The year 2024 proved to be another memorable one for Philippine sports as it was marked not only by the achievements of Filipino athletes but also by intrigues and controversies that made headlines.
Here are some of the trending sports stories published by Fastbreak this year:
- James Yap Reportedly Splits with Italian Partner
READ HERE: https://fastbreak.com.ph/james-yap-reportedly-splits-with-italian-partner0/sports-galore/
Blackwater Bossing guard James Yap and his Italian partner Michela Cazzola have reportedly broken up and are now co-parenting their child, according to entertainment vlogger Ogie Diaz in his Showbiz Updates program.
Yap and Cazzola have been living separately, with the two-time PBA MVP currently in the Philippines focusing on his basketball career and serving as a councilor in San Juan, while Cazzola remains in her hometown in Italy.
- Celine Domingo reveals tensions with former Creamline teammates
Celine Domingo admitted in a Kumu Live video that she was not on good terms with some of her former teammates in the Creamline Cool Smashers during her time with the multi-title Premier Volleyball League squad.
Currently playing for the Akari Power Chargers, Domingo shared that she made efforts to maintain professionalism with certain Cool Smashers players, though she chose not to disclose their identities.
The promising middle blocker clarified that the strained relationships were not the reason she wouldn’t return to the Cool Smashers. Instead, it was the team management that informed her she would not be offered a contract extension.
- UP cager Harold Alarcon denies link with Cebu personality Jude Bacalso
University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons star guard Harold Alarcon denied having a relationship with controversial Cebu personality and LGBTQ community member Jude Bacalso.
The two-time UAAP champion clarified that he does not personally know Bacalso, a writer, former television personality, and host in Cebu. Alarcon also stated that he is only romantically linked to Capital1 Solar Energy Solar Spikers libero Roma Mae Doromal.
Unfortunately, Alarcon has become a victim of a fake Bacalso Facebook account, which posted false claims about him having romantic links with Bacalso.
- Disappointed Gilas fans point fingers at Japeth Aguilar for semifinal loss to Brazil
Gilas Pilipinas supporters pinned the blame on Japeth Aguilar for their 71-60 defeat to Brazil in the semifinals of the 2024 Paris Games Olympic Qualifying Tournament held last July in Riga, Latvia.
Social media comments pointed to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings center as the reason for Gilas Pilipinas’ downfall, despite the team holding an early lead against the higher-ranked Brazilians.
Aguilar, who had previously retired from national team duty, was called up by Gilas head coach Tim Cone for the OQT due to injuries to frontline players Jamie Malonzo and AJ Edu.
- Sam Abueva’s IG story addresses coach’s ‘baluga’ remark
READ HERE: https://fastbreak.com.ph/sam-abuevas-IG-story-addresses-coachs-baluga-remark/sports-galore/
Sam Abueva, wife of Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots forward Calvin Abueva, posted a cryptic comment earlier this year about someone who referred to another person as a “baluga,” a term used to describe members of the Aeta people in Central Luzon.
Although Sam did not mention the coach’s name, some speculate that she was alluding to then-San Miguel Beermen head coach Jorge Gallent, with whom Calvin had a heated exchange during one of the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals games.
- Ex-UE center Raul Dillo proudly sells longganisa to support family
Former University of the East Red Warriors center Raul Dillo proudly supports his family by selling longganisa along the roads of Cavite, helping cover daily expenses and his two children’s education.
A former player for the Red Warriors in the 1990s, Dillo also had a brief stint with the San Juan Knights in the Metropolitan Basketball Association before a knee injury ended his basketball career.
Beyond selling longganisa, Dillo is active in vlogging and has appeared in several movies and television shows, including a recent role in ABS-CBN’s FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.
- WATCH: UST Growling Tigers center Echo Laure nanakal, ginulpi
READ HERE: https://fastbreak.com.ph/watch-ust-growling-tigers-center-echo-laure-nanakal-ginulpi/sports-galore/
University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers center Echo Laure is under scrutiny after choking a player from the Smash Basketball team during their Sulit Breakdown Basketball game last June.
The incident occurred during a bench-clearing brawl, prompting organizers to halt the match with the Growling Tigers leading 18-16 and over three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
- Binawi! Vivamax retracts lifetime access grant to Carlos Yulo
Adult website Vivamax, now rebranded as VMX, retracted its offer of lifetime access to Filipino gymnast Carlos Edriel Yulo following his historic two-gold medal performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Viva Films-owned streaming platform edited its congratulatory post for Yulo, removing the phrase “Sagot na namin ang lifetime subscription mo.”
VMX, established during the COVID-19 pandemic, is known for broadcasting Filipino R-18 movies featuring emerging sexy actresses.
- Netizens poke fun at PBA as June Mar Fajardo flies economy class
Some fans criticized the PBA for having San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo travel in economy class for the league’s All-Star event in Bacolod City.
A viral social media video showed the 6-foot-11, eight-time PBA MVP visibly uncomfortable during the flight, even resorting to placing one leg on the armrest to ease his discomfort.
- Charles Barkley’s comments on Filipino players’ NBA aspirations stir controversy
Retired NBA player Charles Barkley sparked controversy with his remarks about Filipino players aspiring to join the NBA.
During an exchange with TNT reporter Chris Haynes, the former Houston Rockets star questioned how many Filipinos have been drafted into the league.
Filipino basketball fans have long awaited the selection of a homegrown player in the NBA Draft. So far, three Filipino-American players have been drafted: Raymond Townsend (Golden State Warriors, 1978), Jordan Clarkson (Washington Wizards, 2014), and Jalen Green (Houston Rockets, 2021).
The post Fast 10: Intrigues, controversies hound Philippine sports in 2024 first appeared on Fastbreak.
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