By Waylon Galvez

The women’s national golf team ended a six-year drought with a sweep of all its events in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Sunday at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.

Bianca Pagdanganan, gold medalist in the individual category, bested Natasha Oon of Malaysia 3-2 in the final pairing of match play after Lois Kaye Go finished all-square with Ashley Lau.

The last time the Philippines swept the women’s event was in 2013 when former amateur standout Princess Superal bagged the individual title and then teamed up with Katrina Pelen-Briones and Clare Amelia Legaspi to rule the team event of the Myanmar SEA Games.

In the 2011 biennial meet in Indonesia, Chihiro Ikeda of the Philippines also captured the individual women’s gold medal, and then helped the team to the title with Mia Piccio and Dottie Ardina.

“Another great day for The Philippines,” said National Golf Association of the Philippines secretary-general Bones Floro said. “Golf has taken one giant leap the past year and a half.”
“Our golfers have truly matured and taken their games to higher levels,” added Floro, as Pagdanganan and Go added to their collection the SEA Games victory to the gold medals they won with Yuka Saso in the team event of the Asian Games last year in Indonesia.

Saso also won the individual gold medal and Pagdanganan took the bronze medal in the Asiad.

The other member of the women’s team in this SEA Games is Abby Arevalo.

The men’s team likewise ended a long 10-year drought as it finally made the podium after Sean Jean Ramos, Aidric Chan, Carl Corpus and Luis Miguel Castro won the bronze medal.

The Philippines defeated Indonesia after Castro – a member of the University of North Carolina golf team and son of former Gilas Pilipinas team manager Aboy – edged Jonathan Wijono 1-0.

The last time the men’s national team had a podium finish was the Mhark Fernando, Antonio Asistio II, Jhonnel Ababa and Jude Estaquio settled with the bronze medal in 2009 SEA Games in Laos.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Warren Kiamco outlasted Thailand’s Chotipong Amnuayporn, 9-7, on Sunday to advance in the men’s 9-ball singles quarterfinals of billiards in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Manila Hotel Tent.

Kiamco encountered stiff challenge after losing his 7-5 lead, but pulled it off in the 15th and 16th racks to join Dennis Orcollo into the next phase.

Orcollo advanced Saturday night with a 9-0 blanking of Indonesia’s Sahroni.

Also keeping their medal bids alive were Jefrey Roda, who bested Vietnam’s Kieu Thien Khoi, 4-3, for a spot in the quarterfinals of the men’s snooker singles.

Not so fortunate was Alvin Barbero, who yielded to Laos’ Siththideth Sakbieng of Laso, 4-0, in the men’s snooker singles Round of 16.

Meanwhile, Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit barged into the women’s 9-ball doubles semifinals after surviving Thailand’s Vutthiphan Kongkaket and Sasiwimon Wannaprathip, 7-6.

Centeno and Amit wasted a 6-3 lead when the Thais won the next three racks, but managed to stay on course.

The win came a few hours before they are about to clash in the women’s 9-ball singles finals.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Fil-Am sprinter Eric Cray got disqualified in the morning heats of the 100-meter dash Sunday in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, leaving the Philippines one less gold medal potential in the athletics competitions at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.

Cray, 31, was up against a batch of speedsters who were in their 20s and there was suspicion that he worried about getting upstaged.

Heat No. 2, which he belonged in, was topped by 25-year-old  Thai Sowan Ruttanapon, who timed in at 10.34 seconds. Second went to Hanari Haiqal, 20, who submitted a time of 10.39. Indonesian Abina Bisma Diwa, 24, was third with a clocking of 10.72.

Cray’s best time for the event is 10.26 set during the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.

Luckily, another Filipino entry, Anfernee Lopena, qualified in the finals after a 10.61.

The SEAG champion in the century dash and 400 hurdles in the 2015 Singapore SEAG and gold medalist as well in the 400 hurdles in Kuala Lumpur two years ago and as far back as 2013 in Naypidaw, Cray was tightlipped about his DQ.

Apparently, getting debarred is nothing new to the 31-year-old Cray, who was born in Olongapo, Zambales.

In the 2017 world championships in London, Cray was DQd for the same infraction in the heats of the 400 hurdles, an unusual occurrence, since DQs are ordinarily slapped in shorter sprint races.

A keen observer of Philippine athletics feels Cray might have been scared of getting blown away by the younger generation in the 100.

Still, Cray has three remaining chances to make up for his blunder since he is also entered in the 400 hurdles, 4×100 men and 4×100 mixed relay.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

CLARKFIELD, Pampanga — The Philippine Blu Girls gave their two departing players a fitting sendoff by blanking Indonesia 8-0 to retain the gold in women’s softball of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Clark International Sports Complex here.

The Blu Girls scored all of their runs in the second inning while Ann Antolihao and Lyca Basa combined to pitch a shutout to expectedly keep the Philippines’ softball supremacy in the region.

The win turned out to be more important for catcher Cheska Altomonte and shortstop Garie Blando, who made it known that the game will be their last for the national team.

Altomonte, 25, said it was time to give the younger players a chance while shifting on the management aspect of the team while Blando is focusing on becoming a doctor.

“I think I’ve given everything to the team from leading it to managing it to doing administrative stuff,” Altomonte said. “I think this is a good time for the young pool to come in and train for the next tournament.”

Coach Randy Dizer, however, believes that Altomonte’s decision is far from being moot and academic.

““She’s a big cog for the team kung mawawala,” said Dizer, who has handled Altomonte since she was 12 years old.

“But I don’t think she will leave. She’s my baby. Hindi titigil yan because looking at it, ang prime ng softball player is 28, 29, 30,” added Dizer.

The Blu Boys, meanwhile, suffered a 6-1 loss to Singapore to settle for silver in men’s softball.

Singapore erupted for three runs in the second inning to deny the Philippines the gold for the first time since the 1997 Jakarta Games.

It was the third defeat by the Blu Boys against the Singaporeans this year, including the World Championship and the Page System semis of these Games.

“It is a wake-up para sa atin at saka eye opener na wag tayong titigil at masikap pa rin tayo. At saka di na basta-basta ang kalaban natin dahil kung saan-saan sila nag-training,” said Dela Cruz.

“Pero hindi kung sinasabi na wala tayong laban, babangon ulit tayo,” he added.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Hanah Tabios

Heroism has paid off for Filipino local surfer Roger Casugay after bagging the country’s first gold medal in the surfing competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games Sunday in San Juan, La Union province.

Casugay recently made headlines after saving Indonesian challenger Mencos Cosomen from drowning during the semifinals round of the competition which prompted the cancellation of their game last Friday.

On Sunday, the surfing “hero” faced off with Filipino friend opponent Rogelio “Jay-R” Esquivel in the golden match of men’s longboard category.

The head-to-head challenge between the two Filipino bets has earned the country with gold and silver medals, respectively.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Filipino champion Jerwin Ancajas bombarded Chilean challenger with head and body shots for five rounds before stopping him in the sixth round to retain the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super-flyweight crown Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) at the Auditorio GNP Seguros in Puebla, Mexico.

Making the eighth defense of the IBF 115-lb plum he won more than three years ago, Ancajas compelled referee Wayne Hedgpeth to call a halt to the one-sided contest at 1:53 of the round as Jonathan Gonzalez was visibly hurt.

Gonzalez engaged Ancajas from rounds one to three but he began to fade in the fourth frame as his seasoned rival upped his work rate.

The victory raised Ancajas record to 32-1-2 with 22 K0s while the setback dropped Gonzalez’s mark to 31-3 with eight K0s.

Ancajas was supposed to meet Jonathan Gonzalez last Nov. 2 in Carson, California, but the Mexican opponent did not show up in time, forcing Top Rank to scrap the fight.

Next year, Ancajas is looking forward to bigger challenges with Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico, regarded as the top fighter in the division, as his main target.

Over in Brooklyn, New York, it was not the case with ex-world champion Marlon Tapales, who suffered an 11^th round knockout at the hands of Japanese Ryosuke Iwasa in their battle for the interim IBF super-bantam plum.

A left to the jaw sent Tapales down and while he was able to get up, the referee decided to pull the plug as the Filipino was clearly wobbly.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Game Sunday

(Rizal Memorial Stadium)

4 p.m. — Philippines vs Myanmar

The Philippines hopes to equal its best-ever finish in women’s football when it battles Myanmar for the bronze medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Kickoff is set at 4 p.m. with the Malditas aiming to record their first victory over Myanmar and secure the country’s first bronze since the 1985 Bangkok Games when it finished last in the three-nation field.

There’s reason for coach Let Dimzon’s side to feel confident of its chances after the Philippines opened the SEA Games campaign by holding Myanmar to a scoreless draw last Nov. 26 at the Binan Football Stadium in Laguna.

Myanmar is likely more determined to redeem itself from that result and continue its mastery of the Philippines.

The Burmese booters had beaten the Malditas 3-0 during the third place game of the AFF Women’s Championship in Chonburi, Thailand earlier this year.

Top-rated performances from key players Sarina Bolden, Shai del Campo, Sara Castaneda, Cam Rodriguez, Patrice Impelido and Inna Palacios will be key in the Philippines’ chances of securing a podium.

Meanwhile, defending champion Vietnam, which eliminated the Philippines after Wednesday’s 2-0 win in Binan, and Thailand fight for the gold at 8 p.m.

Vietnam and Thailand settled for a 1-1 draw during their group stage meeting.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Game Sunday

(Mall of Asia Arena)

6 p.m. — Philippines vs Malaysia

Gilas Pilipinas is not taking any chances against Malaysia as it seeks a second straight win in women’s basketball of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Mall of Asia Arena

Coach Pat Aquino sees no reason for his team to have a false sense of security in the 6 p.m. after Malaysia started its quest for a third straight gold with a 70-47 loss to Thailand last Wednesday.

“I still believe that Malaysia is a tough team since they are still the defending champion,” said Aquino. “I know they still have the guts to play hard that’s why we have to be ready and play our best.

The national cagebelles began their bid for a first gold in the standard five-on-five event with a 63-56 victory over Indonesia three nights ago, and Aquino is urging his team to play consistent right from the onset.

“We need to have a good start or strong start and be able to sustain it,” he said. “We have to play tough, good defense all the way, execute well on offense and avoid turning the ball over too much.”

A win will turn the Philippines’ final match against Thailand on Tuesday as the gold medal clincher.

The Thais won their first two matches, including a 67-58 win over Indonesia on Friday.

Janine Pontejos, Kelli Hayes and Jack Animam hope to continue their strong play from the previous game against Indonesia.

Afril Bernardino is also keen on playing a key role against the Malaysians.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Betheena Unite

The Philippine men’s volleyball team will try to regain their tight defense in a bid to dethrone defending champion Thailand in the semifinals match of the 30th Southeast Asian Games men’s volleyball tournament at the Philsports Arena at 6 pm Sunday.

After succumbing to Indonesia’s strong showing in three sets in their final match in the preliminaries, the nationals vowed to get on back on track, regain their unforgiving defense, to end the reign of the second winningest team in SEA Games men’s volleyball.

“Kailangan lang namin uling pag-aralan yung laro ng Thailand at siyempre kailangan din naming balikan kung ano yung mga pagkukulang namin in this game, especially yung blockings and defense, saka yung service and receive, kailangan naming maibalik yun sa Thailand para kahit paano mailaban namin sa semifinals,” skipper John Vic De Guzman said after losing to Indonesia.

They were the receiving end of Indonesia’s stringent defense, capped with a 10-1 block advantage Friday night.

Going up against their familiar foes, the nationals said their blockings, services, and receives will be crucial.

“Siguro hindi lang namin na-maximize yung service at blockings namin kasi sa past two games namin dun kami maraming nakakuha ng score sa service at blocking namin,” one of the team’s top gunners Mark Espejo said. “Familiar na kami sa Thailand kasi sila yung gauge namin,e dahil laging nagcha-champion sa SEA Games.”

National team head coach Dante Alinsunurin also pointed out that they will be needing much focus against Thailland, saying that the team’s communication inside the court should prevail.

“Yung mga miscommunication namin sa loob ng court at siguro tutok kami dun and kailangan talaga isa-isahin namin kung bakit kami natalo ngayon. Kailangan pa naming magsumikap pa,” Alinsunurin said.

“Basta gawin lang namin yung best namin every time na naglalro kami. Kailangan lang talaga mag-adjust lagi in every situation inside the court and taasan lang talaga ng porsyento yung service, receive namin kasi yun talaga panghahawakan namin,e,” he added.

Bryan Bagunas, who has been leading the national team’s attack, said that their composure inside the court will play a big role especially against Thailand, who have several championship experiences under their belt.

“Kailangan pa talaga naming i-compose yung sarili namin sa loob ng court para mabigay namin yung best namin,” Bagunas said. “Focus lang lagi sa laro at sundin lang yung sistema ng team.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

Just like in 2016, the PBA Rookie Draft will be a two-part proceeding, with a special draft among Gilas prospects held before the regular exercise.

Sixty-seven players, in all, hope that their names be called and their dreams come true in the keenly awaited draft exercise set at Robinson’s Place Manila Sunday starting at 3 p.m.

Ateneo players Isaac Go, Matt and Mike Nieto, San Sebastian’s Allyn Bulanadi and UE’s Rey Suerte are five players placed in a pool for special dispersal to Columbian Dyip, Blackwater, NLEX, Alaska and Rain or Shine.

These five players are being eyed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas for inclusion in the Gilas program for the next FIBA World Cup the country is hosting in 2023.

In 2016, the PBA also held a special draft involving then Gilas cadet players Mac Belo, Matthew Wright, RR Pogoy, Jio Jalalon, Kevin Ferrer, Mike Tolomia, Carl Bryan Cruz, Von Pessumal, Ed Daquioag, Russel Escoto, Arnold Van Opstal and Alfonzo Gotladera.

In the regular draft then, Raphael Banal was the top choice by Blackwater.

The Dyip, the Elite, the Road Warriors, the Aces and the Elasto Painters will get cracks at Go, the Nieto twins, Bulanadi and Suerte. But the teams will only hold rights on these players, and get to enlist them only once they are released by the SBP from Gilas service.

With Go in the special draft and out of the regular pool, the guessing game is who will be bestowed the honors of being the top of the 2019 draft class.

Columbian owns the rights for the first pick. The complete draft order in the first round is Columbian at No. 1 followed by Blackwater at No. 2, NLEX at No. 3, Alaska No. 4, Rain or Shine Nos. 5 to 7, NorthPort No. 8, Magnolia No. 9, Barangay Ginebra No. 10, TNT KaTropa No. 11 and Columbian No. 12.

In the second round, it is Ginebra, Blackwater, NLEX, Alaska, Alaska, Meralco, Rain or Shine, NLEX, Magnolia, Ginebra, Rain or Shine and NorthPort.

Two other Ateneo stalwarts in Adrian Wong and Vince Tolentino, Adamson’s Sean Manganti, Letran’s Jerrick Balanza and Bonbon Batiller, twin brothers Jayvee and Jaycee Marcelino of Lyceum, William McAloney of EAC, Cris Dumapig of CEU, Wendell Comboy of FEU, Kid Montalbo of La Salle, Kent Salado of Arellano, Christopher Bitoon of St. Clare and Rian Michael Ayon-ayon of PCU are among the notable hopefuls.

Source: Manila Bulletin