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[av_heading tag=’h3′ padding=’10’ heading=’BUZZER BEATER 2016 sports year-ender (part 2) ‘ 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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Wednesday, December 28, 2016
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AS ANOTHER historic year is about to close, let us revisit some of the biggest sports stories that we have covered, witnesses and enjoyed this year.
JULY
The Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors captured the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference championship by beating the Philippine Air Force Jet Spikers in their best-of-three finals series at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Marlon Tapales bucked two early knockdowns to score an 11th round stoppage win over Thai boxer Pungluang Sor Singyu to clinch the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title at Ayutthaya City Park in Ayutthaya, Thailand.
The Philippines, represented by Mighty Sports Apparel, reclaimed the William Jones Cup championship following an eight-game sweep at the Hsinchuang Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan.
AUGUST
Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz quenched the country’s two-decade long thirst for an Olympic medal after placing silver in the women’s weightlifting 53 kilogram class at the Riocentro Pavillion 2 in Brazil.
The F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, which is composed of players from the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, claimed the 2016 Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference title by beating the Foton Tornadoes.
Phoenix Accelerators-Far Eastern University captured the 2016 PBA D-League Foundation Cup crown by beating the Tanduay Rhum Masters in Game 3 of the finals at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
SEPTEMBER
Jerwin Ancajas captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight belt with a unanimous decision win over McJoe Arroyo of Puerto Rico at the Philippine Marine Corp. in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
John Riel Casimero retained his International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight championship with a 10th round technical knockout win over Charlie Edwards of the United Kingdom at O2 Arena in Greenwich, United Kingdom.
Josephine Medina snapped the Philippines’ 16-year thirst for a Paralympics medal after bagging a bronze medal in the table tennis women’s singles Class 8 event of the 2016 Rio Paralympics in Brazil.
The National University Lady Bulldogs retained the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference title with a two-game sweep over the Ateneo Lady Eagles. Jaja Santiago was named the Finals MVP.
Filipino boxer Donnie Nietes made a successful debut in the flyweight division as he scored a unanimous decision win over Mexican Edgar Sosa at the Stubhub Center in Carson, California.
The Perlas Pilipinas national women’s basketball team completed a six-game sweep to rule the 2016 SEABA Women’s Championship held at the Bukit Serindit Indoor Stadium in Malacca, Malaysia.
OCTOBER
The University of Santo Tomas completed a rare sweep in the UAAP 79 beach volleyball tournament after ruling the men’s and women’s division recently at the Sands by the Bay in Pasay City.
The San Beda Red Lions reclaimed the NCAA men’s basketball championship after beating the Arellano University Chiefs in their best-of-three series. Davon Potts was named the Finals MVP.
The Star Hotshots made a surprising move by trading away two-time PBA MVP James Yap to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in exchange for former PBA Rookie of the Year awardee Paul Lee.
The Global Football Club captured the 2016 United Football League championship after ending the elimination round on top. Ceres-Negros Football Club, meanwhile, placed second.
Aiming to bring back the winning tradition of the Gilas Pilipinas, Vincent “Chot” Reyes was re-appointed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas as the head coach of the national men’s basketball team.
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings ended an eight year PBA championship drought after bagging the 2016 Oppo PBA Governor’s Cup crown at the expense of the Meralco Bolts.
Six Filipino football players, including two from Bacolod City, Lance Lawrence Locsin and Mikaela Villacin, were given a rare chance to meet and train with the FC Barcelona squad during the 12-day Astro Kem Bola Overseas Training in Barcelona, Spain.
Ceres-La Salle Football Club-Philippines claimed the third place trophy in the 2016 RHB Singapore Cup with a 2-1 win over Singapore’s Balestier Khalsa. It was the country’s best finish in the tournament.
Blackwater Elite selected Rey Mark Belo as the top-overall pick in the special PBA Rookie Draft for the Gilas Pilipinas cadets. The team has also tapped Raphael Banal as top-overall pick in the regular draft. (To be continued/PN)
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