By Waylon Galvez

Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz and two other weightlifters take the spotlight in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Monday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Hidilyn Diaz of Philippines (MONEY SHARMA / AFP, File)

Fresh from her training in Taiwan, Diaz said she’s prepared for the competition, an Olympic Qualifying Tournament to the Tokyo Games next year.

“I’m excited. I’m ready and prepared for this event,” said Diaz, who is eyeing to capture her first gold medal in the SEA Games after settling with a silver medal twice, in 2011 and 2013.

The 28-year-old Diaz will see action in the women’s 55kg category.

Also seeing action in today’s weightlifting competition are Elien Rose Perez in women’s 49kg, and Dave Llyod Pacaldo in men’s 61kg.

The national team has already won a bronze medal courtesy of Mary Flor Diaz – Hidilyn’s cousin – in the 45kg women’s, and a silver medal courtesy of John Fabuar Ceniza in the 55kg men’s.

“First was a bronze, then a silver… next is a gold medal from Hidilyn. Hopefully makakuha pa tayo medals,” said Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella.

Diaz is determined to deliver the gold in this SEA Games since the results will combine to her points in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). At the moment, she has 2,731.7699 points.

The top eight weightlifters in every category and division will earn outright spot in the Tokyo Games.

“Talagang ganun ka-importante yung manalo ng gold dito sa SEA Games kasi qualifying tournament siya for the Tokyo Olympics. Of course kasama na dun yung gusto ko manalo ng first gold medal ko sa SEA Games lalo’t dito sa bansa natin ginagawa,” said Diaz.

Four other members of the Philippine Team are set to see action in the SEAG.

They are Margaret Colonia (59kg), Elreen Ann Ando (64) and Kristel Macrohon (71kg) in the women’s category, and former Olympic veteran Nestor Colonia (67kg) in the men’s division.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Rey Lachica

Draw in the 0-2 goals division in polo competition will be held today at the Iñigo Zobel Polo Field with the Nationals looking to figure well in the four-nation tournament.

The Philippine polo team, from left, Coco Garcia, Nicole Eusebio, Jam, Eusebio, Santi Juban, coach Anthony Garcia, Rep. Mikee Romero and Antonio Veloso pose before a friendly game against Argentina at the Miguel Romero Polo Field in Calatagan, Batangas. (MB Photo / Jansen Romero)

“The team is pretty excited although the field is very tough,” said PH team captain Mikee Romero.

Out to spoil the country’s gold medal bid are Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Romero and company – Coco Garcia, Nicole Eusebio, Jam Eusebio and Santi Juban – have spared no account for this biennial meet, even going to Argentina – the mecca of polo – to train under the supervision of revered polo coaches.

Like the 4-6 goals division, the 0-2 goals event also has a powerful cast with Prince Jeffri and Prince Qawi spearheading the talented Brunei squad.

Both players are members of the royal family – led by Hassanal Bolkiah – Sultan of Brunei.

0-2 goals will be played at the class Miguel Romero Polo Field Tuesday.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Games Today

(Philsports Arena)

1 p.m. – Singapore vs Thailand (M)

3 p.m. – Vietnam vs Indonesia (M)

6 p.m. – Philippines vs Cambodia (M)

The Philippine men’s volleyball team begins its medal quest in the 30th Southeast Asian Games when competition fires off today at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Philippine men’s volleyball team seeks to surpass its sixth-place finish in the 2017 SEAG. (File Photo)

The Nationals take on Cambodia at 6 p.m. in their bid to open their campaign on a bright note before an expected huge crowd.

The PH spikers are expected to have their hands full in the group stage where they are bracketed in Pool B along with 2017 Kuala Lumpur silver medalist Indonesia and bronze winner Vietnam.

Pool A has perennial champion Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore and Timor Leste.

Defending champion Thais raise the curtain at 1 p.m. when they clash with Singapore at 1 p.m. followed by Vietnam and Indonesia at 3 p.m.

PH team coach Dante Alinsunurin hopes their 11-day training camp in Japan a month ago will pay off to eclipse the country’s sixth-place finish in the previous edition.

The training camp was aimed at improving the team’s cohesion and system.

Brian Bagunas and Johnvic de Guzman spearhead the squad composed of Marck Espejo, Ran Abdilla, Mark Alfafara, Joshua Umandal, Ish Polvorosa, Kim Malabunga, Francis Saura, Rex Intal, Ricky Marck and Jack Kalingking.

After Cambodia, the Nationals collide with Vietnam on Wednesday, then Indonesia on Friday.

Only the Top 2 teams from each group will advance in the semifinals slated Dec. 8 with the championship round scheduled on Dec. 10.

Meanwhile, the celebrated PH women’s volleyball team takes centerstage on Tuesday when they face 2017 bronze winner Vietnam in the round-robin match.

Only four teams are competing in the women’s division also composed of reigning champion Thailand and silver medalist Indonesia.

After Vietnam, the PH volleybelles meet Thailand on Thursday then Indonesia on Saturday.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Jonas Terrado

The Philippines opened defense of its men’s ice hockey gold in style with a 15-1 thumping of Malaysia Sunday in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the SM Mall of Asia Arena Skating Rink.

Members of the Philippine ice hockey team celebrate after Sunday’s 15-1 win over Malaysia to open their SEA Games campaign at the SM Mall of Asia Skating Rink. (Jonas Terrado)

Team captain Steven Fuglister and Eishner Jigsmac Sibug each scored a hat trick as the team dubbed as the Eagles capitalized on the home-ice advantage to start their campaign on a bright note.

Carl Montano, BJ Imperial and Lenard Lancero had two goals apiece to also key the Philippines’ victory.

Fuglister, Jan Aro Regencia and Samuel James Bengzon also contributed three assists each to cap off the win fashioned out before supporters within the local ice hockey scene.

“It’s a relief that we had a good start in this tournament,” said Fuglister, whose team is aiming for a repeat of its victory two years ago in Kuala Lumpur.

“But I think we have to stay humble and recognize that it is just the first step for us to make it to the finals,” he added.

Thailand made its intention known of dethroning the Philippines earlier with a 14-0 blanking of Indonesia.

Montano scored twice in the first period to put the Eagles ahead 4-0 before Fuglister made it 5-0, just 12 seconds into the second period.

Chee Ming Bryan Lim put Malaysia on the board, 15:51 remaining in the same period, but Imperial, Sibug, Jann Gefrey So Tiong, Richmond Yu and Sibug scored in succession to make it 10-1 Philippines going into the second intermission.

It took a while before the Eagles scored the last five goals courtesy of Carlo Martin Tenedero, Fuglister, Lancero, Imperial and Sibug.

Source: Manila Bulletin

Christopher Caluza places 2nd in Figure Skating during the SEA Games at SM Megamall Ice Rink, December 1, 2019. Captured using Canon 1DX Mark II with 400mm f2.8 lens (Rio Leonelle Deluvio)

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

The national team formalized its claim on the silver medal following a 14-11 win against Malaysia in water polo in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Sunday night at the New Clark City Aquatic Center in Tarlac.

The Philippine men’s water polo team, bannering the country’s flag, celebrates after a draw match against Singapore in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the New Clark City in Tarlac. The national team secures a podium finish. (MB Photo / Mark Balmores)

In a game that felt like a championship match, the Filipinos came back from a 6-5 deficit against a Malaysian side determined to score a win after falling short in its first four games.

With attacks coming from nearly every player of the team led by veteran member Roy Cañete and with longtime goalie Tani Gomez anchoring the defensive end, the squad outscored the opposition 9-5 in the second half.

The effort of the Nationals rewarded them a fourth silver medal – a first for the Nationals after their last podium finish in 2009. The national team also pocketed the same medal of color in 2005 when the Philippines last hosted the SEA Games and in 2007.

“All the hard work of this team, and the players the last eight, nine years, all of it were finally rewarded with this accomplishment. The sacrifices were all worth it,” said coach Rey Galang, who has former national team star Dale Evangelista as part of his coaching staff.

Gomez, who was part of the teams that won silver medals from 2005 to 2009, considers this a huge achievement considering the things they have to go through the past eight years.

After the Filipinos failed to make the podium in 2011 SEA Games, the national team decided to restart the program by tapping new talents.

“Talagang nag-start sa baba yung team after nung 2011 SEA Games,” said Gomez, pointing to the hard times the team experienced including their non-participation in 2013 biennial meet.

The national team returned to the SEA Games in 2015 and placed fifth overall, and two years ago in Kuala Lumpur, the squad placed fifth overall, missing the podium with a close loss to host Malaysia.

“Lahat talaga nakukuha sa tiyaga, and siyempre trabaho ng mabuti. Ito ang pinagtuunan talaga ng team, kaya nasuklian naman. Eto na, silver medal, back at the podium tayo,” said Gomez.

Aside from Gomez and Cañete, other members of the national team are Mummar Alamara, Mico Anota, Adan Gonzales, Matthew Yu, Macgyver Reyes, Mark Valdez, Aljon Salonga, Romark Belo, Paolo Serrano, Abnel Amiladjid, and Fil-Am Vince Sicat.

The national team had a shot at the gold medal, but its 6-6 draw to Singapore allowed Indonesia to win the elusive title, ending the 27-SEAG reign of Singapore, which ruled the sport since its debut in the 1965 SEA Games in KL.

Singapore settled for the bronze medal after beating Thailand.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Agence France-Presse

Costume changes, last-minute makeup touches and air kisses — dancesport made a flamboyant entrance on Sunday as the Southeast Asian Games got off to a sparkling start in the Philippines.

Partners glided over the stage in 90-second routines to the tune of Justin Bieber, The Beatles and Bruno Mars (AFP Photo/WAKIL KOHSAR)

The ballroom competition picked up the baton from the colour, music and glamour of the previous night’s glitzy opening ceremony, with all the coiffed hairstyles and high tension of a Dancing With the Stars episode.

A small but raucous crowd — mostly Philippine — waved flags and cheered on the local couples in the function room of Clark’s Royce Hotel, with some in the audience giddily fanning their faces with their hands in nervous anticipation.

Backstage the atmosphere was tense as dance partners from Vietnam, Singapore and elsewhere around the region psyched themselves up for performances years in the making.

Some ran through their routines, said prayers together or did breathing exercises to tamp down their fraught nerves.

One determined contender stared into middle distance, preparing his game face.

Wearing elaborate gowns in their national colours, the women dazzled in costume jewellery and customised nail varnish, while their male partners sported immaculate tuxedos with tails, shiny black shoes and slicked-back hair.

Once called through the stage curtain and into the spotlights, the couples twirled and shimmied across the dance floor as the capacity crowd roared, raising the roof when the Philippine couples strutted their stuff.

‘Wonderful feeling’ 

Partners glided over the stage in 90-second routines to the tune of Justin Bieber, The Beatles and Bruno Mars before turning to face the judges.

The crowd hushed as all eyes in the room trained on the stony-faced panel.

When the results appeared on the big screen one-by-one, some in the audience gasped, while others shrieked with joy as their dance idols went to the top of the scoreboard.

Performers crowded around the television by the stage entrance to see the scores rolling in, hugging each other and exchanging high-fives.

It was the Philippine couples who cleaned up on the dance floor on Sunday, the first time competitive ballroom dancing has been staged at the SEA Games in 12 years.

Home favourites Sean Mischa Aranar and Ana Leonila Nualla won three golds for the tango, Viennese waltz and five dance events, while compatriots Mark Gayon and Joy Renigen snared the top prizes in waltz and foxtrot along with a silver in quickstep.

“It’s a really wonderful feeling being here and having these medals after all the hard work and the stress and the sleepless nights,” Renigen told AFP. “It’s all worth it. We’re really happy.”

The duo have been dance partners for five years, and a couple for four.

“The relationship really helps,” said Renigen. “Of course with the performance, with the love, with the dancing you don’t have to produce it, you don’t have to fake it, because it’s already there.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

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

Featuring:

• Rousing opening for 30th SEA Games

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Nick Giongco

CLARKFIELD, Pampanga— The Philippine team captured at least 10 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals for a total of 15 medals on the first day of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) and took the top spot in medal tally followed by Vietnam with 2 golds, 6 silvers, and 2 bronzes.

The deluge of gold medals came less than 24 hours after a lavish opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, putting the country’s quest to capture the overall crown in motion with winning performances on other fronts as hostilities go full blast.

John “Rambo” Chicano carries the Philippine Flag as he races to the finish line for the first gold of the Philippines in the Mens Triathlon event at Subic Bay Boardlwalk during the 30th South East Asian Games. (Mark Balmores)

The gold medalists of the Philippine team yesterday were: John Chicano – men’s individual triathlon, Kim Mangrobang – women’s individual triathlon, Agatha Wong – wushu taolo women’s taijiquan, Mark Jayson Gayon and Mary Joy Renigen – dancesport waltz, Sean Aranar and Ana Nualla – dancesport tango, Sean Aranar and Ana Nualla – dancesport Viennese Waltz, Mark Jayson Gayon and Mary Joy Renigen – dancesport foxtrot, Sepak Takraw team – women’s hoops event, PH Sepak Takraw (men’s hoops event), and Niño Mark Talledo – live stick men’s featherweight (arnis).

Wushu artist Agatha Wong paid tribute to a dearly departed teammate on Monday with a successful defense of her Taolou Taijiquan event in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Earning 9.67 points via swift and sharp performance, a visibly emotional Wong told the Bulletin that her latest win, held at the World Trade Center in Manila, was dedicated to Rastafari Daraliay, the 11-year-old wushu practitioner who fell to his death from the top bunk of a double-decker at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in September last year.

“I would like to dedicate my performance to my old teammate. This is for him,” said the regal-looking Wong, who also took the bronze in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.

Brunei took the silver while Vietnam the bronze in Taolou Taijiquan. Wong’s gold was the second for the Philippines after tri-athlete John Chicano won in men’s individual, the SEAG’s first to be given away, in Subic Bay early in the morning.

Chicano’s showing would later rub off on teammate Kim Mangrobang and the host country’s bets in dancesport, arnis, sepak takraw and wushu as action intensified as the day wore on elsewhere.

A native of Olongapo Cty, Chicano, who settled for silver in the swim-bike-run event two years ago in Kuala Lumpur, clocked one hour, 53 minutes, and 26 seconds. It was a 1-2 finish anew for the Philippines as Kim Remolino of Cebu checked in second (1:55.03) and Indonesian Muhammad Ahlul Firman placed third (1:57.10).

About two hours after Chicano’s win at the Subic Bay Boardwalk in Zambales, it was defending champion Mangrobang’s time to shine as she clocked two hours and two minutes and was followed by the Fil-Am Kim Kilgroe, assuring the Philippines of a second straight 1-2 finish with a time of 2:05.02.

Indonesian Octaria Nechtavani was a distant third with a time of 2:16.33. Agatha Wong of wasn’t to be outdone Chicano, known in the triathlon circle as Rambo, was ecstatic with his golden performance, after being relegated to silver two years ago behind Nikko Huelgas in Malaysia.

Chicano crossed the finish line waving a Philippine flag to the loud cheers of the Filipino crowd.

“I am really thankful for the support of the government and also the cheers of the crowd who welcomed me at the finish line,” said Chicano, who led most of the way.

Chicano also gave credit to his partnership with Remolino, who both made sure that the Indonesian entry would not close in on them.

“At least we were able to defend the 1-2 finish,” added Chicano, who will recharge his batteries before kicking off his 2020 campaign with a tournament in February.

Dancesport also sparkled with five gold, arnis contributed with two, and sepak akraw with one for a total of 11 at press time.

The winners in dancesport were Sean Mischa Aranar and Ana Leonila Nualla, the pair who grooved and glided their way to five golds in Tango, Viennese Waltz, and Five Dance events.

The tandem of Mark Jayson Gayon and May Joy Renigen also clicked in Standard Waltz and Slow Foxtrot.

In arnis, Dexter Bolambao and Nino Mark Talledo, meanwhile, won golds in the 55 kg and below and +55 kg and below 60 kg at the Angeles University Foundation.

Led by Deseree Autor, the women’s team in the hoop event of sepak takraw likewise struck gold in Subic Bay.

‘Beautiful memories’ at SEAG

The country’s “spectacular” opening ceremony of the Southeast Asian Games should set the tone for the handling of the tournament and hopefully generate “beautiful memories” for the country’s visitors, Malacanang said Sunday.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo praised the extraordinary SEAG opening ceremony, saying the Office of the President extends congratulations to the organizers, performers, and volunteers for “a job exceedingly well done.”

“Undoubtedly, the ceremony demonstrated the redoubtable ability of the Philippines to host the biggest sporting events in the world and entertain our foreign guests with the kind of merriment that we Filipinos excel and are famous for,” he said.

“The Palace hopes that this event extraordinaire sets the tone for the handling of the Games until our foreign guests leave the country, bringing with them beautiful memories forever etched in their hearts,” he added.

He also said that the opening ceremony has “set the bar high for prospective hosts of international sporting events.” “For us, this ceremony should remind us that with unity, camaraderie and support, #WeWinAsOne. Cheers!” he said.

Weightlifting

Mary Flor Diaz bagged bronze in the first event of the Southeast Asian Games’ weightlifting (women’s 45 kg) at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday.

Diaz, 20, cousin of 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, made a total lift of 159 kilograms, 70 in snatch, and 89 in clean and jerk.

Vuong Thi Huyen of Vietnam bagged the gold with a total lift of 172 kilograms, 77 kgs in snatch and lifted 95 kg in clean and jerk.

Indonesia’s Setiawati Lisa came in second with a total lift of 169 kilograms, 73 in snatch, 96 in clean and jerk.

Diaz is the first athlete to see weightlifting action at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

According to Diaz, it took her three months to prepare for the 30th Southeast Asian Games. She also bared that two months before the SEA games, her father suffered a mild stroke.

“Sobrang laking panalo ito sa akin kasi first time ko at saka hindi ko ineexpect. Lahat possible kapag may tiwala ka sa sarili mo. Hindi ko na naisip yung bigat, naisip ko na lang kung paano ko bubuhatin,” she said.

“Sa akin kasi gusto ko lang i-enjoy yung laro, at saka sinacrifice ko yung buhok ko para makuha ko lang yung timbang ko. Over pa ako ng .5, lahat ng pagod, worth it,” she added.

The 20-year-old Pinay weightlifter said that she dedicates his first win in to the country.

Diaz also revealed that her cousin, Hidilyn, motivated her to join the competition.

“Siya po yung nagsilbing inspiration sa akin kasi ang lakas niya eh, Olympian, siya talaga nagmotivate sa akin,” she said.

The native of Zamboanga also won two bronze medals in the 2019 Asian Weightlifting Championship in China last April. (With Genalyn D. Kabiling and Erma R. Edera)

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

John Ceniza Fabuar missed out on a chance to win the gold medal in front of a cheering crowd, but his first Southeast Asian (SEA) Games stint still proved to be a memorable one.

Fabuar captured the silver medal in the 55-kg men’s category, surpassing his personal goal of a bronze medal in the 30th SEA Games Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

John Fabuar Ceniza grabs the silver medal in the 55kg men’s category in weightlifting (Jansen Romero)

Fabuar had a total lift of 252kgs from a combined 122 in snatch and 140 in clean and jerk. Gia Than Lai of Vietnam won the gold medal with 264 (122-142), while Surahmat Wijoyo of Indonesia settled for the bronze medal with a total score of 250 (110-140).

The 21-year-old Fabuar twice attempted to lift 153kgs in the clean and jerk, but failed to complete the lift. Still, he was appreciative of the crowd that cheered him.

A complete lift would have given Fabuar a total of 265.

Fabuar said he was only aiming for the bronze medal, but he is grateful to win a silver medal in his first SEA Games.

“First time ko ito mag-medal in my life, first time ko sa SEA Games,” said Fabuar, a native of Cebu. “Masaya ako at nagpapasalamat ako sa suporta ng mga kababayan natin.”

“Inasahan ko na maka-bronze, pero nakuha ang silver. Kahit silver masaya. kahit… (not a gold) masaya naman ako (with the silver),” added Fabuar, who is in his senior year in high school.

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella said that Fabuar’s performance proved that he is capable of earning a berth in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“Pang-Olympics natin ito. We will try to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics,” said Puentevella.

Source: Manila Bulletin