The Gatorade Draft Combine has been moved to Dec. 5 and 6 due to inclement weather brought by Typhoon Tisoy.

The two-day event was supposedly to take place Wednesday at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.

All 71 aspirants are expected to show-up for the combine in the hope to impress coaches, who will be around to look for new talent.

On Day 1, the aspirants will be made to undergo biometrics where they will be measured individually according to height, weight and wing span.

Later in the afternoon, they will be divided into eight teams and play 5-on-5.

The second day of the event will be more tedious as players will spend the entire day playing 5-on-5.

The 2019 PBA Rookie Draft is set on Dec. 8 at Robinson’s Place Manila.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

CLARKFIELD, Pampanga—Agatha Wong snared her second wushu gold medal Tuesday after topping the taijijian event in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

As Wong was dazzling the crowd and the judges at the World Trade Center in Manila, arnis also made its move in Angeles City as Crisamuel Delfin and Mary Aldeguer ruled the non-traditional open weapon events at the Angeles University Foundation.

Their early contribution put the Philippines medal output at 41 gold, 21 silver, and 14 bronze medals, way ahead of closest pursuers Vietnam (17-23-17) and Malaysia (10-2-7) as of 1 p.m. of Tuesday.

Wong had won her first gold in the taijiquan event on Sunday.

On the first day of competitions, the Philippines zoomed to the top with 22 and then added 16 on Monday.

SEAG chief of mission Butch Ramirez, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, expressed his satisfaction over the hosts’ strong start in the 11-nation sports fest featuring 530 events in 56 sports.

“After almost three days of intense competitions, and with Team Philippines performing magnificently in the face of world-class foes, I would like to send my message of congratulations to all who fought valiantly to uphold national pride,” said Ramirez in a statement.

“You are all winners to us! We are riding on this positive wave and continue to hope that we can sustain this good performance,” he said.

With Typhoon “Tisoy” affecting a large part of Luzon, where all of the sports are being played in different locations in Metro Manila, Central and Northern Luzon, and Southern Tagalog, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) opted to postpone events in skateboarding, underwater and polo, shooting (in Manila),  petanque, sepak takraw, canoe-kayak, and surfing in Subic Bay.

The events will be moved to a later date but not beyond the Dec. 11 closing day of the biennial meet.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Carlos Yulo proved he was a cut above the rest by capturing the floor exercise gold medal in the men’s artistic gymnastics on Tuesday in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The 19-year-old prodigy showcased a jaw-dropping performance to score 14.700 points, 0.050 points higher than his qualification mark.

It was his second gold medal after ruling the individual all-around on Sunday on his debut appearance in the biennial meet.

Thailand’s Tikumporn Surintornta settled for silver with 13.833 points, while Malaysia’s Zul Bahrin Mat Asri clinched bronze with 13.767.

Reyland Capellan, who ruled the event in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition, finished fifth with 13.433.

Yulo guns for two more golds when he competes in the still rings and pommel horse at press time.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Margaret Colonia surpassed expectations when she captured the silver medal in 59kg women’s category in weightlifting competition in the 30th Southeast Asian games Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Colonia had a total lift of 189kg, 83kg in snatch and 189kg in clean and jerk, for second place behind gold medalist Thi Duyen Hoang of Vietnam with 210kg, while Indonesia’s Putri Andriana took the bronze with 177kg.

Although she missed out on the gold medal, Colonia considers it a memorable experience since this marked her first SEA Games.

“Sobrang saya kasi bago ko nakuha to ang dami kong naging sakripisyo at ang daming pinagdaanan,” said Colonia, who had to stop on her studies to focus on her training last year.

Colonia joined the national team as a 14-year-old promising weightlifter back in 2013. Although it was a tough climb for her, she said it was all worth it as she finally won a medal.

Through the encouragement and inspirations given by Olympian teammates Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia – her cousin – Colonia said she would continue to train to make it to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Silang dalawa yung naging inspirasyon ko, sila yung nagtuto sa akin ng tamang style. Sana sa 2024 Olympics makapag-qualify ako,” said Colonia, now a second year college at Zamboanga Institute of Aviation and Technology.

The silver medal of Colonia was the second of its color for the weightlifting team after John Fabuar Ceniza placed second in 55kg men’s division.

Diaz won her first SEA Games gold medal in the 55kg category last Monday, while her cousin Mary Flor Diaz placed third in the 45kg women’s division.

Still to see action in weightlifting are Nestor Colonia (67kg), Elreen Ann Ando (64kg) and Kristel Macrohon (71kg).

Source: Manila Bulletin

The 30th SEA Games billiards competition opened early Tuesday at the Tent City of the historic Manila Hotel.

Our local team for billiards hopes to boost the already impressive medal drive of the Philippines.

The billiards competitions are being held in the 2,400 sqm multi-purpose venue that hosts everything from concerts, banquets, corporate events, and sporting competition.

For the SEA Games, the Tent City has been fitted and set up with state-of-the-art billiards facilities where top SEA athletes will vie for gold. Billiards fans are also on the lookout for 65-year-old Filipino billiards legend Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes as he competes in the 3-cushion carom men’s singles on Wednesday.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Joseph Almer Pedrajas

Philippines bet Agatha Wong secured back-to-back gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games wushu competition after delivering in the women’s taolu taijijian Tuesday morning at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The current gold medalist of SEAG taijiquan, Wong also made sure to snatch the spot of wushu’s straight-sword by logging 9.65.

Behind her were Vietnam’s Thi Minh Tan, 9.63 and Brunei’s Basma Lachkar, 9.62 at third.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By the Associated Press

After becoming the first six-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, Lionel Messi said he’s far from finished.

“I hope to continue for a long time,” Messi said on Monday in Paris from behind a row of the trophies which honor the world’s best soccer player.

“I realize that I am very lucky, even if, one day, retirement will come. It will be difficult. But I still have a lot of good years ahead of me. Time goes by very quickly, so I want to enjoy football and my family.”

While the 32-year-old Messi won his sixth Ballon d’Or, United States captain Megan Rapinoe won her first.

“I can’t believe I’m the one winning in this field, it’s been an incredible year,” Rapinoe said in a recorded video message during the ceremony at the lavish Theatre du Chatelet.

Messi has received the Ballon d’Or previously in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was second in the polling this year, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo, who shared the record of five Ballon d’Ors with Messi until Monday.

Messi’s and Ronaldo’s 10-year grip on the award organized by France Football magazine was ended last year by Luka Modric.

But Messi was back on top of his game over the past 12 months. He scored 36 times last season en route to a 10th Spanish Liga title, and was the Champions League top scorer. His goals in the Liga also made him the top scorer in Europe’s biggest leagues, earning him the Golden Shoe award.

“A few years ago, I received my first Ballon d’Or here in Paris,” Messi said. “I was 22 years old. It was something unthinkable at the time. Today is my sixth Ballon d’Or. As my wife used to say, you should never stop dreaming but always work to improve and continue to enjoy yourself.”

The Argentine has not showed any sign of slowing down since the start of the new European season, marking his 700th game for Barcelona last week with a goal and two assists in beating Borussia Dortmund 3-1. So far this year, Messi has 41 goals in 44 games.

Messi also won his sixth FIFA award in September, edging Van Dijk, who missed the chance to become the first defender to top the France Football poll since Italy’s World Cup-winning captain, Fabio Cannavaro, in 2006.

Van Dijk clinched the 2019 Champions League crown with the Reds after obliterating Messi’s Barcelona in the semifinals.

“It’s been an amazing year, I was close but unfortunately there are a couple of players like (Messi). I am very proud,” Van Dijk said.

He was among seven Liverpool players nominated, beside goalkeeper Alisson Becker, defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and forwards Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

Rapinoe won the women’s Ballon d’Or for leading the United States to World Cup glory in July. She scored six goals in the championship, earning her the Golden Boot as the top scorer and the Golden Ball as the top player.

“I’m so sad I can’t make it tonight,” Rapinoe said on video. “I’ll do my best to get there next year.”

France Football magazine has been awarding the Ballon d’Or since 1956 and created a women’s award for the first time last year when Norway’s Ada Hegerberg won it. Hegerberg was fourth this time. Lucy Bronze of England was second, and Alex Morgan third.

Juventus defender Matthijs De Light won the Kopa Trophy for the best under-21 player, and the inaugural Yashin Trophy given to the year’s best men’s goalkeeper went to Liverpool’s Alisson.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

The Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) has postponed several events for Tuesday as a precaution for the typhoon Tisoy.

In a statement released late Monday, some events in Subic were adjusted in anticipation of heavy rains and strong winds.

Canoe/kayak and traditional boat races were scheduled for Friday to Sunday only with race courses dismantled per Coast Guard directive, while sailing and windsurfing races were moved to Thursday with details pending evaluation of weather situation.

Modern pentathlon was also moved to the morning of Thursday, as well as surfing, which will resume on Wednesday with revised schedule pending assessment of the situation.

Muay competitions were also moved to Wednesday and Thursday for mai-wakru competition, and Friday to Sunday for combat events, while pencak silat’s revised schedule are being deliberated at press time.

Skateboarding and polo events in Tagaytay and Calatagan were also postponed, while underwater hockey will proceed but competition will be finished before 3 p.m. Petanque will also postpone their events.

 Athletics in New Clark City will proceed on Friday, but competition might be compressed to a 4-day schedule depending on weather conditions.

Ongoing tennis matches at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Courts were also halted due to rainshowers.

PHISGOC said it already has alternate dates for events that might not be played during their original schedule.

“Everything is set for contingency. We’re monitoring it. There’s possible realignment, but not too much delay. What is important is the safety of the athletes and spectators,” PHISGOC Chief Operating Officer Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

Former world champion Carlo Biado is scheduled to see action today at the start of billiards competitions in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at The Manila Hotel Tent.

Biado will team up with Johann Chua in the quarterfinals set 4 p.m. as he aims to win his first 9-ball doubles gold since the 2015 edition in Singapore.

Veteran Warrem Kiamco, Biado’s partner in that triumph, will partner with Jeffrey Ignacio as the Philippines looks to bring back the gold.

Kiamco and Dennis Orcollo settled for bronze in Kuala Lumpur two years ago that saw Singapore’s Toh Lian Han and Aloysius Yapp winning the gold.

The rest of the event scheduled for the first day of competition are pre-quarterfinal matches in men’s 9-ball doubles, men’s snooker doubles, men’s 1-cushion carom and women’s 10-ball singles.

The great Efren “Bata” Reyes will see action in carom, hoping to spring up one magical show in front of local fans.

Rubilen Amit and Chezka Centeno are favored to arrange a final in women’s 10-ball, an event which was last held in the 2013 Nay Pyi Taw Games.

Biado, Chua and Ignacio recently competed in Japan as part of their buildup while the rest of the team spent the past weeks training at a makeshift practice facility inside Harrison Plaza.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

The Philippine polo team starts its gold medal campaign in the 0-2 goals event in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Miguel Romero Polo Field in Calatagan, Batangas should a fair weather side with the country Tuesday.

With the impending threat of Typhoon “Tisoy,” officials are hoping the field will not be drenched.

“We’re praying that it will not rain so hard here so we can start our event,” said PH team captain Mikee Romero. “We’re all excited to play.”

The oncoming weather disturbance is expected to hit Bicol region, particularly Virac, Catanduanes.

The 0-2 goals division, composed of Coco Garcia, Nicole Eusebio, Jam Eusebio, Santi Juban, veteran Antonio Veloso and Romero, will shoot for the gold and hopefully exact revenge after its 4-6 goals counterpart fell to Malaysia and settled with silver.

The Nationals, capitalizing on homefield advantage, are ready to take on Malaysia, Indonesia and powerhouse Brunei.

Prince Jeffri and Prince Qawi, royalties from Brunei, are out to compete with horses of their own, brought in by plane.

“Everybody is determined to contribute to the country’s bid to win the overall championship and we are all inspired after the explosive first day,” Romero added.

Source: Manila Bulletin