Local newspaper Philippine Star published last Tuesday a list of their top 10 scene-stealing athletes of 2012.
Topping it is boxer Nonito Donaire Jr., who “rises on the year of the Great Fall,” according to the newspaper. “And for pulling off a shattering third knockout over Mexican Jorge Arce, Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire Jr.’s fourth victory in the season would easily merit the sport’s highest accolade for the year.”
Incidentally, Donaire’s victory came right after fellow boxer Manny Pacquiao’s loss to Mexican rival Juan Marquez. Despite this loss, Pacquiao still ended up at the no. 2 spot on the Star’s list. Another boxer, Brian Viloria, is at no. 4. At spot no. 3 are the 11 athletes who represented the country to the Olympics.
Others in the list are the Smart Gilas National team (no. 5); Talk ‘N Text, B-Meg Derby Ace and Rain or Shine as the three different champions of the PBA (no. 6); Ateneo’s successful UAAP Season 75 campaign (no. 7); San Beda’s three-peat (no. 8); the Philippine Azkals, who almost made it to the AFF Suzuki Cup finals (no. 9); and Pinoy chess players Wesley So and Eugene Torre (no. 10).
