By Kristel Satumbaga

Games Today

(PhilSports Arena)

3:30 p.m. – Thailand vs Indonesia

6 p.m. – Philippines vs Vietnam

A huge crowd of supporter is expected when the Philippine women’s volleyball team begins its medal campaign in the 30th Southeast Asian Games today when it clashes with Vietnam at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The match is at 6 p.m. with the celebrated Filipina spikers, made up of some of the most glamorous and talented volleybelles in the country, seeking a strong start.

Every match is crucial as far as the Nationals are concerned as there are only four nations participating: defending champion Thailand, 2017 Kuala Lumpur silver medalist Indonesia and bronze medalist Vietnam.

The PH team is optimistic it can make a podium finish and eclipse its fourth place performance in the previous edition. They also seek to end the country’s medal drought where they last won a bronze medal in the 2005 Manila edition.

The squad, handled by Petron Blaze coach Shaq delos Santos, spent 12 days in Tokyo playing local teams to hone their skills and strengthen their chemistry.

Also part of their training was the 2019 ASEAN Grand Prix held last month where the Nationals finished third on both legs in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand and Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Spearheading the team are captain Aby Maraño along with Alyssa Valdez, Kath Arado, Dawn Macandili, Ces Molina, Mylene Paat, Aiza Pontillas, Eya Laure, Majoy Baron, Jia Morado, Mika Reyes, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rhea Dimaculangan.

After Vietnam, the Nationals take on Thailand on Thursday, and Indonesia on Saturday.

 

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

CLARKFIELD, Pampanga—In anticipation of heavy rains and strong winds from typhoon Tisoy, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) on Monday declared the 30th Southeast Asian Games “won’t be extended” in case some events get scrapped during their playdates.

“We’ll play it by ear,” said Phisgoc Chief Operating Officer Tats Suzara as the storm threatens to disrupt the events of the SEA Games in Subic bay and other venues.

But while Metro Manila, the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, and key cities in Southern Luzon and Northern Luzon, are also staging events, the focus is on Subic Bay.

The site of the former US Navy Base is hosting mostly water sports and the rains and winds could end up endangering the lives of the athletes and officials and even the public.

Among the sports whose playdates are under watch are beach volleyball, canoe-kayak and traditional boat race, Muay (team managers meeting), pencak silat, modern pentathlon, sailing and windsurfing and triathlon
and duathlon.

But events in sepak takraw, chess, beach handball, rowing and open water swimming will proceed.

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

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The Philippines bucked a slow start to beat Cambodia 29-27, 25-17, 25-17 Monday to start its campaign in men’s volleyball of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Marck Espejo scored 21 points while Joshua Retamar had 11 points with 15 excellent sets in his debut to give the Nationals a winning start in their bid for a semifinal spot in the biennial meet.

Bryan Bagunas, who spent most of the past few months playing for a club team in Japan, also came through for the hosts with 14 points.

Coach Dante Alinsunurin’s side gained a share of the early lead in Group B with Indonesia, which earlier Vietnam 25-20, 25-22, 25-21.

The Nationals are eyeing a top two finish to secure a place in the semis, but the chances are stacked them.

They face Vietnam on Wednesday and Indonesia on Friday, games that will determine the team’s fate in the competition.

“Basta tuluy-tuloy lang ginagawa namin kasi kailangan din namin manalo para makapasok sa semifinals,” said Alinsunurin. “Yung importante lang talaga yung ginagawa namin talaga na mali, ma-correct namin at anu pwede namin i-adjust, dun kami magcoconcentrate.”

The Philippines won despite rallying from a 16-12 deficit in the first set behind Espejo and Retamar, an incoming sophomore at UAAP champion National University.

Cambodia moved into set point at 27-26 but Retamar scored a drop ball to keep tie the score.

The Cambodians misfired on the next serve, putting the Philippines up 28-27 before Retamar blocked My Raksmey’s shot to claim the opening set.

“Nung first set medyo struggle siguro dahil first game at nag-kakapaan pa kami. Pero nakarecover naman kami pero yun nga nandun pa rin yung errors,” said Espejo.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jan Carlo Anolin

BOCAUE, BULACAN — Thousands of spectators from 11 countries participating in the 30th Southeast Asian Games flock the Philippine Arena, the biggest coliseum in the country, to witness the historic opening ceremony and to support their respective athletes here last Saturday.

The hosting was hounded by fiascos such as food, transportation, accomodation and venue preparations a few days ago. But these incidents sparked the signal for supporters and athletes that everything is about to change, at least after the opening, gaining a huge round of applause in social media.

For a moment, issues, left and right, were set aside as around 50,000 people — spectators, politicians, co-athletes and neighbors from the region — roared along the performances in the Phiilippine Arena.

For others, the long wait came to an end. Others won’t mind the heavy traffic and long distance to travel because at the end of the day, being part of history, was worth the wait.

Lowin Rebotura, 26, travelled all the way from the northern part of Luzon for the opening ceremony.

Lowin Rebotura, 26, from Cagayan drove all the way here in Bocaue, Bulacan with his family and came here as early as 6 am. He had difficulty in getting tickets in his hometown and just bought the tickets here. #SEAGames2019 | via @carloanolinMB pic.twitter.com/xITfAINbEJ

— Manila Bulletin Sports (@mbsportsonline) November 30, 2019

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An almost eight-hour drive from Cagayan Valley, Rebotura risked going to the Philippine Arena without tickets at hand.

“Nahirapan ako kasi naubusan kami kaninang umaga,” Rebotura said, who arrived as early as 6 am together with his family. “Nagtanong-tanong na lang kami. Naisipan lang [talaga] naming magpasyal.”

Richard Castillo, a 22-year-old working student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, took some time off from school and work on a holiday to show support to the Filipino athletes. The opening ceremony happened to strike the same day our great hero Andres Bonifacio was born.

Castillo didn’t mind commuting from Mandaluyong to Bocaue, expecting that world champion Carlos Yulo graced the event during the parade of athletes.

Richard Castillo, 22, a working student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines had a smooth travel from Mandaluyong. He will be supporting world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo when the gymnastics competition kicks off tomorrow. #SEAGames2019 | via @carloanolinMB pic.twitter.com/FHeK7dDivp

— Manila Bulletin Sports (@mbsportsonline) November 30, 2019

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Yulo was initially named torchbearers for the lighting of the cauldron together with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. Due to scheduled events, last-minute changes were made as world champion boxer Nesthy Petecio replaced him.

“Minsan lang ‘to mangyari sa Pilipinas. Historic siya,” Castillo said, who might be cheering somewhere in the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Sunday as Yulo bagged gold medal in the artistics gymnastics. “Gusto talaga naming masaksihan ‘yung SEA Games opening at gusto naming sumuporta sa aming mga kababayan.”

The Parish Commission on Youth, a youth ministry at Barangay Muzon in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, took the spotlight while waiting in line. Around 300 of them, all visibly clad in yellow shirts, were all smiles taking selfies and waving their Philippine flaglets despite being under direct sunlight for hours.

WATCH: A youth ministry group from Muzon, Bulacan, around 250 of them, came here to support Filipino athletes and witness the opening of the #SEAGames2019 | via @carloanolinMB pic.twitter.com/tYFgMNpTsV

— Manila Bulletin Sports (@mbsportsonline) November 30, 2019

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Joren Lazaro, their leader, was busy distributing tickets and keeping the group in an organized manner when the Bulletin sought for an interview.

“Nakaayos na po po namin [‘yung tickets] para derederecho na po sa loob,” Joren Lazaro said. “Sobrang proud kami na tayong mga Pilipino ay proud [din na] sa atin ginawa at kaya nating i-host ang ganitong kalaking event sa bansa natin.”

The church volunteers — a mixed of young and old age groups — rode jeepneys from San Jose Del Monte to Bacause, just an almost one hour ride, to take part in making history.

“Inaabangan natin syempre ang pagsuporta natin sa kapwa Pilipino at the same time ‘yung hospitality natin. Mararamdaman [ng ibang bansa] ‘yung [pagiging] welcoming nating mga Pilipino sa kanila.”

To their anticipation, the Games kicked off in a majestic fashion as if all sweat and fatigue paid off in exchange for one grand opening.

Let the #SEAGames2019 begin! pic.twitter.com/u5wzvMiyHF

— Manila Bulletin Sports (@mbsportsonline) November 30, 2019

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As of this posting, the Philippines garnered a total of 25 gold, 15 silver and nine bronze models.

The Games will wrap on on Dec. 11, Wednesday, at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Erma Edera

Hidilyn Diaz’s parents traveled all the way from Zamboanga to watch their daughter compete for the first time. And it was all worth it after Diaz snatched her first ever gold after dominating the women’s weightlifting (55 kg) in the 30^th Southeast Asian games.

Emelita Diaz, Hidilyn’s mother, said they arrived in Manila last Nov. 30 and that she was happy to witness the win of her daughter in her own country.

“Masayang masaya ako, malaking karangalan siya para sa bansa,” she said while holding the tarpaulin of the champion weighlifter at the stage of Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

 Emelita said the moment the competition started at 4p.m. on Monday, she started feeling nervous to the point that she lost her appetite.

“Nerbyosa talaga ako but we are very inspired because this is the first time na napanood namin si Hidilyn lalo na sa SEA games,” she said.

On the other hand, Eduardo Diaz, Hidilyn’s father, said he is confident her daughter is prepared to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“Sobrang saya ng pakiramdam ko sa na-achieve ni Hidilyn. Kayang-kaya niya na ang Olympics,” he said.

Hidilyn admitted that she was also nervous because of her parents’ presence during the competition.

“Kinakabahan ako kasi nga hindi alam ng nanay at tatay ko kung gaano kataas yung expectation at pressure pagdating sa platform,” Diaz said.

“It’s a good thing nandito sila…nandiyan sila, hindi ko alam gagawin ko pero at the end of the day inisip ko na ready ako, at saka God’s powerful champion ako,” she added.

Hidilyn lifted a combined 211-kg – 91 kg in the snatch and 120 kg in the clean-and-jerk.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

After two failed attempts, Hidilyn Diaz finally earned her first gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games.

Already a gold medal winner in the Asian Games and a silver medalist in the Olympics, Diaz added to her collection the 55kg women’s category gold medal in the 30th SEA Games Monday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

In a display of what a world-class athlete can do, Diaz lifted a total of 211kg, a dominant performance in besting Vietnam’s Thi Thuy Nguyen, who placed second to claim the silver medal with 197kg, while Indonesia’s Juliana Klarisa came in third to settle with the bronze medal at 175kg.

“Sobrang saya ko talaga, pinahandaan ko ito,” said Diaz, whose best finish in the biennial meet was a silver medal in two SEA Games editions – 2011 in Indonesia and 2013 in Myanmar.

Diaz said that aside from finally winning the gold medal here at home, what made her victory more special was the presence of her parents as her mother Emelita and father Eduardo watched and cheered her from the patron seats just beside the entrance of athletes.

As she exited to the warm-up area after her last lift, Diaz pointed to the direction of her parents and widely smiled.

“First time ko na andito ang nanay at tatay ko. Medyo dun ako kinakabahan,” said Diaz. “Kasi alam ko nanay ko medyo nerbiyosa pagdating sakin. Pero masaya and excited din.”

“May pressure, buti na lang nagawa ko ng maayos. Lahat nagbunga. Two months before (the SEA Games) hindi ako ready kasi galing sa World Championships (last September in Thailand).”

Prior to the SEA Games, the 28-year-old Diaz had a month-long training in Taiwan together with Chinese mentor Kaiwen Gao, and conditioning/strengthening coach Julius Irvin Naranjo.

Her hard work and sacrifices in training paid off as the SEA Games also gave her points since the event serves as Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she is currently at fifth place – among eight outright qualifiers – in the 55kg women’s division.

After her lift at 88kg on her first attempt in snatch, the native of Zamboanga followed it up with a 91kg good lift. She tried to lift 94kg in her third and last try but she failed to complete the attempt.

Nevertheless, she topped the snatch category at 91kg, followed by Nguyen’s 82kg, Klarisa’s 80kg, Malaysia’s Elly Cascandra Engelbert 72kg and Maiyia Vue of Laos at 63kg.

In the clean and jerk, Diaz successfully completed her lifts in all three attempts, starting at 110kg, followed with 115kg, and when she nailed it at 120kg, the crowd – already in celebration mode – went crazy at the stadium.

Diaz said the support and prayers of the Filipinos, and government through the Philippine Sports Commission chaired by Butch Ramirez, and private groups like the MVP Sports Foundation headed by Al Panlilio, and the local weightlifting federation of president Monico Puentevella, were her motivation.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng sumuporta, nagdasal hindi lang sa akin kundi sa bawat atletang Pilipino… para sa inyo itong lahat. Let’s continue supporting, praying for the Philippine Team,” said Diaz.

The win of Diaz improved the weightlifting team’s medal haul with a gold, a silver and a bronze – as John Fabuar Ceniza placed second in 55kg men’s, while Mary Flor Diaz – Hidilyn’s cousin – placed third in the 45kg women’s division.

It was also the lone medal for the country in Day 2 for weightlifting after Elien Rose Perez in women’s 49kg, and Dave Llyod Pacaldo in men’s 61kg both placed fourth in their respective division.

Puentevella said he is optimistic that the medal haul will continue Tuesday when Olympian Nestor Colonia (67kg), Margaret Colonia (59kg), Elreen Ann Ando (64kg) and Kristel Macrohon (71kg) see action.

“Meron pa tayong aasahan na mag-medalya, and I’m hoping na maka-gold pa tayo,” he said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Erma Edera

The Philippines missed out on two medals in Monday’s women’s (49 kg) and men’s (61 kg) weightlifting action in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Filipina Eilen Perez fell short of a podium finish, placing 4th with 171 kg, just 1 kg below bronze medalist Thi Quyen Ngo of Vietnam.

Seventeen-year-old Aisah Windy of Indonesia ran away with the gold and registered new Youth World records lifting 86 kg in snatch and 104 kg in clean and jerk for a total of 190.

Myanmar’s Phyo Pyae Pyae took the silver lifting a total of 180 kg.

In men’s 61 kg weightlifting division, twenty-year-old Dave Pacaldo made a total lift of 250 kilograms.

Pacaldo powered through in his final attempt in the clean and jerk lifting 140 kg but not enough to get a podium.

Irawan Eko, an Olympian from Indonesia, bagged the gold medal lifting a total of 309 kg.

Vietnam’s Thach Kim Tuan tabbed silver (304 kg), while Bidin Muhammad Aznil Bin (283 kg) got the bronze medal.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

Pampanga — Traditional martial arts arnis and cycling provided host Philippines with much-needed impetus in the early part of Monday as action intensified across Luzon in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Less than 24 hours after grabbing five gold medals, arnis added another three to its growing collection on wins by Elmer Manlapas in the full contact padded stick featherweight division, Carloyd Tejada in welterweight and Jesfer Huguire in bantamweight.

There were still four women bets in the semifinals – Sheena del Monte (bantam), Jedah Soriano (feather), Ashley Monville (lightweight) and Abegal Abad (welter) – and should they prevail, they would be going for the gold also on the same day.

As the campaign of all 11 nations got into the halfway mark of the day, the Philippines held onto the top with a tally of 38-20-13 (gold-silver-bronze). A distant second was Vietnam (10-17-13) and Indonesia (6-8-7) at third.

During the morning sessions, cycling (mountainbike) produced two gold medals and duathlon came up with one before pencak silat put one more.

After streaking to 22 gold medals during the first day, an output that nearly matched the country’s total production in the 2017 SEAG in Kuala Lumpur, John Derrick Farr and Lea Denise Belgira made it a sweep of the downhill event in Laurel, Batangas.

Farr, 23, was timed 2 minutes and 41.43 seconds in the 1.5-km distance race while Eleazar Barba, also of the Philippines, was the runnerup after coming in a minute and 36 seconds slower. Indonesia’s Andu Prayoga was awarded the bronze with a clocking of 2:47.68.

Belgira, meanwhile, took top honors after doing 3:09.78, relegating two Indonesians—Tiara Prastika (3:16.98) and Vipavee Deekaballes (3:17.60) for second and third.

Over in Subic Bay in Zambales, Monica Torres ruled duathlon after breaking away early en route to a clocking of 2 hours, eight minutes and 44 seconds in the 10-kilometer run, 40-km bike and 5-km run.

Thailand’s Pareeya Sonsem settled for the silver with a 2:11.18 effort and Vietnam’s Thi Phuong Nguyen submitted 2:14.20 for third.

Though the numbers suggest Torres just cruised to the win, it was some sort of a miracle that she made it after revealing that she was sick to her stomach hours before the start of the race.

“I wasn’t feeling well and it was difficult for me because I threw up and that’s the reason why I ran out of gas,” said Torres, a seasoned campaigner internationally but a first-timer in the SEAG.

“It must have been something I ate but the support from the people was strong and I just could not let them down ,” added the Powerman Asian Duathlon champion about her ordeal.

Pencak silat, an Indonesian martial art, produced a gold for the Philippines after Edmar Tacuel topped the male tunggal event in Subic Bay.

Meanwhile, as Luzon braces for the impact of Typhoon Tisoy, which is expected to hit Metro Manila, Southern Luzon, Central and Northern Luzon today , Phisgoc executive director Tom Carrasco said an emergency meeting has been set to determine which sports in the Subic Bay cluster are going to be scrapped or allowed to proceed.

There are 15 events on tap in Subic Bay, mostly water sports, and some of them may have to be moved to a later date.

Among the sports hosted by Subic include rowing, canoe-kayak, traditional boat race, windsurfing, open water swimming, triathlon and duathlon, beach volleyball and beach handball.

Dancesport spiked host Philippines’ huge haul with 10 gold medals while traditional martial art arnis handed over five, sepak takraw and triathlon with two apiece, gymnastics, kurash and wushi with one each.

The 2019 SEAG features 530 events in 56 sports and competitions are scattered all over Luzon with the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, as main hub although Metro Manila is venue to the marquee sports like basketball, boxing and volleyball.

With the Philippines off to a blazing start, the quest of winning the overall title seems to be right on track with more than eight days of competition in the calendar.

Palace lauds Filipino athletes

Malacañang has lauded Filipino athletes for bagging at least 24 medals on the first day of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), saying their hard work in training is paying off.

As the Palace praised the athletes’ strong start, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said they also wish good luck to the rest of the athletes in their competition in the coming days.

“The Palace is closely monitoring the performance of our athletes in the 30th South East Asian Games and is pleased to know that their hard work in training is paying off,” he said.

“We congratulate our athletes who have won and brought honor to the country in this ongoing biennial multi-sport event,” he said.

“We wish the rest of our athletes who will be competing in the coming days the best of luck,” Panelo said.

The country’s early gold haul came following the widely praised opening ceremony of the games over the weekend. The biennial games opened with an impressive spectacle of Filipino culture, music, and dance at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan last Saturday. (With a report from Genalyn Kabiling)

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino is confident the country can breach the 100-gold medal mark in the 30^th Southeast Asian Games after a strong start in the opening day Sunday.

The PH team already reaped 22 gold medals on the first day alone, banking on the 10-gold medal haul in dancesport and four from arnis.

“There’s the adrenaline, momentum. 100-plus (gold medals) is doable,” Tolentino said in Monday’s press briefing.

At press time, the country already surpassed its 24-gold medal performance at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition with victories from John Derrick Farr and Lea Denis Belgira in cycling’s downhill event, and Monica Torres in women’s duathlon.

This year’s edition stakes 530 gold medals from 56 events.

Meanwhile, Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) chief operating officer assured they had contingency and monitoring plans despite threats of typhoon Tisoy.

Sporting events will continue as scheduled even without spectators as long as the technical officials and the athletes are ready.

“Wala namang problema yung hangin kasi magiging normal din agad yon kapag umalis ang bagyo. May delays of 1 to 2 days pero we have placed our contingency,” Suzara said regarding concerns on water events like windsurfing and sailing in La Union.

He added they have already instructed competition managers to follow the Games’ operating policy on such situations.

“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,” Suzara said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Is it Greg Slaughter or Scottie Thompson?

The decision whether the 7-foot Slaughter or combo-guard Thompson will take the place of injured RR Pogoy in the Gilas Pilipinas lineup for the 30^th Southeast Asian Games will be made by coach Tim Cone either Monday night or in Tuesday’s basketball competition managers meeting.

“None yet,” said Gilas team manager Gabby Cui in a text message to The Bulletin.

The managers meeting is where teams can make replacements for injured players before final submission to the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee prior to the games at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Pogoy, who plays for TNT KaTropa, hurt his back during a PBA game last week.

Sources said Cone is taking his time to see who between Slaughter or Thompson would be a better fit for Gilas.

The logical choice may be to add Thompson, who plays the same position as Pogoy although the latter is more of a scorer while the former plays more at the point and likes to crash the board to get rebounds.

But the possibility of having another ‘big guy’ in Slaughter could prove irresistible to Cone despite having a frontline trio of 6-foot-10 center June Mar Fajardo, 6-foot-10 wingman Japeth Aguilar and 6-foot-8 power forward Christian Standhardinger.

With teams parading a naturalized player, including Indonesia with 6-foot-10 center Lester Prosper, the decision could have been already made for Cone.

Slaughter, however, is coming off a hand injury he suffered a few weeks ago that forced Cone to drop him from the Final 12.

Slaughter played last week in Barangay Ginebra San Miguel’s quarterfinal win over San Miguel Beer, and has rejoined practice session with Gilas along with Kings teammates Thompson and Art dela Cruz, also part of the national team training pool.

Two independent sources said Slaughter would be brought in for Pogoy.

After facing Singapore Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena, the national team takes on Vietnam on Friday and Myanmar on Saturday for preliminary Group A action. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia are in Group B. (With a report from Tito Talao)

Source: Manila Bulletin