By Jonas Terrado 

BINAN, Laguna — The Philippines missed out on a semifinals berth in men’s football despite a 6-1 thrashing of Timor-Leste Wednesday at the Binan Football Stadium in Laguna.

The Young Azkals’ saw their semifinal dreams slip away when team captain Nathaniel Dos Ries scored off a free kick after goalkeeper Anthony Pinthus failed to get a firm grip of the ball, much to the dismay of majority of the 3,300 fans in attendance.

Cambodia ended up securing the other semis slot in Group A after a 3-1 win over Malaysia at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Both Cambodia and the Philippines finished level at seven points apiece but the Angkor Warriors progressed on goal difference.

The Cambodians had a goal difference of +6 while the national U-22 booters were at +5.

Had the two countries stayed even on goal difference, the most goals will be used to determine the tiebreaker.

Cambodia scored 10 during the group stage while the Philippines had eight.

“Ang sakit,” a tearful Amani Aguinaldo said before politely excusing himself from reporters.

Aguinaldo, who joined Stephan Schrock as the two allowed overaged players for the competition, produced a hat trick in perhaps his best game in a national team jersey.

But the senior team defender would rather trade his statistical feat for the needed result if given the chance.

Schrock, Dylan de Bruycker and Mar Vincent Diano were the other goalscorers for the Young Azkals

The Young Azkals came into the competition well prepared than the previous U-22 editions, even competing in the Copa Paulino Alcantara as part of their buildup.

Dennis Chung salvaged the Young Azkals from defeat with an extra time equalizer to force a 1-1 tie with Cambodia.

The Young Azkals lost 2-1 to Group A winner Myanmar the following match before Schrock’s corner gave them a dramatic 1-0 upset of Malaysia.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

TAGAYTAY CITY — Margielyn Didal and Christiana Means assured the Philippines of its first gold medal in skateboarding competitions of the 30th Southeast Asian Games yesterday after arranging an all-Filipino final in the Game of Skate category here.

Didal defeated Indonesia’s Nyimas Cinta while Means prevailed over Kyandran Susanto, also of Indonesia, in the semifinals held at the Sigtuna Hall of the Tagaytay International Convention Center.

The two local bets were able to recover from slow starts in the event inspired by the rules used in a basketball game known as HORSE to forge a duel for the gold tomorrow afternoon in this city.

“Masaya na ako kasi nakuha na natin yung gold at silver,” said Didal, who entered the local sporting scene last year when she won gold in the Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia.

Both skateboarders embraced after the Means’ victory before the two gestured as if they were facing each other in a boxing match.

Didal opened her campaign with a quarterfinal win over Myanmar’s Shin Thant Thaw Dar while Means bested Abdullah Nur Farah Atika of Indonesia.

The Philippines also saw its men’s competitors win their preliminary matches.

Jefrrey Gonzales defeated Indonesia’s Jufri Haryono Juvi Kedis and Daniel Ledermann beating Thailand’s Phetsuk Suppapit.

Atmosphere was loose throughout the event, with all participants seemingly caring little less of the huge undertaking they have to take.

“We were just having fun with ourselves,” said the 23-year-old Means, whose mother is Filipina.

The competition proceeded without any hitches after the scheduled start last Tuesday was postponed due to Typhoon Tisoy.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado 

The Philippines collected four gold medals in the inaugural Obstacle Course event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games held Wednesday morning at Filinvest City in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

Kyle Redentor Antolin, Kaizen dela Cerna, Monolito Divina, and Deanne Nicole Moncada ruled the mixed team assist 400-meter x 12 event while Diana Buhler, Jeffrey Reginio, Klymille Keilah Rodriguez and Nathaniel Sanchez won the mixed team relay 400 meter x 12.

Rochelle Suarez topped the women’s individual 100 meter x 10 event even as Kevin Jeffrey Pascua captured the men’s individual 100 meter x 10 category.

The team is gunning for a sweep of the sport’s first appearance in the biennial meet on Friday in the men’s individual 5-kilometer x 20 division.

Antolin, Dela Serna, Divina and Moncada clocked at three minutes and 48.35 seconds to beat Malaysia’s Mohd Redha Rozlan, Pittli Mohd Saddam Mohd, Teng Yip Hui and Jie Yi Tan by 40.93 seconds.

Buhler, Reginio, Rodriguez and Sanchez completed the course in 1:59.56, edging Malaysia’s Rozlan, Wei Theng Yoong Salfarina Mohd Drus and Tan by 2.12 seconds.

Suarez crossed the line in 46.70 seconds to defeat compatriot Milky Mae Tejares, who settled for silver with a time of 47.88 seconds.

Pascua added to the country’s gold medal haul in 29.92 seconds with Rozlan placing second at 34.01 seconds.

The Philippines also picked up one bronze courtesy of Mark Julius Rodelas in the men’s individual 100 meter x 10 after topping Malaysia’s Yoong in 32.94 seconds.

Only three countries are entered in the demonstration event – the Philippines, Malaysia, and Laos.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By WAYLON GALVEZ

 

Filipina weightlifter Kristel Macrohon earned a gold medal in her Southeast Asian Games debut after beating Vietnam’s Thi Van Nguyen in a thrilling showdown in the women’s 71kg category in the 30th Southeast Asian Games yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Macrohon tallied a total lift of 216kg in the combined snatch and clean and jerk events, beating Nguyen, who had 214kg to settle with the silver while Indonesia’s Tsabitha Ramadani had 203kg for the bronze medal.

“Sobrang saya ko kasi hindi ko ini-expect na mananalo ako ng gold medal,” said Macrohon as tears fell while she held the gold medal. “Talagang binigay ko na lahat, sabi ng coaches ko ibigay ko na lahat.”

Macrohon’s achievement improved the national weightlifting team’s medal haul to two gold medals, three silvers and two bronzes in the last day of weightlifting action in the biennial meet.

Hidilyn Diaz, a silver medalist in the Rio Olympics and a gold medal winner in the Asian Games, earned her first SEA Games gold medal in the 55kg category, while the silvers were from Elreen Ann Ando (64kg), Margaret Colonia in (59kg) and John Fabuar Ceniza (55kg).

Mary Rose Diaz (45kg) and Nestor Colonia (67kg) both won bronze medals.

The 23-year-old Macrohon and Ramadani finished tied on top in snatch with identical lifts of 93kg, while Nguyen placed third at 92kg, setting the stage for an exciting clean and jerk.

Ramadani started at 100kg, followed by 105kg and then finished with her third attempt of 110kg, which basically took her out in the fight for the gold – leaving Macrohon and Nguyen in race.

Macrohon began at 116kg, and then followed it at 120kg, before finishing it off at 123kg – her best lift that counted. Nguyen’s first two lifts were at 118kg and 122kg – both good lifts.

With pressure on, Nguyen’s third and last was an attempt at 125kg, a weight that would up her total to 217kg – or a one point win over Macrohon. But she failed to make a lift that gave the Philippines the gold.

That led to wild celebration at the stadium by Macrohon’s teammates, who included Hidilyn Diaz, and coaches, Filipino weightlifting association officials led by its president Monico Puentevella and the crowd.

“Siyempre masaya ako for Kristel, and masaya ako for the entire weightlifting national team. Before isa lang na medal hirap kami manalo,” said Diaz, who was in tears when Ando lost the other day but was in celebration mode as she hugged Macrohon at the stage.

“But now, kita naman na lahat ng sakripisyo at pagod sa training here and abroad, eto yung naging resulta sa national team. Kaya sobrang saya para sa national team, para sa Pilipinas,” said Diaz.

Source: Manila Bulletin

For the safety of the players as well as their expensive horses, competitions in the 0-2 goals division of polo in the 30th SEA Games at the Miguel Romero Polo Field in Calatagan, Batangas were postponed for the second straight day.

Due to heavy rains brought about by typhoon “Tisoy” on Tuesday, organizers have to insure the playing field is restored to its “finest” condition to guarantee the safety of everybody and provide a perfect venue for what could be a “battle royale” among gentlemen riding in elegant horses.

The Philippines – composed of Jose Antonio Veloso, Noel Vecinal, Benjamin Eusebio, Julian Garcia, Franchesca Nicole Eusebio, Stefano Juban and Rep. Mikee Romero – was to meet Malaysia in an early showdown of the favorites.

“Nakakapanghinayang since everybody is ready and excited to play na sana but we have to follow the recommendation of the officials. This is for our satefy,” said Romero.

Also postponed was the match between Indonesia and Singapore.

Weather-permitting, the Indonesia-Singapore match will be played at 12:30 p.m. before the Nationals collide with the Malaysians at 3 p.m.

The next game will be played on Friday then take a break on Saturday before resuming on Sunday.

The battle for the bragging rights for the premier polo nation is set on Monday.

Malaysia took first of two golds up in the oldest recorded team sport on Sunday by topping the 4-6 goals division.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The national women’s basketball team is looking to ride on the momentum of its successful run in the 3×3 event and finally win the elusive gold in the standard five-on-five event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Coach Pat Aquino, also the 3×3 mentor, is confident that Gilas Pilipinas Women will be able to get the job done despite the tough task of beating their three opponents starting with the opening match against Indonesia tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Only four teams competed in the event which included 2017 winner Malaysia, silver medalist Thailand and Indonesia, which settled for bronze that year.

“Definitely every game is a must-win and we have to stay focus on winning each game,” said Aquino, whose best finish since taking charge of the team was a silver medal in the 2013 Nay Pyi Taw Games.

“I know it’s a lot at hand but I know these girls can do it. We’re playing in front of our countrymen and we want to play as hard as we can,” he added.

Afril Bernardino is eager to continue her impressive showing after emerging as the top star in the Philippines’ gold medal clincher against Thailand 17-13 at The Arena in San Juan City.

Bernardino bucked an injured thumb to score 10 in that match to give the country its first women’s basketball gold in any division.

Her performance allowed the Philippines to exact revenge on the Thais, who handed the hosts their only loss of the tournament during the final game of the preliminaries.

“Nasa isip ko lang is last game namin at natalo kami against Thailand nung eliminations. Siguro sobrang motivated kami na makabawi and to get that gold,” said Bernardino.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Games Wednesday 
(Biñnan Football Stadium, Laguna)
4 p.m. – Philippines vs Timor-Leste
(Rizal Memorial Stadium)
4 p.m. – Cambodia vs Malaysia

The Philippines will need a mixture of good form and luck as it tries to secure a semifinals berth against Timor-Leste Wednesday in the final match of Group A in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna.

Buoyed by the stunning 1-0 win over Malaysia last Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, the Young Azkals are favored to get the maximum three points in the match set at 4 p.m.

But the national booters will also have to rely on the result of the other Group A game between Cambodia and Malaysia which also has a 4 p.m. kickoff at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Cambodia, Malaysia and Philippines are level after three matches with four points apiece.

Myanmar earned the first semis berth and the top spot in the group with 10 points courtesy of three wins and one draw.

The Cambodians hold the advantage with a +4 goal difference, Malaysia is +3 while the Philippines is at 0.

Getting more goals as possible while relying on the misfortunes of either team will bode well for the Young Azkals, who are out to give the country its first SEA Games semis appearance since placing fourth in the 1991 Manila Games.

The best option for the Philippines is to progress is to get a win and for Cambodia and Malaysia to settle for a draw.

Other option will be a victory coupled with a Malaysia triumph over Cambodia in order for the Young Azkals to make the semis due to the head-to-head advantage which was earned through Stephan Schrock’s goal in the 72nd minute.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Whether it rains or shines, the Philippine Team is more than ready to start its campaign when the golf event kicks off today in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Luisita Golf and Country Clun in Tarlac.

National Golf Association of the Philippines secretary-general Bones Floro said yesterday that members of the national team even had a full practice session even with the downpour.

This year’s format is stroke individual play in the first two days, and match play in the final three.

The opening of the golf competition was placed in peril due to typhoon Tisoy, but Floro said that following a meeting among SEAG technical officials, it’s likely action will start as scheduled.

“The tee times are still on for tomorrow at 8 in the morning,” said Floro. “But we will move them depending on the current weather conditions at the time as decided by technical director Eddy Putra (Indonesia).”

The national team is banking on familiarity in playing the par-72 course as the Filipinos aim to score a sweep of the four gold medals at stake, two in the team event men’s and women’s and two in individual, also for men’s and women’s categories.

The men’s team is composed of Luis Castro of the University of North Carolina, Aidric Chan of San Jose State University, Carl Corpus of the Arizona University and Sean Ramos, the only high school player based here.

For the women’s team, Bianca Pagdanganan of Arizona University and Lois Kaye Go of University of South Carolina will banner the squad together with Abby Arevalo of the SJSU Spartans.

Pagdanganan and Go are members of the gold medal winning Philippine team during the Asian games last year alongside individual women’s champion Yuka Saso, who begged off due to a conflict in schedule with the finals of the Japan Golf Tour qualifying tournament.

In the previous SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, the Philippines won a bronze courtesy of Go.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

The Philippine polo team makes the most out of homefield advantage when it faces Malaysia Wednesday in the 0-2 goals division in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Miguel Romero Polo Field in Calatagan, Batangas.

Action in 0-2 goals was initially scheduled Tuesday but officials postponed it for Wednesday due to the threat brought by typhoon Tisoy.

With fair weather and playable field expected, Brunei and Indonesia kick off hostilities at 11 a.m. while the Nationals battle Malaysia at 1 p.m.

“They (Philippines) have been practicing at the field longer than anybody so it will factor in their game. They know the in-and-outs of the field,” a tournament official said.

Team captain and veteran polo player Antonio Veloso banner the Philippines alongside Noel Vecinal, Jam Eusebio, Nicole Eusebio and Stefano Juban.

Keith The, 18, and 50-year-old Mohamad Zekri Ibrahim will be spearheading the Malaysian squad while Prince Jeffri, 65, and Prince Qawi will lead Brunei.

Meanwhile, Indonesia will lean on the efforts of Billy Lumingtang and Acep Krisnandar.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

12:00 noon – Vietnam vs Myanmar (Men’s)

2:15 p.m. – Thailand vs Indonesia (Men’s)

6:00 p.m. – Malaysia vs Thailand (Women’s)

8:15 p.m. – Philippine vs Singapore (Men’s)

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone believes that even with insufficient preparation, the national team is ready to defend the gold medal as an all-pro team fires off its bid against Singapore in the 30th Southeast Asian Games today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Nationals had its final twice-a-day practice yesterday.

“For the time that we have had, we feel we have the guys, not exactly where we want them, but where we need them to be,” said Cone, who began training session in early October.

“They (players) have worked hard and have been serious in their approach. We’re hoping that translates once we hit the floor against Singapore,” added Cone, back on the national team 21 years after leading the Philippines to a bronze medal finish in the 1998 Asian Games.

The preparation was not without glitches, the last of which was the injury to TNT KaTropa players Jayson Castro and RR Pogoy.

Castro’s foot injury forced him to leave the training pool, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas added NLEX’s Kiefer Ravena.

Last week, Pogoy – selected to the official lineup – hurt his back during the PBA quarterfinal playoffs, prompting Cone to pick a replacement – his Barangay Ginebra San Miguel center Greg Slaughter.

“Greg would have been part of the original 12 had he been healthy at the deadline a few weeks ago,” revealed Cone.

Also named to the national team are Cone’s Ginebra players LA Tenorio, Stanley Pringle and Japeth Aguilar, San Miguel’s Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter and June Mar Fajardo, Matthew Wright of Phoenix Fuel, TNT’s Troy Rosario, NorthPort’s Christian Standhardinger and Vic Manuel of Alaska.

For his part, Slaughter said it’s a privilege for him to be chosen again as the final piece of the national team, something he wants to do following his initial stint with the original Smart Gilas Pilipinas from 2009 to 2011.

“I am very happy to be playing on the national team again especially on our home soil,” said Slaughter, who also played one game for Gilas last year during the Asian qualifier to the FIBA World Cup under coach Yeng Guiao.

“There was some doubt if I would be okay in time to play but I really did not want to miss this opportunity and worked very. Everyone on the team has been supportive… and I’m really grateful to coach Tim for including me in the line up.”

The national team has ruled the basketball event for 17 times in 19 SEA Games, including 14 straight that began in 1991 when the event was also held here. The two losses came in 1979 in Jakarta and in 1989 in KL – both against Malaysia.

Aside from Singapore, the national team will also face Vietnam on Friday and Myanmar on Saturday for preliminary Group A action. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia are in Group B.

The top two teams from each group will advance in the semifinals on December 9, with the winners moving to the gold medal game on December 10.

Source: Manila Bulletin