Top 10 Sporting Events of 2K12 (Part 1)

In every year ends, there are so many good and bad vibes triggers the sports world. Controversies that give huge impact to its fans and its league credibility. Here is my personal ten most unforgettable moments that may pick our lessons that we will learn towards to the new year come.




10. MOA Arena Opening

Dated June 16,2012, the newest coliseum that may be fits to be a good 'rival' for Araneta Coliseum was opened to the public. The name is Mall of Asia Arena. It has a capacity of 16,000 seats for sports purposes and a huge 20,000 seats for entertainment such as concerts and many other events.

On July 7,2012, this is the first PBA game played in this venue featuring former Bmeg Llamados (now San Mig) against Talk N Text Tropang Texters in the PBA Governor's Cup semi-finals.

Meanwhile, the first UAAP hoop game was happened on July 14,2012 highlighting NU Bulldogs and UE Red Warriors.

The record-breaker as of the moment was the UAAP Finals between Ateneo and UST which the Katipunan-based squad won its rare 5-peat. It was registered by exactly 20,686 patrons watching that game.

9. Manny Pacquiao back-to-back loss

The fame is not always there for a very popular athlete like Manny Pacquiao. He suffered  back-to-back losses in his entire pro boxing career. One is via split decision and another is via a shocking knock-out ruling.

On June 9,2012, Pacquiao decided to faced American undefeated boxer Timothy Bradley for WBO Welterweight championship. But, unfortunately, the 34-year old from Saranggani suffered its 4th loss in a split decision that concludes Bradley as new champion for welterweight division.

After few months, Pacquiao confirmed to the press that he will fight again Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez for the fourth time. Other boxing aficionados stated that they want Bradley- Pacman Part two but the Saranggani lawmaker affirmed on his final decision.

The date December 8,2012 was a forgettable moment for Pacquiao when he was knockdown by Marquez in Round 3 and a shocking knockout punch made by him against so-called "Pacman" before the conclusion of Round 6.

Every Filipino boxing fans was shocked on what is happened. Regardless on what happen, still Pacquiao was the apple of the eye for every sports fanatics here in the Philippines.

8. Dwightmare Drama

Of all major off-season news in the NBA, this so-called "Dwightmare" drama was trended in the social media hoops arena.

On March 15,2012, Dwight Howard made different types of decision if he wanted to leave the Orlando Magic or not. As the trade deadline loomed, Howard is still in the Orlando Magic but he was agonized by his herniated disc injury before the playoff started.

As the lockout-shortened season and USA-dominated Olympic basketball come to closed, on August 10,2012, famous NBA writer from Yahoo Sports Adrian Wojnarowski reported a rare four-team trade featuring Howard to Lakers and another great big man Andrew Bynum to 76ers.

In the first part of Dwight's career in LA, he is struggling for both offense and defense. Maybe because he is not 100% after his surgery but we will see as the days passing by.


7. Smart Gilas 2

After their disappointing 4th place finish in 2011 FIBA Asia Championship, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) decided to form a new core of players for their so-called 'Smart Gilas 2'. It is actually an old style that they will borrow professional players from PBA. And Chot Reyes is back at the coaching helm after the stint of Serbian Rajko Toroman.

They are comprising of some pros such as Ranidel De Ocampo, Sol Mercado, Larry Fonacier, Gary David, Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood, JR Reyes, Sonny Thoss and Rico Villanueva.

They joined various practice games against foreign squads and on August 26,2012, Gilas 2.0 bagged their only 4th title in Jones Cup history by outlasting powerhouse USA in a 76-75 solitary margin lead. LA Tenorio was named as Finals MVP.

But on FIBA Asia Cup, the official qualifier for 2013 FIBA Asia, the Gilas 2.0 failed to finished at least no.2 spot after they defeated by another Asian powerhouse Iran. But the national team had a chance to go to FIBA Asia tournament if they will win the SEABA next year.


6. Azkals tournaments for 2012

This is actually a bitter sweet year for Philippine football team. Despite their controversies, the Azkals is still standing on his own feet. The Younghusband demands and Neil Etheridge refusal to join the team for Suzuki Cup featured 2K12 for them.

On the lighter side of things, their team finished 3rd place in AFC Challenge Cup. They beat quite superpower football clubs in Asian continent.

On September, after almost 100 years, the Azkals grabbed their second-only international title by sweeping all joined teams in Philippine Peace Cup happened at Rizal Memorial football Stadium.

And at the recently concluded Suzuki Cup, the Azkals placed only at 4th after they are eliminated by elite Singapore team via 1-0 aggregate.