MANILA, Philippines — In and out of the ring, Manny Pacquiao continued to make headlines in 2010. He won two fights against bigger opponents and finally realized his political dream when he became representative of Saranggani in Congress.
But the top story of the year belongs to the Philippine football team, fondly known as the Azkals, for reaching the semifinals in the 2010 Suzuki Cup, an achievement without parallel.
Hereunder is 2010’s Top 10 Stories:
1. Azkals stun Vietnam in football
The Philippine football team overachieved this year, beating powerhouse Vietnam, 2-0, on its way to advancing into the semifinals of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup for the first time.
Aside from toppling Vietnam in the eliminations, the Azkals drew with Singapore and Myanmar to earn the right to face Indonesia in the two-game knockout Round of 4.
Although they lost to Indonesia, 1-0, twice, the Azkals opened the eyes of many Filipinos that there is hope in football.
The Azkals became instant celebrities as corporate support began to pour for the team formed by businessman Dan Palami.
The shining feat came amid the leadership tug-of-war in the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) where Mari Martinez was ousted as president and was replaced by Mariano Araneta Jr. amid allegations of corruption.
FIFA eventually recognized Araneta’s election as PFF president after initially sticking with Martinez.
The Azkals’ feat was named as one of the top 10 football stories of the Sports Illustrated.
2. Pacquiao still unbeaten, becomes congressman
It was not only in boxing where Manny Pacquiao made his mark in 2010.
Pacquiao trounced Joshua Clottey of Ghana and Mexican superstar Antonio Margarito to extend his winning streak to 13 bouts, but he made more heads turn when he won a seat in Congress on his second try.
Not only did he complete an unprecedented world titles in eight weight classes, Pacquiao also transcended the sporting world in many ways, according to Yahoo columnist Kevin Iole.
“He has become the most beloved since Muhammad Ali, won a seat in the Philippine Congress, was featured popular profile show “60 Minutes” that had US President Barack Obama as opening act, became the inflight magazine cover story of American Airways, was chosen as endorser for Sen. Harry Reid’s re-election bid and has awaken the sleeping US boxing media.”
Pacquiao raised Sen. Reid’s hands during the campaign sorties in Las Vegas, helping the senator win by a margin of 40,000 despite trailing during the campaign period.
His demolition of Clottey last March was witnessed by 50,994 fans at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium – the biggest fight crowd in the US in 17 years.
Despite being outweighed by 17 pounds on fight night, Pacquiao turned Margarito into a bloody pulp to win his eighth world title.
3. The three kings from Asian Games
A boxer, a cue artist and a bowler saved the day for the Philippines in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China held last November.
Bowler Biboy Rivera won the men’s singles title for the country’s first gold medal before pool maestro Dennis Orcollo defeated Warren Kiamco in the all-Filipino 9-ball men’s pool singles final.
Boxer Rey Saludar accounted for the third gold by whipping a game, but outclassed Chinese opponent in the final.
The 188-strong contingent also won three silvers and seven bronzes.
4. Three in a row for the Ateneo Blue Eagles
The Ateneo Blue Eagles completed a rare “three-peat” in the UAAP cage wars despite the absence of key players.
Even without Jai Reyes, big men Rabeh Al Hussaini and Nonoy Baclao, the Eagles clawed their way back to the summit by sweeping title favorite Far Eastern University in the best-of-three finals.
Countless heroes rose from the shadows in helping Ateneo clinch its sixth title overall since 1978, but none perhaps more brilliant than Ryan Buenafe, who knocked down the biggest shots in last victory of Season 73 – a 65-62 win over the Tamaraws before a crowd of 17,215.
The championship series featured a bevy of subplots with the Eagles coming out with a surprise 72-49 blowout win in Game 1 despite missing the suspended Jimbo Escueta.
Four days after the defeat, Glenn Capacio resigned as FEU coach, disappointed over the fate of his team, which topped the eliminations with a 12-2 card.
Ateneo capped the remarkable year by defending its title in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League.
5. Donaire wins WBA bantamweight interim title
Nonito Donaire continued his quest for more glory by stopping Ukrainian Wladimiro Sidorenko in the fourth round to capture the WBA bantamweight interim title in California early this month.
More than the championship, the victory gave Donaire the opportunity to challenge Fernando Montiel on Feb. 19, something that the Filipino Flash has long been craving for.
Donaire was so bent on facing the Mexican WBO/WBC kingpin that he moved up in weight to find him.
With the victory, Donaire, 28, a former world flyweight champion, extended his win streak to 24 fights over 9 1/2 years, improving to 25-1 with his 17th early stoppage.
It was Donaire’s third victory this year, having beaten Manuel Vargas in the third round on Feb. 13 to retain the WBA super flyweight crown and knocked out Hernan “Tyson” Marquez in the eighth on July 10.
Hereunder is 2010’s Top 10 Stories:
1. Azkals stun Vietnam in football
The Philippine football team overachieved this year, beating powerhouse Vietnam, 2-0, on its way to advancing into the semifinals of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup for the first time.
Aside from toppling Vietnam in the eliminations, the Azkals drew with Singapore and Myanmar to earn the right to face Indonesia in the two-game knockout Round of 4.
Although they lost to Indonesia, 1-0, twice, the Azkals opened the eyes of many Filipinos that there is hope in football.
The Azkals became instant celebrities as corporate support began to pour for the team formed by businessman Dan Palami.
The shining feat came amid the leadership tug-of-war in the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) where Mari Martinez was ousted as president and was replaced by Mariano Araneta Jr. amid allegations of corruption.
FIFA eventually recognized Araneta’s election as PFF president after initially sticking with Martinez.
The Azkals’ feat was named as one of the top 10 football stories of the Sports Illustrated.
2. Pacquiao still unbeaten, becomes congressman
It was not only in boxing where Manny Pacquiao made his mark in 2010.
Pacquiao trounced Joshua Clottey of Ghana and Mexican superstar Antonio Margarito to extend his winning streak to 13 bouts, but he made more heads turn when he won a seat in Congress on his second try.
Not only did he complete an unprecedented world titles in eight weight classes, Pacquiao also transcended the sporting world in many ways, according to Yahoo columnist Kevin Iole.
“He has become the most beloved since Muhammad Ali, won a seat in the Philippine Congress, was featured popular profile show “60 Minutes” that had US President Barack Obama as opening act, became the inflight magazine cover story of American Airways, was chosen as endorser for Sen. Harry Reid’s re-election bid and has awaken the sleeping US boxing media.”
Pacquiao raised Sen. Reid’s hands during the campaign sorties in Las Vegas, helping the senator win by a margin of 40,000 despite trailing during the campaign period.
His demolition of Clottey last March was witnessed by 50,994 fans at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium – the biggest fight crowd in the US in 17 years.
Despite being outweighed by 17 pounds on fight night, Pacquiao turned Margarito into a bloody pulp to win his eighth world title.
3. The three kings from Asian Games
A boxer, a cue artist and a bowler saved the day for the Philippines in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China held last November.
Bowler Biboy Rivera won the men’s singles title for the country’s first gold medal before pool maestro Dennis Orcollo defeated Warren Kiamco in the all-Filipino 9-ball men’s pool singles final.
Boxer Rey Saludar accounted for the third gold by whipping a game, but outclassed Chinese opponent in the final.
The 188-strong contingent also won three silvers and seven bronzes.
4. Three in a row for the Ateneo Blue Eagles
The Ateneo Blue Eagles completed a rare “three-peat” in the UAAP cage wars despite the absence of key players.
Even without Jai Reyes, big men Rabeh Al Hussaini and Nonoy Baclao, the Eagles clawed their way back to the summit by sweeping title favorite Far Eastern University in the best-of-three finals.
Countless heroes rose from the shadows in helping Ateneo clinch its sixth title overall since 1978, but none perhaps more brilliant than Ryan Buenafe, who knocked down the biggest shots in last victory of Season 73 – a 65-62 win over the Tamaraws before a crowd of 17,215.
The championship series featured a bevy of subplots with the Eagles coming out with a surprise 72-49 blowout win in Game 1 despite missing the suspended Jimbo Escueta.
Four days after the defeat, Glenn Capacio resigned as FEU coach, disappointed over the fate of his team, which topped the eliminations with a 12-2 card.
Ateneo capped the remarkable year by defending its title in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League.
5. Donaire wins WBA bantamweight interim title
Nonito Donaire continued his quest for more glory by stopping Ukrainian Wladimiro Sidorenko in the fourth round to capture the WBA bantamweight interim title in California early this month.
More than the championship, the victory gave Donaire the opportunity to challenge Fernando Montiel on Feb. 19, something that the Filipino Flash has long been craving for.
Donaire was so bent on facing the Mexican WBO/WBC kingpin that he moved up in weight to find him.
With the victory, Donaire, 28, a former world flyweight champion, extended his win streak to 24 fights over 9 1/2 years, improving to 25-1 with his 17th early stoppage.
It was Donaire’s third victory this year, having beaten Manuel Vargas in the third round on Feb. 13 to retain the WBA super flyweight crown and knocked out Hernan “Tyson” Marquez in the eighth on July 10.
