YEARENDER: Golden moments for Philippine sports in 2024

The year 2024 saw historic moments for Philippine sports.

More than making the country proud, Filipino athletes proved they really belong to the world stage. 

The Philippines proved this in sports’ biggest stage, winning two gold medals and two bronze medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Beyond that, there are more examples like the Philippine Men's National Football Team who just defeated Thailand for the first time in 52 years in the ASEAN Championship, or Gilas Pilipinas beating Latvia, the first in 60 years against a European team.

A golden year, indeed, for the Philippines.

Here is a recap of Philippine sports' top moments in 2024.

Carlos Yulo wins two Olympic gold medals

After weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz won the Philippines' first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, gymnast Carlos Yulo won his own — and even bagged two golds in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In Paris, Yulo ruled the floor exercise and vault apparatus finals to banner the country's campaign. This easily put Yulo in the list of the country's multiple Olympic medalists, joining the likes of Hidilyn Diaz and swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso.

The win also came after Yulo's heartbreaking finish in the vault finals in the previous edition in Tokyo.

Nesthy Petecio, Aira Villegas bag bronze medals

Boxing also brought home medals for the Philippines in the Paris Summer Games with Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas bagging one each.

Petecio settled for bronze after reaching the semis of the women's 57kg division, while Villegas claimed one in the women's 50kg.

Petecio also joined the list of the country's multiple Olympic medalists, while Villegas was included in the country's list of boxing medalists in the Summer Games.

Gilas Pilipinas beats Latvia in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament

After last year's Asian Games gold medal victory, the keys of Gilas Pilipinas were officially handed to champion coach Tim Cone early this year. 

From there, Cone composed a group of players which were expected to be the core of the Gilas group with the likes of Dwight Ramos, Kai Sotto, Carl Tamayo, Scottie Thompson, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, CJ Perez, Jamie Malonzo, June Mar Fajardo, AJ Edu, Kevin Quiambao, and Justin Brownlee. 

This crew, along with Mason Amos and Japeth Aguilar, eventually competed in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament where it surprised not only its fans, but also its European counterparts.

Gilas Pilipinas opened its campaign with a win against then world no. 6 Latvia to inch closer to an Olympic berth. It was the first time that the national team defeated a European opponent since 1960.

The Philippines then almost defeated Georgia, 96-94, before falling to Brazil, 71-60.

The revamped squad continues to show its prowess in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers as it remains perfect after four games, with the biggest against New Zealand, 93-89, last November. This was the first time that the Philippines won against the Tall Blacks in a FIBA game.

Alas Pilipinas bags bronze in AVC Challenge Cup

In May, the newly-named Alas Pilipinas volleyball program made history this year as it bagged bronze in the AVC Challenge Cup held in Manila. This was the country's best finish in any AVC tournament in 63 years.

The team was composed of a mix of pro and collegiate players such as Jia De Guzman, Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Fifi Sharma, Angel Canino, and Thea Gagate.

This was followed by back-to-back bronze medals in two legs of the SEA V.League in August.

The men's team, meanwhile, also captured back-to-back bronze medals in the SEA V.League.

Philippines reaches ASEAN Championship semis, defeats Thais for the first time in 52 years

The Philippine Men's National Football Team recently reached the semifinals of the ASEAN Championship (AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup) for the first time since 2018.

However, the journey is not yet over for the men's squad as it also defeated Thailand last Friday in the first leg of the semifinals, 2-1. Sandro Reyes and Kike Linares' goals were enough to defeat Thailand and take the lead in the semifinals.

The said win was the country's first victory against the Thais in 52 years.

In other football highlights, the Philippines was also given the task of hosting next year's FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup, the first time that the global football body will hold the said event.

Fnatic Onic PH retains M-series title for the Philippines in esports

The M title is still in the Philippines.

Earlier this month, Fnatic Onic PH took home the M6 title after defeating Team Liquid Indonesia in the finals of the M6 MLBB World Championship.

This was the Philippines' fifth straight M title since M2.

Meralco wins first PBA title

Finally, the Meralco Bolts are PBA champions.

Chris Newsome made probably the biggest shot of his pro career as he delivered the game-winner for the Bolts against the San Miguel Beermen, 80-78, in Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals last June.

Newsome was named the Finals MVP, while the Meralco coaching staff, headed by Luigi Trillo and consultant Nenad Vucinic, was eventually given the Coach of the Year plum by the PBA Press Corps in its annual awards night.

Meralco finished third in the elimination round before sweeping NLEX in the quarterfinals and overcoming Barangay Ginebra in a seven-game semis series to reach the finals.

Creamline claims PVL Grand Slam

The Creamline Cool Smashers proved its dominance in the previous Premier Volleyball League season as it won all three conferences.

It first won the All-Filipino Conference against Choco Mucho for its eighth title overall, followed by beating Akari in the Reinforced Conference for its title no. 9.

Creamline also proved its talent along with international clubs as it dominated the Invitational Conference, defeating Cignal in the finals and claiming its 10th title. This also handed the Cool Smashers the PVL Grand Slam.

NU reclaims women's volleyball, women's basketball title, UP are men's basketball champions anew in UAAP

The UAAP this year saw programs regain titles in some of its major sporting events.

In women's volleyball back in May, National University regained the women's volleyball title after sweeping University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP Season 86 best-of-three finals. Its men's counterparts, meanwhile, claimed its fourth straight title.

After losing to UST in women's basketball last season, NU earlier this month reclaimed the title as it defeated the Growling Tigresses in Game 3 of the Season 87 finals, 78-73.

The University of the Philippines, meanwhile, dethroned erstwhile defending champions De La Salle University for the men's basketball title. It also took three games for the Fighting Maroons to bring the title back to Diliman against MVP Kevin Quiambao and the rest of the Green Archers. 

In Game 3, UP survived La Salle, 66-62, with JD Cagulangan being named as the Finals MVP.

READ | YEARENDER: Tales of triumphs, dynasties in eventful 2024 for NCAA

Pacquiao elected to International Boxing Hall of Fame

Earlier this month, it was also announced that eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Pacquiao retired from the sport in 2021.

Meanwhile, Pedro Taduran and Melvin Jerusalem captured world titles for the Philippines, with Taduran defeating Ginjiro Shigeoka for the IBF world minimumweight Title, while Jerusalem defended its WBC world strawweight title against Luis Castillo.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News