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. Second part of this series will cover the months of May June and July.
MAY
De La Salle University Lady Spikers hoisted the UAAP women’s volleyball tiara for the third straight year after defeating Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in the best-of-three finals.
San Miguel-Alab Pilipinas clinched the 2018 ASEAN Basketball League crown after defeating Mono Vampire of Thailand in the finals. Bobby Ray Parks Jr. was named as Finals MVP.
Petron Blaze Spikers ended its three year thirst for a Philippine Superliga Grand Prix title after beating F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in the finals. Lindsay Stalzer was hailed as the tournament MVP.
Jerwin Ancajas has successfully retained the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super flyweight crown with a clinical unanimous decision win over fellow Filipino Jonas Sultan at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
NLEX Road Warriors guard Kiefer Ravena has been slapped with 18 months suspension by FIBA from any basketball activity after testing from prohibited substance while playing for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier.
JUNE
Filipino-American Mercito Gesta get back on the winning track as he capture the WBO NABO lightweight belt with a majority decision win over Mexican Roberto Manzanarez in Indio, California.
Negrense gunner Jeffrei Chan has been traded by Phoenix Fuel Masters to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in exchange for a future first round draft pick.
Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles fortified their pre-season dominance with a 76-62 thumping of San Beda University Red Lions to capture the 2018 Fil Oil Flying V Premier Cup championship.
JULY
The 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier match between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia ended in a brawl at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. Ten national team players were later penalized with Calvin Abueva hit the hardest with six-game suspension.
Filipino fighter Vic Saludar took home the WBO minimumweight belt with a unanimous decision win over Ryuya Yamanaka of Japan at the latter’s home turf in Central Gym in Kobe, Japan.
Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao captured the WBA welterweight championship with a seventh round technical knockout win on Lucas Matthysse of Argentina in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was Pacquiao’s first stoppage win since 2009.
F2 Logistics Cargo Movers got a fitting revenge on Petron Blaze Spikers after bagging the Philippine Superliga Invitational championship. Victorinara Galang was named as the MVP./PN
