As 2019 was an iconic year for Filipino sports, let us revisit some of the biggest sports stories we have covered, witnessed and enjoyed. The fourth part series covers the months of November and December.
November:
* Creamline Cool Smashers repeated as champions in the Premier Volleyball League Season 3 Open Conference after sweeping Petro Gazz Angels in the finals.
* Ceres-Negros FC clinched the 2019 Copa Paulino Alcantara championship after defeating regional rival and last year’s champions Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo in the gold medal match.
* National University Pep Squad retained its throne and reigned supreme in the UAAP Season 82 Cheerdance Competition. Far Eastern University Cheering Squad and Adamson University Pep Squad finished second and third, respectively.
* Phil Younghusband, one of the key players in the resurgence of Philippine football, has announced his retirement from the sport at the age of 32.
* Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights captured the NCAA Season 95 Men’s Basketball Championship after dethroning San Beda University Red Lions in three matches.
* Ateneo Blue Eagles nailed its third straight UAAP men’s basketball championship and completed a rare season sweep. They defeated University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in two games in the finals.
* National University Lady Bulldogs clinched its sixth consecutive UAAP women’s basketball tiara after sweeping University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses in the best- of-three finals
December:
* Filipino boxer John Riel Casimero resurges world champion after clinching the WBO bantamweight belt with a third round stoppage win over Zolani Tete of South Africa on December 1 at Birmingham, England.
* Filipino boxer Jerwin Ancajas easily retained his IBF world super flyweight belt after a sixth round stoppage win over Chile’s Miguel Gonzales on December 8 at the Auditorio GNP Seguros in Puebla, Mexico.
* Philippines emerged as the overall champion in the 30th Southeast Asian Games after finishing the 11-day competition with record-setting 386 medals– 149 gold, 117 silver and 120 bronze.
