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
It was the opportunity Novak Djokovic had been waiting for. Jannik Sinner was on his way home before the third round. Carlos Alcaraz was absent, unable to defend his French Open title. At 39 and with his chances of winning a record 25th grand slam singles title running out, Djokovic’s two biggest rivals, who between them had won the last nine major titles and ended his quest at the last four attempts, had been cleared from his path. As the men’s draw in Paris was blown wide open, Djokovic was the only grand slam champion remaining in the tournament.
But then Djokovic’s dream of grand slam history was ripped up by the arrival of a new star. At 19, Joao Fonseca claimed the biggest victory of his career in a stunning upset of historic proportions. Across four hours and 53 minutes, the Brazilian became the first teenager to beat Djokovic at a grand slam. He did it with power, poise, and from two sets down, winning 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5. Djokovic had only ever lost one match from two sets up in 279 previous attempts, to Jurgen Melzer in the 2010 French Open quarter-finals. Asked how he believed he could do it, a stunned Fonseca replied: “I actually didn’t.”
Novak Djokovic was beaten by Joao Fonseca, 19, in an incredible French Open upset (Reuters)
There will be a new men’s grand slam winner at Roland Garros this fortnight; for the first time ever in the Open era, the fourth round will begin without a former grand slam champion in the draw. If Sinner’s stunning defeat unlocked it – also from two sets up, while struggling with the heat, illness, and fatigue – Djokovic’s exit has reinforced it: an unbelievable, unthinkable tournament is now an unprecedented opportunity for someone. Perhaps it will be Alexander Zverev, the second seed. Or Casper Ruud, a former French Open runner-up. Perhaps it’s Fonseca, or fellow teenager Rafael Jodar. And that’s only one side of a wide-open bracket.
But it will not be Djokovic. “Incredible match to be part of,” he said. “Tough one for me to lose being two sets to love up. But huge credit for Joao for really deserving to win the match. He without a doubt was the better player in the important moments, in the crucial fourth and fifth… some amazing exchanges and points and he just found incredible shots, lines. It was just amazing from his side. Obviously not great for me to be facing a player playing at such a level. I don’t think I’ve done too much wrong with my game. He was just better.”
There was, though, a clear despondency in Djokovic’s tone. He refused to discuss the window of opportunity that has passed him by, shutting down the question while it was being asked. He bluntly said he does not know if he will be back at the French Open next year, when he will be 40 years old, although he said that last year, too. After reaching the Australian Open final at the start of the year, Djokovic had hardly played in the three months before the French. He was pushed to another long match, in the afternoon heat. “I ran out of gas,” he said. “I didn’t feel good at all on the court in the last couple sets.”
Fonseca’s first victory was dragging him there. The Brazilian, playing an idol he called the “GOAT” and taking to Court Philippe-Chatrier for the first time in his career, appeared overawed in the early exchanges. The 19-year-old has a rocket of a forehand, and a tendency to pull the trigger on sight. But with the sun beating down, the ball was flying out of the court. He found control in the early evening and as the conditions shifted. Suddenly, he was able to hang around with Djokovic in the rallies. Then, he found the bravery to execute. “He just played lights out tennis every time there was a decisive moment,” Djokovic said.
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Djokovic appeared exhausted by the fifth set as the match passed the four-hour mark (AP)
Fonseca’s big breakthrough came at last year’s Australian Open, when as an 18-year-old qualifier he knocked out ninth seed Andrey Rublev in the opening round. “Hype” has followed him ever since; patience not so much. This, though, was a major step in his young career, after reaching the fourth round of a major for the first time. He displayed his firepower, and his guts, winning a second match in a row from two sets down after his round-two victory over Dino Prizmic. “We all saw today why there’s hype around him,” Djokovic said. “The level was amazing.”
Down a break in the fifth set, Fonseca fought his way back and blasted his way through with effortless power. Serving for the match, Fonseca found himself break point down as Djokovic battled to stay alive. But Fonseca didn’t let his opponent touch another ball, firing three consecutive aces with his fastest serves of the match. “I felt like John Isner, but it was crazy,” he smiled.
“There’s a lot of excitement around him and rightfully so,” Djokovic acknowledged. “Hopefully he can be the next great thing and win slams.” If it could be the start of a new era, with a third obstacle in his path, it only increases the chance that Djokovic’s is already over.
Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo fight to keep their bantamweight ambitions alive. Both men hover just outside the elite after UFC 324 in January. After Saturday’s UFC Fight Night main event in China, only one of them will forge ahead on the desired path.
Yadong (22-9-1, 1 NC) believers keep waiting for a breakthrough. The Team Alpha Male product has all the raw materials, but has fallen short against the very best. Yadong, 28, still has time to evolve into a title challenger, but it’s paramount that he taps into his true potential. He’s fighting a former champion in the main event on home turf. Everything lines up for a standout performance from the significant betting favorite. He must deliver.
“I am very close to these guys,” Song told CBS Sports HQ’s Brian Campbell on Tuesday. “I lost because of small points. I could have won the fight, each one, even the Petr Yan [fight]. I could have. But I learned a lot of experience from those fights. I believe I will get back soon and am only one or two fights away from a title shot.”
Sign up for Paramount+ and watch UFC Fight Night: Yadong vs. Figueiredo live for no additional fee — every UFC numbered event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription! Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year!
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Figueiredo (25-6-1) has a shorter window to break through at 38. He is very active, but running out of time to win a second division title. He and Yadong, 10 years his junior, share similar recent losses. They’ve both been defeated by reigning UFC champion Petr Yan and title challenger Cory Sandhagen. At UFC 324, Figueiredo lost to top contender Umar Nurmagomedov, and former champ O’Malley felled Yadong. Saturday’s headliners are in the same position, but Figueiredo has time working against him. He prepares not only with eagerness, but also with anger after Yan recently referred to Saturday’s headliners as his “kids.”
“Petr Yan is a son of a bitch. He keeps saying that stuff,” Figueiredo told CBS Sports through a Portuguese interpreter. “In our first fight, I made him sit down. In the next fight, I’ll put him to sleep.”
Elsewhere on Saturday, light heavyweight veteran Alonzo Menifield looks to get back on track when he takes on rising Chinese prospect Zhang Mingyang. Menifield suffered a brutal first-round knockout loss in November against Volkan Oezdemir. The win ended a brief two-fight win streak that had the American building some momentum. Now, he looks to return to form against Mingyang, who lost by knockout against Johnny Walker last August.
Plus, former interim heavyweight title challenger Sergei Pavlovich looks to keep his momentum when he faces Tallison Teixeira. Pavlovich suffered consecutive losses to Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov in November 2023 and June 2024 to slow his fast rise up the heavyweight ranks. A pair of wins in 2025 over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Waldo Cortes-Acosta helped to regain it. Teixeira looks to build off a decision win over Tai Tuivasa in February.
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Let’s take a look at the rest of the fight card with the latest odds from DraftKings before getting to a prediction and expert pick on the main event below.
UFC Fight Night card, odds
Song Yadong -600
Deiveson Figueiredo +440
Bantamweight
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Zhang Mingyang -258
Alonzo Menifield +210
Light Heavyweight
Sergei Pavlovich -625
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Tallison Teixeira +455
Heavyweight
Kai Asakura -310
Cameron Smotherman +250
Bantamweight
Jake Matthews -325
Carlston Harris +260
Welterweight
Alex Perez -142
Sumudaerji +120
Flyweight
UFC Fight Night viewing information
Date: Saturday, May 30 | Start time: 7 a.m. ET (Main card) | 4 a.m. ET (Preliminary card) Location: Galaxy Arena — Macau, China TV Channel: | Stream:Paramount+ (subscribe now for as low as $8.99 per month)
Prediction
Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo: Yadong believes he wields the speed and power advantage. I agree. Figueiredo coined himself “The God of War” with grizzly stoppages in the flyweight division. He holds the record for most knockdowns and the second most finishes at 125 pounds. However, diminishing size and age have muted his pop at bantamweight. Figueiredo will struggle most at boxing range, but that’s one of many issues. Figueiredo used to train with Team Alpha Male, his opponent’s team. Yadong’s corner knows Figueiredo’s game intricately. The guillotine is among Figueiredo’s best weapons, but few martial arts minds know the choke better than Yadong’s coach, Urijah Faber. Yadong’s maturing, well-rounded game and youthful athleticism are too much for a declining former flyweight champ. I give Figueiredo enough credit to last 25 minutes, but don’t rule out a knockout loss. Either way, it feels like this is Figueiredo’s last stand as a potential major player. Pick: Yadong via unanimous decision
The 20-year wait is over. The Carolina Hurricanes are going back to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Hurricanes left no doubt on Friday night, blitzing the Montreal Canadiens 6-1 to win the Eastern Conference Final in five games and advance to the championship series against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Hurricanes swept through the first two rounds and have won the last three games in the series, the last being Wednesday’s 4-0 road win that had them in complete control and staying on a smothering game. And Game 5 picked right up where that left off, with the Hurricanes taking a 15-4 edge in shots on goal while steadily pinning the Canadiens in their own end and attacking Jakub Dobes in net
Hall struck first by finishing a feed from Logan Stankoven, who had crashed into Dobes on the left side. The Canadiens challenged the call for goaltender interference, but officials determined after a replay review that it should stand.
Hall returned the favor by feeding Stankoven from behind the net for a score on the right side. And late in the period, William Carrier sent a high flip from deep in his own end to feed Robinson, who charged across the blue line to beat Mike Matheson to the puck and slip it underneath Dobes for the 3-0 lead that sent a buzzing home crowd into yet another roar.
Logan Stankoven celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period on Friday in Raleigh. Karl DeBlaker
Blake scored by skating in to clean up a loose rebound when Dobes stopped a breakaway for Hall, while Gostisbehere finished a power-play feed from Seth Jarvis near the crease for the 5-0 lead.
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Seth Jarvis added an empty-net goal late in the third period for the final margin.
The Hurricanes entered this series having gone 1-12 in the Eastern Conference Final in their eight-year postseason run under coach Rod Brind’Amour, falling in sweeps to Boston in 2019 and Florida in 2023 before losing in five games to the Panthers in last year’s rematch.
But after regrouping from the Game 1 debacle, the Hurricanes took control of the series from the young and skilled Canadiens, who had arrived at this round ahead of schedule, to put themselves back in the Stanley Cup Final.
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The last time the Hurricanes were in that round? Brind’Amour was the captain on a team that hoisted the Cup in a seven-game series against Edmonton in 2006.
The Hurricanes became the first team to reach the Stanley Cup Final with only one loss since 1983, according to SportRadar, and the only team to do so since the league went to best-of-seven series in all four postseason rounds in 1987.
He admitted he was not sure he would be able to compete in Korea, but said walking was more painful than playing.
“Bizarrely I have no sensation throughout the golf swing that there’s anything wrong with it,” added the Englishman. “I sense it when I’m walking downhill, steep downhills. I’m going to have to strengthen that leg, but it’s not affecting my golf in any way.
“I just have to be reminding myself that I can’t go and play padel, tennis or do anything stupid or hop up steps like I did a couple of weeks ago.
“Walking in straight lines and being super sensible is not something I’m used to doing. I feel good, the body feels good. We’ll deal with that at some stage.”
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Poulter has yet to taste victory at an individual LIV Golf event since joining in 2022, but has 17 professional wins, including three on the PGA Tour.
He is not the first golfer to suffer a freak injury.
World number one Scottie Scheffler missed the first two weeks of the 2025 PGA Tour season after undergoing surgery on a hand injury he sustained while cooking Christmas dinner, which left him with a puncture wound to the palm of his right hand from a broken glass.
Rory McIlroy also had to miss the 2015 Open after he ruptured ankle ligaments while playing five-a-side football with his friends.
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ RJ Abarrientos during a game vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Game 5. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra scored a pivotal 111-104 victory over Rain or Shine in Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at Araneta Coliseum on Friday.
The Gin Kings moved a step closer to reaching the Finals with a 3-2 lead, but coach Tim Cone was anything but satisfied.
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“We’re not going to be happy with this win. We’ve been in this situation before. We led 3-2 and then got beat. Once by San Miguel, once by TNT,” said Cone.
“It’s too easy to get euphoric with the 3-2 lead. We’re not. A lot of things went our way tonight, which is great, we’re fortunate, but we have to move on.”
Ginebra held on to a 10-point lead, 91-81, in the fourth quarter when RJ Abarrientos took charge to fend off the Elasto Painters for good.
Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Justin Brownlee during a game vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Game 5. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
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The young guard scored seven points in the Gin Kings’ decisive 10-2 run that made it a safe 101-83 advantage with 4:03 remaining.
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Abarrientos finished with 31 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals for Ginebra, which can close out the series on Sunday.
Justin Brownlee also came up big with 22 points, six rebounds and six assists while Troy Rosario scored 16.
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Adrian Nocum topscored in a losing effort for Rain or Shine with 25 points. Jaylen Johnson registered a double-double of 22 points and 14 rebounds while Jhonard Clarito had 20 points and 10 rebounds.
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The semifinals return to the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo for Game 6.
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Kit Wilson blamed a major WWE star for missing this week’s episode of SmackDown and vowed to get revenge. Tonight’s edition of the blue brand aired live from Barcelona, Spain, and was the final show before Clash in Italy on Sunday.
The Miz lost to Axiom tonight on SmackDown after Danhausen kept getting involved in the match. The former AEW star kept cutting the lights in the arena when The Miz had the advantage, and eventually Axiom picked up the pinfall victory.
Thanks for the submission!
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The Miz is in an alliance with Kit Wilson on the blue brand. Wilson was denied entry into Spain and missed this week’s episode of SmackDown, and he apologized to the fans ahead of the show.
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Danhausen responded to Wilson’s post by calling him toxic, which led to the 31-year-old blaming The Very Nice, Very Evil star for the ordeal. Wilson also vowed to destroy Danhausen, and you can check out his message in the post below.
“WAS THIS YOU?! IF YOU’VE STOPPED ME FROM GOING BACK TO EUROPE I PROMISE I WILL DESTROY YOU,” he wrote.
SmackDown star Kit Wilson recently discussed Elton Prince and the severe neck injury he suffered earlier this year.
Wilson and Prince were in a popular tag team known as Pretty Deadly together before the injury. He took to social media following the injury and noted that Prince was a private person and that he hoped they could be a tag team again in WWE down the line.
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“So for him to suffer a career-threatening injury was, and still is, devastating. Everything I do now as a singles competitor is with the hope that one day we can be Pretty Deadly again. But that isn’t the priority. Right now, I’m just grateful that Elton has finally had his surgery and is on the road to recovery, so he can be the best partner and the best father he can be. I could say so much more, but I’ll let Elton do that in his own time. Love you, Lewis. x”
It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Kit Wilson after missing this week’s edition of WWE SmackDown.
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As the Rajasthan Royals fumbled on the penultimate hurdle in their pursuit of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 title, head coach Kumar Sangakkara couldn’t be prouder of how his boys applied themselves in the middle, getting as far as Qualifier 2. However, it was the Gujarat Titans side which emerged triumphant on Friday, securing a seven-wicket win to enter the final. Speaking to the media in the press conference after the match, Sangakkara was asked the most trending question in the cricketing universe at present: “Is Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ready for his senior India debut?” The coach didn’t mince his words, but he also dropped an interesting reply.
Sangakkara, who has been with Rajasthan since 2021, said that one can’t be sure if a player deserves an international cap until he or she actually gets it. But, in the case of Sooryavanshi, the former Sri Lanka captain is leaning towards a yes, having seen him thrash some of the finest bowlers in the world this IPL.
“I think you never know if anyone’s ready until they play. With everything Vaibhav’s shown against some of the best bowlers in the world, I think he’s more than ready to take on any challenge that you throw at him. And I’m sure that he’ll get that call-up very, very soon. He’s batted with a lot of maturity. He shouldered the responsibility of that opening partnership so well for us this season,” Sangakkara said.
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Sangakkara was also asked how he and the rest of the support staff at Rajasthan shield Vaibhav from social media, considering the sort of negative impact it can create on a player, especially on a teenager like him.
“We’ve got a good plan around him. We don’t clutter his mind too much. He comes to all our team meetings, he contributes, he listens, and he does a lot of homework. He practises well, and he reads bowlers well. He watches their videos and prepares himself really well. So, we don’t want to put any unnecessary thoughts into his head. I think a clear mind, batting with that courage, is exactly what we want to see from him,” he said.
Sooryavanshi ends his IPL 2026 campaign with the Orange Cap on his head, having aggregated 776 runs in 16 matches. However, the likes of Shubman Gill (722) and Sai Sudharsan (710) still have a chance to leapfrog the Rajasthan Royals star in the tally when they feature in the final on Sunday.
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Tushar Deshpande’s Brilliant Final Act Ensures Thrilling Win For RR Over Gujarat Titans
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. economists have run the numbers on the World Cup and — much as others have done — concluded that Spain are the most likely to come up winners in the epic football contest.
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“Our prediction aligns with the historical pattern that the World Cup almost always comes back to Europe after having been won by a South American team,” Goldman economists led by Jan Hatzius wrote in a note Friday.
Goldman’s statistical model showed Spain with a 26 per cent probability of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The analysis combined historical match data, team rankings, scoring talent and geographic factors to forecast the tournament’s outcome. The model relies heavily on Elo ratings — a system originally created for chess, which measures team strength based on results and opponent quality.
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Spain, the 2010 World Cup winner, currently holds the highest Elo rating, ahead of Argentina and France. Its odds were also supported by “scoring talent,” the Goldman team said.
France has a 19 per cent probability of becoming a three-time champion, Goldman’s model shows. Argentina slots in with a 14 per cent chance of becoming the first back-to-back winner since Brazil in 1962. Brazil is on 8 per cent, with England and the Netherlands at about 5 per cent.
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For the semifinals, the model projects an all-Europe matchup of France versus Spain, and a battle between the South American giants, Argentina and Brazil. Goldman sees Spain ultimately defeating Argentina in the final in New York on July 19.
Goldman’s model incorporates data from nearly 20,000 mandatory international matches played since 1978. Recent momentum and mentality factors were also part of the mix.
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Teams with prolific scorers and strong recent performances tend to outperform, while reigning World Cup champions often struggle in the following tournament — hurting Argentina’s odds as defending champion — the Goldman analysis showed.
England was also downgraded despite a strong Elo ranking because of what the report described as historical World Cup underperformance and potential geographical disadvantages, including the possibility of playing Mexico in high-altitude Mexico City.
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Among the projected marquee matchups are a possible US-Iran game in the round of 32 and a quarterfinal between Argentina and Portugal that could feature a final World Cup meeting between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Goldman said its model is “largely blind” to factors including health. Spain’s teenage star Lamine Yamal was injured in the run-up to the games and reportedly will miss the start of the contest.
May 26, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Abner Uribe (45) celebrates the final out of in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Abner Uribe has been suspended one game and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball for his “inappropriate actions” in Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Uribe has appealed the suspension, which means any disciplinary action is on hold until the appeals process has been completed and he will be available to pitch Friday when the Brewers open a three-game series against the host Houston Astros.
The suspension and fine come after the Milwaukee reliever made lewd gestures toward the Cardinals’ dugout in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s 6-0 win.
Uribe recorded an inning-ending strikeout with two runners aboard before making three crotch chops while facing the visitors’ dugout.
After the game, the 25-year-old apologized through an interpreter. However, he also pointed the finger at the Cardinals.
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“Everyone here knows me and knows who I am, and knows I have a bit of a history of being emotional out there,” he said. “I think first I owe an apology to the Brewers. I owe an apology to my teammates, to my manager, all the bosses of the team. I understand that’s unacceptable, to go out there and react in a way like that.
“But at the same time, I don’t think it’s professional for their manager to be making signs towards our dugout saying that he’s going to be hitting guys,” Uribe said, apparently referencing actions he saw from Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol during Monday’s series-opening 5-1 win by the Brewers.
“There was an event that occurred during the practice (Tuesday), too, and I don’t think that was right. So, I have my teammates’ back always,” Uribe added.
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When asked to elaborate on what happened during Tuesday’s batting practice, Uribe said, “I don’t have any comments toward that.”
Uribe is 2-2 with five saves and a 4.19 ERA in 21 relief appearances this season.
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) runs against Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.
When the Minnesota Vikings embarked on free agency in March, their very first signing — one of the few — snagged cornerback James Pierre from the Pittsburgh Steelers. And for their troubles, Minnesota evidently acquired one of the league’s most clutch players, says Pro Football Focus.
PFF’s Bradley Locker identified the top 4th Quarter and Overtime performance across the business, and Pierre was included.
Pierre Brings Real CB3 Intrigue to Minnesota
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre exchange jerseys after an AFC wild card matchup on Jan. 11, 2025, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The postgame moment followed a physical divisional playoff battle between longtime AFC North rivals, with Pierre and Jackson sharing respect after competing under postseason pressure in front of a national audience. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
PFF: Pierre Has the Juice with Games on the Line
Among names like Maxx Crosby and Colston Loveland, Locker tucked Pierre’s name into his analysis.
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“Across 79 fourth-quarter coverage snaps, Pierre allowed just two receptions for 19 yards. He also recorded six of his nine pass breakups during fourth quarters. His fourth-quarter PFF coverage grade of 91.3 ranked first in the NFL and likely would have been even higher had he managed to keep both feet in bounds on a near interception against his current team, the Minnesota Vikings, in Week 4,” he wrote.
“Among the receivers targeted while covered by Pierre in the fourth quarter were Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr. and Jerry Jeudy. None managed to record a catch against him.”
Locker also called out former Vikings defensive tackle Javon Hargrave for his late-game prowess. Hargrave now works for the Green Bay Packers.
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A Small Sample, but Vikings Will Take It
Seventy-nine snaps in the 4th Quarter isn’t much of a sample, but his gloriousness during those opportunities is certainly better than struggling in the 4th Quarter, for example. The Vikings will welcome all comers when it comes to clutch performance.
In fact, since the dawn of the Kevin O’Connell era in 2022, the Vikings have played 44 games decided by eight points or less, the second-most in the NFL behind the Atlanta Falcons. That’s right. Sixty-four percent of all Vikings games in the last four seasons have been decided by one score, going down the wire in one way or another.
If that trend continues, well, Minnesota now has a James Pierre to help close out opposing pass-catchers.
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The Numbers As a Whole
Pierre’s appeal begins with what the Vikings truly needed from their CB3. Minnesota wasn’t searching for a flashy player or another cornerback requiring extensive creativity. They needed a seasoned professional capable of handling outside snaps, tackling effectively, communicating clearly, minimizing mistakes, and supporting the secondary, and to hedge the bet in case Byron Murphy Jr. or Isaiah Rodgers miss time due to injury. Pierre meets all those requirements.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase reaches for a touchdown catch ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre during Week 3 action on Sept. 26, 2021, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Chase helped Cincinnati build a halftime lead with explosive plays against the Steelers’ secondary, while Pierre defended one of the NFL’s fastest-rising young receivers in a divisional showdown. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
He logged nearly 400 defensive snaps last season and earned an impressive overall 86.8 PFF grade. Additionally, he allowed a passer rating of just 41.4, which Vikings fans will surely appreciate after the challenges with Jeff Okudah in 2025.
His background in Pittsburgh is another significant asset. Pierre spent six years under Mike Tomlin, and corners typically don’t last that long in Pittsburgh without good reason. The experience gives Minnesota solid confidence in his ability to adapt to Brian Flores’ defensive scheme.
While his ceiling is clear — he turns 30 in September, so we shouldn’t expect him to become a superstar at this stage in his career — if he can deliver one reliable season, it will justify the signing. Two or three would be a bonus. As a dependable veteran cornerback, he may be exactly what the defense needs.
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Free Agent EDGE Joey Bosa Gets the Nod
Because Minnesota traded Jonathan Greenard, along with a 7th-Round draft pick, to the Philadelphia Eagles in April for two 3rd-Rounders, the club may need a free-agent EDGE rusher for depth before the summer ends.
Conveniently, Joey Bosa is available, and — also conveniently — Bosa earned a spot on the clutch PFF list.
Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa stands on the field before facing the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 13, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Bosa entered the matchup as one of Buffalo’s premier pass-rushing veterans, bringing playoff experience and edge pressure to a Bills defense expected to compete near the top of the AFC once again. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
“There may not have been a bigger gap between early-game and late-game performance in 2025 than the one displayed by Joey Bosa. After several injury-shortened seasons, it is fair to wonder whether his peak years are behind him, yet he still looked like a game-changing pass rusher once the fourth quarter arrived,” Locker explained about Bosa’s late-game heroics.
“Bosa earned a modest 59.5 PFF grade across the first three quarters of games last season before erupting for a 91.8 PFF grade in fourth quarters and overtime. Of Bosa’s 54 total pressures in 2025, 23 came during fourth quarters or overtime, along with three of his five sacks. His pressure rate jumped dramatically from 11.2% through the first three quarters to 22.6% once the fourth quarter began. Only Aidan Hutchinson generated pressure at a higher rate in those situations.”
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