[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading tag=’h3′ padding=’10’ heading=’2016 sports year-ender (part 3)’ color=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ custom_font=” size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ custom_class=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
Monday, January 2, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
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.
NOVEMBER
Meralco Bolts veteran guard Jimmy Alapag has once again announced his retirement from basketball, two years after retracting his earlier decision to walk away from the sport for good. He now serves as the team’s assistant coach.
Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao made a successful ring return after winning the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship with a unanimous decision win over Jessie Vargas at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire Jr., meanwhile, failed to retain the WBO super bantamweight diadem with a unanimous decision loss to Jessie Magdaleno. Donaire remains asking for a rematch.
Veteran long jumper Marestella Torres-Sunang of Negros Oriental bested nine other rivals to capture the gold medal in the 2016 World Masters Athletics Championships at Perth, Australia.
Ilonggo wushu player Arnel Roa Mandal captured one of the Philippines’ two gold medals in the 8th Wushu-Sanda World Cup at the Xi’an, China. He got a P1 million incentive from the government for the feat.
The Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors captured the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference crown with a two-game sweep over the Bureau of Customs Transformers at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The National University Pep Squad clinched its fourth straight championship after another dominant performance in the UAAP Season 79 Cheerdance competition at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Philippine men’s football team Azkals failed to advance to the semifinals round of the 2016 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup following a 1-0 loss to the Thailand War Elephants at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Milan Melindo moved closer to a world title feat after capturing the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Interim light flyweight belt with a unanimous decision win over Thai boxer Fahlan Sakkeerin Jr. in Pinoy Pride 39 at the Cebu Coliseum.
Concepcion, Iloilo mixed martial arts Jenel Lausa made an impressive debut at Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) following a unanimous decision win over Chinese Yao Zhikui at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.
The University of the Philippines Pep Squad captured a total of six medals while representing the country in the 2nd Asian Cheerleading and Dancesport Championship at Jakarta, Indonesia.
DECEMBER
Fil-Am Brandon Vera hardly broke a sweat to retain the ONE FC heavyweight belt with a first round stoppage win over Hideki Sekine of Japan in the main event of ONE FC: Age of Domination” card at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Olympian Mary Joy Tabal completed a rare-feat after capturing her fourth consecutive championship when she topped the women’s 42 kilometer category of the 40th Milo Marathon National Finals at the Iloilo Convention Center in Iloilo City.
The De La Salle University Green Archers bagged its ninth UAAP men’s basketball championship after beating the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the Season 79 best-of-three title series. The Green Archers ended the eliminations with a near-perfect 13-1 slate.
The National University Lady Bulldogs successfully completed another perfect season after bagging the UAAP Season 79 women’s basketball crown with a two-game sweep over DLSU Lady Archers.
The Foton Tornadoes retained the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix crown after sweeping the Petron Tri-Activ Spikers in their best-of-three finale. The Tornadoes earned a slot to the 2017 Asian Volleyball Confederation-Asian Women’s Championship in Kazakhstan.
Alyssa Valdez signed a deal to play for the 3BB Nokornonnt team in the 2017’s Volleyball Thailand League. She is set to become the first Filipina to play in a Thai-based volleyball league.
Happy New Year to all./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
