By Jonas Terrado

Jermyn Prado was a denied of a double gold after finishing second in the women’s road race of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Tagaytay City.

Prado was beaten by Vietnam’s Thi That Nguyen in a 1-2 sprint finish despite identical of the 32-kilometer race that ended at The Praying Hands Monument in this city.

Both riders, who broke away from the lead group that included 14 riders, finished with identical clockings of three hours, 23 minutes and 57 seconds.

The 26-year-old Navy personnel settled for a silver a day after topping the women’s individual time trial race.

Indonesia’s Delia Ayustina Priatna beat out Malaysia’s Jupha Som Net for the bronze, 1:05 behind the winner, while local bet Marella Salamat placed seventh after she was one of four riders that had identical gaps of 1:07.

Third pinay rider Kate Yasmin Velasco was 14th out of 16 participants, 5:47 off the pace.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

The national team settled for a pair of bronze medals at the start of team competitions in fencing in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Friday evening at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The troika of Maxine Isabel Esteban, Samantha Kyle Catantan, and Wilhelmina Lozada lost to Vietnam 45-36 in the women’s team foil event. Vietnam eventually settled with the silver medal following a 45-29 setback to Singapore.

The four-man Philippine Team of Christian Jhester Conception, Donnie Arth Navarro, Eunice Daniel Villanueva, and Eric Brado II, meanwhile, fell to Vietnam 45-38 in the men’s sabre action.

Vietnam eventually claimed the gold medal as it downed Thailand 45-39 in the finals of the said event.

The national team has a gold medal courtesy of Jylyn Nicacor in the women’s individual foil event, two silver medals and five bronzes. Concepcion and Catantan have two bronze medals each after finishing third in their respective divisions in the individual category.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

CLARKFIELD, Pampanga – Phil­ippine track and field made a startling discovery Friday when little-known Christine Hallasgo crowned herself as the region’s marathon queen on a day obstacle course, modern pentathlon, and golf joined hands in giving the host country a push going into the halfway mark of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Hallasgo’s morning feat was followed by gold medals bagged by Michael Comaling in modern pen­tathlon, Mervin Guarte and Sandi Abahan in obstacle course, and Bianca Pagdanganan in women’s individual golf.

Hallasgo, whose inclusion to the national team was only formalized this year by way of the National Open, bested the undisputed queen of Philippine marathon Mary Joy Tabal, also the SEAG defending champion at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

Going into the race, Hallasgo, 27, wasn’t actually eyeing to bag the top prize, adding all she wanted was a podium finish since she wanted athletics to have a strong start.

But when she saw the Japan-trained Tabal melting away in the final stages, Hallasgo, who just trained on local shores, made her move and pulled off the biggest win of her career.

At around the same time Hal­lasgo was celebrating, former middle distance runner Mervin Guarte and Sandi Abahan swept the individual 5Kx20 event in obstacle course in Alabang, Muntinplupa. Gloerien Merisco made it a 1-2 finish in the women’s after coming in second to Abahan.

Comaling was not to be outshone by the early winner as he ruled the Beach Triathlete Individual in mod­ern pentathlon.

Over at the fairway at Luisita in Tarlac, Pagdanganan beat Kan Bun­nabodee of Thailand for the gold in individual play after hitting a one-under 71 for a three-day total of 209. Bunnabodee carded a final round 72 for a 212 total while teammate Pim­nipa Panthong also did a 71 for 213.

Pagdanganan, 21, was a vital part of the team that won gold in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games alongside Yuka Saso and Lois Go.

As of 4 p.m. Friday, the Philip­pines has 70 gold medals (49 silver and 36 bronze), way ahead of Viet­nam’s 33-37-42 and Indonesia’s 31-36-42.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino feels the country is on its way to tak­ing the overall crown in the 11-nation biennial sportsfest.

“If we hit 130 gold medals, that’ll be enough for us to be assured of No. 1 in the standings,” said Tolentino, who is looking forward to seeing more golds coming in the next few days as the 11-day regional meet enters the homestretch.

Action is indeed heating up with swimming dangling six more gold medals late Friday and boxing enter­ing the medal rounds.

In the third day of competitions in the pool at the eye-catching Aquatics Center also in the historic town of Capas, seven swimmers go for gold alongside the men’s 4×100 freestyle.

Boxing, where 13 gold medals are going to be contested, saw two Filipinos getting the pink slip. Fil-British John Marvin lost in his open­ing light-heavyweight bout opposite a Vietnamese on Wednesday.

Aira Villegas dropped her ban­tam clash with Thailand’s Nilawan Techasup during Friday’s early-afternoon matches.
Carlo Paalam, the Asian Games bronze medalist, downed Mohd Fuad of Malaysia in their bantam duel.

Paalam is now assured of a bronze.

Those still in the hunt include fly Rogen Ladon, lightweight Charly Suarez and middle Eumir Marcial and light-fly Josie Gabuco and fly Irish Magno.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympics-bound EJ Obiena performs in the men’s pole vault on Saturday, nurs­ing hopes of finally ending his hunt for the SEAG gold medal.

In 2015 in Singapore, the 6-2 Obiena settled for the silver and two years later in Kuala Lumpur he begged off owing to an injury.

Obiena, who made the Olympic grade last September during his Eu­ropean campaign, begins his quest at 5:30 p.m.

If everything falls into place, Obi­ena’s mission here will be successful since his best effort of 5.80 meters is clearly superior to the 5.35 SEAG record set by Porranot Purahong of Thailand two years ago in Malaysia.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Carlo Paalam became the first Filipino boxer to reach the finals in boxing after exacting revenge on defending champion Fuad Redzuan of Malaysia in the men’s light flyweight semifinals of the 30th Southeast Asian Games held at the PICC Forum.

 

The 21-year-old Paalam won by unanimous decision after earning the nod of all five judges to secure his place in the gold medal bout set Monday against Indonesia’s Kornelis Langu.

Paalam was able to erase the bitter memory of the 2017 meet in Kuala Lumpur when he was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Fuad in what many thought was a one-sided judging that favored the Malaysian.

“Nanggigil ako kasi gusto ko bumawi talaga,” said Paalam, who opened his campaign with a similar unanimous decision win over Cambodia’s Khamphouvanh Khamsathone.

Two Filipino pugs, however, settled for the bronze after falling short against their semifinal foes in the afternoon session.

Ian Clark Bautista fell to Thailand’s Chatchai-decha Butdee, a two-time Olympian, in the men’s bantamweight semifinals.

Aira Villegas absorbed a split decision loss to Thailand’s Nilawan Techaseup in the women’s bantamweight semis.

Eumir Felix Marcial eyes a spot in the finals of the men’s middleweight while women light flyweight Josie Gabuco and women’s lightweight Riza Pasuit were eyeing spots in the semis in the evening matches held as of posting time.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Philippine Sports Commission Butch Ramirez is already satisfied with Team PH’s current performance as the 30^th Southeast Asian Games reaches halfway through the competition.

At press time, the Filipinos have reaped 68 gold, 51 silver and 42 bronze medals with medal-rich sports still scheduled at the second half of the meet.

“I’m very happy with the results. It was worth investing P1 billion for foreign exposures and acquire sports equipment and providing them P25,000 meals for every athlete and medal and sports medicine provisions,” Ramirez said.

He added “the national sports association presidents and secretary-generals were on target”, praying that the country can duplicate its overall championship feat in the 2005 Manila edition.

In that 23^rd edition, the Filipinos collected 112 gold, 85 silver and 93 bronze medals.

The PH team went off to a hot start with a 23-gold haul on the first day alone, before surpassing its 23-gold production at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition on the second day.

Credit goes to arnis for grabbing 14 gold medals and dancesport with 10.

Ramirez thinks the country’s SEAG hosting is “meaningful and exciting,” citing the reception of the people.

“SEA Games is not only about medals; it’s about the Filipino people, culture, history and our hospitality. Life skills of our athletes alike, and the legacy to live by,” he said.

“The medals and the championship is just a bonus.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

The Philippine tennis team assured itself of a gold medal on Friday after two pairs advanced to the men’s doubles finals of the 30^th Southeast Asian Games at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Top seed Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales whipped Vietnam’s Le Quoac Khanh and Ly Hoang Nam, 6-1, 6-3, before Francis Casey Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon followed suit with a 6-3, 6-1 triumph over Daniel Cao Nguyen and Nguyen Van Phuong also of Vietnam in the other semifinal match.

It was a sweet victory for both Filipino pairs as their recent feats already eclipsed the team’s two-silver, two-bronze medal haul in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition.

Alcantara said it would just be a friendly competition against Huey and Gonzales, his former Davis Cup teammates, on Saturday’s championship.

“We don’t care. Basta we got the gold and silver, that’s what we wanted naman. We’re very happy that we’re both in the finals. Bahala na bukas,” he said.

Incidentally, Alcantara will be facing Gonzales, his teammate in the 2017 meet where they took home the men’s doubles silver.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Hanah Tabios

Filipino pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes, 65, settled for bronze Friday after yielding to Vietnam’s Ngo Dinh Nai 100-14 in the men’s 1-cushion carom semifinals of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at Tent City of Manila Hotel in Manila.

“Siguro napanood niyo na. Katorse lang nagawa ko. Yung kalaban ko magaling [kaya] may diperensya,” Reyes said.

Prior to the game, the legendary pool master has been complaining about his undisclosed medical condition and earlier described it a factor why he cannot pull off “magic tricks” anymore.

Meanwhile, when asked about his retirement plans, he said: “Hindi natin alam, pabago bago na ang tira ko.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit bested their Indonesian rivals in contrasting fashion on Friday to book semifinal berths in women’s 9-ball billiards of the 30^th Southeast Asian Games at the Manila Hotel Tent.

Centeno, the 20-year-old defending champion from Zamboanga, hardly broke a sweat and blanked Angeline Ticoalu, 7-0, before Amit, the runner-up in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition, downed Fathrah Masum, 7-3.

The two local bets await the winners of the remaining quarterfinal matches being held at press time.

Centeno credited her luck in the game, saying that her opponent struggled throughout.

“Sinwerte lang na marami rin siyang sablay, tapos gamay ko rin ang laro niya kasi nakalaban ko na siya dati,” she said.

The 38-year-old Amit, on her part, learned the hard way when she didn’t trust her guts in the fourth rack that allowed Masum to catch up 3-1.

“Sobrang aggressive nung yung gusto kong gawin so nag-safety lang ako. Ayun, nagka-opportunity siya,” she said.

“So lesson learned na kapag sinabi ng instinct mo na ‘Go for it’, go for it. Don’t be afraid to take risks.”

Amit also said she was distracted with envisioning another all-Filipino final with Centeno like in the previous edition, but was able to regain her focus late in the game.

“Medyo lutang utak ko kasi iniisip ko na kaagad yon, so tina-try ko na focus muna kung anong game meron ako,” she said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Mervin Guarte won the gold medal that eluded him as a middle distance runner through a different sport Friday, capturing the men’s 5km x 20 individual obstacle course racing event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at Filinvest City in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

Guarte emerged victorious after completing the course in 25 minutes and 31 seconds to finally realize his golden moment after settling for silver in the 800 and 1,500 meter races by a whisker in 2011 and 2013.

Sherwin Managil got a silver in 26:16 to complete a 1-2 finish for the Philippines while two-time Spartan Elite champion Mohd Pittli Mohd Saddam of Malaysia settled for bronze in 28:02.

The triumph turned out to be doubly sweet for Guarte, whose removal from the national track and field team earlier this year to his switch to the sport popularly known in shows such as “American Gladiators” and “Ninja Warriors.”

“Dito ko talaga nakita yung posibilidad na mag-gold ako,” said the 28-year-old Guarte.

Asked about the possibility of making eventual return to the track, Guarte was firm in saying that he has found a new home.

“Siguro dito na ako hanggang sa pag-retire ko,” he said. “Ito yung pamilya, ito yung team na nagbigay sa akin ng lahat-lahat. Lahat ng pangangailangan namin, lahat-lahat ng suporta sa amin.”

His victory also set Guarte up for a cash incentive that could pave the way for him to help treat his seven-month old son Bien Marcus, who is dealing with an undisclosed illness in Calapan.

“Sabi nga ng doktor sa akin sa ospital kung bakit takbo ka ng takbo tas yung anak mo nasa kritikal,” he said. “Sabi ko, pag yung anak ko di gumaling at pag ako di nanalo, parehas kami talo. Wala kami parehas.”

Managil also overcame adversity in taking silver after his boarding house containing two expensive triathlon bikes was gutted by fire several weeks ago.

Guarte’s triumph completed a golden sweep for the Philippines in the event after Baguio native Sandi Abahan captured the women’s category in 33:30.

Abahan, who competes in triathlon and duathlon but is also doing a more-fulfilling work of teaching swimming lessons to children with special needs.

She’s hoping that the sport will continue to be recognized following the SEA Games which saw the Philippines sweeping all six events.

“I’m grateful na pinayagan nila ang obstacle course racing to beat part of the medal sa SEA Games,” she said. “Sana by next SEA Games, mas madami pang bansa ang sumali.”

Glorien Merisco also gave the country a 1-2 finish in the distaff side after completing the course composed of obstacles like handle bars, monkey bars, cargo nets and vertical walls in exactly 40 minutes.

Khamla Sorvimane of Laos received a bronze after placing third at 55:27.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Finally after six years of waiting, the Philippines is back as the region’s best in women’s golf – thanks to Bianca Pagdanganan.

The Filipino bet shot a final round one-under 71 that translated into a three-stroke victory over Kan Bunnabodee of Thailand for the gold medal in the women’s individual event in the 30th Southeast Asian Games yesterday at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.

Pagdanganan finished with a three-day total of 209 for a seven-under score, while Bunnabodee carded a 72 for 212 and her compatriot Pimnipa Panthong also a 71 for a total of 213.

Bunnabodee settled for the silver medal, while Panthong took the bronze.

The 21-year-old Pagdanganan’s victory ended a six-year title drought for the country following the triumph of Princess Superal during the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar.

That the women’s team of Superal, Katrina Pelen-Briones and Clare Amelia Legaspi also ruled in the team event.

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

Two years ago in Malaysia, Lois Kaye Go settled for a bronze medal.

Bones Floro, secretary-general of the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP), said that always believed in the determination and skills of the players even against the best in the region.

“We knew that Bianca would be able to catch up in the closing holes as she’s always proven to do when she’s behind,” said Floro.

“We look forward to equally exciting battles during the last two days for the team match play competitions.”

Pagdanganan won a gold medal with Go and Yuka Saso in the team event of the Asian Games in Indonesia last year, where she also won a bronze in the individual event behind Saso and China Liu Wenbo.

The other members of the women’s team are Go and Abby Arevalo, while the national men’s team members are Sean Jean Ramos, Aidric Chan, Carl Corpus, and Luis Miguel Castro.

Source: Manila Bulletin