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. First part of this series will cover the months of January, February, March and April.
JANUARY
The Province of Iloilo has approved its partnership with Kaya Futbol Club for the Philippines Football League with Iloilo Sports Complex in La Paz serving as its homecourt.
Filipino mixed martial arts fighter Geje Eustaquio captured the ONE FC Interim flyweight title with a unanimous decision win over Kairat Akhmetov of Kazakhstan at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Filipino figure skater Michael Martinez earns a slot in the 2018 Winter Olympics at the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium in Pyeongchang, South Korea. It was the second straight time for Martinez to qualify in the Olympics.
FEBRUARY
Filipino boxer Jerwin Ancajas send Mexican Israel Gonzalez crashing to the canvas thrice en route to a 10th round stoppage win and retain the IBF super flyweight title at the Bank of America Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Negrense Donnie Nietes pounded on Juan Carlos Reveco of Argentina with a seventh round beaing to retain the IBF World flyweight championship at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
In the same fight card, Filipino-Hawaiian Brian Viloria failed to annex the vacant WBA world flyweight championship following a lopsided unanimous decision defeat to Artem Dalakian of Ukraine.
MARCH
Filipino boxer Reymart Gaballo took home the WBA World interim bantamweight title following a unanimous decision win over Stephon Young at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
The PBA has lifted its lifetime ban on Puerto Rican import Renaldo Balkman, who was punished before for choking a teammate. He went on to play for San Miguel Beermen in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Philippine Azkals bagged a historic qualification in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup after defeating Tajikistan, 2-1, in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Phil Younghusband also achieved a personal milestone in the game by netting his 50th international goal.
APRIL
San Miguel Beermen captured its fourth consecutive PBA Philippine Cup championship after defeating Magnolia Hotshots in the finals. It was the 24th PBA championship overall of the franchise.
Batang Gilas punched a ticket to the 2019 FIBA U-17 World Cup after reaching the semifinals of the Fiba Under-16 Asian Championship. The national team ended up at fourth place in the tournament.
Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire Jr. failed to wrest the WBO interim world featherweight championship following a unanimous decision defeat to Carl Frampton of United Kingdom at the SSE Arena in Belftast, Northern Ireland./PN
