Game Changers: The top stories in Philippine sports in 2023 (Part 2)

From upset wins to historic triumphs to inspiring championship runs, 2023 had no shortage of stories to tell in Philippine sports.

Here's a list of the 10 biggest stories (in no particular order) to look back on in the year about to reach its finish line.

READ | Game Changers: The top stories in Philippine sports in 2023 (Part 1)

Gilas Pilipinas wins Asian Games gold after 61 years

Where were you when Gilas Pilipinas defeated China in the Asian Games?

It was a rematch of sorts for two of Asian basketball’s powerhouse teams after their encounter in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in Manila.

But even with a different lineup, the final result was the same as the Philippines’ 77-76 come-from-behind win against China in the semifinals of the Asian Games in October handed the Philippines a shot as the gold medal.

The team, under head coach Tim Cone, dismantled a Jordan team led by PBA import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, 70-60, in the gold medal game with the help of naturalized player Justin Brownlee.

Coming off a tough performance in the World Cup, a gold medal in the Asian Games was very much welcome, especially as they only had less than a month of preparation prior to the tournament.

There was some bad news, however, as Brownlee tested positive for an illegal substance following the tournament. But despite this, the gold medal remained and the Philippines can once again claim the title of kings of Asian basketball.

New champions in college sports

New chapters were also started in Philippine collegiate sports.

The San Beda Red Lions recently reclaimed the NCAA men's basketball title after defeating Mapua University, 76-66, in Game 3 of the best-of-three finals. It was an uphill climb for San Beda en route to the title as they finished third overall at the end of the elimination round with a 12-6 card.

It also took the full two games in the Final Four and three games in the finals before the Mendiola-based squad once again won the NCAA crown for the first time since 2018.

Days before that, De La Salle University also ended its own seven-year title drought in the UAAP as they took down University of the Philippines in the three-game finals affair. Season 86 MVP and Finals MVP Kevin Quiambao towed the Archers past the Fighting Maroons as the UAAP title returned to Taft Avenue.

La Salle also reclaimed the UAAP Season 85 volleyball title for the first time since 2018. Rookie MVP Angel Canino stood out as the Lady Spikers proved they were the team to beat that season.

Over on the men's side of UAAP volleyball, National University won its third consecutive title to continue its dominance on the taraflex.

However, NU, which is also famous for its women's basketball program, fell to the University of Santo Tomas in Season 86 to end the Lady Bulldogs' seven-year reign. This is UST's first title in women's basketball since 2006.

The Benilde Lady Blazers and Perpetual Altas, on the other hand, retained their NCAA volleyball titles.

Filipinas win first World Cup match

The Filipinas surprised the world in their highly-anticipated FIFA Women's World Cup debut as they took only two matches to get their first goal and win in football's biggest event.

In front of a crowd of around 30,000 in Wellington, New Zealand, Sarina Bolden scored the Philippines' first goal against the home team which eventually handed the country its first-ever win in the tournament.

Bolden's goal sent shockwaves from New Zealand to Manila as Filipinos trooped to the stadiums and watch parties in Manila multiplied after the win.

However, the Filipinas' historic campaign came to an end as they fell to Norway, 6-0, in their final match.

Alen Stajcic, the architect behind the Philippines' special journey, eventually left the program after his contract expired.

Aside from their memorable World Cup stint, the women's football team, under new head coach Mark Torcaso, also reached the quarterfinals in the Asian Games for the first time.

By the year's end, the Filipinas had their highest world ranking ever at no. 38.

Filipino athletes qualify for the Paris Olympics

The road to the Olympics once again opened and four athletes have already qualified for the Paris Games in 2024.

EJ Obiena was the first to book a slot to Paris after meeting the entry standard of 5.82 meters in a tournament in Sweden last July.

Gymnast Carlos Yulo will make a return to the Olympics as he qualified through the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships by being the highest-ranked eligible athlete in the floor exercise.

Aleah Finnegan, meanwhile, qualified for the Olympiad by making it to the allotted slot for the women's all-around event through the world championships.

Olympic Bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, meanwhile, punched a ticket to Paris after making it to the finals of the men's 80kg division of the Asian Games. However, he fell short in the finals, which handed him the silver medal.

Thank you for fighting

While new chapters were written in the history of Philippine sports, the industry also bade farewell to these sports personalities:

Boybits Victoria (basketball)
Rob Luna (esports)
Emmanuel "Coach Navi" Gacho (esports)
Charles David "Chad" Dela Pena (esports)
Kenneth Egano (boxing)
Ed Picson (boxing)
Tony Genato (basketball)
Ato Tolentino (basketball)
Samboy Lim (basketball)

They will always be remembered.

With 2024 coming, Philippine sports is gearing up for bigger things as it opens new chapters in its story.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News