The year that was

2025 was a year of breakthroughs and promises, either in individual or team events, or Philippine sports in general. Alas Pilipinas upset number 21 Egypt in the men’s volleyball world championships and narrowly lost to Asian powerhouse Iran for the knockout stage. The solitary historic win and the almost won make the Filipino aces a potential threat in the Asiad. But not yet, they failed to sustain the momentum to the regional games in Thailand. The host country blanked them in the semis and ended with a come-from-behind bronze medal consolation.

But a podium finish continues to elude the more popular women’s team. They lost to Indonesia in 4 sets. Almost there, but not yet. The team of collegiate and professional league stars could not bust the ghost of 2019 when they bungled two match points for the bronze against the same country right on home court.

La Salle however busted not only the ghost but the monster heartbreak of a loss last year. The Green Archers punched their ticket to the finals by knocking out National University with a twice-to-beat advantage. They carried the momentum to the finals trilogy where they beat the premiere state university in a do-or-die, sudden death, this is it, game three.

The greatest Filipino athlete plucked himself out of retirement. Evergreen Manny Pacquiao turned back time, fought and drew by majority against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios, but won the match by age gap. His son with another woman stole a fraction of his spotlight by winning a match and more fans, only because he looks better than his father.

By yearend, the Philippine campaign in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand punctuated the country’s performance in sports. Although the biggest Philippine delegation finished sixth, it tied with Malaysia for fifth place per Olympic sports count. This matters more, even as it gauges medal chances for the Asian and Olympic Games. Other events merely showcased and celebrated regional sports and culture. Give them all to the host country hands down.

But the bigger story was written by the Filipinas who made theirstory by beating to gold defending champion Vietnam via prolonged penalty shootout. Suddenly, gold. After years of narrowly missing the podium until the bronze in 2021. It reprised the women’s inaugural medal in the maiden Southeast Asian Games forty years ago. But that was because only three competed. Still dead last. But now they surprised the country with a gold it did not expect, but the color that matters among its regional neighbors. It should start to matter at home where millions are homeless.