(Last of a three-part series)
FIRST PART RECAP: Hidilyn Diaz silver at Rio Olympics, Josephine Medina bronze at Rio Paralympics, Justin Brownlee's buzzer-beater and championship clinching trey for Ginebra, La Salle–Ateneo women's volleyball peak rivalry/Alyssa Valdez final UAAP year, and Benilde overcoming Baste's thrice-to-beat advantage for the NCAA Season 91 women's volleyball title.
Second part: Kobe Bryant final visit in PH, "Beeracle," and La Salle "Mayhem" championship.
Here's the third and final set of remarkable Philippine stories that are turning a decade old this 2026:
Gilas Pilipinas/FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament
Gilas Pilipinas tried to catch the last bus to the 2016 Rio Olympics at home but missed it.
Led by coach Tab Baldwin and players Terrence Romeo, Jayson Castro, and Andray Blatche, the Philippines kissed its Olympic bid goodbye after going winless at the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament group stage in Pool B at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Gilas fell to the Tony Parker–led France, 84-93, on July 5 and to New Zealand the following day, 80–89.
France eventually won the tournament and punched its Olympic ticket.
San Beda reclaims NCAA men's basketball title
In the NCAA, San Beda reclaimed the men's basketball title in Season 92 back in 2016 after losing to rival Letran the year before.
Coached by Jamike Jarin and led by Davon Potts and Finals MVP Arnaud Noah, the Red Lions swept the Arellano Chiefs powered by coach Jerry Codiñera and the "Bus Driver" Jio Jalalon as well as the "Conductor" Kent Salado.
San Beda took its 20th overall title after sweeping Arellano with an 83–73 Game 2 win at the Mall of Asia Arena on Oct. 11, 2016.
Azkals barking in 2016
Drawing the spotlight after their "Miracle in Hanoi" run at the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, the Azkals continued to enjoy their popularity and remained competitive in the middle of the 2010s, especially in 2016.
The major milestone for the Philippine men's football team that year was its 3-2 home win over North Korea on March 29 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
With long-time team manager Dan Palami serving as interim head coach, the Philippines defeated North Korea, a regular Asian Cup team, for the first time, thanks to Phil Younghusband's goal and Manny Ott's brace including the late winner.
The win sent the Azkals to the final round of 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers, and eventually to the tournament itself for the first time ever through a 2-1 win over Tajikistan in March 2018.
PH boasts six boxing world champs in 2016
One of the highest peaks in Philippine boxing was ten years ago.
Boxing Hall-of-Famer Manny Pacquiao wasn't the lone Filipino world champ that year but five more in Nonito Donaire Jr., Johnriel Casimero, Marlon Tapales, Jerwin Ancajas, and Donnie Nietes.
Losing the WBO welterweight title to Floyd Mayweather the year before, Pacquiao reclaimed it in 2016 after defeating Timothy Bradley via unanimous decision on April 9.
Pacquiao, who was 37 at that time, said it was the final fight of his career but returned on Nov. 5 to top Jessie Vargas and seized the belt anew with another UD win.
Donaire Jr. topped Zsolt Bedak via knockout to defend his WBO super bantamweight belt on April 23, but lost it to Jessie Magdaleno on Nov. 5 in the undercard of the Pacquiao–Vargas fight in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, Casimero won his second world title after getting back at Amnat Ruenroeng with a fourth round knockout win, claiming the IBF flyweight belt on May 25.
Tapales eged Pungluang Sor Singyu with an 11th round KO for the WBO bantamweight belt on July 27.
Ancajas took down McJoe Arroyo via unanimous decision for the IBF super flyweight belt on Sept. 3.
Last but not the least was Nietes who defended his WBO/Ring light flyweight titles with a fifth round stoppage of Raul Garcia on May 28.
"Ahas" returned to action on Sept. 24 to outbox Edgar Sosa via unanimous decision for the vacant WBO Intercontinental Flyweight title.