By Jonas Terrado

The Philippines ripped Malaysia 17-1 Sunday to salvage a bronze medal in ice hockey competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the SM Mall of Asia Skating Rink.

Team captain Steven Fuglister and Kenneth Mitchell Stern scored four goals apiece as the Eagles repeated over the Malaysians to end the campaign on a high note after failing to repeat the title they won in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Games.

Jan Aro Regencia, Jann Gefrey So Tiong and Lenard Lancero added two goals each for the Philippines, which defeated Malaysia 15-1 in the tournament opener the previous Sunday.

The Eagles were able to get a victory after their title reign came to an end Saturday with a 4-3 loss to Singapore in the semifinals.

Thailand blanked Singapore 8-0 in the final later in the day to secure the gold medal.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

CLARKFIELD, Pampanga — The Philippines stamped its class on Thailand 15-2 Sunday afternoon to capture the gold in men’s baseball of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at The Villages here.

The national batters scored nine runs in the first three innings, capitalizing on Thailand’s struggles on the mound, to extend the country’s regional dominance in front of an appreciative crowd at the Clark International Sports Complex.

It was the Philippines’ third title in four editions in the biennial meet, including the inaugural event in 2005 in front of a packed crowd at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Filipinos settled for silver behind Thailand in the 2007 Nakhon Ratchasima Games before regaining supremacy in the 2011 meet in Palembang, Indonesia.

Jerome Yenson produced the game’s first run in the first inning when he hit a funny hop through the legs of Sanyalak Pipatpinyo to score Erwin Bosito, who earlier reached base on a single off Thai starter Siraphop Nadee before advancing to second on an error.

Jonash Ponce and Diego Lozano drew walks to load the bases against Thai starter Siraphop Nadee. Ferdinand Liguayen also walked two batters later to score Yenson and Juan Macasaet also got a free pass, allowing Ponce to touch home plate to make it 3-0.

The Philippines continued the onslaught in the second Ponce singled to left to send home Bosito, who earlier singled and stole second and third. Lozano walked to load the bases and Mark Steven Manaig also drew a walk to score Yenson for a 5-0 advantage.

Liguayan grounded to Thailand reliever Kamolphan Kanjanavisut for a forced out at home plate. But catcher John Daru’s throw for a potential double play went past first baseman Chayaphat Suanthong, scoring Lozano and Manaig for a commanding 7-0 lead.

The Philippines tacked on two runs in the third with Bernardo scoring Jennald Pareja on a single before scoring from third on a sacrifice fly by Bosito.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Game Tuesday

(Mall of Asia Arena)

6 p.m. — Philippines vs Thailand

Gilas Pilipinas survived defending champion Malaysia 81-75 to close in on winning the country’s first gold Sunday night in women’s basketball competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The national cagebelles lost a 12-point third quarter lead but battled back from six down in the fourth to register their second straight win and turn Tuesday’s match against Thailand into a fight for the gold.

Khate Castillo and Janine Pontejos made key baskets down the stretch, Danica Jose made stops on the other end and Afril Bernardino registered 18 points, 19 rebounds, three assists and three blocks, much to the liking of coach Pat Aquino.

“They never gave up and I was so proud of them. Talagang they found a way to win that game,” said Aquino, who is assured of steering the Philippines to a medal finish for the first time since he started handling the team in 2015.

“I’m just happy that we survived another game but it doesn’t end here. We still have one more game at sana dire-diretso na to,” he added.

Castillo sparked the comeback when she drained back-to-back triples to tie the game at 74-all, 3:41 remaining in the fourth.

Gilas got the lead back when Jose, who had earlier blocked two attempts, made one of two free throws with 3:01 to go.

Pontejos later sank two freebies and converted a one-hander to make it 79-74 for the Philippines with 51.8 seconds remaining.

Fook Yee Yap scored 18 points but Malaysia’s bid for third straight gold came to an end after falling to 0-2.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Betheena Unite

After 42 years, the Philippine men’s volleyball team will advance to the finals of the Southeast Asian Games after dethroning Thailand in five epic sets, 17-25, 25-20, 23-25, 27-25, 17-15 Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Down one set, the Nationals found themselves in a 21-24 disadvantage over the defending champions in the fourth frame. But the gutsy Filipinos started to rally back after a Bryan Bagunas attack to save one match point, 24-22.

The Philippines followed it up with a block point before forcing an error from Thailand to force a 24-all deadlock before taking away the set.

Picking up from where they left off, the nationals made Thailand worked for every point and managed to keep the match tight. But the defending champions threatened and got into the match point first, 14-13, only to commit a service error to extend the match at 14-all.

The Filipino spikers used two-straight points off a block point and a strong Bagunas hit, sealing the match at 17-15 to book a finals berth and break the country’s four-decade drought.

“Sobrang saya. Sobrang hindi maipaliwanag yung nararamdaman ko kasi, yun nga, nakuha namin yung panalo ngayon and sure silver na kami pero kailangan pa rin naming magtrabaho para sa championship,” national team head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.

Bagunas, Mark Espejo, and Kim Malabunga powered the Philippines with 27, 20, and 14 points to end the reign of the winningest team in SEA Games men’s volleyball.

The pivotal fourth set proved to be a test of character for the team as its top scorers in the game almost thought it would slip away from them.

“Kanina dasal lang kami nang dasal nung 4th set. Kanina after ng game hindi talaga ako makapaniwala, as in kinakagat ko na sarili ko,” said Rex Intal, who saw action for the first time and tallied for six markers.

“Sobrang intense, sobrang hindi mo ma-explain kung ano yung nangyari kanina kasi yung fourth set patalo na talaga kami pero hindi kami bumitaw,” Malabunga, who had six blocks in the game, said.

For the team’s top gunners, the match and the victory over Thailand was something to be proud of.

“Sobrang mahalaga ‘tong game na ‘to sa’min. Sobrang nakaka-proud kasi ilang years na silang nagcha-champion yung tapos ito tinalo namin sila. Doon lumabas yung skills at composure namin, e. Sobrang saya, hindi namin ma-explain,” Bagunas said.

“Talo kami nung first set pero nakabawi naman. Lalo nung fourth set, ako kasi nagse-serve nun, e. Hindi ko alam kung ija-jump serve ko o ifo-float ko na lang. Sabi ko, ifo-float ko na lang, tiwala na lang sa isa’t isa. As in kinakabahan ako sa loob ng court nun,” Espejo said.

The nationals unleashed 16 blocks against Thailand’s nine to make up for their lackluster defense in their previous games.

Amorntep Konhan and Kissada Nilsawai led Thailand’s attack with 20 and 16 points, respectively.

The Philippine team will face Indonesia in the finals for the gold medal on Tuesday.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The Philippines picked up three gold medals on the final day of skateboarding competitions held in Tagaytay City and Maragondon, Cavite.

Fil-American Christiana Means finally won the gold by claiming the women’s park event at the Tagaytay City Extreme Sports Complex.

Jojit Francisco ruled the men’s side of the event at the same venue while Jaime de Lange took the men’s downhill in Maragondon.

Overall, skateboarding collected five golds with Margielyn Didal leading the way with two in the women’s game of skate and street events.

Means scored 11.20 points to beat Cinta Nyimas (10.76) and Neepa Pramesti (8.10) of Indonesia.

The 23-year-old earlier settled for silver in the two events won by Didal.

Francisco took the gold in the men’s side after recording 42.20 points, beating out Indonesia’s Jason Lijnzaat (33.33) and Thailand’s Brian Van Upapong (26.33).

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Rubilen Amit edged Chezka Centeno 7-3 on Sunday night to capture the women’s 9-ball singles gold medal in billiards at the 30^th Southeast Asian Games at the Manila Hotel Tent.

Amit recovered from a dry break in the opening rack and controlled the game throughout in a rematch of the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition finals where Centeno won the gold medal.

Revenge, however, was not in the mind of Amit as she used this match for her preparation for the World Women’s 9-Ball Championship scheduled next week in Hainan, China.

“Kasi kung SEA Games, Philippines-Philippines na eh, so medyo pwedeng bumaba yung killer instinct. So inisip ko na lang na yung laban na to, pang world championship na,”

“I’m very happy naman with my performance.”

Amit lauded Centeno’s aggressiveness, particularly her pocketing skills.

“Any time of the day, di talaga ako mananalo sa pocketing nya. Her confidence was there,” the 38-year-old Cebuana said.

Amit and Centeno also battled in the 10-ball finals on Saturday, with the latter clinching the gold medal.

Amit’s victory came a few hours after she and Centeno teamed up in beating Vutthiphan Kongkaket and Sasiwimon Wannaprathip, 7-6, for a semifinal berth in the 9-ball doubles.

They next face Angeline Ticoalu and Silviana Lu of Indonesia on Monday.

Earlier, Dennis Orcollo survived a scare in beating Singapore’s Aloysius Yapp, 9-7, to advance to the men’s 10-ball singles final.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The Philippines gave up two goals in stunning fashion late and lost 2-1 to Myanmar Sunday night to fall short of a bronze medal finish in women’s football of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Quinley Quezada’s opening before the hour mark went for naught as July Kyaw scored the equalizer before Yee Yee Oo struck the eventual winner as Myanmar denied the Malditas a medal finish for the first time since the 1985 Games in Bangkok.

Disappointed faces were seen after the match, but most of the 3,000 fans applauded the women’s team that came close to reaching the gold medal match of the biennial meet.

“We were very prepared, we knew what we wanted to do against Myanmar, but when we were attacking, we pushed a lot of players in front, in those transitions we lost a lot of players in the middle,” Malditas coach Let Dimzon said.

“The first goal came from a transition play, they switched right away and that’s a problem for our backline,” she added.

The Malditas began the competition by holding Myanmar to a draw before securing a place in the semis when Sarina Bolden’s hat trick resulted in a 5-0 drubbing of Malaysia in the two games held in Binan, Laguna

Hopes of a dream upset disappeared in the semis when Vietnam scored twice in the second half to suffer a 2-0 defeat last Thursday, also in Binan.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Joseph Pedrajas

James Palicte and Riza Pasuit added two more Philippine bets in the finals of the boxing competition with victories in the men’s 64kg and women’s 60kg divisions Sunday night in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the PICC Forum.

Palicte, 25, essayed a memorable first SEAG campaign after defeating a Thailand’s Atichai Phoemsap 4-1.

“Tingin ko lamang talaga siya. Napakahirap talagang laruin ng Thai na yun,” he said.

“Grabe yung saya ko ngayon, di ko ma-explain,” added Palicte, dedicating his win to his father who encouraged him to pursue the sport.

Like Palicte, Pasuit beat her opponent, Indonesian Huswatun Hasanah 4-1, overcome finally her fear of failing.

“Natatakot ako na hindi makapag perform ng maayos. Parang di ako makatulog kasi dito ginaganap ang SEA Games. So lahat ng pressure, nasa utak ko,” 26-year-old Pasuit said.

“Pero sa last round, nakita ko [na panalo na ko],” she added.

Sunday’s afternoon session saw three boxers — Irish Magno (women’s 51-kg), Rogen Ladon (men’s 52-kg) and Charly Suarez (men’s 60-kg) —advance to the finals.

On Friday, Carlo Paalam, Josie Gabuco and Eumir Felix Marcial also secured chances to vie for gold, while Marjon Piañar made it to the championship round after drawing a bye.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Four of five Filipino fighters bested their opponents on Sunday to barge into the final round of the kickboxing competition in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Renalyn Dacquel bannered the PH squad with a second-round referee-stop-contest victory over Indonesia’s Priscilla Lumban in the women’s -48kg full contact.

The 22-year-old Manabo, Abra native was aggressive throughout, banking on her boxing skills as a pro fighter to demolish her foe.

“Masarap yung feeling na nagbubunga yung mga training namin kasi nakakaiyak talaga yung training,” said Dacquel.

Gina Iniong also outclassed Vietnam’s Lai Thi Nga, 3-0, for a shot at the gold medal in the women’s -55kg kick light category, as well as Jerry Olsim, who scored a 3-0 win over Indonesia’s Serial Efendi in the men’s -69kg kick light division.

Jomar Balanguie also moved a win away from the men’s -54kg low kick title after beating Cambodi’s Cham Khem.

Karol Maguide, however, yielded to Indonesian Rumahpasal Aprilando of Indonesia, 3-0, in the men’s 51kg full contact semifinal.

Jean Claude Saclag hopes to follow his teammates when he fights in the men’s 63.5kg low kick semifinal on Monday.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Erma Edera

2018 Asian Games bronze medalist Pauline Lopez reclaimed her crown in taekwondo after clinching gold in the 30th Southeast Asian Games under -57 kg events at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday.

Back to her normal weight category, the Filipina jin outclassed Cambodia’s Aliza Chhoueng, snagging her second gold medal in the biennial meet.

Lopez took the early lead 4-0 in the first round and a turning head kick ended the bout at the buzzer with the final score 12-4.

Thailand copped the bronze after her loss to Lopez 18-1 in the semifinals.

The former Ateneo star placed first in the same division in 2015 SEA games in Singapore but moved to 62 kg in 2017 and settled for bronze.

Source: Manila Bulletin