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[av_heading tag=’h3′ padding=’10’ heading=’BUZZER BEATER 2016 sports year-ender (part 1)’ color=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ custom_font=” size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ custom_class=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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AS ANOTHER historic year is about to close, let us revisit some of the biggest sports stories that we covered, witnesses and enjoyed this year. The first part of this series will cover the months of January to June.
JANUARY
After years of waiting, Phoenix Fuel Masters finally gained a nod to enter the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) after acquiring the franchise of the Barako Bull Energy Cola.
Ilonggo mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Jenel Lausa captured the Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) flyweight belt with a split decision win over Chrisanto Pitpitunge. The upset win opened the door for Lausa to compete in UFC.
After failing to get the hosting rights for the 2019 FIBA Basketball tournament, the Philippines got some consolation after being awarded the host of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament last July.
The College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers captured its first-ever NCAA women’s volleyball championship after scoring an upset over the San Sebastian College Lady Stags. Jeanette Panaga was hailed the Finals MVP.
FEBRUARY
The San Miguel Beermen became the first team to bounce back from a 0-3 deficit in a best-of-seven series after beating the Alaska Aces in the 2015-2016 PBA Philippine Cup finals series.
The PBA handed TNT Katropa import Ivan Johnson a lifetime suspension for disrespecting PBA commissioner Andres Narvasa during a game. The sentence was later reduced to one season.
MARCH
San Beda recaptured the senior’s division overall crown in the NCAA’s Season 91 tournament as they edged back-to-back titlist College of St. Benilde in one of the league’s closest races for the general championship.
The Philippine Azkals secured a spot to the third round of the FIFA World Cup-AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers after a 3-2 upset over North Korea Cholima. Goal scorers for Azkals were Misagh Bahadoran, Manuel Ott and Iain Ramsay.
Negrense Rogen Ladon booked a seat to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics after entering the finals of the 2016 AIBA Asian/Oceanian Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Qian’an, China.
APRIL
The RC Cola-Army Lady Troopers clinched the 2016 Philippine Superliga Invitational crown after scoring an upset over Thailand-based Est Cola in the championship match at the San Juan Arena.
Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao scored a unanimous decision win over Timothy Bradley in a non-title bout in Las Vegas. This marked Pacquiao’s second win in three matches with Bradley.
Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) took home a total of 109 medals – 35 gold, 35 silver and 39 bronze – for a third place finish in 2016 Palarong Pambansa at the Albay Sports and Tourism Complex in Legaspi City.
Global Football Club captured the 2016 United Football League Cup crown with a 3-1 win over the Ceres-La Salle Football Club in the one-game finale. Goal scorers for Global were Misagh Bahadoran and Mark Hartmann.
Nonito Donaire Jr. easily retained the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight title with a third round technical knockout win over Zsolt Bedak of Hungary at the Cebu City Sports Complex.
The De La Salle University Lady Spikers captured the UAAP Season 78 women’s volleyball title with a 19-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-16 win over the Ateneo Lady Eagles in Game 3 of the best-of-three finals at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
MAY
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters captured the 2016 Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship with a 4-2 series victory over the Alaska Aces. Paul Lee was adjudged the Finals MVP.
Filipino boxer John Riel Casimero captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight belt with a stunning fourth round knockout win over rugged Thai boxer Amnat Ruenroeng in Beijing, China.
Donnie Nietes retained with World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight belt with a fifth round technical knockout win over Mexican Raul Garcia at the University of St. La Salle Gymnasium in Bacolod City.
The Ilongga pair of Jovelyn Gonzaga and Nerissa Bautista of the RC Cola Army Lady Troopers bagged the 2016 Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball crown by beating Foton Tornadoes’ Cherry Rondina and Fiola Ceballos.
JUNE
Three-time world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali passed away at Phoenix, Arizona after almost three decades of battle with Parkinson’s disease. Ali died at the age of 74. (To be continued/PN).
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