Inquirer Sports resumes its report on personalities and events that made 2017 a year to remember.
- 2023 FIBA WORLD CUP
The Philippines won the hosting rights to the 2023 Fiba World Cup after the Fiba (international basketball association) Central Board approved the country’s three-nation bid with Japan and Indonesia this December in Mies, Switzerland. The three hosts earned outright World Cup berths.
June Mar Fajardo. Photo from Fiba.com
- JUNE MAR FAJARDO
Cementing his status as the best basketball player of his generation, the 28-year-old Fajardo claimed his fourth straight PBA Most Valuable Player award. The 6-foot-10 slotman, aside from powering San Miguel Beer to the Philippine Cup last March and the Commissioner’s Cup last July, helped Gilas Pilipinas stay unbeaten in two games in the Fiba World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers.
- CLYDE MONDILLA
At 24, Mondilla emerged as the new ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion after sweeping the last two legs of the circuit, including the P3-million The Players Championship last September.
Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
- COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Fierce rivals Ateneo and La Salle starred in another epic UAAP Finals showdown. But the Blue Eagles came out triumphant this time with Thirdy Ravena, Matt Nieto and Isaac Go taking charge in dethroning the Green Archers, 88-86, in the do-or-die Game 3. In the NCAA, San Beda completed a finals sweep to bag its 10th championship in 12 years. Robert Bolick led the Red Lions in upsetting the Lyceum Pirates who won all 18 elimination games. (To be continued)