The year 2024 proved to be a defining one for Philippine basketball, with monumental triumphs, long-awaited victories, and unforgettable clashes etching themselves into the annals of the sport’s history. From the international stage to the local leagues, Filipino hoops delivered moments that will be cherished for years to come, embodying the unbreakable spirit and fervor of a basketball-crazy nation.
Gilas Pilipinas’ Global Breakthroughs
Gilas Pilipinas, the Philippine men’s national basketball team, achieved new heights in 2024, proving that their Asian Games gold the previous year was no fluke. The squad made a resounding statement in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, stunning world no. 6 Latvia on their home floor.
Gilas stunned Latvia — and even themselves — when they beat the sixth-ranked country in the world during the summer’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Bannered by naturalized player Justin Brownlee and the towering duo of Kai Sotto and June Mar Fajardo, Gilas displayed a newfound physicality and cohesion that allowed them to go toe-to-toe with the global powerhouse. Brownlee’s near triple-double and clutch heroics propelled the Philippines to a landmark victory that reverberated across the basketball world.
Riding the momentum of their OQT campaign, Gilas carried their stellar form into the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, securing a historic win over New Zealand. Kai Sotto anchored both ends of the floor, notching 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists to help the Philippines vanquish the Tall Blacks for the first time ever in a FIBA-sanctioned game. The triumph on home soil not only punched their ticket to the Asia Cup, but also ignited hope for even greater heights to come.
PBA: New Champions and Iconic Rivalries
The PBA, Asia’s first professional basketball league, witnessed the rise of new champions and the resurgence of storied rivalries. In the Philippine Cup, the Meralco Bolts ended years of heartbreak, finally clinching their maiden title in a dramatic Game 6 against the fancied San Miguel Beermen.
Chris Newsome, with ice in his veins, responded with a clutch midrange jumper, securing the victory and giving himself, Cliff Hodge, and the entire Meralco squad their first-ever championship in franchise history.
Chris Newsome’s cold-blooded game-winner capped off a rollercoaster of a series, etching Meralco’s name in PBA history and rewarding the blood, sweat, and tears poured in by the Bolts faithful through the years.
Over in the Governors’ Cup, age-old rivals Barangay Ginebra and Meralco reignited their feud in the quarterfinals. In Game 2, Justin Brownlee once again delivered the goods for the Gin Kings, swatting away Allen Durham before draining a step-back three over the same import to seal the win—a callback to his iconic championship-clincher in 2016. The clutch sequence reaffirmed Ginebra’s status as the Governors’ Cup overlords and owners of this particular rivalry.
UAAP: Revenge of the Maroons
In the collegiate ranks, the UAAP presented the blockbuster Redux between the UP Fighting Maroons and the DLSU Green Archers. The Finals series, bannered by several Gilas standouts on both sides, smashed attendance records and had the nation on the edge of its seat.
The pivotal moment came when Francis Lopez, who had missed crucial free throws in their Game 2 loss, redeemed himself with a booming 3-pointer to extend UP’s lead to four in the final minutes.
UP ultimately prevailed, capturing their second title in four years and exacting vengeance on the team that thwarted their three-peat aspirations the season prior. The win solidified UP’s stature as a collegiate powerhouse and marked another milestone in their incredible turnaround from cellar dwellers to champions.
The defining moments of Philippine basketball in 2024 encapsulated the passion, resilience, and love for the game that Filipinos have in spades. Amidst the trials and tribulations, the triumphs and heartbreaks, one thing remains certain—the Philippines will continue to pour its heart and soul into this beloved sport, with the unwavering belief that the best is yet to come. As a new chapter unfolds, the country looks ahead with eager anticipation, ready to witness the next crop of heroes and legends that will fly the flag and bring glory to the nation, one basketball at a time.
