While 2025 felt like an eternity with sporting events running like clockwork the entire season, 2026 promises to be as hectic, or perhaps more explosive, as our generation of athletes enters another quarter of the century.

With the 33rd Southeast Asian Games serving as the culmination of a schedule a busy mind could not even completely fathom — like the UAAP and NCAA Finals, and the opening salvo of Thailand SEAG all in one crazy week — the dedicated sports people had no breather, with the exception of the Christmas holidays, which, in reality, was still packed with competitions here and there.

January of the brand-new year is just as bustling like it never left the calendar of the old, with Alex Eala, with our fingers all crossed, possibly competing in the historic WTA 125 Philippine Open at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. The sports arena is now undergoing a major rehabilitation to welcome fans and foreign visitors for the six-day tiff.

Barring any schedule conflicts as Eala will also play in the lucrative Australian Open which hits head-on with the PH Open, our tennis princess could grace the local courts and bring joy to her Filipino admirers.

But if the SEA Games champion advances through the third round of the Aussie Grand Slam tournament, she would miss the WTA event the organizers have wished to be the crowning place of our beloved phenom.

Still, as Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio phrased perfectly, it would be a "win-win" situation for our country if Eala makes it in the Land Down Under or if she catches one quick flight to Manila and appear before our bare eyes.

In early February, the Winter Olympics commences in Italy in twin venues of Milan and Cortina, with our very own Francis Ceccarelli representing the Philippines in alpine skiing. While it is unfortunate he is the lone Filipino athlete to have earned a slot in quadrennial event, it comes with immense pride we will be able to see our flag in the biggest stage for all winter sports, considering we are a tropical nation in the Far East.

Perhaps the most anticipated, by measure of relevance and grandeur, is the Asian Games that Japan is hosting in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4.

There, the best of the best in the continent will compete for the precious gold mints, with our national athletes hoping to surpass our haul in Hangzhou of four gold, two silver, and 12 bronze medals.

All eyes will be on two-time Olympic gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo, who skipped the Thailand SEAG to focus on his preparations for the Japan Games. Gilas Pilipinas is also set to defend its basketball throne after beating China in the thrilling finals in 2022.

Of course, EJ Obiena is favored to top the men's pole vault after winning his fourth gold in the recent SEA Games. Our boxers are surely eager to redeem themselves in the Asiad after a dismal outing in Thailand partly blamed on officiating.

Speaking of Gilas, our national cagers expect a tough grind in 2026 with the February window of the World Cup Qualifiers slated at the Mall of Asia Arena against New Zealand and Australia, two of the strongest teams in the region.

After a memorable year, Alas Pilipinas, our volleyball players, and the Filipinas, the head-turning football queens of Southeast Asia, also brace for international tournaments to qualify for elite-level competitions.

Among the local leagues, the PBA gears up for the playoffs in January, while the PVL kicks off another conference in the same month.

The Palarong Pambansa is happening in May in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, while Bacolod City plays as host for the Batang Pinoy.

Don't be surprised, if we have another Manny Pacquiao special in 2026. Maybe a rematch against Floyd Mayweather? We'll all see and wait.

(Ramon Rafael Bonilla is the editor of Manila Bulletin's Sports section.)