Creamline Cool Smashers’ star Alyssa Valdez. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Alyssa Valdez made her message clear on Tuesday as Alas Pilipinas took center stage at the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum.

Her decision to rejoin the national team pool is one she fully embraces, drawing from her past stints with the program.

READ: Alyssa Valdez, other vets and newcomers make up Alas’ AVC pool

For Valdez, once you become an Alas Pilipinas player, the commitment never really ends.

“Once you’re part of the national team, you’re always going to be part of the national team. Once you’re called, you answer. A part of me really has the heart to serve,” she said.

“I know it’s hard but I also know how fulfilling it is to represent the country.”

READ: Alyssa Valdez says she will ‘never get tired’ representing PH

Valdez was among the early names linked to the roster for the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup, a selection that drew mixed reactions from fans.

But her mindset remains unchanged, as she continues to embrace the responsibility of wearing the national colors.

Beyond competing for the country, Valdez also hopes to pass on her experience to the younger members of the 20-player national pool.

“Coach (Shaq delos Santos) said it before, at this point in our career, we’ve matured. Hopefully, our experiences bring so much more in this team, not only in terms of playing,”

“Hopefully, this serves as an inspiration inside of the national team as well.”

Valdez and company begin their AVC campaign on June 6 at Candon City Arena in Candon, Ilocos Sur.

Naomi Osaka has responded to criticism after hosting a dinner for Black tennis players during Roland Garros week in Paris.

The former world No. 1 shared photos from the event, calling it “The black party (RG edition),” before later explaining the deeper reason behind the gathering after some online backlash.

Osaka said growing up in tennis, she rarely saw players who looked like her and often felt isolated in a sport where Black representation was limited.

“Being a minority in a sport like tennis is very isolating,” Osaka wrote.

She explained that the dinner was never about excluding others, but instead about celebrating community, representation and how far Black players have come in tennis.

“There’s a fellowship, a camaraderie that doesn’t need words to describe,” she said.

Osaka also addressed criticism comparing the gathering to an “all-white party,” saying events like that already exist regularly and questioning why people become uncomfortable when people of colour celebrate together.

The four-time Grand Slam champion also spoke about personal experiences growing up, including seeing her father face discrimination and having police called on him at tennis courts.

“This is not about exclusion, this is a celebration about how far we have come,” Osaka added.

Gaël Monfils ended his 19th and final French Open on May 25 before retiring at the end of the season, a career during which he has inspired many players with his style and personality. Monfils was once world number six, at his peak in 2016. The Frenchman has won 13 ATP titles, including three ATP 500s. He reached two Grand Slam semi-finals – including one in Paris in 2008 – and helped France reach two Davis Cup finals.

Tyson Fury has revealed the details surrounding his return to the ring this summer.

Two-time world heavyweight champion Fury ended a 16-month retirement back in April when he went up against Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

It was the first time that ‘The Gypsy King’ was in action since his back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, but Fury was able to return to winning ways by claiming a dominant unanimous decision win over the Russian.

Following his win, Fury called out Anthony Joshua for a long-awaited showdown later this year, and while it wasn’t made official on that night, it has since been confirmed that the two men are planning to do battle towards the end of 2026.

Before that can take place, Joshua must first overcome Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in July, and due to ‘AJ’ having a warm-up bout beforehand, Fury also revealed his intentions to compete again in the interim before turning his attention to his British rival.

‘The Gypsy King’ has now announced when that interim bout is set to be with a post on social media.

“Let’s go, August 1, Dublin, Ireland.”

Fury’s promoter Frank Warren already has an event in Dublin scheduled for that August date, as Pierce O’Leary meets Mark Chamberlain for the IBO super-lightweight title, so the announcement from ‘The Gypsy King’ suggests he will be added to that card.

No opponent for the fight has been confirmed yet, but Warren stated earlier this week that it is set to be a ‘good heavyweight.’

Few athletes are bigger than life.

Babe Ruth was one.

And now Victor Wembanyama could be the next.

Ruth and Wemby actually have a lot in common.

Ruth was so much more powerful than his rivals 100 years ago, most baseball fans wish they’d have been alive to see him play.

Wemby is similar today, except that we get to watch him as much as we want.

And by we, I’m talking about American sports fans. With apologies to Amazon-Plus Paris, surely not everyone is enjoying the same experience.

That’s what makes this off-season so interesting.

Sure, it’ll be nice to see where LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard land next season, but they no longer have the impact of Victor Wembanyama.

He is the new face of the league.

But you have to wonder … Is that enough?

Wemby is eligible for a monster contract extension in July. It seems like a formality that the Spurs will offer him as much money as the rules allow, and Wemby will sign on for as long as possible, answering the prayers of his new-found “sisters.”

And if he does, he’ll never be Babe Ruth.

Wemby has the potential to be the face of the game, not just the league. The whole supersized enchilada. Here, there and everywhere.

Heck, he might already be.

He’s the most fascinating athlete in all of sports. Earth is his basketball, and he’s palming it.

But here’s the problem: San Antonio.

Nothing against Countdown City, whatever that means. But do we even know that the Frenchman likes salt on his margaritas?

And was he even rooting for the Texans at the Alamo? I mean, the result has been Texas Tech, and nobody would have wanted that.

I digress.

This is the pinnacle of sports? A team with a nickname that sounds like some form of arthritis, and a mascot that is some relative of the guy the Roadrunner ran off a cliff.

THAT’S where we’ve placed America’s superhero?

Actually, the biggest problem with Davy Crockett’s resting spot is its prize possession — George Gervin, Larry Kenon and the guys who nearly ended Dr. J’s ABA career — went for the big money and left the league with the colored basketball.

The ABA would know what to do with Wemby. The league that drew the 3-point line that saved the little guy would now be smart enough to erase that painted rectangle under the hoop.

Yes, it was necessary when George Mikan was like a foot taller than your average plumber. But today, heck, even the vast Wemby only sees eye-to-eyebrow with Chet Holmgren.

Wemby has gotten called for Three Seconds in the Key multiple times this postseason. Seriously. Hopefully those officials have been fired.

But you know what? They are no more fun-killing than the refs who allow so-called defenders to serve as bouncers every time he tries to get within arm’s length of the hoop.

That wouldn’t happen in France. But you better believe it’s in Thunder’s Game 5 game plan. Sic ‘im, Isaiah.

Can you imagine Wemby given free reign of the key? Hands off. No stopwatches.

The world would tune in.

He’d score 50 points a game. Might even approach 100 against Wizards-level opponents.

That’s Ruthian.

More relatable, he’d be Tiger Woods. Every shot would be much-watch TV.

NBA decision-makers are too stubborn to let it happen. They love their football, er basketball, playoffs.

But Europeans adore their heroes. For crying out loud, they put up with Colin Montgomerie.

Within one week in the Euroleague, Wemby would put his sport on the soccer-crazy map from Lisbon to Lithuania, Amsterdam to Athens. He would be treated like Cristiano Ronaldo, except by a new generation. He might even inspire countries to someday overpower the little-man-fascinated US in basketball.

In America, Wemby is being treated like a South Texan pinata that’s an accident waiting to happen. No pot of money will fix that.

In Europe, Wemby would be Babe Ruth.

Think about it: Would you rather be rich in San Antonio, or Babe Ruth in Paris?

I agree. It’s a no-brainer.

Braves
They finally lost another series. The Braves lost two of three to the continually surprising Nats over the weekend. Still, that’s only two series losses for the Braves in two months of baseball. That’s absurd. — 36-18
2

Dodgers
Here they come again. The Dodgers have won 10 of 12 since a terrible stretch earlier this month. — 34-20
3

Brewers
I think it’s possible to argue that Jacob Misiorowski is not only the most electric pitcher in baseball, but that right now he’s the best. 2 31-20
4

Rays
The Rays are definitely a good team, but they’ve been far too fortunate. Their run differential suggests they should be about five games worse than this and they’ve gone a likely unsustainable 9-1 in one-run games. Maybe losing two straight games in walk-off fashion is the start of some regression. As for the ranking, the Brewers just forced my hand. The Rays weren’t demoted. They were leapfrogged. There’s a big gap after this spot. We have a clear Big Four right now two months into the season. 1 34-17
5

Yankees
Though he only struck out two, Gerrit Cole going six scoreless innings in his return from Tommy John surgery, especially since it was against the Rays, was a big success. 2 32-22
6

Guardians
On May 10, the Guardians lost to fall to 21-21. They were in first place in a division with no team above .500 and mockery ensued. The Guardians have gone 11-3 since. 3 32-24
7

Padres
While there’s plenty of deserved attention on Fernando Tatis Jr. still having zero home runs, keep in mind that Manny Machado is hitting .170 and Jackson Merrill .198. It isn’t really “early” anymore, right? It’s past Memorial Day! Time to wake up, guys. 1 31-22
8

Diamondbacks
All of a sudden, as can happen pretty easily with a star, Ketel Marte is scorching hot. In his last nine games, he’s 21 for 37 (.568) with six doubles, three homers, 15 RBI and 13 runs. Not coincidentally, the D-backs are 7-2 in those nine games. 8 29-24
9

Cardinals
I’ve been waiting on the other shoe to fall here. The Cardinals have now lost five of seven. Is this the start of the downswing? Or will they keep proving myself and many others wrong? 1 29-23
10

Reds
They had been in a bad, bad way for most of May, but now the Reds have won four of five. Maybe things are starting to turn. 4 28-25
11

Phillies
Injuries have been a factor, but Bryce Harper hasn’t hit more than 30 home runs in a season since 2021, his second MVP season. With 12 so far this year, he’s on pace for 36. That would be his second-highest total in a season after his 42 from 2015 (his first MVP season). While we’re here, he’s at 375 in his career and is 33 years old. Yes, I’ve got my eyes on 500. 1 27-27
12

Athletics
Shea Langeliers is flirting with a 150+ OPS+. Do you know how many A’s catchers ever have had a full season with a figure that high? One! Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane in 1933 hit .322/.459/.515 for a 158 OPS+. 1 27-27
13

Pirates
How much longer are they gonna keep running Marcell Ozuna out there? He’s now hitting .184/.273/.307 with 53 strikeouts in 163 at-bats. It’s a 35-year-old, washed-up designated hitter. They can do better. 1 28-26
14

White Sox
Rough road trip last week, but the Sox bounced back with a win at home on Monday and are back above .500. Even if they miss the playoffs, as I expect them to, they are going to be a fun and feisty team all year. 3 27-26
15

Cubs
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such extremes. The Cubs started 7-9 and then won 10 straight, then lost three straight, then won 10 straight and have since gone 2-13. I assume they’ll lose again Tuesday, which would be a 10-game losing streak to accompany two 10-game winning streaks before even getting to June. 11 29-25
16

Nationals
He’s only a part-time player, but Curtis Mead has been such a nice addition (the Nats traded for him on March 28). He’s now got an .844 OPS with seven homers and 20 RBI in 136 plate appearances. 3 28-27
17

Mariners
Randy Arozarena’s career high in WAR is 4.2 which happened with the Rays in 2021. He’s on pace to top 6.0 this season. He’s hitting for average, taking walks, hitting for enough power, stealing bases and playing great defense in left. He’s never received a down-ballot MVP vote, but he’d be deserving right now. — 26-29
18

Blue Jays
Louie Varland gave up an earned run last week. That’s news because it was only the second time — out of 25 appearances now — in which he allowed an earned run in an outing this season. He has a 0.65 ERA. — 25-29
19

Twins
Before Monday’s loss, the Twins had won six of seven. They seem determined to avoid the fate I had them ticketed for this season (one of the worst teams in MLB). 4 26-28
20

Astros
Those rooting for the demise of these Astros: Uh oh. They’ve now won four in a row, five of six and eight of 12. They even had what seems to be becoming a signature with a combined no-hitter. They appear to be waking up. 8 24-31
21

Marlins
The Marlins can beat you with their legs (wait, what? Fish don’t have legs!). They lead the majors with 62 stolen bases and only one player is in double digits while nine have at least three. Five have at least six SBs. 3 26-29
22

Rangers
Absolutely BRUTAL stretch here — one of the most embarrassing of the season in this small of a sample. The Rangers were swept by the Angels and then were on the business end of a combined no-hitter started by a guy with an 8.31 ERA and finished by a dude making his MLB debut. 7 24-29
23

Orioles
They’ve won three of four and the walk-off Monday provided great vibes, but man, they need more from so many different players. Could we start with Gunnar Henderson? He’s the superstar, and he’s hitting .221/.275/.420. 3 24-30
24

Red Sox
In the midst of so much bad going on around him, Willson Contreras is having one of the best seasons of his career. His previous high in home runs is 24 and he’s already got 11, for example. 3 22-30
25

Royals
After taking it on the chin again Monday, the Royals now have 14 saves and 10 blown saves. That isn’t gonna cut it. — 22-32
26

Mets
Things really were looking up a week ago, but the Mets have now dropped six of seven. If this continues, we’re getting into “lost season” territory. They’re already more than seven games out of playoff position. 5 22-32
27

Giants
Luis Arraez is the only player in MLB history to win a batting title for three different teams (Twins in 2022, Marlins in 2023, Padres in 2024). He’s within striking range right now (.318 with the leader at .333) with the Giants. Can he really do it for *four* teams? 5 22-32
28

Tigers
They won Sunday, but it was only their third win in the last 19 games. They are in a bad, bad way here. 2 21-33
29

Angels
Perry Minasian has been at the helm of the front office since November of 2020. They lost 99 games in 2024, 90 last year and are on pace for 102 this year. MLB.com ranked their farm system 28th out of 30 heading into this season. They have the ability to spend a lot in free agency, too. 1 20-34
30

Rockies
In moving Antonio Senzatela to the bullpen here in time for the final year of his contract, the Rockies have created trade bait. He’s been brilliant with a 1.13 ERA and 0.78 WHIP. We might even see him closing in the playoffs. How weird would that be? 1 20-35

Now, I already know exactly what you’re thinking – “It’s real points that count, not expected ones!”

And yes, you’re right, points win prizes and that’s why the real league table is the only one that matters.

But expected points (xPTS) are useful for football analysts because they can serve as a decent indicator of whether a team over or under-performed across the course of a season.

Expected points are calculated by comparing the quality of goalscoring chances a team makes (xG) and concedes (xGA) in every match throughout the campaign, and shows what the impact would have been on the team’s points total.

In theory, it measures how genuinely strong a team’s attacking and defensive performance was.

Roberto De Zerbi is hoping to raid his old club Brighton to charge up Tottenham Hotspur’s rebuild, with Carlos Baleba, Jan Paul van Hecke and Bart Verbruggen at the top of his transfer targets.

There is naturally an acceptance they may not get all of those, which is why Spurs are also looking at Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi, Liverpool’s Andy Robertson and Manchester City’s James Trafford.

Tottenham are even considering a deal for John Stones in order to bring in some badly-needed leadership.

The club hierarchy are fully willing to back De Zerbi after negotiations that secured a “Hail Mary” appointment back in April to ultimately keep Tottenham in the Premier League. He naturally wants squad members that can quickly internalise his style, and sees the Brighton trio and “his players”.

Baleba is likely to prove the trickiest, given that Brighton want over £100m, and there is competition from Manchester United.

De Zerbi is also intent on a new goalkeeper despite Antonin Kinsky’s recent heroics, with Verbruggen knowing exactly how he plays.

The club meanwhile want to bring in both Van Hecke and Senesi as centre-back options. The highly-rated teenager Luka Vuskovic is expected to sign a new deal and then go back on loan to Hamburg, were he hugely impressed this season on the club’s return to the Bundesliga – finishing as the league’s highest-scoring defender with six goals, recording the best duel success rate in the division (69.1 per cent) and being named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.

Micky van de Ven meanwhile wants to stay, to form a strong centre-half line-up key to De Zerbi’s approach.

Stones would come under stronger consideration if any of the main targets fall through but De Zerbi realises the need for that kind of leadership, which is also why Spurs have sustained interest in Robertson following his emotional departure from Liverpool.

The club have already found that new opportunities have opened up now they’ve secured Premier League safety, which even extends to potential football leadership and executive roles.

Canelo Alvarez is hoping to regain a super-middleweight world title when he returns to the ring in September, seeking to prove once again that he is the top dog in the 168lb division. Although, there is one world champion that the Mexican has admitted he will not face.

Canelo claimed all four of the super-middleweight world titles in just 11 months when he became the first undisputed super-middleweight champion of all time back in 2021, before defending those belts on four occasions.

Alvarez then became a two-time undisputed ruler by outpointing William Scull last year, but he lost all of his titles to Terence Crawford four months later, with the American’s retirement then causing the fragmentation of the undisputed throne.

Christian Mbilli was upgraded to the full WBC world champion, with Canelo scheduled to challenge ‘Solide’ in September, whilst the other straps now belong to Hamzah Sheeraz (WBO), Jaime Munguia (WBA) and Osleys Iglesias (IBF).

With this new set of champions, Canelo has one roadblock standing in the way of becoming undisputed at 168 once again. Speaking to Ring Magazine, Canelo declared that he will never rematch WBA champion Munguia, who recently joined Team Canelo and began training under Eddy Reynoso.

“I am not going to fight Munguia again. No. We are in the same team, we like Munguia, he is a great person. He works very hard, we are never going to fight again. 

“We are always looking for good fights, big fights, and I think there is other big fights out there.”

Munguia was trumped by Alvarez back in May 2024, that being the first and only time in his career that Canelo has defended a world title against a fellow Mexican.