Jylyn Nicanor celebrates after she receives the final point for a 15-14 win over Indonesia’s Diah Permatasari in women’s individual sabre finals in the 30th Southeast Asian Games. (Waylon Galvez)

By WAYLON GALVEZ

Filipino bet Jylyn Nicanor gave the national fencing team its first gold medal following a thrilling 15-14 victory over Diah Permatasari of Indonesia in the women’s individual sabre event in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Thursday night at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Nicanor’s win ended the drought for the Filipino fencers after two bets failed to claim victories in the gold medal match during the first two days of action in the individual category.

“Sobrang saya ko. Hindi ko ini-expect ‘to na mananalo ako ng gold. Binigay ko talagang lahat,” the 27-year-old Nicanor, who hugged her mother Emerita and gave to her the gold medal after the awarding ceremony.

“Pressure talaga, kinakabahan nga ako. Lalo nung nakita ko yung malaking Philippine flag na hawak ng mga teammates ko (at the bleacher seats). Nag-focus na lang sa ako sa laro.”

Permatasari dictated the match early on, grabbing an 8-5 advantage after the first round. Nicanor rallied to tie 9-all in the second period.

Nicanor got the lead at 12-11, but the Indonesian came back and connected two points for 13-12. Nicanor answered with a point to tie the score once more at 13.

Permatasari moved a point from winning the match, and the title when she connected on his attempt for a 14-13 advantage. Nicanor, however, proved to have the resolve especialy when she was down.

Jylyn Nicanor with her gold medal. (Waylon Galvez)

Nicanor claimed the last two points – both reviewed by the referee. And when the final point was awarded to her,  Nicanor threw her hands up and wept as her teammates and coaches rush toward her to celebrate.

Nicanor, who together with the rest of the fencing national team had a rigorous nine-month training under Korean coaches Seungjun Kim and Sangsun Park – a gold medal winner in the 2006 Asian Games, said she just gave everything she got to deliver the final two points.

“Ang iniisip ko nun… kinakabahan na ako. Nakikita ko yung score, pero iniisip ko mag-focus lang ako. Nagawa ko naman. Para to sa pamilya ko, para sa Pilipinas,” said Nicanor, a psychology graduate at University of the East.

Prior to that gold medal win, the Philippines had won two silvers courtesy of Hanniel Abella and Christian Concepcion, and three bronze medals from Nathaniel Perez, Noelito Jose Jr. and Samantha Catantan.

The team events in fencing starts Friday and the national team, headed by its coach Rolando Canlas Jr., hopes to win at least three more gold medals.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Erma Edera

The Philippines’ quest for a medal in the 30^th Southeast Asian games in bowling remained elusive after the country’s mixed doubles keglers crashed out of a podium finish in the 30th SEA Games at the Coronado Lanes in Starmall EDSA on Thursday.

The Philippines’ bid for a bowling medal in the 30th SEA Games remains unsuccessful. (PHOTO/ ALVIN KASIBAN)

Kenneth Chua and Alexis Sy landed the best position after finishing at 8th place out of 30 two-man teams with a total score of 2526 pinfalls . Chua struck for 1255 pinfalls while Sy garnered 1271 pinfalls.

“It was tough for me. Nagkaroon pa ng bad shots and tsaka split. Iniisip ko lang yung execution ko, and syempre iniisip ko rin na manalo,” Chua said.

Tandem Bea Hernandez and Merwin Tan settled for 12th place with a combined score of 2459 as Hernandez chimed in 1252 while Tan bowled 1207.

“We had good breaks, we also had bad breaks. But overall, I think it was good, we were able to adjust,” Hernandez said.

“We didn’t let whatever outcome affect our mental game, we need to level up for the next upcoming days.”

Partners Frederick Ong and Lara Posadas Wong ended up at 18th place after scoring a total of 2371.

Other PH bets Liza del Rosario and Patrick Nuqui wound up at 21st, combining for 2267.

Indonesia’s Ryan Lalisang and Aldila Indryati produced a total of 2698 pinfalls to capture gold while their fellow Indonesian bets  Sharon Limansantoso and Hardy Rachmadian took home the bronze with 2557 pinfalls.

Siti Safiyah Amirah and Ahmad Muaz of Malaysia snagged the silver with a total of 2672.

The Philippine bowling team will try their luck again at the team events on Friday.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Boxer Charly Suarez, right, throws a left against his Burmese opponent. (Czar Dancel)

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

TAGAYTAY CITY — Margielyn Didal and Daniel Ledermann gave the Philippines a golden sweep of the Game of Skate event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Sigtuna Hall of the Tagaytay International Convention Center here.

Daniel Ledderman (left) and Margielyn Didal win in Skateboarding Game of SKATE event during the SEA Games at Sigtuna Hall, Tagaytay International Convention Center in Tagaytay, December 5, 2019 (Rio Leonelle Deluvio / Canon 1DX Mark II with 70-200mm f2.8 lens)

Didal outclassed Christiana Means in an all-Filipino final to rule the women’s division while Ledermann edged 12-year-old Basral Hutomo of Indonesia to win the men’s division in the first event of the skateboarding competitions.

The win put Didal halfway to completing a double gold when she competes in the street event which will be held in the newly-built skatepark a few meters away.

It was another golden performance for Didal, who became a fixture of the local sporting scene when she won gold in last year’s Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia.

Means settled for silver after failing to match Didal’s array of moves, including the clinching ollie body/varial.

Ledermann, on the other hand, had to overcome the challenge of Hutomo, who forced him to drop two letters of the game similar to the rules of HORSE in basketball.

He later took command before sealing the win with a laser flip which Hutomo couldn’t perform.

Ledermann celebrated his win before approaching Hutomo, who was later lifted by other skaters in a good-natured gesture of sportsmanship.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Gabriela Baron

Cue master Dennis Orcollo rolled back Brunei’s Muhammad Azim Abu Bakar 9-4 on Thursday to advance to the men’s 10-ball singles quarterfinals of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Tent City in Manila Hotel.

Dennis Orcollo (AFP photo / MB FILE)

Orcollo won the gold in the 2013 SEA Games in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, in English billiards, compatriot Luis Saberdo fell short against Vietnam’s Phan Hoai Nam 3-2 after leading by two frames to start the game.

Still to finish his game is Benjamin Gueverra against Tran Le Anh Tuan of the same event.

Slated to see action later are Carlo Biado in 10-ball singles against Malaysia’s Darryl Chia, and Francisco dela Cruz against Yuttapop Pakpoj of Thailand in 1-cushion carom, both at 7 p.m.

Source: Manila Bulletin

LOOK: Top photos of Manila Bulletin in the 30th Southeast Asian Games for Dec. 2, 2019

Featuring:

• Hidilyn Diaz, basketball, arnis power PH production
• In front of her parents, Olympic weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz captures first SEA Games gold medal
• Twin victories for Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 teams

Source: Manila Bulletin

The PBA Board of Governors in a meeting Monday agreed to hold a special draft involving five PBA aspirants targeted for inclusion to the Gilas Pilipinas training pool.

Chris Newsome giving inspirational talk to he draftees

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas identified the five as Allyn Bulanadi, Isaac Go, twins Matt and Mike Nieto and Rey Suerte. These players will join the pool of players preparing for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

According to PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, the PBA Board of Governors and the SBP have agreed that the special draft will follow the regular drafting order which has Columbian, Blackwater, NLEX, Alaska and Rain or Shine in that order.

The teams retain the right over the five selected players until they are released by the SBP.

The league chief said the Special Draft will precede the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft set on Sunday (Dec. 8) at the Robinson’s Place in Ermita.

The drafting order for the first round of annual PBA Rookie Draft are as follows: Columbian, Blackwater, NLEX, Alaska and Rain or Shine. The sixth and seventh pick also belongs to ROS followed by NorthPort, Magnolia, Ginebra, TNT and Columbian.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Long-term plans are now in place for the national men’s U-22 football team despite falling short of making the semifinals of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Young Azkals look to compete in the Philippines Football League to allow the program to continue all the way to the 2021 SEA Games. Captured using Canon 5d Mark IV with 400mm f2.8 lens (Rio Deluvio).

Team manager Dan Palami said he has sought the permission of the Philippine Football Federation to allow the Young Azkals to compete in the Philippines Football League to allow the program to continue all the way to the 2021 SEAG in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Palami added that 12 players are still eligible for the next edition of the biennial meet with slew of young talent also on their radar.

“This is the start of the continuous process,” Palami said after the Philippines’ 6-1 win over Timor-Leste in Binan, Laguna. “I’ve asked the permission of the PFF to continue with the program and put our under-22s and under-23s to join the league and continue with this development.

“With the shortlist that we have, there are about 12 players still eligible for the next SEA Games so we have a strong pool now and we need to continue nurturing them,” he added.

The Philippines had its best chance of making the semis for the first time since the 1991 Games on home soil when it posted two wins, one draw and one defeat in the group stage.

But a loss to Groupl A winner Myanmar in the second game of the competition coupled with the big goal difference by eventual semifinalist Cambodia proved to be too difficult to overcome for the Young Azkals.

Yrick Gallantes, Dennis Chung, Justin Baas and Jarvey Gayoso were among the main cogs for the Young Azkals while being reinforced by senior team members Stephan Schrock and Amani Aguinaldo as the team’s overaged players.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Bianca Pagdanganan carded a four-under 68 in the second round of golf completion in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Thursday at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.

Bianca Pagdanganan

A member of the Asian Games gold medal winning women’s team, the 21-year-old Pagdanganan is now six-under for the 54-hole tournament following her 70 during the opening round.

She has a two-day total of 138.

Pimnipa Panthong of Thailand also shot a 68 but trails Pagdanganan by four shots with a total score of 142, while compatriot Kan Bunnabodee, who finished with a 69, is two shots down with 140.

Lois Kaye Go had a second round 70 after she started the event with a 73 for a 143 total, while Abby Arevalo, the third member of the Philippine Team, has 152 after a second round 73.

Pagdanganan and Go bagged the team event in the Asian Games in Indonesia last year alongside Yuka Saso.

The men’s category is ongoing at press time.

Sean Jean Ramos was a shot behind four leaders after he carded a 69 during the opening round.

The four players on top after similar first round 68 were Nopparat Panichphol and Denwit David Boriboonsub of Thailand, as well as James Leow and Hiroshi Hirahara Tai of Singapore.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

TAGAYTAY CITY — Jermyn Prado gave the Philippines its third gold medal in cycling after topping the women’s individual time trial of the 30th Southeast Asian Games held Thursday morning here.

Jermyn Prado celebrates during the awarding ceremony after bagging gold medal in the women’s individual time trial in the 30th Southeast Asian Games. (Jonas Terrado)

Prado completed the 23.1-kilometer distance that began at Barangay Aga in Nasugbu and ended in front of the Praying Hands Monument and the Sky Ranch amusement park at 44 minutes and 44.742 seconds to claim gold in her SEAG debut.

Singapore’s Yiwei Luo finished second at 44:48.518 while Thailand’s Phetdarin Somrat placed third at 44:58.152.

“Inall-out ko na po lahat kasi naniniwala po ako na walang bukas,” said Prado, a 26-year-old enlisted Navy personal who once worked as welder at the Pagbilao Power Plant in her home province of Quezon.

“Binigay ko na po yung best ko kasi sabi ng coach ko di na baleng mamatay, wag lang mapahiya sa sariling bansa,” she added.

She won despite almost being barred from competing after race officials had to deliberate whether Prado and 2015 Singapore Games gold medalist Marella Salamat can use their bikes which were specialized for triathlon.

The team mulled at the possibility of using a road bike minus the aerobars but it was later decided that both Prado and Salamat can proceed with the use of their bicycles.

“Their bikes were almost non-regulation,” said Competition Manager Jun Lomibao. “But later, the panel of commissaires agreed to allow the riders to use the bikes provided they remove at least two contraptions.

“According to the panel of commissaires, it is an advantage because it will create some aero-dynamic effects sa bikes. So mabilis lang naman siyang tinanggal, yung just below the handle bars and under the frame,” Lomibao later said.
The decision was answered prayer for Prado, who after sobbing at the starting line was having tears of joy near the Praying Hands monument as she proudly wore her gold medal.

“Medyo may mga aberya po dahil muntik na po kaming di pagamitin ng bike. Pero nagawan naman po ng paraan,” she said.

Salamat was seventh in the 11-rider field at 45:59.275 but was later seen celebrating Prado’s golden moment.

Meanwhile, Ronald Oranza placed fourth and Mark Galedo sixth in the men’s individual time trial.

Oranza had a time of 1:00:14.593 while Galedo posted 1:00:51.135 after the ITT that had a distance of 35 kilometers.

Indonesia’s Aiman Cahyadi won the gold in 58:37.005, Thailand’s Thanakan Chaiyasombat got a silver at 59:20.535 while Choon Huat Goh of Singapore settled for a bronze 1:00:14.593.

Source: Manila Bulletin