First of a seriesThe highest sports official of the land called it the golden year of Philippine sports, nothing more, nothing less. Amidst pandemic, Filipino athletes braved the challenges, rose above adversity and waved the flag high in the biggest stages of various fronts and many disciplines. A strongwoman from Zamboanga spearheaded an assault leading to a treasure chest of many “firsts” in the Olympics, a Fil-Japanese blossomed into full stardom in golf, and a gymnast made a big rebound from an Olympic slip to a vault to glory in the world championship. The all-time Philippine boxing grea…