2022 Game Changers: A year of history makers, achievers, and big moments in Philippine Sports

As the world started to open up after almost two years of lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sporting events have also made a full return and there were a lot of memorable moments particularly for Philippine sports.

To recap the great year that was, GMA Sports recognizes the top moments and personalities that made 2022 remarkable.

History makers and drought breakers:

The Philippine national women's football team made history at the start of 2022 as it booked a slot in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. The Filipinas also clinched its first AFF Women's Championship back in July.

Alex Eala, meanwhile, became the first Filipina to win a single's grand slam trophy after winning the junior girls' singles tournament in the US Open back in September.

In the NCAA, Letran won two championships in one calendar year as it took the titles for Season 97 and Season 98. With the two titles, Letran completed a three-peat which was a first since the Samboy Lim era in the 80's. De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde swept the NCAA Season 97 women's volleyball season and claimed the title, while the Benilde Blazers ended a two-decade Final Four and Finals drought in men's basketball in Season 98.

In the UAAP, the University of the Philippines won its first men's basketball title in 36 years when it took home the Season 84 crown, while National University won its first women's volleyball title since 1957 after a perfect 16-0 run in the same season. 

Achievers:

Hidilyn Diaz finally became a world champion after dominating the 55kg event in the Weightlifting World Championships in December.

EJ Obiena, after a tumultuous start of the year, soared and broke records anew as he cleared 5.94 meters in the World Athletics Championship for a new Asian record. The feat also clinched him a third place finish in the tournament.

Carlos Yulo continued to rake in medals as he claimed a silver and a bronze in the World Gymnastics Championship. Yulo also won three gold medals and a silver in the Asian Championships.

Several athletes also copped gold medals this year such as Olympian Carlo Paalam (ASBC Elite Men and Women Boxing), Junna Tsukii (World Games), Vanessa Sarno (Asian Junior Weightlifting Championship), Sofia Frank (Asian Open Figure Skating), and bowling icon Paeng Nepomuceno (Asian Senior Bowling Championship).

The Philippines continued to be a powerhouse in Mobile Legends as RSG Philippines took the crown in the 2022 Mobile Legends Southeast Asian Conference. Blacklist International, who represented the country in the 31st Southeast Asian Games, also brought home the gold. Blacklist's VeeWise also made its return in MPL Season 10 where they reclaimed the crown.

Team Philippines also had its best outing outside of the country's hosted editions of the Southeast Asian Games as it placed fourth in the Hanoi meet with 52 gold medals, 70 silver, and 104 bronze. It also had its best finish in the ASEAN Para Games with 28 gold, 28 silver, and 44 bronze medals.

Big Moments:

Local sports also had its big moments in different leagues and events.

Scottie Thompson was named as the PBA's new Most Valuable Player for its 46th season, while the San Miguel Beermen reclaimed the Philippine Cup title after three years.

The Creamline Cool Smashers also won two out of three conferences in the 2022 PVL Season and took the titles in the Open and Invitational Conferences. The Petro Gazz Angels, meanwhile, won the Reinforced Conference.

Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University reclaimed the UAAP men's basketball crown after defeating University of the Philippines in the best-of-three Finals of Season 85.

Manny Pacquiao ended the year with a win against South Korean Martial Artist DK Yoo in an exhibition match via unanimous decision. Some of the proceeds of the match will be given to those affected by the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Meanwhile, Jordan Clarkson played in the home court for the first time as he joined Gilas Pilipinas in the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Saudi Arabia. Clarkson tallied 23 points in the 84-46 win. Prior to the win, Clarkson also played against Lebanon although it resulted in a loss, 85-81.

Filipinos continued to bring their talents abroad as imports of several basketball teams. The likes of SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Rhenz Abando, Justin Gutang, and Ethan Alvano played in the Korean Basketball League, while Matthew Wright, Roosevelt Adams, Greg Slaughter, Jay Washington, and Justine Baltazar joined other Filipino imports in the Japan B.League. Juan Gomez de Liaño also brought his talents to Lithuania.

Issues in Philippine sports

However, Philippine sports was also marred with some issues.

The year started with EJ Obiena's alleged misuse of funds which led him to being not endorsed by PATAFA in the World Indoor Championships and was cut from the national training pool. Obiena submitted the documents needed for liquidation, while PATAFA said it did not 'not endorse' the pole vaulter and instead deferred it only as they were asked to undergo mediation. The camps of Obiena and PATAFA eventually reached an agreement in March and the pole vaulter was eventually reinstated in the national pool.

In February, the Alaska Aces announced its exit from the PBA after more than three decades. The Aces had 14 championships, including a grand slam in 1996, prior to its exit from the league. The franchise was eventually bought by Dennis Anthony Uy's Converge and are now known as the Converge FiberXers.

In April, Kai Sotto threw in his hat in the NBA Draft but as the night ended, the Filipino big man's name was not called. Sotto said this will not be the end as there are still other ways to enter the NBA. Now, he is still with the Adelaide 36ers in the Australian NBL.

Gilas Pilipinas also suffered several losses in its tournaments, but one that stinged the most was the silver medal in the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games. It was the first second place finish of the national team after three decades of dominance in Southeast Asian basketball. Gilas eventually also missed the quarters out of the FIBA Asia Cup, which was a first in 15 years. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas called for unity of stakeholders heading into the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The fifth window, on the other hand, was a sweep of Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

John Amores became known in the collegiate basketball scene after the unfortunate punching incident when he and the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers were playing against the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. Amores was slapped with an indefinite suspension in the NCAA, and JRU removed him from the program. A complaint was also filed against him by Jimboy Pasturan and Taine Davis. Amores eventually reached out to the Blazers and asked for forgiveness, which the latter also accepted. Now, Amores will bring his talents to the Zamboanga Valientes.

Before the year ended, international referee Carlos Padilla revealed that he helped Manny Pacquiao in his fight against Nedal Hussein in 2000. Hussein said Padilla should be accountable for his actions, while Pacquiao said the referee did nothing wrong during the match. Padilla's daughter appealed for consideration about his father's statements as the World Boxing Council formed a special panel to check on the referee's statements.

With sports coming in full swing for 2023, local fans will be treated with a lot of big moments from Philippine sports.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News