Kai Sotto is hugged by teammate June Mar Fajardo after Gilas Pilipinas’ win over Iran in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–As June Mar Fajardo walks away from Gilas Pilipinas, he knows he’s leaving the national team in good hands.

“I told you guys that Kuya Kai will save us this window,” Fajardo said after the Philippines scraped past Iran, 68-56, in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Sunday night.

READ: June Mar Fajardo sparks Gilas Pilipinas win in his ‘last game’

Kai Sotto (13 PTS, 16 REB, 3 AST) and the Philippines 🇵🇭 shrug off a slow start against Iran to sweep Window 4 and improve to 4-4 in the Asian Qualifiers 📺#FIBAWC x #StepItUp pic.twitter.com/jmNYXS82vu

— FIBA Basketball World Cup 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 30, 2026

“Let’s just pray that he’s always healthy because he will bring us to glory.”

Fajardo was, of course, referring to Kai Sotto, who spearheaded Gilas’ undefeated campaign in the fourth window of the qualifiers despite the absence of naturalized player Justin Brownlee.

The 24-year-old Sotto recorded 18 points, 14 rebounds and one game-saving block in an 82-81 overtime win over Jordan on Friday before following that up with 13 points, 16 rebounds and three assists against the Iranians. The pair of crucial games marked Sotto’s national team return since November 2024, less than two months before he suffered a torn left ACL during a B.League game.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas dedicates win over Iran to retiring June Mar Fajardo

Behind a fully healthy Sotto, the Philippines rose to 4-4 in Group E and strengthened its bid for a spot in next year’s World Cup in Doha, Qatar.

Sotto said giving his retiring hero a winning exit after a decorated 13-year national team career was a big motivation.

“I’m so lucky and blessed. When I was a kid, I looked up to him—he’s my idol,” said Sotto. “I’m so blessed to be part of his journey in the national team. I just really wanted to win these two games for Kuya June.”

The Asian Games 2026 is all set to commence on Saturday, September 19, with cricket being one of the most talked-about sports at the event, as all the participating countries are sending near full-strength squads. However, just days before the start of the multi-nation event, the tension has started to stir up.

Even before a ball has been bowled, the tournament has been caught up in a debate over hotel rooms, dressing rooms, toilets and the playing surface.

The concerns have become serious enough for full-member cricket boards to seek a firsthand assessment of the arrangements in Japan, while the Asian Cricket Council is also expected to inspect the venue.

According to a media report from news agency ANI, India could consider sending a second-string side if the facilities were deemed inadequate.

However, a media report from NDTV suggests that while the concerns regarding the facilities are genuine, there is no talk in the BCCI about sending a B squad.

Still, the episode has exposed a rather unusual problem for a tournament in which India are among the strongest medal contenders.

Why are the facilities a concern?

The biggest complaints centre on the conditions being provided to the cricket teams.

According to reports, the dressing rooms at the venue have been set up in tents, while the washrooms are around 500 metres away. The hotel accommodation has also become a talking point, with concerns that rooms allocated to two players are too small to comfortably accommodate cricketers along with their kitbags and luggage.

One source described the room situation as a genuine problem, pointing out that there would be little space left once a player opened a kitbag.

The issue is not limited to India. Concerns have been raised among other full-member boards as well, prompting calls for representatives to travel to Japan, inspect the arrangements and report back to their respective boards.

The aim is not simply to assess whether the facilities look adequate on paper, but whether they are practical for international cricketers competing in a major multi-sport event.

The venue itself has raised questions

The accommodation is only one part of the concern. The cricket tournament will be staged at Korogi Sports Park, a baseball facility that has been adapted for cricket. The ground has only recently had its cricket surface installed, and questions have been raised over how much competitive cricket has been played on it.

There are also reports that the venue does not have conventional permanent dressing rooms.

The pitch is therefore another aspect that the cricket authorities want to assess before the tournament begins. The Asian Cricket Council is expected to send representatives to inspect the venue, with the quality and readiness of the playing surface among the issues under discussion.

The venue did host an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier earlier this year, but the Asian Games will bring a very different level of attention, with several of Asia’s leading cricket nations involved.

Why did the B-team talk start?

The possibility of India changing its squad emerged after the concerns over the facilities were discussed.

According to the media report from ANI, the BCCI and ACC were unhappy with the arrangements and a BCCI observer would be sent to Japan. If the observer’s report found the facilities inadequate, the source said the board could consider sending a B-team instead.

That report created the possibility of a remarkable change to India’s Asian Games plans.

The BCCI had initially named a strong men’s squad, led by Shreyas Iyer, with established internationals such as Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, alongside young players including Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma.

But the B-team possibility was subsequently denied, as a media report from NDTV said that the concerns about the facilities were valid, but India would not send a second-string side.

What is India’s squad for Asain Games 2026?

India had named a formidable men’s squad for the Asian Games. Shreyas Iyer is the captain, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain. The squad also includes Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Jasprit Bumrah.

The selection therefore suggested that India were taking the competition seriously. There is plenty of experience in the group, but also an obvious attempt to blend established international players with some of India’s most exciting younger talents.

For Sooryavanshi in particular, an Asian Games appearance would provide another significant step in his rapid rise.

When will cricket be played in Asian Games 2026?

The women’s tournament begins September 17, two days before the official opening of the Asian Games, and runs until September 22. The men’s competition begins on September 24 and concludes with the final on October 3.

India’s men, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have been given direct entry into the quarter-finals based on their ICC rankings. India will play their quarter-final on September 28.

The women’s tournament follows a similar structure, with India entering at the quarter-final stage and facing Japan on September 18.

India look to defend Asian Games golds

India will arrive for Asian Games 2026 as the reigning champions in both men’s and women’s cricket.

At the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, the men’s final between India and Afghanistan was washed out. India were awarded the gold medal because of their higher seeding.

The women’s team also won gold in Hangzhou, making India the defending champions in both competitions.

A tournament with an unusual backdrop

The facility talk has become more prominent because of the broader accommodation challenges facing the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

Unlike the traditional model of a single athletes’ village, organisers are using a combination of hotels, temporary accommodation and a cruise ship to house participants. More than 17,000 athletes and officials have been registered, creating additional pressure on accommodation capacity. Organisers and the Olympic Council of Asia have said that arrangements have been secured despite the surge in entries.

For cricket teams, however, the question is more specific: are the arrangements suitable for international players? That is what the ACC and national boards now want to establish.

Manchester United returned to winning ways against Ipswich Town as they ran out 5-2 winners at Old Trafford

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes insisted that victory over Ipswich Town was ‘massive’ but the Reds were not looking to make up for last week’s Hull City defeat. The Reds found it tough in the first half against Ipswich with Leif Davis opening the scoring for the visitors.

However, five minutes before the break, Fernandes equalised to change the momentum of the game. In the second half, the Reds were much the better side with Jacob Greaves’ own goal and Fernandes’ penalty putting them in control. Fernandes would go on to complete his hat trick before Bryan Mbeumo put gloss on the scoreline before Chuba Akpom’s late consolation.

Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, Fernandes said: “It was massive. We lost three points last week, so it was all about getting the three points, giving a good performance to our fans.

“First game at home, they’ve been waiting so long for this so we wanted to, not make up for last week because you can’t get six points in a game, but we wanted to start the game on the front foot, be strong.

“I think we were in control of the game, even if we conceded the goal. In the second half we were very, very good.”

Fernandes’ hat trick was his third for United and according to Opta, his eight shots in one game was more than any other player in the Premier League so far this season.

When asked what the hat trick meant, Fernandes said: “It’s the best feeling in football and then doing a hat trick in a game at home with our fans, it’s something amazing that I’m very proud of. But the main thing is that I need to score goals to help the team to win games.

“Today, I did that and I hope that I can do much more and help my teammates score goals too.”

The New Orleans Saints have just wrapped up the 2026 preseason, and now comes the hard part, as the team will need to start making cuts that will reduce their roster down to 53 by Sunday at 5 p.m. CT.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore and staff will have some very difficult decisions to make over the next 42 hours.

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Be sure to stay tuned to Canal Street Chronicles as we will keep you updated on all the news and roster moves that will take place this weekend.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS ROSTER CUTS TRACKER:

Saints waive QB Hunter Dekkers

India beat Thailand by 94 runs (Image: X/Cricbuzz)

India opened their Women’s T20 Asia Cup campaign with a convincing 94-run victory over Thailand on Sunday, overcoming a late batting collapse with a dominant bowling performance.

Shafali sets platform, India stumble late

India looked on course for a huge total after Shafali Verma smashed 64 off 36 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes. Alongside debutant Pratika Rawal, who made 22 off 18, Shafali helped India race to 101/2 after 10 overs.Smriti Mandhana contributed 19 off 10 balls, but was run out after hitting four boundaries. However, India lost their way dramatically after reaching 108/2, slipping to 137/9 as Thailand’s bowlers fought back. Leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi was the standout performer with 3/26. Kranti Gaud, unbeaten on 15, helped India push the total to 159/9.

India’s bowlers run riot

Thailand’s chase never really got going as India’s bowlers produced a clinical display. Kranti Gaud and Nandni Sharma struck early to remove Thailand’s openers before India’s spinners took control. Nandni finished with three wickets, while Deepti Sharma produced an extraordinary spell, taking 3/0 in 1.1 overs.Deepti’s three-wicket haul also saw her become the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20I cricket. Thailand struggled to cope with India’s attack and were eventually bowled out for just 65, with Nannapat Koncharoenkai providing the only significant resistance.

Koncharoenkai fights lone battle

Koncharoenkai top-scored for Thailand with 41 off 48 balls, including five fours. She remained at the crease until the final wicket, but lacked support as wickets continued to fall around her. India ultimately wrapped up the contest with a 94-run victory, making a strong start to their Asia Cup campaign.Brief scores: India Women 159/9 in 20 overs (Shafali Verma 64; Suleeporn Laomi 3/26, Sunida Chaturongrattana 2/31) beat Thailand Women 65 in 16.1 overs (Nannapat Koncharoenkai 41; Nandani Sharma 3/18, Shree Charani 2/10, Deepti Sharma 3/0) by 94 runs

The 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season is here, and with the opening fixtures already underway, the big question is who will finish where when the campaign ends.

Last season produced a thrilling title race, with Rangers International eventually lifting the trophy ahead of Rivers United and Shooting Stars. This season, however, I expect the battle at the top to be even tighter.

For me, Rivers United, Kano Pillars and Rangers International are the three teams most likely to challenge for the title, while Shooting Stars could also push the leading sides.

Here is how I see the season playing out.

1. Rivers United — Champions

I am tipping Rivers United to win the 2026/27 NPFL title, although I don’t expect it to be an easy campaign.

The Port Harcourt club came agonisingly close last season, finishing just one point behind champions Rangers. That experience could prove valuable this time around.

Finidi George has retained the core of his squad and the club has added more quality and depth during the transfer window. With a settled technical structure and a squad capable of competing over 38 matches, Rivers United have what it takes to go one step further.

Prediction: 1st — Champions

2. Kano Pillars — Runners-up

Kano Pillars are my surprise pick for second place.

The arrival of Daniel ‘Ijaball’ Ogunmodede, formerly of Remo Stars, has raised expectations around the club. Pillars endured a disappointing 15th-place finish last season, but I expect a completely different side this time.

Ogunmodede is a coach who understands the Nigerian league and has the tactical ability to get the best out of his players. With the backing of their supporters and the quality available in the squad, Pillars could become genuine title contenders.

I don’t think they will win the title, but I expect them to finish much higher than last season.

Prediction: 2nd — CAF Champions League spot

3. Rangers International — Third place

Defending champions Rangers will remain in the title conversation, but I expect them to struggle to retain the trophy.

The biggest concern for me is their home situation. With the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu undergoing renovation, Rangers will play their home matches at the MKO Sports Arena in Abeokuta.

Home advantage can be extremely important in the NPFL, and constantly playing away from Enugu could make the difference in a tight title race.

There is also the additional pressure of CAF Champions League football. Rangers have a strong squad and an experienced coach in Fidelis Ilechukwu, but balancing continental and domestic football will be a major test.

I still expect them to finish among the top three and secure continental football.

Prediction: 3rd — CAF Confederation Cup spot

4. Shooting Stars — Fourth place

Shooting Stars are probably the team I found hardest to predict.

The Oluyole Warriors finished third last season and have a talented squad, but the decision to change coaches just weeks before the new campaign is a major factor in my prediction.

Salisu Yusuf is an experienced coach and should eventually get the team playing the way he wants, but he needs time to properly build his system and understand his squad.

With domestic and continental football on the agenda, the demands will be even greater.

I believe Shooting Stars will still have a good season, but I don’t see them finishing in the top three.

Prediction: 4th

5. Plateau United — Sixth place

Plateau United could be one of the teams to quietly surprise people this season.

The appointment of Gbenga Ogunbote gives them an experienced coach who knows the NPFL very well. He now has the opportunity to shape the team from the beginning of a full season.

I expect Plateau United to be competitive and finish comfortably in the top half.

Prediction: 6th

The Relegation Battle

At the other end of the table, I expect the fight for survival to be just as interesting.

Inter Lagos face a difficult first season in the NPFL. They have plenty to learn about life in the top flight, and I am predicting them to struggle throughout the campaign.

Kun Khalifat survived relegation by the narrowest of margins last season, and I fear they could find themselves in trouble again. This time, however, I think they could go down.

Niger Tornadoes are another side I expect to be involved in the relegation battle, particularly with questions surrounding their home ground and the disruption caused by its renovation.

Katsina United and Doma United could also find themselves looking over their shoulders, while newly promoted sides will have to adapt quickly to the demands of top-flight football.

My 2026/27 NPFL Predictions

Champions: Rivers United

Runners-up: Kano Pillars

Third: Rangers International

CAF Confederation Cup: Rangers International

Fourth: Shooting Stars

Sixth: Plateau United

Relegation candidates: Inter Lagos, Kun Khalifat and Niger Tornadoes

The NPFL is rarely predictable, and that is exactly what makes it exciting. Rivers United may be my favourites, but Rangers, Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars all have enough quality to prove me wrong.

One thing is certain: it could be another very close title race.

Ryan Gerard finished 17th in the final FedEx Cup standings ahead of the 2026 Tour Championship. It was the first time the 27-year-old had qualified for the PGA Tour’s season finale.

But heading into Sunday’s final round at East Lake, Gerard has a great opportunity to actually win the FedEx Cup title in his first attempt. And that’s partly thanks to an enormously fortuitous collision with the Rules of Golf.

Late in Saturday’s third round, Gerard made clever use of the rules to turn an impossible lie into a perfect one, helping finish off a 66 that has him one-shot back with 18 holes to play.

Ryan Gerard gets free drop to avoid disaster at Tour Championship

Gerard captured his first PGA Tour win at last year’s Barracuda Championship. That event was played opposite of the 2025 Open Championship and featured exactly none of the best players in the world.

On Sunday, Gerard could earn his second Tour win at the Tour Championship against all the best players in the world.

He got there with consistent play throughout the first 54 holes. Gerard opened with back-to-back 65s to tie Viktor Hovland for the 36-hole lead.

On Saturday, he showed few nerves, calmly making three birdies and no bogeys over his first 12 holes to keep pace. When the final pairing of Gerard and Hovland reached the par-4 17th hole, they were knotted at 13 under.

While Hovland ended up making birdie at 17, Gerard did not. But if not for a hugely beneficial free drop, Gerard’s chances at a Tour Championship win may have disappeared right then and there.

After hitting his drive 312 yards into the right rough, Gerard was left with a 133-yard approach shot into the 17th green. But guarding the front side of that green was a bunker with steep banks loaded with thick rough.

Gerard sent his wedge shot toward the green, but it came up short, slamming into the face of the bunker. TV cameras found the ball, or at least a glimpse of it, buried in deep rough just above the bunker’s edge. The steep slope made just addressing the ball a near-impossible task.

If Gerard had to swing at it, there’s no telling where it would have gone, if anywhere at all. Taking a penalty stroke and drop for an unplayable lie would have had to be considered.

But the Rules of Golf offered Gerard a clear escape route from imminent disaster.

According to Rule 16.3, golfers are allowed free relief for any ball embedded “in the general area.” The only exceptions are in a penalty area or in a bunker.

Since Gerard’s ball was embedded in the face of the bunker and not in the actual sand, he was awarded a free drop. The rules call for a drop within one club-length where the ball is embedded but no closer to the hole.

After getting confirmation from a rules official, Gerard took out his driver, and when he laid it down the handle came to an end on flat ground just above the bunker. He made a great drop from there, ending up with a perfect lie propped up in the rough.

On the CBS broadcast, analyst Dottie Pepper called Gerard’s new lie “exponentially easier” than his original one.

You can watch the moment below or by clicking here.

The final week of the NFL preseason is underway, and some quarterbacks are making some strong final impressions before the regular season gets started.

Both Los Angeles Rams quarterback Ty Simpson and Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel had standout showings, while Las Vegas Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza didn’t have as great a night. Beyond the gridiron, there were multiple deals done on Thursday in the NFC West as the Rams and the Seattle Seahawks prepare for the year ahead. 

Here are the headlines you need to know from Thursday around the NFL. 

After plenty of speculation and criticism surrounding his selection at No. 13 overall, quarterback Ty Simpson continued his strong preseason on Thursday.

Simpson led the Rams to three scoring drives against the Los Angeles Chargers, completing 18 of 23 passes for 119 yards and a touchdown while adding 11 yards on the ground.

Head coach Sean McVay still hasn’t officially named a backup quarterback behind MVP Matthew Stafford. Stetson Bennett has been in the system for a few years, but with Simpson continuing to impress, he’s certainly made a case for himself to be considered for the job. 

The Las Vegas Raiders played their starters against the San Francisco 49ers, and veteran Kirk Cousins once again looked every bit the part.

However, the story was completely different for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. For the second consecutive week, the former Indiana star and Heisman Trophy winner struggled on the field, throwing another interception.

Mendoza took over late in the first quarter and played into the third. He completed just 7 of 14 passes for 57 yards and a pick. 

Head coach Klint Kubiak has been on record all offseason favoring a redshirt year for Mendoza to learn behind Kirk Cousins. So, Thursday’s performance might not mean much for Mendoza in the long run.

The Cleveland Browns named veteran quarterback Deshaun Watson their Week 1 starter earlier this week, with Shedeur Sanders winning the backup job. With the top two spots solidified, former third-round pick Dillon Gabriel had a clear runway to show he’s worthy of being Cleveland’s third-string quarterback.

Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns against the New England Patriots on Thursday night. It’s unclear if head coach Todd Monken plans to carry three quarterbacks this season, leaving both Gabriel’s roster spot and the future of Arkansas rookie Taylen Green up in the air.

If Gabriel wanted to establish himself as a viable option at some point this season, he certainly proved it. If he’s not in the long-term plans for the Browns, he might have put enough on film to show the other 31 teams in the league that he’s worth a serious look ahead of final roster cuts.

The Seattle Seahawks agreed to a three-year, $90 million contract extension with defensive lineman Leonard Williams on Thursday.

The deal carries an average annual value of $30 million, tying Williams with Tampa Bay Buccaneers nose tackle Vita Vea for fifth-highest among interior defensive linemen. Williams was entering the final year of a three-year, $64.5 million contract.

The 32-year-old earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2025 after recording seven sacks, 62 combined tackles, and 58 quarterback pressures. 

Originally selected sixth overall by the New York Jets in the 2015 NFL Draft, Williams was acquired by Seattle from the New York Giants during the 2023 season. The extension follows major offseason deals by Seattle for wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon.

The Miami Dolphins agreed to trade wide receiver Tutu Atwell back to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for running back Jarquez Hunter on Thursday. 

The move reunites Atwell with the Rams five months after he departed Los Angeles in free agency to sign a one-year contract with Miami in March.

Atwell was originally selected by the Rams in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and appeared in 64 games over four seasons with the franchise. He rejoins head coach Sean McVay’s offense to complement a receiving room featuring Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. 

Hunter, a 2025 fourth-round pick out of Auburn who appeared in five games as a rookie, joins Miami to provide depth in the backfield. The Rams open their regular season against San Francisco on Sept. 10, while Miami opens against Las Vegas on Sept. 13.

The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are both navigating contract standoffs with their young star cornerbacks ahead of the regular season, according to ESPN.

The Patriots and cornerback Christian Gonzalez remain far apart in negotiations despite early optimism, ESPN reported Thursday. Patriots owner Robert Kraft previously said the team offered a deal to make Gonzalez the highest-paid cornerback in team history, but Devon Witherspoon’s four-year, $132 million contract extension with Seattle raised the market benchmark. 

Gonzalez admitted this week that the process has been “frustrating.” He has two years remaining on his rookie deal. 

Meanwhile, the Steelers and cornerback Joey Porter do not appear close to a contract extension either, according to ESPN. Porter remains on Pittsburgh’s physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a back injury as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. 

• Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson is being evaluated for a concussion after what head coach Robert Saleh labeled a “cheap” hit during a joint practice with the Chicago Bears.
• Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert played against the Rams during Thursday night’s preseason finale. He led a scoring drive on his only series of action, completing a 65-yard touchdown to wide receiver Quentin Johnston.
• Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that wide receiver Keenan Allen and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions.
• The Colts are officially activating wide receiver Alec Pierce from the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.