to ultimate glory at the 2026 World Cup would provide a fittingly beautiful finale to Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic career.
The versatile full-back emphasized that the entire footballing world, not just their home nation, will be uniting to support the veteran forward’s quest.
Defending legacy without pressure
Dalot has backed his compatriot Ronaldo to secure a fairytale ending on the grandest international stage. The United full-back was named in Roberto Martinez’s initial 27-man training squad, which temporarily includes a fourth goalkeeper in Genclerbirligi stopper Ricardo Velho. However, this preliminary group will be shaved down to the final 26-man limit ahead of the official FIFA submission deadline on June 2.
Global football union expected
In an insightful interview with CazéTV, the defender explained the romantic narrative surrounding the legendary striker. “I think it’s not just a Portuguese union, I think it’s also a global union, a union of football,” Dalot said.
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“For everything that Cristiano has done, not only for Portugal, but also for football itself, it would be beautiful for him to end his football career with a World Cup on his CV. If you ask me: does he need a World Cup to be considered one of the best of all time? No, but I think it would bring more beauty to his career and it could obviously be a beautiful trophy for him to have, without a doubt.
“I hope that happens, because besides wanting him to win, as a fan of his and as a football fan, I would also know that for my country it would be an important trophy. To be a part of that would be spectacular.”
Last dance for icons
The tournament marks a definitive changing of the guard, with both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi approaching their final global campaigns. Unlike his eternal rival, who already guided Argentina to glory in Qatar four years ago, the 41-year-old Portuguese icon retains an intense burning ambition to secure the elusive trophy. Ronaldo enters the competition with unparalleled international pedigree, holding the staggering all-time records for both international appearances and goals, having netted 143 times in 226 matches for his country.
Miami preparations take shape
Portugal will initiate their training camp on June 1, tackling warm-up fixtures against Chile and Nigeria before traveling to their Miami base. Martinez’s squad face a tricky tactical opening test when they debut against DR Congo on June 17. Group stage clashes against Uzbekistan and Colombia follow swiftly, challenging the star-studded Selecao to navigate their initial path safely as they target a deep run into the knockout stages.
PureGym is encouraging people to step away from their screens and go for a walk, in a new initiative timed to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month.
The low-cost gym operator commissioned Media Insight to find out how much people are scrolling and the findings were shocking. The nation’s thumbs are moving an average of 2.8km a week as they trawl through social media.
PureGym is encouraging people to switch out the 2.8km thumb scroll for a 2.8km Joy Stroll. This is intended to offer a simple, achievable way for people to replace phone use with movement, fresh air and connection.
Scrolling is a damaging habit with mental health repercussions – 91 per cent admit they continue to scroll even though they know they should stop.
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Seventy nine per cent have experienced at least one physical symptom linked to extended periods of scrolling, including poor sleep (32 per cent); low energy (21 per cent) and brain fog (15 per cent).
Many said the habit leaves them feeling guilty, unmotivated, drained or anxious.
It delays sleep for 53 per cent, as well as getting out of bed for many. Eighteen per cent say they have skipped exercise as a result.
Only 53 per cent feel in control of their habit, with younger adults and women among those struggling the most.
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Barney Harrison, group chief customer officer at PureGym says: “Joy Stroll is all about reclaiming time and turning a mindless habit into a brilliant, feel-good moment. Swapping 20 minutes of phone time for a bit of fresh air and movement is a total game-changer for your headspace. It’s simple, it’s fun, and we can’t wait to see the nation step away from the screen and into their stroll.”
The Joy Stroll movement launched in Manchester on 28th May, hosted by TV personality Chris Hughes. Participants completed a 2.8km guided walk, featuring a series of interactive “glowments”, including a smoothie shot station, compliment exchanges and music and creative activities designed to boost mood and encourage connection.
Now PureGym is encouraging people across the UK to take part in their own Joy Stroll. Further community activity and social participation is planned to grow the movement.
Children have died as a result of social media use.
Parents of young victims met with Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, this week to lobby for a ban on social media use for under-16s, as has been enforced in Australia. Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, has said new measures will be introduced by the end of 2026.
This is an opportunity for gym operators to get ahead of the curve by starting the conversation on intentional phone use and encouraging members to swap out scrolling for exercise.
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This isn’t a benign habit, the consequences are serious and can’t be ignored, so it’s great to see PureGym tackling this issue in a fun and community-driven way.
Fitness First is an early adopter of digital wellness technology, Kip – a tap-on tag which disables chosen apps while allowing some relevant smartphone functions to remain active. This offers a simple way of encouraging under-16s not to use social media in gyms and although it can’t be enforced, it starts the conversation.
Kip founder, Shaun Traynor, says he’s early to this issue and some people still need convincing, but he stresses it’s an important issue: “Once people smoked on planes and in offices. Then we put horror images on the packets to stop them. Social media is on the same journey, just 20 years behind. The question isn’t whether this is a health issue. We’re past that. The question is who’s going to coach the world through it. Nobody taught us how to use these devices. That has to change.”
Jun Arceo hopes the stars align for him on Sunday. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The National Tournament of Club Champions powered by Lexus will see first time men’s and seniors titlists on Sunday when Jules Gaerlan also tries to unseat the single most dominant force in her division at Eagle Ridge.
Jonar Austria and Davao’s Chris Tan will dispute the centerpiece title after carving out contrasting semifinal victories at the Aoki layout, even as Kyung Young-jung and Jun Arceo sealed a match up for the Senior’s diadem after close victories over dogged rivals on another humid day.
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And then there is Gaerlan, who bundled out Jonah Ilagan in the Final Four, 3&2, to set up a titular clash with Matet Salivio, the most decorated women’s player here with three titles who is seeking to win for the second straight year.
The favorites, save for Salivio, bombed out on a busy day as Gary Sales, who was seeking a fourth men’s title, got the boot from Chucho Martinez, 1-up, before Rodel Mangulabnan, the prohibitive Senior’s pick, left the tournament after taking a 19th hole loss to Kyung.
“This has become very interesting,” Arceo, who got to the finals after a 2&1 win over Manuel Santos, told the Inquirer after going this deep in his rookie stint. “I haven’t played [a] match with (Kyung), but all I know [is] that he is very good because I have seen him play in the Interclub.”
Arceo has also played for several clubs in the PAL Interclub before, but admits that the individual nature of this tournament is something that excites him.
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“It’s hard to win golf tournaments,” the 57 year old Arceo, who regularly plays with his two sons at The Orchard every Sunday, went on. “It’s difficult to have the stars align for you too often.
“And in terms of winning a tournament of this magnitude, this is big.”
The tournament takes a much needed breather on Saturday before the three title matches are played at the Faldo layout on Sunday.
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A prominent campaigner in national tournaments, Austria then took Martinez out with relative ease, 5&4, before Tan, who is bidding to become the first bet from Mindanao to win the event, scored a 1-up win over top seed Roy Nudalo.
Salivio scored a 3&2 win over Marianne Bustos in the morning to advance opposite Marianna Reyes in the semifinals. The seasoned Salivio then bundled out the young Reyes, 3&2, underscoring her readiness to win yet again against the ex-jungolfer. INQ
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The source said Lamina is the missing piece for Capital1, which has surrounded Rookie of the Year and Season Best Outside Spiker Bella Belen with former Cignal stars and Most Valuable Players Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos ahead of the new Premier Volleyball League season.
Capital1 coach Jorge de Brito declined to comment directly on the team’s interest in the two-time UAAP Best Setter, but he acknowledged that Lamina could make an immediate impact and help strengthen the offense built around Belen, Santos and Gandler.
“She has a lot of skills as a setter. But in fact, this draft class has good setters. (Tin) Ubaldo and Lams, they’re good, good setters. They can fit in our team, but also in any other team. It depends,” De Brito told the Inquirer.
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Standing in Capital1’s way is Galeries Tower, which secured the No. 1 overall pick in last Monday’s lottery, riding its second best odds of 30 percent of winning the top selection. Capital1, which entered the draw with the highest odds, settled for the second pick ahead of Draft Night on June 3 at Novotel.
Galeries is strongly considering Japan SV.League standout Alyssa Solomon, who remains undecided whether to pursue her PVL dream or continue weighing international offers. However, coach Aying Esteban said the team has yet to finalize its choice.
“Until now, we’re still discussing with the coaches and management who the team really needs,” Esteban said in Filipino. “Honestly, there are still a lot of things our team needs this season. Of course, having the first pick is a big advantage, but at the same time, we also need scorers, defenders and players for different positions.”
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Solomon skipped Day 2 of the Draft Combine and is expected to make a decision soon, with two days remaining before the withdrawal deadline.
Lams Lamina —UAAP MEDIA
If Lamina is selected by Galeries, De Brito said Capital1 will still have several promising prospects to choose from among the 42 player rookie pool.
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“[We’ll pick] any good player who will fit our team. At the end of the day, you need all positions. There are good open spikers here, but we also have good open spikers on our team. The opposite spikers are also good. If there’s someone who can develop and help our team, for sure, it’s going to be good,” said the former Alas Pilipinas coach.
“I’m not surprised by the talent we have here. We’ve been watching them in the UAAP and NCAA. The level is getting better and it’s becoming harder to choose. Hopefully, the league can add more teams so all of them can be drafted and play because they need opportunities to keep developing. If not, we’re going to waste a lot of talent,” he added.
Another source told the Inquirer that Capital1 is also considering star libero and Belen’s close friend, Detdet Pepito, should Lamina no longer be available.
Lamina was asked on Thursday about the possibility of reuniting with Belen in the professional ranks, but the former National University standout said she remains focused on the present and is prepared to play for whichever team selects her.
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“For me, I’m not really thinking about that yet because we honestly don’t know which team will pick us. Whoever drafts me, I’ll just give my best and do everything I can to help the team,” Lamina said. INQ
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