Carlos Yulo in rings during the SEA Games Artistic Gymnastics qualification at Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum. (MB Photo / Rio Leonelle Deluvio)
By WAYLON GALVEZ
After contributing to the victories of athletes in the recently concluded 30th Southeast Asian Games by way of financial assistance, the MVP Sports Foundation vowed to continue the support in the hopes of helping pave the way in the country’s quest of the first Olympic gold medal.
From gymnast Carlos Yulo and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz to skateboarder Margie Didal and the four-gold medal sweep in basketball, various athletes delivered the goods for the Philippine Team, many of them backed by the MVPSF.
The support, according to MVPSF president Al S. Panlilio, will intensify with international competitions coming up, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“The MVP Sports Foundation will not cease on its support of the Filipino athlete and the Philippines’ unrelenting quest to finally get an Olympic gold medal,” said Panlilio in a statement.
“We are proud of the achievements of all Filipino athletes. But we can’t stop here. We’ll use this momentum to try, and get even more Filipinos to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.”
Yulo, the reigning world champion, accounted for two gold medals as he topped the all-around and floor exercise events to go with five silvers, while Diaz – silver medal winner in the Rio Olympics and Asian Games gold medalist – finally won her first SEA Games gold medal as she ruled the 55-kg category.
Weightlifting had two golds as Kristen Macrohon won in the 71kg women’s division, to go with three silvers and two bronzes.
For her part, Didal – also an Asian Games gold medal winner – won gold medals in both the Women’s Street and Game of Skate events that highlighted the dominance of Filipino skateboarders, who took home six gold medals, five silvers and a bronze medal.
In basketball, the Philippines proved to be the best in the region following a sweep in all four events – the men’s and women’s categories in both the 3×3 action (a first in the SEA Games) and the 5-on-5 competition.
The boxing team got the most gold medals with seven wins courtesy of women boxers Josie Gabuco (light fly) and Nesthy Petecio (feather), and the men’s squad of Carlo Paalam (light fly), Rogen Ladon (fly), Charly Suarez (light), James Palicte (light welter) and Eumir Marcial (welter).
“The best thing about winning 35 golds out of the 78 medals from athletes that MVPSF supported is that a lot of our champions are strong Olympic hopefuls,” said Ryan Gregorio, the foundation’s executive director.
“We’re proud of every athlete we supported and we’re hopeful for those who can carry our flag in Tokyo.”
The national team won 149 gold medals, as well as 117 silver and 121 bronze medals to win the overall title in the SEA Games for the first time in 14 years – or since the 2005 meet also held here.
Hidilyn Diaz waves to the crowd after bagging the gold medal in the women’s weightlifting 55kg category, her first for the Southeast Asian Games (MB Photo / Rio Leonelle Deluvio)
MVP Sports Foundation president Al Panlilio, left, and MVPSF executive director Ryan Gregorio at the basketball game of the 30th Southeast Asian Games here. (Waylon Galvez)
Source: Manila Bulletin
Xtra Sports ph 