Digest

BASKETBALL

Zhou Qi returns to Melbourne Phoenix

Team China center Zhou Qi has returned to Australian NBL team the South East Melbourne Phoenix for another season.

The 26-year-old played with the Phoenix last season, with the franchise confirming on Tuesday that he has signed a one-year deal to play in the forthcoming campaign.

"After taking much of last season getting his fitness to the point where he could handle the pace of the NBL, the Chinese big man showed improvement every week," read a Phoenix statement.

Zhou performed well in World Cup qualifiers this summer, averaging 15 points and 12.7 rebounds in his three appearances at the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup.

"We feel the NBL will see more of his talent on display this season," said Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer.

Zhou is scheduled to join the team on Oct 16 and is expected to feature against the New Zealand Breakers on Oct 20.

VOLLEYBALL

Team China powers to victory over Colombia

The Chinese women's team continued its momentum at the FIVB World Championship in Arnhem, the Netherlands on Tuesday, cruising past Colombia 3-0 (25-16, 25-21,25-16) to secure its second victory in as many matches at the tournament.

Outside hitter Li Yingying, China's top scorer in the opening win over Argentina, did it again to register a game-high 18 points. Three other Chinese players hit double-digit points.

Rio Olympic champion Gong Xiangyu, who missed the opener with an ankle injury, started for China and had nine points.

"I'm trying to get back to match fitness and get used to big competitions," said the 25-year-old.

"Our opponents put us under pressure in the second set and we were not so organized down the stretch, but we quickly adjusted and came back strong."

SOCCER

Messi at the double as Argentina run goes on

Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina edged closer to Italy's world-record unbeaten streak with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Jamaica in a friendly in New Jersey on Tuesday.

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Messi took his international goals tally to 90 in 164 appearances after coming on as a second-half substitute at the Red Bull Arena.

Messi's goals capped an emphatic win for the South Americans, who have now gone 35 games unbeaten in a streak stretching back to 2019 — just two shy of Italy's unbeaten run of 37 set between 2018 and 2021.

Messi, who also scored twice in a win over Honduras in Miami on Friday, delighted the crowd with an electrifying cameo after coming on in the 56th minute for Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez.

"You have to enjoy Messi," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. "No matter your country, everyone does. I'm his coach, but I would buy a ticket to see him."

BASEBALL

Yanks clinch AL East as history eludes Judge

Aaron Judge walked four times and stayed at 60 home runs, one shy of Roger Maris' American League record, as the New York Yankees clinched the AL East title by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2 Tuesday night.

The Yankees celebrated their 20th division championship, tied for second-most with the Dodgers behind Atlanta's 21, but not home-run history. New York (95-59) secured a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the Division Series.

Judge lined out in his first at-bat and then drew four straight walks in his seventh straight game without a home run. The Yankees have eight games left in the regular season for Judge to tie or break the AL mark set by Maris in 1961.

"I'll take four walks for a win every day," said Judge, who scored twice.

Despite the loss, Toronto (87-68) maintained its place atop the AL wild-card standings.

Agencies