2024 was a breakthrough year for Philippine sports. Individual and team athletes barged into the never before, or came back after a long time ago. Gilas Pilipinas is team of the year. The men’s basketball team of heritage, natural and naturalized players stunned world number 7 Latvia in the Olympic qualifiers right in their home court.
Basketball world is now reminded there is such a country as the Philippines, including Charles Barkley who jested Philippine basketball is a joke. For, no Filipino has been drafted to the world premiere basketball league. Condescending, but reality check. Indeed a tall order for a short race.
Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball team won bronze in SEA volleyball league. The interesting experimental team paid off despite ditching the usual star athletes. The men’s football team shocked Thailand in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup. The first win by any Philippine team against their powerhouse neighbor in 52 years.
Male athlete of the year is Carlos Edriel Yulo. No need to explain why. Just one word. Histwory. EJ Obiena is behind next, although he jumped just behind the Olympic medal podium. Female athlete of the year is Nesthy Petecio, the first Filipino boxer, man or woman, to win two Olympic medals. Herstory.
Aira Villegas deserves honorable mention. The frail looking soft spoken southpaw powered to bronze in her Olympic debut. If not for the golden boy, these women boxers would have been the bigger news. Before Hidilyn Diaz, the country on several editions was thrilled with a solitary Olympic bronze that ended years of medal drought.
But the strongest Filipina lifted the burden of a burdened country to gold, without reference to bullions believed by millions. Yulo delivered two with his near flawless performance in the floor exercise and the vault, marred only by his cheap family feud and other choices in life, including his social media antics and fashion.
Bianca Pagdanganan almost medaled after she finished fourth in Olympic golf. Alex Eala won singles and doubles titles at the ITF W100 Vitoria-Gaseiz in Spain. She ranked 143 in the world in July 2024, the highest placement by any Filipino, man or woman. Pure Filipino Cecil Mamiit ranked higher before, inside the top 100, but he carried the American flag.
Regardless, the country shamelessly claims who it once mistreated before. Wesley So, who just finished top 4 in World Blitz. Or rejected. No one turned for Sofronio Vasquez in the Philippine blinds. Years later he turned the table around to become the first Asian champion of a popular singing competition in America. Or vilified. Maria Ressa, whose voice was suppressed in the country, only to be heard by the world, including graduates of Ivy League.