DG SPORTS SPECIAL: 2024 Wrap Up

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Another year, another blessing.

As time passed and my pen still weaving its magic for my beloved Daily Guardian, I had already learned to overuse this cliché with only days remaining before 2024 ends.

Kidding aside, another cycle of 365 days will brace us for new opportunities, more hobbies to discover, and more newsworthy stories to tell.

2024 taught me many things.

But this one’s different.

Several stories were engraved in my pad, and numerous events marked my sports-savvy mind. These past 12 months were a roller coaster ride of reflections and realizations.

For my New Year’s special, I have decided to list my most memorable coverages that I think will still be discussed in the next year, or maybe, forever.

I am not just a writer. I am a disciple of this art form, and the truth we always seek.

For six years since accepting this job in the sports section of the top newspaper in Western Visayas, I am proud to cover some of the most impactful stories in the local, national, and international sports scene.

However, this 2024 was grander, with a few events that I covered helping me elevate not only my craft, but also my overall being as a human.

First on the list will always be the JB Amateur Basketball League (JB ABL) founded and organized by one of the most prominent sports patrons in the City of Love, Mr. Jayphet Balbacal.

This year was tough, with many basketball leagues in conflict with our playing schedule.

Players weren’t always complete during the second installment of the Battle of the 7 Districts, even coaches failed to show up due to their commitment to the other leagues.

However, during the grand finals stage held at the Western Institute of Technology (WIT), I and Mr. Balbacal looked at each other and said, “palangga pa gd mn nila ang JB ABL, pare.”

We saw the exact jam-packed crowd filling the stands at WIT like last year, and the passionate supporters shouting their loud cheers to the grand finalists, the Jaro Titans and the City Proper Stalwarts.

At the end of the day, it made me realize that it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.

And indeed, we delivered in the ultimate finale, giving the thousands of Ilonggo hoops enthusiasts the game they deserve from both teams.

No matter how hard the challenges we faced in executing the Battle of the 7 Districts II, we still received the same amount of love and respect from the Iloilo basketball community.

Resilience, the constant push for innovation, and the result of a collective effort.

Thank you JB ABL, for helping me with those.

Lastly, my dedication in providing the update during the ILOPRISAA tournament.

How?

I don’t even know how will it be timeless, but the golden spark that surrounds my head when I talk about this is how the Ilonggos depended on the Daily Guardian to determine what transpired in the games, specifically in basketball.

For several years now, the Daily Guardian has committed to covering the games, due to their magnitude and relevance.

According to some colleagues and friends, people won’t believe the official result of the games until Daily Guardian posts it on their official Facebook account.

Flattering? I guess.

Something that can be proud of? Absolutely.

I would like to take this time to thank all of the Ilonggos for the trust and belief. Rest assured in the next games when the colleges square off this January, Daily Guardian will always have your back.

We will still deliver, show up in the games, and let you all readers feel as if you were in the venue, watching the affair live when you read the fresh paper.

That’s how we do it, the Daily Guardian way.

That’s how we tell, the Ilonggo story.

To the readers, cheers.

To everyone who made 2024 easier for the organization, here are your flowers.

To a better 2025, to a healthier sports scene!

Happy New Year everyone!