The INQUIRER Sports Newsletter January 12, 2024

 

January 12, 2024

Tyler Tio (right) and the Phoenix Fuel Masters have been soaring lately. (AUGUST DELA CRUZ)

Hey there sports fan, Happy New Year everyone! How excited are you for sports in 2024? We certainly are. We have started mapping out our Olympic coverage, finalizing how we will approach the Summer Games that will be held in glamorous Paris. So far, two of the country's best bet for medals—gold, even—have qualified for the Olympics: World No. 2 pole vaulter EJ Obiena and world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo. Remember how big a year this two had in  2023? Obiena, for one,  joined an elite cast of pole vaulters who have breached the 6-meter mark. Do you know in which country did Obiena pull off that feat? The answer, at the end of this email. We're also preparing for the Inquirer Sports Awards, which will be held in second week of February and maybe you can help us with some of the awardees. We're also tracking the PBA Commissioner's Cup, which is now entering the final stretch before the playoffs asnd so far Magnolia seems to be looking good up there at No. 1. The surprise, though, has been the Phoenix Fuel Masters, who have stuck themselves to the No. 2 post and are looking forward to achieving more success in the tournament   “We’re doing good now, but I hope we can sustain it,” team captain RJ Jazul said after Phoenix survived Meralco, 93-83,

Do you know where Kim Kianna Dy (13) is going to?  (PVL IMAGES)

Meanwhile... Here are stories you may have missed over the holidays .  F2's disbandment has created a quite the stir, not just because a traditionally heavyweight squad folded up. That disbandment has seen a lot of Cargo Movers standouts being picked up by several teams. So far, a handul  of players have found new homes. Tim Cone talked about what's next for Gilas Pilipinas, and how difficult it might be to make sure the next basketball milestone for the country won't wait another six decades.  Women's coaches speak up. Aris Dimaunahan says it's time to move on after NU finished second in women's basketball, while Pat Aquino worries about the sustainability of the women's national program. What we're up to next: We are busy mapping out our Olymnpic coverage and rushing to finish preparations for the Inquirer Sports Awards. We'll keep our ears to the ground to bring you the latest stories in the world of sports. Number of the Week: 18-0 Boston Celtics' home record this year, a franchise best.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We are passionate about our basketball and that kind of passion should somehow translate to eventual success.” —Tim Cone, on meeting fans' high expectations for the national team.

Before we end this, the answer to today's trivia question is Norway. If you want to answer more trivia questions, join our Viber community, which features a weekly sports quiz every Friday.  Buy the Inquirer at newsstands, subscribe to our digital edition, Inquirer Plus, visit our online site and follow us on socials (Twitter: @inquirersports; FB: facebook.com/inquirersports) for more stories and updates—or to send us questions or suggestions of stories you'd want to read. Have a great and safe Holidays! See you next Friday. Francis Francis T. J. Ochoa is the Sports Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. For comments, suggestions and questions, hit him up on Twitter (@ftjochoaINQ).