By Waylon Galvez

Gilas Pilipinas clobbered Myanmar 130-67 Saturday to complete a three-game elimination round sweep while formalizing its entry to the basketball semifinals of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Matthew Wright scored 29 points while Vic Manuel added 24 points with 11 rebounds, and Troy Rosario came off the bench to added 16 points to lead the Gilas onslaught.

Marcio Lassiter and Kiefer Ravena contributed 15 points apiece for the national team, which is eyeing an 18th gold medal in the biennial meet.

“We were trying to find the balance between playing the game hard and not to run up the score,” said Gilas mentor Tim Cone. “Obviously there is a big gap between the two teams in terms of talent.”

“The SEA Games is all about competition and friendship. We’re here not to create enemies. We don’t want to discourage them. We want to be respectful, at the same time plays the game the right way.”

“We also wasn’t to create good habits for the next game,” added Cone

The Philippines’ win sealed the top spot for Group A after it finished the eliminations with a perfect 3-0 card, while Myanmar finished winless in three matches.

The national team will face in the crossover semifinals Indonesia, which ended the eliminations with a 2-1 record to claim second place in Group B behind No. 1 team Thailand with a 3-0 card.

Thailand meets Vietnam – No. 2 in Group A with a 2-1 slate – in the other semifinal pairing scheduled Monday at the same venue.

Indonesia has Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman, and Cone said Gilas is looking forward to that faceoff.

“We all know how great he’s been. He’s the founder of the Gilas program. He contributed a lot to what we have now. He’s a good friend of mine,” said Cone of Toroman, who handled the original Smart Gilas Pilipinas from 2009 to 2011 and even served as an active consultant in the PBA with Petron and Barako Bull.

“But we have something we have to do and go out. We’re not going to hold anything back,” he said.

With the playoffs coming this week, Cone opted to rest June Mar Fajardo, who played for more than 30 minutes against Vietnam last Saturday, as well as guard Stanley Pringle.

“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, it was coaches’ decision to rest them,” said Cone.

Scores:

PHILIPPINES 136 — Wright 29, Manuel 24, Rosario 16, Lassiter 15, Ravena 15, Aguilar 12, Slaughter 10, Tenorio 9, Standhardinger 6, Ross 0, Fajardo 0, Pringle 0

MYANMAR 67 — A. Myint 28, Chin. Ta 14, Justin 6, W. Aung 5, P. Sar 4, S. Tun Tun 4, Laja 4, S. Oo 0, T. Zaw 2, A. Hzaya 0, K. Htut 0.

Quarters: 32-24; 77-36; 104-49; 136-67.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Junna Tsukii defeated Dinh Thi Huong of Vietnam in the finals 1-0 to claim the gold medal in karatedo’s -50kg kumite event in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Saturday at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The 26-year-old Villanueva’s gold medal win was her first in the biennial meet as she came back strong following a heartbreaking loss two years ago in Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

“In the last SEA Games I lost to Thailand. This year, I beat her in the semifinals,” Villanueva said. “I was [able] to beat her because I want to be in the finals. I’m happy now I won here in our country.”

Villanueva said that her setback in the Asian Games last year in Indonesia pushed her to train harder for the SEA Games.

“In Asian games I lost. I got the bronze… but even with bronze I felt I lost. I trained hard for long time. I competed in many tournaments. Now my next target is to get to the Olympics,” she said.

The national team, however, was denied of back-to-back gold medals in Day 1 of karatedo after Norman Montalvo lost to Selvam Prem Lumar of Malaysia in the 6-1 in the -55kg kumite men’s division.

Montalvo settled for the silver medal.

The national team also had two silvers courtesy of John Enrico Vasquez in men’s kata individual and Sarah Pangilinan in women’s kata individual.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

CAPAS, Tarlac—Host Philippines maintained its fiery form Saturday when 12 sports contributed 17 gold medals to its soaring tally in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Starring athletics bets EJ Obiena of pole vault and Kristina Knott in sprint, the Philippines likewise drew golden performances from Jocelyn Ninobla, Rodolfo Reyes Jr., Jordan Dominguez in taekwondo (poomsae), Troy Tayong in sailing, Cris Nievarez and the women’s lightweight double sculls in rowing, Hermie Macaranas in canoe-kayak, Daniela Reggie Dela Pisa in gymnastics, Noelle Manalac in soft tennis, Francis Casey Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon in tennis, the women’s epee team in fencing, Marge Didal in skateboarding, Junna Tsukii in karatedo and Chezka Centeno in billiards.

As of 10:30 pm, the Philippines remains on top with an 89-67-65 production followed by Indonesia with 50-49-58 and Vietnam, 45-50-64. Thailand is now in the top five with 41-55-60 and Singapore at fifth with 37-30-41.

But the day simply belonged to the Fil-Am Knott and homegrown talent and Italy-based Obiena.

Just hours after resetting the SEAG record with a 23.07 run in the morning heats of the 200-meter dash, Knott erased her own mark in the late-afternoon sessions at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium with a 23.01 clocking in winning the gold medal.

Vietnamese defending champion Tu Chin Le placed second with a time of 23.45 while third went to Veronica Shanti of Singapore with a 23.77 effort.

Before Saturday’s events, the record belonged to Fil-Canadian Zion Corrales-Nelson, whose 23.32 last April in California, reset the 33-year-old mark of Lydia De Vega in 1986.

Even the SEAG 23.30 record by Thailand’s Supavadee Khawpeag set in the 2001 SEAG in Kuala Lumpur was broken as well by Knott, a 24-year-old speedster from Orlando, Florida.

Still, Knott wasn’t fully satisfied with her dazzling display, adding it would have been memorable if she did 22.80, the Olympic standard.

Obiena, the 6-2 University of Santo Tomas Engineering student, hardly flexed his muscles in shattering the 5.35 meter record of Porranot Purahong of Thailand that was established in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEAG.

Obiena, who became the first Filipino qualifier to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when he leapt 5.80 meters in Europe last September, did 5.45 in winning his first SEAG gold.

“Finally, I am happy that I finally got the gold. I really wanted to jump more. The record was just a blessing,” said Obiena.

“I am not really happy with the height but I am happy on how I executed everything,” said Obiena, who sustained an injury during the runup to the 2017 edition.

The deposed Thai champ could only do 5.20 while Malaysian Alwi Iskandar did 5.00 for third.

Didal, the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games gold medalist, took her second gold, this time, in the street skateboarding after winning in the Game of SKATE a few days ago in Metro Manila.

Boxing took a much-needed break and will resume Sunday with key semifinal bouts as the remaining bets of the Philippine team aim to make it all the way to the gold medal bouts following the exit of light-heavyweight John Marvin and bantam Ian Clark Bautista in the men’s and Aira Villegas in the women’s.

Competitions will run until the early morning of Wednesday before the closing rites in the evening.

Vietnam will be the 2021 host of the SEAG with the capital city of Hanoi as the main hub.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The Philippines’ reign in ice hockey came to a heartbreaking end with a 4-3 loss to Singapore in Saturday’s semifinal of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the SM Mall of Asia Arena Skating Rink.

James Nicholas Kodrowski scored on a rebound with 21 seconds remaining as the Singaporeans earned the right to face Thailand for the gold after the Philippines led 2-0 in the first period.

The national ice hockey team nicknamed Eagles will try to salvage a bronze medal at 3 p.m. Sunday against Malaysia.

Goals by team captain Steven Fuglister and Francois Goutier gave the Eagles the lead in the first 15 minutes of the semifinal.

But Singapore answered with Bryan Lee and Kodrowski sent the puck to the net twice in the second period to even the count at 2-2.

Singapore grabbed the lead 3-2 Christoper Wong’s goal, 12:47 remaining, but Jigsmac Sibug delivered the equalizer for the Philippines with a minute to go in regulation.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Skateboarder Margielyn Didal ended her campaign in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Saturday by winning the event that put her on the local sporting map.

Didal ruled the women’s street competition held at the new Tagaytay City Extreme Sports Complex after posting 12.7 points, showcasing the skills the made her top the same event in last year’s Asian Games in Indonesia.

The victory gave the 20-year-old Cebuana two golds in these Games, adding her win in the women’s Game of Skate held last Thursday at the nearby Sigtuna Hall of the Tagaytay International Convention Center.

Fil-American Christiana Means placed second with 7.3 points for a second silver medal finish. Means was runner-up to Didal in the Game of Skate.

Indonesia’s Kyandra Susanto settled for the bronze after compiling 4.0 points.

In pulling off a double feat, Didal can now take her full focus on securing qualification to next year’s Tokyo Olympics.

Didal is slated to compete in the events where spots for the Summer Games are at stake.

In the men’s side of the street, Mark Feliciano placed a silver behind winner Sanggoe Darma Tanjung of Indonesia.

Feliciano had 20.6 points, not enough to beat Tanjung’s 21.2 points.

Daniel Ledermann, winner of the men’s side of the Game of Skate, placed fifth with 16.4 points.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Karol Maguide made his medal campaign felt on Saturday when kickboxing debuts in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Maguide, 19, cruised to the semifinals of the men’s 51kg full contact after besting Cambodia’s Serey Him, 3-0.

The teenager from Benguet banked on his boxing skills to oust his opponent, saying it wasn’t an easy match despite the score.

“Nagulat po ako,” he said. “Proper defense lang po ang ginawa ko.”

Not so fortunate were Rex De Lara, who bowed to Indonesia’s Bonatua Lumbantungkup, 3-0, in the men’s -60kg low kick, and Ruel Catalan, who yielded to Vietnam’s Nguyen Xuan Phuong, 2-1, in the men’s -57kg full contact.

Ruel, brother of SEAG sambo silver medalist Rene Catalan, was actually in control of the first round but lost steam in the remaining two.

Meanwhile, five PH bets earned and opening-round bye that include Jerry Olsim (men’s -69kg kick light), Renalyn Dacquel (women’s -48kg full contact), Jomar Balangui (men’s -54kg low kick), Jean Claude Saclag (men’s -63.5kg low kick) and Gina Iniong (women’s -55kg kick light).

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Betheena Unite

The Philippine women’s volleyball team remained winless in the 30th Southeast Asian Games after yielding to Indonesia in four sets 22-25, 28-26, 25-22, 25-14 Saturday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Filipinas started the match on the right footing by taking the first set 25-22 only to crumble over the Indonesians in three succeeding sets.

From an 11-14 disadvantage midway the first frame, the Filipinas fought back with an 8-2 run to build a 19-16 lead and went on to win the opening set.

However, the 2017 SEA Games silver medalist Indonesia regained composure and finished off the home team using three-straight sets surge capped with a whopping fourth set victory.

The Abigail Maraño-led team almost secured the second set after a Ces Molina down-the-line hit 26-25 but the mighty Indonesians scored thrice in a row to snatch the second frame.

It was also a tight match in the third set but the nationals could not sustain a fiery start until the end game, allowing the Indonesians to take the set.

Indonesian spikers opened fired in the fourth set with a 5-1 early lead before pulling away and denying the Philippines a taste of a win at the end of the preliminary rounds.

“Sayang kasi first set nakuha na namin, e. Second and third sets parating lead kami pero ang pinaglalabanan kasi dito yung endgame — paano namin masu-sustain yung mga kilos namin from the start to the end. So, yun yung mga lapses na napansin namin, yunh common na problema namin na kailangan naming solusyonan talaga,” Maraño said in an interview.

Mylene Paat topped the team’s scoring with 14 points, off 11 attacks and three blocks, while Molina and Majoy Baron chipped in 13 and 12 markers, respectively.

The national squad’s top gunner Alyssa Valdez saw limited time on the game and was only able to tally two points due to stomach pain she has been nursing since their match against Thailand Thursday, Maraño disclosed.

Indonesia’s trio Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi, Ratri Wulandari and Wilda Siti Nurfadhilah Sugandi led the attack against the Filipinas with 19, 18, and 10 points, respectively.

The two teams will clash anew Monday for the battle for bronze medal.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

CAPAS, Tarlac—Kristina Knott lived up to his lofty billing Saturday by winning the women’s 200-meter final in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Knott clocked 23.01 seconds, her personal best and a new SEAG and Philippine record.

Defending champion Le Thun Chin came second with a time of 23.45 while the Thai entry was third, 23.77.

But Knott’s time was not enough to merit an automatic slot to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics since she needed 22.80 to make the grade.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Chezka Centeno continued her mastery of mentor and close friend Rubilen Amit by claiming the women’s 10-ball singles gold of the 30th Southeast Asian Games with a 7-3 win in Saturday’s all-Filipino final at the Tent City of the Manila Hotel.

Centeno’s smooth pocketing coupled with Amit’s struggles on the break allowed the 20-year-old from Zamboanga City to win her third career SEA Games gold, adding to her women’s 9-ball victories in 2015 and 2017.

As convincing as this latest win was compared to the 7-5 and 7-6 results she got in the SEAG 9-ball competitions in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Centeno was quick to point out that it wasn’t as easy as it looked.

“Mahirap to dahil may called shot,” said Centeno, mentioning the 10-ball rules where shots are supposed to be called.

“At walang break si Ate Tiyang,” the soft-spoken Centeno added, referring to Amit.

Amit, who calls Centeno “Pogi”, conceded that her struggles in 10-ball played a major factor in her defeat.

The two-time world champion had little chances to play tit for tat with Centeno, who took six of the first seven racks to immediately go on the hill.

It took a scratch by Centeno in the eighth rack for Amit to take the next two and cut the deficit to 6-3.

But Centeno responded by sinking two balls on the break and converting the next seven balls, forcing Amit to throw in the towel and give her former understudy a warm embrace.

“It’s very obvious in this match na talagang hindi gumagana break ko, laging dry. Tas si Chezka panay open,” she said. “Kaya yung 10-ball, binigay ko na baka humaba tayo, sabi ko.”

Both still have plenty to play as they’re also set to face off for the gold in the women’s 9-ball finals at 7 p.m. Sunday, with Amit hoping to make it a closely-fought affair.

“I hope it’s a better match as compared today,” Amit said. “But for me, magaling talaga si Chezka e, lalo na offensive niya so let’s see tomorrow.”

There’s also the chance of winning the gold as a team after reaching the quarterfinals of the women’s 9-ball doubles. They are due to meet Vutthiphan Kongkaket and Sasiwimon Wannaphathip, six hours before their 9-ball finals.

Centeno has a chance of ending these Games with three golds, if Saturday’s performance is an indication.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Gold eluded the Philippines in road race for the second straight after Ronald Oranza, George Oconer, Jan Paul Morales and Jhon Mark Camingao settled for a bronze medal in the men’s team trial event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Tagaytay City.

The team finished the 41-kilometer distance that ended in The Praying Hands Monument at two hours, one minute and 38.099 seconds but was nearly two minutes behind eventual winner Thailand.

Thurakit Boonratanathanakorn, Navuti Liphongyu, Peerapol Chawchiangkwang and Sarawut Sirironnachai won with a time of 1:59:39.792.

Aiman Cahyadi, Odie Purnomo Setiawan, Muhammad Abdurrohman and Robin Manullang of Indonesia were second at 1:59:43.926.

The local pedal pushers seek to add to the gold won by Jermyn Prado in the women’s individual time trial in the final road race event which is a mass start that will end at the People’s Park on Sunday.

The Philippines has not won a medal in the said event since 2014 Le Tour de Filipinas winner Mark Galedo went home with a silver medal in the 2011 Games in Palembang, Indonesia.

Source: Manila Bulletin