With the Olympic Games Paris 2024 concluding with a double gold in Gymnastics and a historic win for the Philippine men's national football team and Gilas Pilipinas, there is more to expect in the sports scene in 2025.
A double-gold in Olympics, Gilas Pilipinas entering the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and the Philippine Men's National Football Team ending a 52-year drought against Thailand.
2024 has never been short of milestones for the Philippines, making the country known to the world as a forced to be reckoned with.
And as the year ends on a high note, Filipino sports fans will enter 2025 with anticipation and excitement.
What can we expect in the new year?
UAAP Season 87 Volleyball
2024 saw the NU Lady Bulldogs reign supreme after taking back the title in Season 86.
With their lineup still intact, led by Alas Pilipinas standouts Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, the Lady Bulldogs are set to defend the title in Season 87.
Having been defeated in the finals, the UST Growling Tigresses are set to avenge their loss.
Last season's runners-up are still young and can definitely setup a rematch of Season 86.
The NU Bulldogs are also running the same script, having secured the men's volleyball title against the UST Growling Tigers.
Gilas set to rule Asia?
While Gilas Pilipinas have reserved their spot in the 2025 FIBA Asia cup set in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, there is still work to for the Nationals come the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Kai Sotto and the rest of the gang will still play as they face Chinese-Taipei during the window.
But what's more exciting will be the upcoming rematch against the New Zealand Tall Blacks slated for February 23.
Gilas Pilipinas secured their first win against the Tall Blacks, 93-89, during the November window behind Justin Brownlee's 26 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, along with two steals and two blocks. Sotto chipped in 19 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, with two steals and two blocks to boot.
The Gilas victory ended the New Zealand curse, as Gilas was on a four-game losing streak against the Tall Blacks prior to their meeting last November 21.
New Zealand looks ready to avenge their loss to Gilas. But will the Nationals make it twice in a row?
FIVB comeback in Manila?
The Philippines will set the stage for the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship in September, with Alas Pilipinas competing against the world's best volleyball players.
Aside from the Philippines, Japan, Iran, and Qatar will play as part of the Asian Volleyball Confederation.
The country previously saw action as it hosted a leg in the Volleyball Nations' League 2024, with France ultimately emerging victorious against Japan in men's play.
With another volleyball event hosting, the Philippines may yet be turning into a volleyball nation as fans await the arrival of their favorite volleyball player outside the country.
Boxing legend immortalized
Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao was elected in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, the institution announced last December 5.
Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion, will be joining two-division world champion Michael Nunn and five-time world middleweight champion Vinny Paz in the Class of 2025.
With a career record of 62-8-2 with 39 knockouts, Pacquiao solidified his position in the ring by beating fellow greats and fellow hall of famers such as Marco Antonio Barrera, Timothy Bradley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley, Erik Morales and Miguel Cotto.
The induction to the Hall of Fame Class 2025 will be held in June in New York City, USA.
More PBA and PVL action
Despite the Christmas and New Year break, fans are eager to watch local leagues resume in January.
With the PBA Commissioner's Cup on the way, basketball fans are in for a treat as the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings will face the San Miguel Beermen at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on January 5.
Both teams are coming from victories prior to Christmas break as they hope to shake off the holiday rust on Sunday.
Before that, guest team Hong Kong Eastern is set to face the Meralco Bolts.
The PVL All-Filipino Conference will see action much later, as six teams will open 2025.
The Farm Fresh Foxies and Nxled Chameleons will open the new year at the Philsports Arena on Saturday, January 18.
The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles will take on the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the following game, with the Akari Chargers and PLDT High Speed Hitters taking the main card.
A first in the Philippines
Manila will once again witness a first in women's sports as it hosts the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup in November.
According to FIFA, the Futsal Women's World Cup is the fourth global women's competition organized by FIFA, following in the footsteps of the FIFA Women's World Cup™, the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup™ and the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup™.
The competition will see 16 teams competing in four groups, with each two teams of the said groups will play in the quarterfinals.
2025 SEA Games
2025 will see the 33rd edition of the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.
Among the athletes gearing will be the Alas Pilipinas women's team, who will be training early despite a packed PVL schedule.
The Nationals have yet to secure a podium finish since the 2005 SEA Games.