By Waylon Galvez

Sibol national team made history in esports competition when the Filipino gamers scored a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Indonesia in the gold medal match in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in the 30th Southeast Asian Games late Sunday at The Arena in San Juan.

Down 2-1 in the best-of-five championship showdown, the team of Kenneth Villa, Karl Nepomuceno, Jeniel Bata-anon, Carlito Ribo, Angelo Arcangel, Jason Torculas and Allan Castromayor came through by winning the next two matches to stun the world champion Indonesians.

“We’re all very happy of course that the Philippines made history, and we’re very proud of Sibol,” said Philippine Southeast Asian Games Esports Union co-chairman Jane Jimenez Basas.

“It was an intense game, the Sibol team was trailing against Indonesia, which has won in the world championship. But our players, they didn’t give up… lumaban sila talaga. Very happy for the athletes.”

As a result, the Sibol athletes for MLBB stand to receive cash reward of P2 million from telecommunications backer Smart Communications via the “Get Gold!” project for the SEA Games.

Esports action is ongoing at press time with Sibol aiming for their second gold medal in Dota 2 event with the national team facing Thailand in the best-of-five title series Monday night.

Also in the gold medal round is Hearthstone between Thailand and Malaysia, while Indonesia and Thailand fight for the gold in Arena of Valor.

The finals in Starcraft will be played Tuesday, as well as the single round elimination and medal matches in Tekken 7.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Joseph Pedrajas

Carlo Paalam and Rogen Ladon led the way in the Philippine boxing team’s assault of the gold medals Monday in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the PICC Forum.

Paalam defeated Indonesian Kornelis Kwangu Langu 29-28, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 in the light flyweight final, while Ladon outclassed Ammarit Yaodam of Thailand 30-25, 30-27, 30-26, 30-27, 30-27 in the flyweight gold medal bout.

“May galing talaga siya, may lakas,” Paalam said. “Utak talaga ginamit ko, bilis na lang saka talino sa lubid.”.
Ladon said he put all his mindset into beating a longtime nemesis.

“First round pa lang nag-focus talaga ako dahil hindi basta-basta yung kalaban,” said the 26-year-old Ladon. “Yun ang mortal enemy ng Pilipinas, malakas ang Thailand. Pinalabas ko lang ang laro ko, saka sabi ko last na ito. Wala na akong iisipin pa.”

Meanwhile, Irish Magno bowed to Vietnamese Thi Tam Nguyen via majority decision 4-1 in the women’s 51-kg bout to settle for silver.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Hanah Tabios

The recognition for Southeast Asian Games’ gold medalist and Filipino surfing sensation Roger Casugay is not yet over as no less than Indonesian President Joko Widodo praised the 25-year-old athlete.

In a tweet, Widodo praised Casugay for his heroic deed after saving Indonesian rival Arip Nurhidiyat during their semifinals duel last Friday.

“Winning the competition and upholding sportsmanship is important, but humanity is above all. My appreciation for Roger Casugay, a Filipino surfer who gave up the golden opportunity to help Indonesian athletes who fell in the race,” Widodo said Monday.

Without regards to the result, Casugay rescued Nurhidiyat after being pummeled by strong waves due to a broken leash. Both of them paddled back to the shore together, sharing through Casugay’s board.

Casugay earlier said he was no hero and wanted to remain only as an ordinary athlete, but many Filipinos recognized his heroism that paid off with a gold medal on Sunday’s final surfing match.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez also said that he will include Casugay in the list of athletes who will meet President Rodrigo Duterte in an awarding ceremony after the SEA Games.

Ramirez said the commission will also give him a plaque of recognition for his heroic act and an additional cash incentive which is yet to be approved by PSC apart from the standard incentive for the winning athletes.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Karateka Jamie Christine Lim claimed the gold medal in the +61kg kumite event following a thrilling 2-1 win over Ceyco Zefanya of Indonesia in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Monday at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The daughter of basketball great Samboy Lim and former Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Darlene Berberabe, Lim picked up the dramatic win after just five months of training for the biennial meet.

The hard work paid off as she gave PH karatedo its second gold after Filipino-Japanese Junna Tsukii triumphed in the -50kg kumite category over the weekend.

Lim said that it was only last July that she resumed her training since she was focused on her studies, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics degree at the University of the Philippines.

“I worked super hard for this,” said the 22-year-old Lim, whose mom was among those who cheered her from the stands. “Four years stop ako (competing) because I’ve always on academics.”

“Sobrang against the odds, because yung mga kalaban ko full time athletes po sila and nag-full time lang ako like five month ago. Basta I did my work, as in I worked hard everyday, tapos no shortcuts. I wanted it so much.”

On her way to the gold medal match, Lim scored impressive wins opposite Malaysia’s Audrey Japyus 7-3 in the quarterfinals, and Thi Thao Bui of Vietnam 5-1 in the semifinal round.

Lim, a gold medalist in the Amatör Spor Haftasi Karate Championship in Sakarya, Turkey last October, credited the entire karatedo national team, especially Turkish head coach Okay Arpa for their belief in her as she came back from that four-year hiatus.

“Binantayan niya (Arpa) talaga ako and naniwala siya sa akin,” said Lim. “I was so bad nung start kasi four years stop talaga. He just never stopped believing in me and up to today, believes in me, he always believes in me.”

“Karate has always been in my heart,” she said “And 2019 SEA Games in the Philippine, how special is that di ba? The timing is perfect, I just graduated. I got my goal sa academics. I think the signs just told me to, it’s calling me, calling me to comeback.”

She said that her parents have always been her inspirations, and to finish her studies and capped the year with the SEA Games gold medal, Lim said it’s just a perfect year for her.

“Summa cum laude is for mom, SEA Games gold for dad. I can’t believe that both of them happened this year, 2019 is so perfect for me. I’m just so grateful, I’m grateful,” she said.

“I looked up to my mom and dad so much. To even come close to him, as in to be compared to him and to mom, parang it’s so big for me. Kaya today is just so special for me. I feel happy.”

In the history of Philippines basketball, Lim – known as the ‘Skywalker” – is considered one of the best, both as member of the national team and in the PBA where he was named among the top 25 Greatest Players. During a basketball game in November 2014, he collapsed and was in comatose for more than a year.

He was in a wheelchair when he attended her daughter’s graduation last July.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

CLARKFIELD, Pampanga—After his blistering run in the 4x100m mixed relay finals on Sunday, Fil-Am Eric Cray is back in the good graces of Philippine Track and Field Association president Philip Ella Juico.

Cray zoomed to the finish line and powered the Philippines to a gold in the inaugural event at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.

In the morning of the same day, Cray was a dismal failure after being disqualified because of jumping the gun too soon in the 100-meter heats.

“Not anymore,” said Juico on Monday as the Philippines gets ready for another day in track and field and the Philippines hoping to win at least two more in the final days of competitions.

The 4×100 victory was the seventh gold medal for Philippine athletics following earlier wins by Christine Hallasgo in women’s marathon, pole vaulters EJ Obiena and Natalie Uy, Kristina Knott in the 100-meters for women, heptathlete Sarah Dequinan and William Morrison in shotput.

Cray still has two more events remaining: 4×100 and 400 hurdles.

Fil-Am Carter Lilly will compete in the 800m and is a heavy favorite to rule the event.

“You know sometimes these athletes, they have mood swings,” said Juico, who was disenchanted when Cray blew his chance of running in the 100.

“He could have done it (win the event),” said Juico, adding that good money was spent in ensuring that their training has more than ample funding.

Before the SEAG, Juico was conservative in his assessment, saying 5-6 golds was a realistic prediction.

But things have changed and one could hear a noticeable spark in Juico’s eyes ever since the gold medal collection hit seven.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Not all sports heroes win medals.

The Philippine Sports Commission will be recognizing surfer Roger Casugay’s heroic act during the 30th Southeast Asian Games by giving him a plaque of recognition and cash incentive.

PSC chairman Butch Ramirez bared this in a statement Monday, saying that Casugay’s action embodies the Filipino athlete’s true spirit of heroism, sportsmanship and sacrifice.

“I will include Roger (Casugay) in our awarding in Malacañang to meet the President. The PSC will also give him a plaque and cash incentive to be approved by the Board,” Ramirez said.

The PSC also announced that Casugay will be the country’s flag-bearer in the closing rites on Wednesday.

A strong PH bet in the men’s longboard open event, Casugay gave up his chance of advancing to the next phase by rescuing his Indonesian rival Arip Nurhidayat in the middle of the third round preliminaries last Friday.

Large waves swept away Nurhidayat after his surfboard leash broke.

His act of heroism had gone viral on social media and drew praises from the public. (with a report from Hanah Tabios)

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Charmaine Dolar closed out the Philippine gymnastics team’s campaign at the 30th Southeast Asian Games with a bronze medal in aerobics on Monday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The 28-year-old former artistic gymnast scored 18.800 in the women’s individual to settle behind Vietnam’s Tran Ngoc Thuy Vi (21.200) and Thailand’s Chawisa Intakul (20.325).

Dolar was disappointed with her performance and vowed to improve in her future international stints.

“May isang skill kasi akong hindi nagawa, pero babawi ako sa mga susunod,” the Cavite native, who started aero gymnastics at 15 years old, said.

Dolar failed to gain another medal after she and Carl Joshua Tangonan finished fourth in the mixed pair event won by Vietnam.

Christopher Quevedo, Lynette Ann Moreno and Queenie Grace Briones also finished fourth in the mixed trio also topped by the Vietnamese.

The Philippines finished its campaign in the sport with three gold, five silver and nine bronze medals.

World champion gymnast Carlos Yulo scooped two gold and five silvers in men’s artistic gymnastics, while Daniela Dela Pisa won one gold and two bronzes in rhythmic. Both gymnasts are first-timers in the biennial meet.

The other bronze came from the women’s all-around team in rhythmic.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

CLARKFIELD, Pampanga – Pampanga’s world-renowned musicians will provide topnotch entertainment when the 30th Southeast Asian Games draws to a close Wednesday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.

Arnel Pineda, the lead singer of Journey, will sing the Philippine national anthem during the closing rites set to begin at 5 p.m. while the last act will be starred by another Cabalen, Ap.de.ap, Allan Pineda Lindo in real life.

A drone show will kick-start the program proper before the traditional parade of athletes and team officials.

The Philippine flag will be carried by Roger Casugay, the Filipino surfing champion who reportedly saved the life of Indonesian rival Arip Nuirhidyat during competition last week in La Union. Casugay downplayed it, saying he simply calmed the Indonesian down.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman and chief of mission Butch Ramirez spoke highly of Casugay.

“The Games are not only about medals. It is about character, resilience, love for one another and shoring up the faith of the person next to you,” said Ramirez, who named Casugay as the country’s flag-carrier.

A tribute to volunteers and the entire SEAG workforce will be done while a music video of the song by Sarah Geronimo is being played.

Pineda will again take to the stage and do a few numbers alongside KO Jones Band before Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee chairman and House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano delivers a speech.

A message from Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president and Tagaytay congressman Bambol Tolentino will be the runup to the official declaration of the closing of the 30th SEAG.

The SEAG Federation Flag Retreat will commence the handover ceremony that will see Vietnam taking over as capital city Hanoi hosts the 2021 Games.

The cauldron, which has been burning the last 12 days, will then be extinguished as the official SEAG flag is handed over to Vietnam, whose national anthem will be played before the next host country makes a presentation.

A fireworks display will light up the sky and shortly after Apl.de.ap and the Black Eyed Peas will hold a concert.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The Philippines will not have a medal in the men’s 9-ball singles after Dennis Orcollo and Warren Kiamco suffered quarterfinal defeat to Singaporean foes Monday at the Tent City of the Manila Hotel.

Orcollo lost to Aloysius Yapp while Kiamco bowed to Lian Han Toh by similar 9-4 results, marking the first time that the Filipino cue artists failed to secure a podium finish in the event since the 2013 Games in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

Orcollo battled back from a 2-0 deficit by winning the next two racks, but couldn’t get the momentum going when Yapp was able to take control of the race-to-9 affair.

Kiamco, meanwhile, lost a 2-0 and 3-2 leads as Toh won nine of the final 11 racks to gain the victory.

Orcollo is slated at presstime to take on The Kie Do of Vietnam for the gold in the men’s 10-ball singles finals.

Men’s pool has only produced two bronzes courtesy of the team of Carlo Biado and Johann Chua and the partnership between Kiamco and Jeffrey Ignacio in 10-ball doubles.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Games Today (Mall of Asia Arena)

3:45 p.m. – Thailand vs Vietnam (M/Semifinal)

6:00 p.m. – Indonesia vs Malaysia (W/Prelims)

8:15 p.m. – Philippines vs Indonesia (M/Semifinal)

Gilas Pilipinas tries to move closer from its mission and that is to capture an 18th gold medal when the national team clashes with Indonesia in the semifinal round of basketball action in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

As expected, the all-PBA national team topped Group A with a perfect 3-0 record after convincing victories against Singapore 110-58, Vietnam 110-69 and Myanmar 136-67 last week.

Vietnam finished at second place with a 2-1 card and Myanmar went winless in three games. Thailand emerged as the top team in Group B also with a 3-0 slate followed by Indonesia at 2-1 and Cambodia 0-3.

The top two teams from each group earned spots in the crossover semifinals of the tournament.

The game between Thailand and Vietnam is set at 3:45 p.m., while the Nationals battle Indonesia at 8:15 p.m. The winners will advance in tomorrow’s gold medal match at the same venue.

Despite a winning average of 54 points, Gilas head coach Tim Cone expressed caution against Indonesia since their opponent has someone very familiar with the Philippine brand of basketball.

Indonesia basketball is now under Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman, who led the original Smart Gilas Pilipinas program from 2009 to 2011 and had stints as coach in the PBA.

“We all know him, how great he’s been with the original Gilas team with Mark Barroca and Marcio Lassiter. So he was kind the founder of the Gilas program,” said Cone, who considers Toroman a good friend.

“He also coached in the PBA. We know how good he is, and we know how disciplined his teams are, usually very great shooting teams. But we had our own job to finish.”

Indonesia was supposed to bring in a naturalized player in Lester Prosper, but it didn’t materialize. They dropped their opening game to Thailand 98-79, but came through with wins against Malaysia 101-92, and Cambodia 100-71.

Nevertheless, Cone wants his team to come out strong against Indonesia, saying: “We have something we have to do and go out. We’re not going to hold anything back.”

In preparation for the knockout stage, Cone opted to rest June Mar Fajardo and Stanley Pringle in their previous game with Myanmar, but both are expected to play against Indonesia.

“June Mar was really worn out, he has no injury. Stanley’s aching a little bit but nothing major. We decided to give them rest and get them him ready for semifinals. No injuries involved,” said Cone.

Source: Manila Bulletin