By Nick Giongco

CAPAS, Tarlac—Fil-Am Nathalie Uy posted a record-setting 4.25 meters in pole vault Sunday to win the gold in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Natalie Uy clears the bar and posts a record-setting 4.25 meters in women’s pole vault in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the New Clark City Athletic Stadium in Capas, Tarlac, Dec. 8, 2019. (MB Photo / Mark Balmores / Captured using Sony A9 with 200-600mm lens)

Uy’s effort broke the 4.10 record of Chayansee Chomchuendee of Thailand in the process.

Uy, 24, who hails from Ohio, tried to clear 4.35 but failed to do so.

Her personal-best is 4.30 which she achieved in Spain last year.

Uy’s triumph came after the loss in the women’s century dash of another Fil-Am, sprinter Kristina Knott earlier to defending champion Tu Chin Le of Vietnam.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Britain’s Anthony Joshua reclaimed his world heavyweight crown from Andy Ruiz on Saturday, outclassing the Mexican-American to score a unanimous points victory.

British boxer Anthony Joshua celebrates after regaining his world heavyweight crown with a unanimous points win over Andy Ruiz (AFP Photo/Fayez Nureldine)

Joshua, who suffered a stunning knockout defeat to Ruiz in New York in June, produced a masterclass to regain his IBF, WBA and WBO titles in emphatic fashion.

Dominating from the outset, Joshua won by margins of 118-110 on two scorecards with the third judge making it 119-109.

Billed as the “Clash on the Dunes”, the eagerly anticipated rematch marked the first time a world heavyweight title fight has been staged in Saudi Arabia.

And after entering the purpose built open-air arena at Diriyah, on the outskirts of the Saudi capital, just after midnight, it was Joshua who rose to the occasion with a stylish victory.

The final scores in no way flattered Joshua, who frustrated his heavier opponent with superb movement while picking off Ruiz relentlessly with his jab.

Joshua, badly stung by his defeat to Ruiz at Madison Square Garden, was ecstatic after clinching a one-sided win.

“The first time was so nice, I had to do it twice,” Joshua said as he celebrated becoming a two-time world heavyweight champion.

The 2012 Olympic champion revealed he had adapted his style after June’s loss to Ruiz, when he got drawn into a slugfest before being floored four times on his way to the first loss of his career.

“I’m used to knocking guys out and last time, I realised that I hurt the man but I got caught coming in,” said Joshua, who improved to 23-1, 21 by knockout.

“No excuses, but I said to myself I’m going to correct it and come again.”

“I just wanted to put on a great boxing masterclass tonight and also show the sweet science of this lovely sport,” Joshua added. “It’s about hitting and not getting hit.”

‘Too much weight’: Ruiz 

Ruiz had shocked onlookers at Friday’s weigh-in by tipping the scales at 283 pounds (128.4 kilograms), fully 15 pounds heavier than his weight in the first fight.

Joshua by contrast came in at 237 pounds, his leaner, less bulky physique allowing him to dance around the ring for 12 rounds to leave Ruiz pawing at shadows.

Ruiz admitted he had prepared poorly for the rematch.

“It was his night man,” Ruiz said. “I didn’t prepare as I should of. I gained too much weight. But I don’t want to make excuses, he won, he bossed me around.

“But if we do a third fight you best believe I’m going to get in the best shape of my life.”

Pressed on his excess weight, Ruiz said it had “affected me a lot.”

“I thought I was going to feel stronger and feel better, but on my next fight I’m going to get better prepared.”

Joshua established his dominance from the opening bell, feinting and changing direction to keep Ruiz at bay while simultaneously scoring with a series of stinging jabs.

A jolting right hand towards the end of the first round opened up a cut above Ruiz’s left eye to draw roars from the large contingent of Joshua fans who had travelled to Saudi Arabia for the fight.

The remainder of the fight followed a similar pattern, with Joshua using his superior reach and movement to deny Ruiz any chance of unloading the sort of combinations that set up his win in June.

Finally, Ruiz managed to rock Joshua in the eighth, connecting with a stiff combination.

But Joshua showed no signs of lasting damage from the exchange, and quickly settled back into the tactics which had given him a massive lead on all three card.

By the time of the closing rounds, Ruiz needed a knockout to have any chance of victory.

But it was Joshua who finished stronger, landing a solid right on Ruiz in the 12th before dancing away to close out the win.

Source: Manila Bulletin

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, 3rd from left, joins onstage members of the Columbian Dyip and their No. 1 draft pick Roosevelt Adams. Leading the Dyip are coach John Cardel, left. (PBA ges)

Columbian turned to someone who can form an explosive tandem with CJ Perez as the Dyip selected Roosevelt Adams with the first pick in the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft at Robinson’s Place Manila Sunday.

Adams wowed almost everybody with his MVP showing during the Gatorade Draft Combine. And not surprisingly, the 6-foot-5 Fil-Am forward got the nod of Columbian.

Earlier, Columbian Dyip made George Isaac Go as the first pick in the special Gilas dispersal draft, featuring five players eyed to be included in the Gilas program for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

Cebuano hotshots Rey Suerte went to Blackwater at No. 2, 6-foot guard Matthew Nieto to NLEX at No. 3, gunner/slasher Allyn Bulanadi to Alaska at No. 4 and wing guy Michael Nieto to Rain or Shine at No. 5

But as agreed upon by the PBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, these Gilas prospects will be made available to their PBA mother ball clubs only once their national duties are over.

Adams, a 25-year-old College of Idaho product, leads the rookie draftees who can strut their stuff in the pros right at the start of the next PBA season.

“It’s a blessing, and I have no words to describe my feeling. It’s a great opportunity,” said Adams.

“I’m just excited and of course I’ll put my athleticism in the game,” added Adams, accompanied by his wife in the well-attended draft exercise.

Another Fil-Am player in Maurice Shaw was picked at No. 2 by Blackwater, then PCU’s Mike Ayonayon became the highest drafted home-grown player at No. 3 by NLEX.

Also picked in the first round were Kevin Ebona by Alaska, Adrian Wong, Clint Dolinguez and Prince Rivero by Rain or Shine, Sean Manganti by NorthPort, Aris Dionisio by Magnolia, Arvin Tolentino by Ginebra, Kib Montalbo by TNT KaTropa and Christian Balagasay by Columbian Dyip.

Blackwater gambled on size over youth in picking the 6-foot-9 Shaw, among the oldest players ever picked in the PBA annual draft at 34.

“I’m just grateful for the opportunity. Hopefully, I’ll be able to do what I can do,” said Shaw.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Tu Chin Le of Vietnam won the women’s 100-meter gold in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Capas, Tarlac.

Kristina Marie Knott, left, of the Philippines and Vietnam’s Tu Chinh Le race to the finish line of the women’s 100m final at the New Clark City’s Athletic Stadium in Tarlac. Tu Chinh Le bags the gold while Knott settles for silver. (MB Photo / Mark Balmores / Captured using Sony A9 with 200-600mm lens)

Le clocked 11.54 seconds while Fil-Am favorite Kristina Knott was just a hundredth of a second slower at 11.55.

Third place went to Veronica Shanti of Singapore, who clocked 11.66.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

CAPAS, Tarlac — The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) on Sunday boldly declared that host Philippines has the 30th South­east Asian Games (SEAG) overall crown in the bag.

“Sealed na yan,” said POC president Bambol Tolentino, who believes the Phil­ippines’ closest pursuer, Indonesia, won’t be able to catch up.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino speaks at the send-off of athletes for the 30th SEA Games at the Rizal Stadium last November 13. (MB Photo / Alvin Kasiban)

According to the SEAG website, the Philippines now has a gold-silver-bronze tally of 99-72-84 as of 4:30 p.m. Sunday. In contrast, Indonesia has 62-55-70, and Vietnam, which has never finished lower than third since it hosted in 2003, has 50-53-65.

The Philippines raced to 22 gold med­als during the first day, and on Saturday grabbed a second-best 17.

Tolentino said he carefully studied the winning chances of Filipino athletes when he first proposed holding 530 events in 56 sports.

“I looked at it carefully and I think I did good,” said Tolentino, who expects the grand total to reach 120 to 130 gold medals when the SEAG ends on Wednesday.

As this developed, the Philippines continued its romp with gold medals in softball, rowing, soft tennis, golf, and surfing, overshadowing Fil-Am runner Eric Cray’s mal­function during the morning heats of the 100-meters.

Cray was called for a false start and ordered out of the event.

Eric Cray (0002) (Contributed photo)

The 31-year-old Cray took off before the starting gun was fired, leaving him with no recourse but to watch the action from the sideline.

Cray’s best time in the event is 10.26 which he set during his gold medal run in the 2015 Singapore SEAG.

In his place, Anfernee Lopena will represent the Philippines in the finals late Sunday after clocking 10.61. The top pick now in the event is Thai Sowan Ruttaporn, who clocked 10.34, followed by Hanari Haiqal of Malaysia, who had a time of 10.39.

Fortunately, Cray’s misfortune faded as the hours passed when other Filipino athletes in various fields began making their move into the finals as well.

The PH Blu Girls thank their fans after routing Indonesia in the softball finals of the 30th Southeast Asian Games Sunday. (Jonas Terrado)

The softball team trashed Indonesia, 8-0, while Melcah Caballero bagged her second gold, this time in the lightweight single sculls, after winning her first in doubles a few days ago.

The golf national team celebrates after the winning gold in individual and team event in women’s, and bronze in the men’s team category in the 30th Southeast Asian Games. (Photo courtesy of Aboy Castro)

The tandem of Lois Kay Go and Bi­anca Pagdangana tripped Malaysia in matchplay 1 ½ to ½ for the team gold in women’s golf at Luisita.

Soft tennis had another field day when the doubles team of Corazon Manalac and Camille Zoleta won against Thailand 1-0.

Surfing also made its presence felt when Roger Casugay and Nilbie Blancada won in the longboard open and short­board open, respectively, in La Union.

In the basketball arena, where people come in droves to cheer for Gilas, Indo­nesia will be the stumbling block to its mission of gaining entry into the finals when they lock horns in the semifinals at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

The other semis pairing will have Thailand and Vietnam.

Finals in athletics and swimming, both venues located inside the NCC, are firing off late Sunday afternoon and well into the night.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Butch Ramirez (MB Photo / Alvin Kasiban)

Meanwhile, Chief of Mission Butch Ramirez, also the Philippine Sports Commission chairman, expressed his appreciation for the entire nation’s sup­port to the Philippine delegation that competed against the region’s very best in 56 sports the past nine days.

“More than the medal haul, I am thankful for all the sacrifice and hard work that went behind pushing their chances for a shining moment.”

Beyond the country’s staging of the biennial sports festival, Ramirez believes the 30th SEAG will leave a last­ing legacy.

“The gains from this event do not end when the curtains come down. On top of the victories, there are many long-term advantages,” he added, stressing that the current crop of national team member will expand following the im­pressive showing of the Philippines.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Hanah Tabios

It was sweet victory for La Union province’s Daisy Valdez as she earned double bronze medals in the 30th Southeast Asian Games surfing competition on the day of her 32nd birthday Sunday.

Daisy Valdez celebrates after bagging back-to-back bronzes in the women’s shortboard category of surfing competition at Monalisa Point in San Juan, La Union Sunday. (United Philippine Surfing Association photo)

Valdez, 32, first defeated Indonesian counterpart Dewi Ni Kader in the women’s shortboard category earning 11.75 points in Heat 1 of the bronze medal match at Monalisa Point in San Juan, La Union on Sunday morning.

Two hours later, she beat Thai challenger Flynn Annissa Tita in the women’s longboard category Heat 2 with a 7-point margin.

Her final game against Tita ended with a final score of 10-3.

Valdez is currently executive secretary of the La Union Longboard Open.

She has two children aged 14 and 9.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Joseph Pedrajas

Three Filipino boxers outclassed semifinals opponents Sunday to secure slots in the gold medal round of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the PICC Forum.

In this file photo, PH’s Rogen Ladon, right, faces off with Indonesia’s Aldoms Suguro during the 52kg men’s flyweight elimination in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at PICC Tent in Pasay, December 5, 2019. (Contributed photo)

Irish Magno overcame a height deficit to beat Thailand’s Jutamas Jitpong in the women’s 51-kg semis, while Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez dominated their men’s 52kg and 60kg bouts.

“Mas matangkad siya, pero yun nga kasi sinusunod ko po kasi sina coach. Sila nakakita kung ano pong gagawin ko sa kalaban ko,” Magno said. “Kaya kung ano pong sabihin nila, ung kailangang tumama ung mga suntok ko, ‘yun po ang ginagawa ko.”

Magno, aggressive and tireless, said she also found strength in the hometown crowd.

“Nakaka-boost po ng feeling, saka nakakawala po ng kaba,” she said.

Ladon took on Mohamed Hanurdeen Hamid of Singapore in men’s flyweight and scored a 30-27, 30-26, 30-25, 29-28, 30-27 victory.

“Nilaro ko lang yung laro niya,” said the 26-year-old boxer, who sought in vain to knock down his foe.

The 31-year-old Suarez, meanwhile, had his KD but settled for a unanimous decision against Vietnam’s Thanh Dat Vue, taking his foot off the medal toward the end.

“Sabi ng coach namin, wag magmadali kasi lamang naman. At least, mayroong knockdown na nangyari,” he said.

Magno, Ladon and Suarez joined three other Filipino boxers who advanced to the finals after seeing action Friday.

Carlo Paalam and Josie Gabuco won via unanimous decisions while Eumir Felix Marcial advanced via referee stoppage in the first round.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

CAPAS, Tarlac—EJ Obiena, the newly-crowned Southeast Asian Games pole vault king, is bent on making a dent in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Olympics-bound EJ Obiena sets new SEA Games record after clearing the 5.45m mark to bag the gold medal in men’s pole vault final (Nick Giongco)

The 6-2 leaper, who reset the SEAG mark with a 5.45-meter job Saturday, is returning to Italy to resume his training under renowned
coach Vitaly Petrov.

“I am flying back,” said Obiena after winning his first SEAG gold medal. Denied of a chance two years ago in Kuala Lumpur, Obiena was ecstatic when he got his before hometown fans at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.

“It was a blast,” he said. “I really wanted that record.”

Thai Porranot Purahong had previously held it after a 5.35 that he did in Malaysia two years go.

Pulling it off was rather easy for Obiena, who even attempted to go further but failed to clear 5.55.

Last September in Europe, Obiena cleared 5.80 to automatically earn a berth in Tokyo, the first Filipino to make the Olympic grade.

Next up for Obiena is a stint in the Asian Indoors in Hangzhou, China, on Feb. 12 and 13 followed by the World Indoors in Nanjing, also in China, from March 13 to15.

“The foundation training (in Italy) is crucial for me to get all the training that I can before the year ends. So we can start unloading
earlier. Hopefully I will do a lot better than what I did today.”

For Obiena, Christmas this year will be unforgettable.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Martin Sadongdong

A total of 216 crossfit athletes across the Philippines competed in the final round of the 2019 Manila Throwdown (MTD) Team Edition, the biggest functional fitness event in the country, held at the Tent Acacia Estates in Taguig City on Sunday.

Members of a crossfit group do the “worm” in the third workout of the final round of the 2019 Manila Throwdown held at Tent Acacia Estates in Taguig City on Sunday. (Martin Sadongdong)

JC Santos, one of the MTD organizers, said this year’s iteration saw the most number of participants in the history of the event which started started in 2012.

“This year, we had 264 athletes in the qualifiers round. Before they could qualify for the finals, they had to submit a video while doing all the routines. We then ranked them to determine if they are to qualify in the RX (elite) or Scaled (beginner and intermediate) division,” Santos told the Manila Bulletin.

Of the number, only 216 athletes or 54 crossfit groups (four members per group) qualified.

Every year, Santos said they try to incorporate a new exercise that would test the physical limits of the participants.

“Usually, we have four to five workouts of the day (WODs) which are a combination of different movements such as running, gymnastics, swimming, weightlifting and cycling. For this year, we put a new exercise which is the ‘worm.’”

In the worm, three members of each group have to do squat thrusts and push press while carrying a bag containing rubber pellets.

The size and weight of the worm are 21 inches and 220 lbs.

The fourth member has to climb a rope after every 30 repetitions of worm squats and push presses. “This is to test the coordination of the teams. That’s what we try to do, we try to innovate to challenge them.”

A combination of new workouts was also incorporated in this year’s MTD finals round.

Santos urged everyone to try crossfit and said it is important for an individual to be physically fit and healthy. “I encourage everyone to try crossfit. There are many crossfit boxes in the Philippines that you can visit.”

“Crossfit can be done by anyone and no one should feel intimated with it,” Santos added.

Last year, Team Avant Garde, a crossfit box based in Mandaluyong, ruled the MDT Team Edition.

Source: Manila Bulletin