By Jonas Terrado

Coach Tim Cone admitted that the juggling act of having to lead Gilas Pilipinas’ bid to win the 30th Southeast Asian Games gold and preparing Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s upcoming PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series has been difficult.

Yet, Cone was quick to praise his coaching staff for making things easieras he tries to what he described as “landing one plane at a time.”

“It’s not been easy but I have a lot of support from my two staffs,” Cone told the Bulletin early Monday.

Cone has spent the past week trying to secure the Philippines’ 18th gold in 19 editions of the biennial meet but also spent time working on Ginebra’s game plan for the best-of-five semis series against NorthPort.

The two-time Grand Slam coach also had to deal with the recent PBA Rookie Draft that saw Ginebra taking Arvin Tolentino in the first round, Letran hero Jerrick Balanza and Kent Salado in the second and Fran Asuncion.

“Coach Olsen has been handling the Ginebra practices and has been our lead scout for the draft along with Patrick Partosa who is head of our analytics. That has allowed Richard [del Rosario], Coach Kirk [Collier] and myself to stay focused on Gilas. As I’ve said earlier, we’re all just focused on landing one plane at a time,” said Cone.

Cone will try to land the first one Tuesday when Gilas takes on Thailand for the gold at the Mall of Asia Arena.

And if they end up wearing the gold medals on their chests, Cone will try to make an immediate shift to Ginebra’s semis encounter with NorthPort which 0pens Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

The Philippine soft tennis team capped its 30^th Southeast Asian Games with a bang after winning the men’s team event gold medal on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The Nationals prevailed over Thailand 3-1 behind the efforts of Noel Damian Jr., Mark Anthony Alcoseba, Joseph Arcilla, Mikoff Manduriao and Dheo Talatayod.

The PH team started slow after Damian and Alcoseba yielded to Sakan Thansiriroj and Thanarit Surarak, 5-3, in the first doubles before Arcilla leveled the match with a 4-1 victory over Kawin Yannarit in the singles.

Manduriao and Talatayod sealed the victory for the Nationals with a 5-3 triumph over Teerapat Sujaritplee and Torlarp Songweera in the deciding doubles.

It was a breakthrough performance for the PH soft netters by going home with three gold and one bronze medal.

Bien Zoleta gave the Nationals its first gold in the sport in the biennial meet in the women’s singles, and then teamed up with sister Bambi Zoleta for the women’s doubles gold.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Games Tuesday (Mall of Asia Arena)

3:45 p.m. – Vietnam vs Indonesia (M/Bronze)

6p.m. –Philippines vs Thailand (W/Gold)

8:15 p.m. – Philippines vs Thailand (M/Gold)

Gilas Pilipinas used a big third quarter that turned a close semifinal match to a blowout victory over Indonesia 97-70 to push the Philippines to the gold medal match in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Monday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Known to be a defensive specialist, Chris Ross came through big on offense with back-to-back three-point shots in the third quarter that sparked the national team’s offensive attack.

Protecting a 39-28 lead at halftime break, the all-PBA national team outscored Indonesia 39-17 that gave the Nationals a confortable 78-45 advantage going to the final quarter.

The national team was up 47-39 when Ross connected two consecutive triples, which ignited a 16-0 run for a 63-39 lead.

Ross finished with 11 points, five rebounds and six assists, while Christian Standhardinger collected 14 points to lead a balanced attack, while Matthew Wright contributed 13 points, and Vic Manuel had 12 points.

June Mar Fajardo, the reigning five-time PBA Most Valuable Player, had nine points and nine rebounds.

The Philippines’ win arranged a gold medal match against Thailand, which won against Vietnam 101-95 in the other semifinal game. The battle for gold medal is set Tuesday at 8:15 p.m. at the same venue.

The national team will be aiming for its 18th gold medal in 20 SEA Games.

Gilas coach Tim Cone expects the game against the Thais to be a close one considering the way they pressure the ball, and switch it to half court zone defense – evident in the three games in the elimination and opposite Vietnam in the semifinal game.

“They did a really good job with their pressure. We’ve got a day to prepare. They play different defense in terms of zone defense. It’s going to be difficult,” said Cone, who is eyeing his first gold medal as coach of the national team after a bronze medal finish during the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

“We’ve got to defend them first and then get out in the open court. It’s going to be a struggle tomorrow. But we’re close to our goal. I’ve won few championships (in the PBA), but I’ve never won a gold medal,” added Cone.

The game against Indonesia gave the Philippines – Cone and his coaching staff in particular – of what to expect when the stake gets higher since the Indonesians kept a close first period, which ended with the Filipinos up 24-20.

Cone said Indonesia’s coach, Serbian Rajko Toroman – the coach of the original Smart Gilas Pilipinas from 2009 to 2011 – prepared his team well for the semifinal match.

“The thing about these kind of tournaments and games is the more you play the teams scout you. He’s got his team prepared. He knew who are our shooters were,” said Cone.

“He got plans for our big men and ball screen and attack our defense. It always gets harder. We didn’t really realize that, it took us halftime to realize that. They came to play.”

Toroman, for his part, said that Indonesia lacked the talent, particularly at the middle to really compete against the Philippines. They were supposed to bring in a naturalized player, first was Denzel Bowles and then Lester Prosper – both former PBA players.

The plans to have either one of them didn’t materialize.

“I think we played well. We shot the three-point shot very well. We’re just looking for a big man and we know that Lester Prosper did not get his passport for the SEA Games,” he said.

Nevertheless, the Serbian mentor still enjoys every time he visits the country, saying: “Every time I come here it’s always a celebration. I have a lot of friends. I think Filipinos respect what I did for Gilas.”

Indonesia plays Vietnam for the bronze medal Tuesday afternoon.

Scores:

PHILIPPINES 97 – Standhardinger 14, Wright 13, Manuel 12, Ross 11, Pringle 9, Fajardo 9, Lassiter 7, Rosario 7, Slaughter 6, Aguilar 6, Ravena 2, Tenorio 1.

INDONESIA 70 – Kokodiputra 20, Grahita 14, Dhyaksa 11, Joni 11, Gemilang 6, Sitorus 4, Oei 2, Kokasih 2, Wickasono 0.

Quarters: 24-20; 39-28; 78-45; 97-70.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Sibol delivered another gold medal for the Philippines after Caviar Napoleon Acampado scored a masterful 4-1 win over Singapore’s Thomas Maria Kpankiewicz in the finals of Starcraft II event of esports in the 30th Southeast Asian Games yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.

The 27-year-old Acampado won the first two games of the best-of-seven duel before Kpankiewicz scored a victory on the third game. Acampado, however, was not to be denied as he came through by winning the next two to win the match – and the gold medal.

“Of course we’re very happy that Cav won and contributed to Team Philippines,” said Sibol’s Starcraft II mentor Jess Tamboboy, who trained Acampado and other gamers for nearly five months.

Kpankiewicz settled for the silver medal in Starcraft II, while Vietnam’s gamer Phuc Hong, who Acampado defeated 3-2 in the best-of-five semifinals, pocketed the bronze.

Acampado’s victory increased Sibol’s medal haul to three golds following victories in Mobile Legend: Bang Bang and in Dota 2.

The MLBB squad of Kenneth Villa, Jeniel Bata-anon, Carlito Ribo, Jason Torculas, Angelo Arcangel, Karl Nepomuceno and Allan Castromayor stunned world champion Indonesia with a come-from-behind 3-2 win in the five-game finals series.

For the Dota 2 team, James Erice Guerra, Van Jerico Manalaysay, John Anthony Vargas, Bryle Jacob Alvizo and Marvin Salvador Rushton showed tremendous poise in their own best-of-five showdown to score a 3-2 win over Thailand.

The national team aims for a fourth gold medal in Tekken 7, which is being played at press time.

Meantime, Malaysia won the gold medal in Hearthstone following a 3-1 victory against Thailand, while Thailand claimed the gold medal in Arena of Valor event by beating Vietnam 2-0.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium could end up returning to its old glory if plans to renovate the historic ballpark pushes through after the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Philippine Amateur Baseball Association President Chito Loyzaga said pertinent details will be up for discussion with the Philippine Sports Commission as the baseball federation hopes to see the 85-year-old stadium get a much-needed facelift.

“It’s part of the overall renovation of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex,” said Loyzaga. “We should know when the PSC plans to begin the renovation after the SEA Games.”

Loyzaga didn’t reveal any details but PABA has already planned on placing the padding walls used during the baseball competitions held at The Villages in Clarkfield, Pampanga.

Whether other improvements such as an improved improved, additional flood lights, among others, remain a question mark.

The ballpark stood silent during the Games as the roar of the crowd were mostly heard at the nearby Coliseum and Football Stadium and the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Organizers opted to hold baseball and softball games in Clark where six fields and several batting cages and bullpen were available.

It was complete opposite to the country’s hosting of the 2005 Games when fans filled the Rizal ballpark as the Philippines beat Thailand for the gold.

That 2005 moment was among the recent anniversaries of the stadium.

New York Yankee greats Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth hit the first two homers of the ballpark in Dec. 1934, feats that are still recognized with their names placed above the outside walls.

Lefty Viray’s dominance on the mound enabled the Philippines to win the inaugural Asian Baseball Championship in Dec. 1954. The country has never ruled the continental tournament since.

The ballpark suffered extensive damage during World War II but was refurbished before the country’s independence from the United States in 1946.

The Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals paid the ballpark a visit in 1955 and 1958, respectively, were they played a series against a Philippine selection.

Non-baseball events were also held, most notably Rolando Navarette’s knockout of Chung Il Choi for the WBC super featherweight title in Jan. 1982.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

The government, through the Philippine Sports Commission, will hand out additional cash incentives for Filipino medalists in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Gold medalists will get P250,000, silver winners will receive P150,000, and bronze medalists will get P100,000 additional bonuses following the country’s impressive performance in the biennial meet.

Under Republic Act 10699 or the National Incentives Act, athletes will automatically get P300,000, P150,000 and P60,000 for every gold medal they win in the SEA Games.

The PH delegation already captured the overall championship for the first time since the country’s hosting in 2005 with an all-time best medal production. At press time, the Filipinos have won 140 gold, 104 silver and 107 bronze medals.

The awarding of incentives is scheduled on Dec. 18 at the Malacañang

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

CAPAS, Tarlac—The Philippines’ gold medal assembly line remained in operations Monday with a bevy of sports, including athletics and boxing, recipients of these coveted symbols of excellence in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

As of 8:45 pm, the host country had a tally of 135-102-105 (gold-silver-bronze) with another massive haul of 23 gold medals, way ahead of Thailand (83-90-101), which suddenly soared to second ahead of now third-placer Vietnam (79-78-93). Making up the top five are Indonesia (69-76-102) and Malaysia (51-51-102).

Athletics, which initially predicted a modest goal of 5-6 gold medals, has gone beyond its target as those who weren’t even expected to deliver came up with eye-popping performances.

Clinton Kingsley Bautista ran the 110-meter hurdles a shade under 14 seconds for the first time to win the gold while Melvin Calanog topped the javelin to keep abreast with the other top performers such as marathoner Christine Hallasgo, pole vaulters EJ OBiena and Natalie Uy, heptathlete Sarah Dequinan, shotputter William Morrison, sprinter Kristina Knott and the mixed 4×100 relay squad.

The Tagalog-speaking Bautista, 27, swears he was energized by the crowd at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium, adding many of his relatives made the trip to the venue from neighboring Camiling town.

It was a memorable win for Bautista, whose showing upstaged defending champion Rayzam Shah of Malaysia by clocking 13.97 in a photo finish.

“I was just focused and I wanted my time to clock 13 seconds,” said Bautista, whose previous best was 14.

Boxing went seven-of-ten in the finals with veterans, flyweight Rogen Ladon, lightweight Charly Suarez and middleweight Eumir Marcial leading the way.

Other gold medalists include light-flyweight Carlo Paalam and light-welter James Palicte in the men’s and fly Josie Gabuco and world champion Nesthy Petecio in the featherweight ranks.

Those who settled for silver were welter Marlon Pianar in the men’s and fly Irish Magno and lightweight Riza Pasuit while the bronze medalists were bantams Ian Clark Bautista and Aira Villegas.

Fil-British lightheavy John Marvin, the defending champion, was sent packing in his opening bout.

There were also shining moments on other fronts with karatedo producing a dramatic gold from Jamie Christine Lim, the daughter of former basketball star Samboy Lim, jujitsu parading the trio of Meggie Ochoa, Dean Roxas and Carlo Pena and wrestling boasting of Jason Baucas and Noel Norada.

Other contributors to the bulging basket of gold medals include Dennis Orcollo in 10-ball billiards, Kurt Barbosa in taekwondo, Kerry Olsim in kickboxing, the squash mixed team, Geylord Coveta and Yancy Kaigiban in windsurfing, sailing keelboat match racing and the archery mixed compound team.

Competitions will continue Tuesday before the 2019 sportsfest formally ends Wednesday night with a spectacular show of lights and sound.

The Vietnamese capital city of Hanoi will hold the 2021 edition.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Dennis Orcollo outlasted Vietnam’s The Kien Do 9-8 Monday night to claim the men’s 10-ball singles gold in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Tent City of the historic Manila Hotel.

The veteran cue artist lost a pair of two-rack leads, trailed 6-5 before engaging his Vietnamese foe to a drawn out battle that forced a hill-hill affair.

But Orcollo got the best of the Vietnamese foe in the decider, prevailing in a safety battle to clean out the rack and retain the 10-ball gold which he won during its last staging in the 2013 Nay Pyi Taw Games.

It was also the first gold of Orcollo in the biennial meet, including his victories in the men’s 9-ball doubles with Alex Pagulayan in 2005, men’s 8-ball singles in 2011 and men’s 9-ball singles in 2015.

Orcollo credited his experience as a key tool in winning the hard-fought encounter.

“Mahirap talaga kasi magaling talaga siya e. Experience na lang,” he said. “Kung ano yung ginagawa ko dati at mag-antay na lang ng pagkakataon. Marami akong ginawang sa depensa kasi magaling talaga siya.”

Orcollo made his way to the finals with wins over Brunei’s Muhammad Azim Abu Bakar, Vietnam’s Quoc Hoang Duong.

The win made up for Orcollo’s early exit in the men’s 9-ball singles when he lost to Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp 9-4 in the quarterfinals earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Roda settled for silver in men’s snookers after losing 4-1 to Malaysia’s Moh Keen Hoo.

Rubilen Amit and Chezka Centeno moved a win shy of ending these Games with two golds each after defeating Indonesia’s Angelie Ticoalu and Silvania Lu in the women’s 9-ball doubles semifinals.

Nine-ball champion Amit and 10-ball winner Centeno go for gold Tuesday evening against the winner of the semifinal between Indonesia’s Fathrah Masua and Nony Andilah opposite Singapore’s Tan Hui Ming and Suvene Ng Yi Huai.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Eumir Felix Marcial and Nesthy Petecio capped off the Philippines’ gold medal harvest in 30th Southeast Asian Games boxing competitions with smashing wins Monday night at the PICC Forum.

Marcial needed just 71 seconds to score a knockout win over Vietnam’s Manh Cuong Nguyen and rule the men’s middleweight category while Petecio finally bagged her first SEAG gold with a unanimous decision victory over Myanmar’s Nwe Ni Oo in the women’s featherweight class.

Charly Suarez and Riza Pasuit also won their final bouts to give the Philippines seven boxing golds in these Games, edging arch rival Thailand which produced five.

Suarez defeated Thailand’s Khunatip Pidnuch via unanimous decision to take the men’s lightweight gold while Pasuit beat Sudaporn Seesondee, also of Thailand, with a majority decision victory.

Marcial bagged his second straight gold in the biennial meet. Nguyen took a standing eight count after absorbing a left straight before another left from the Filipino sent him kneeling.

He then refused to answer the count, forcing Japanese referee Riich Igarashi to stop the fight.

Petecio, meanwhile, earned the nod of all five judges 30-24, 30-26, 30-27, 30-24, 30-24 to end her shortcomings in the meet.

The world champion also avenged her defeat to the Burmese fighter in the final of the same division in the 2013 Nay Pyi Taw Games. Petecio also settled for silver as a bantamweight in the 2015 Singapore edition.

Source: Manila Bulletin