By Jonas Terrado

LAUREL, Batangas — Arianna Dormitorio lost a chance to win gold after failing to finish the race going into the final lap in the women’s elite cross country mountain bike event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games held here.

Dormitorio had a 58-second lead over eventual winner Thi Nhu Quynh Dinh of Vietnam through three laps when she crashed at one of the sharp curves of the trail known as “Tatlong Bungo” located at Barangay Niyugan in this town.

The accident caused her to lose valuable seconds and allowed the Vietnamese rider to eventually take the lead. Dormitorio fell a second time at another curve and tried to get back on her bike before deciding to call it a day.

Dormitorio battled tears as she was helped back in the players’ area where she was comforted by her teammates.

“During the last part of the tail I had a crash and that caused me to be dizzy,” said Dormitorio. “Of course, knowing that the other competitors are at my back, I didn’t take time to recover.”

Dinh completed the five-lap trail in one hour, 36 minutes and 43 seconds with compatriot Thi Thim Ca placing second, 7:36 behind, to complete a 1-2 finish for Vietnam.

A bit of consolation for the hosts was the bronze medal finish of Avegail Rombaon, who overcame starting from behind to take third with a gap of 12:11.

“Hindi ko po alam yung nangyari kay Arianna at that time, hindi ko rin po alam na running na po ako in third basta po pumadyak lang po ako nang pumadyak,” said Rombaon.

Getting the bronze served as an early birthday present for the Iriga City native who’ll turn 24 on Wednesday.

As for Dormitorio, the setback is something she hopes would result in better things down the road.

“I mean, I don’t wanna let this bring me down,” she said. “This is my first SEA Games and it is held every two years so mabilis naman yung panahon and definitely the next SEA Games I’ll be more prepared.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Kristel Satumbaga

Carlos Yulo dazzled the crowd with world-class performance to capture the individual all-around gold medal in men’s artistic gymnastics at the 30th Southeast Asian Games on Sunday.

Competing before a packed crowd at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, a stone throw away from his home in Leveriza, Yulo displayed jaw-dropping routines in six apparatus and finished with 84.900 points.

The 19-year-old topped his pet event, floor exercise with 14.650 points as well as the horizontal bar with 13.750, while settling for second in still rings (13.600), vault (14.550) and parallel bars (14.400). He finished third in pommel horse (13.600).

Vietnam’s Dinh Phuong Thanh and Le Thanh Tung settled for silver and bronze medals with 82.350 and 81.700 points.

At first, fans thought Yulo settled for runner-up honors after entering the victory ceremony last. But the crowd roared in delight when the world champion gymnast switched places to the middle to signify that he won the gold medal.

Yulo was grateful of the crowd support that he and his national teammates received.

“Wala akong masabi sa suporta ng mga tao. Iba po talaga pag dito sa atin (mag-compete),” he said on his debut appearance in the biennial meet.

“Sa totoo, mas kinabahan po ako dito compared sa world championship.”

Yulo was referring to his stint at the 49th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championship in Stuttgart, Germany last month, where he made history by becoming the first Filipino and male Southeast Asian to win the gold medal by topping the floor exercise.

With his all-around feat, Yulo guns for more medals in the apparatus final on Tuesday and Wednesday in his bid to sweep all his seven events.

Finals in floor exercise, pommel horse and still rings will be on Tuesday while vault, parallel bar and horizontal bar finals will be on Wednesday.

Yulo admitted it wouldn’t be an easy task.

“May magagaling din po kasi akong kalaban dito kaya hindi ko rin po masabi,” he said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

LOOK: Top photos of Manila Bulletin in the 30th Southeast Asian Games for Nov. 29, 2019

Featuring:

• Young Azkals shock Malaysia to keep semifinal hopes alive
•  Philippines, Singapore game ends in draw

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Gabriela Baron

The 30th Southeast Asian Games officially opened with a grand opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on Saturday.

Several viewers online made sure their voices heard on social media as #SEAGames2019, #SEAGamesOpeningCeremony, and #30thSEAGames emerged as top trending topics on Twitter even the day after the event.

The world-class production and goosebumps performances for the opening ceremonies of the Games earned the nod of celebrities and netizens alike.

SEA Games Opening ceremony… it’s a yes for me! #SEAgames2019#WeWinAsOne

— Angel Locsin (@143redangel) November 30, 2019

Lydia De Vega- Mercado. Eric Buhain. Akiko Thompson- Guevarra. Alvin Patrimonio. Bong Coo. Efren “Bata” Reyes. Onyok Velasco. Paeng Nepomuceno.
GOOSEBUMPS seeing you all in one stage!!!! MABUHAY KAYO! #SEAGames2019 #WeWinAsOne

— Nikki Valdez Garcia (@nikkivaldez_) November 30, 2019

 

Former Ateneo Women’s Volleyball teammates Gretchen Ho and Fille Cainglet-Cayetano both lauded the impressive opening.

Nakakaiyak na binibigyang pugay ang mga atletang Pilipino #SEAGames2019

— Gretchen Ho (@gretchenho) November 30, 2019

Ang Ganda!#2019SEAGames#WeWinAsOne yung ang taas lagi ng level di ka maka bwelo sa SAYA!

— Fille C. Cayetano (@FilleisFly) November 30, 2019

A trip down memory lane

Filipino sporting legends who some grew up only reading in books showed up to carry the Southeast Asian Games Federation flag.

Seven-time SEA Games track gold medalist Lydia de Vega led the crew including six-time bowling world champion Paeng Nepomuceno, four-time bowling world champion Bong Coo, Olympic silver medalist Onyok Velasco, 4-time Asian Games medalist Alvin Patrimonio, 15-time SEA Games gold medalist swimmer Eric Buhain, and seven-time SEA Games gold medalist swimmer Akiko Thomson.

Meanwhile, four-time eight-ball champion Efren “Bata” Reyes who drew the loudest applause, will see action in his possibly last SEA Games. Reyes is set to represent the country in carom billiards.

I am so proud to see my Mom, Lydia De Vega as one of the federation flag bearers for the 30th Southeast Asian Games. I had chills when they announced her name; and kilig when I saw her wave to the crowd with matching flying kisses https://t.co/ivuYpMjdmG

— Stephanie Mercado (@paneng_mercado) December 1, 2019

Ya’ll don’t know how much I screamed when Sir Efren “Bata” Reyes was shown on tv, still with that very familiar humble smile of his It was my dream to see him play live, even once This legend will forever have my respect ❤#30thSEAGAMESpic.twitter.com/EOdeYQAtX4

— chi (@chireen818) November 30, 2019

Lydia De Vega? Eric Buhain? Alvin Patrimonio? Efren “Bata”Reyes? Onyok Velasco? Paeng Nepomuceno? Dang, they are my childhood #30thSEAGAMES

— Mira. (@myrabells_) November 30, 2019

Grand opening

Spectators were treated to world-class performances that featured native dances from Northern Luzon’s La Jota Moncadeña and Mindanao’s Singkil were showcased as well as Filipino martial arts such as arnis, escrima, and kali during the opening ceremony.

The parade of athletes from the participating countries was led by 11 Filipina beauty queens including Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss World 2013 Megan Young.

The 50-000-high spirited crowd sang along to Hotdog’s “Manila” as the Philippine delagation made its way to the stage.

Meanwhile, musical performers Robert Seña, Ana Fegi, Christian Bautista, Aicelle Santos, Jed Madela, Elmo Magalona, KZ Tandingan, Iñigo Pascual, the TNT Boys, and Apl.de.ap dazzled the crowd.

Boxing champions Manny Pacquiao and Nesthy Petecio lit the 50-meter high cauldron located at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

The 30th Southeast Asian Games was dubbed as the “biggest SEA Games” with the most number of sporting events at 56 in the biennial meet’s 60-year history.

 

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Erma Edera

Mary Flor Diaz bagged bronze in the first event of the 30th Southeast 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 took the gold with a total lift of 172 kilograms, 77 kgs in snatch and 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.

According to Diaz, it took her three months to prepare for the event. 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 e at saka hindi ko ine-expect. 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 after the awarding ceremony.

“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 kasi; lahat ng pagod, worth it,” she added.

The 20-year-old Pinay weightlifter said that she dedicates her first win in the SEA games for the country.

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

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

The native Zamboanga also won two bronze medals in the 2019 Asian Weightlifting Championship in China last April.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

After 14 years, the Philippines will again be hosting the Southeast Asian Games. And out of the record 56 sports disciplines athletes from 11 nations will battle in, 530 gold med­als will emerge to be draped around the necks of the winners.

Of these whooping number, however, one medal rules them all in the hearts of Filipinos – the gold in men’s basketball.

It is a sport Filipinos have domi­nated for more than 20 years. For the most part, it is a tool for unity among Filipinos during difficult times and it has been transformed from just a pastime to being the nation’s passion, akin almost to religion.

In the SEA Games, Filipinos are “Kings of the Court,” having won 17 gold medals out of 19 since bas­ketball was first introduced during players.”

He added: “We wanted nothing else but to form the strongest lineup we could to give us the best shot at winning the gold while also aiming to entertain the Filipino basketball fans who we expect to come out in great numbers to support our squad.”

Gilas Pilipinas would need that hometown crowd.

The opposing teams, after all, are no longer pushovers.

Indonesia, for one, isn’t just in full swing with its preparation. They are likewise bringing in a natural­ized import in American Lester Prosper, who played as an import for Columbian Dyip in the PBA.

A familiar hand who knows a thing or two about Filipino basket­ball will also be on the Indonesian bench – Serbian coach Rajko Toro­man, who oversaw the first Smart Gilas Pilipinas program from 2009 to 2011.

Thailand, Singapore and Ma­laysia are likewise expected to use naturalized players to improve their chances, especially against the Phil­ippines, which ironically opted to go without one.

“We have a good mixture of players who are expected to give it their all for the country. Most of us, I think, have represented the Philippines in various international tournaments, so we know how im­portant this is,” said point guard LA Tenorio.

“It a great feeling to play for flag and country, and it’s even more special because we’ll play in front of our kababayan so that’s added motivation. Expect us to go all out in every game.”

Source: Manila Bulletin

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Waylon Galvez

Games Monday (The Arena, San Juan)

8:20 a.m. – Vietnam vs Philippines (Women’s)

10 a.m. – Philippines vs Thailand (Women’s)

10:20 a.m. – Philippines vs Malaysia (Men’s)

11:20 a.m. – Cambodia vs Philippines (Men’s)

The Gilas Pilipinas men’s and women’s 3×3 teams opened their respective campaign with contrasting wins in 3×3 basketball action in the 30th Southeast Asian Games Sunday at The Arena in San Juan.

Jason Perkins, a former PBA Rookie of the Year of the Phoenix Fuel Masters, powered the men’s team to a 21-17 victory over Indonesia during their first game in this event that is making its debut in the biennial meet.

CJ Perez, who played for Gilas in the last FIBA World Cup on China and plays for Columbian Jeep in the pro league, contributed eight points while Mo Tautuaa added three points and Chris Newsome – a member of the Meralco Bolts – finished with one point.

The national men’s team is set to play Myanmar, Vietman and Thailand also in Day 1 of the tournament.

“It’s a good start for up, hopefully we can sustain it. This is the first 3×3 in the SEA Games, and most of the players are new to the rules but they’re adjusting well,” said 3×3 men’s coach Ronnie Magsanoc.

In the women’s division, Clare Castro scored eight points while Janine Pontejos contributed six points as the Nationals defeated Myanmar 21-4.

Afril Bernardino had four points while Jack Danielle Animam added three points for the women squad of coach Pat Aquino, whose team will also play Malaysia and Indonesia in Day 1.

The top four teams will advance in the crossover semifinals, which will be played during the afternoon session of Day 2, and then followed by the gold medal game in the evening of the same day.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Rey Lachica

Despite the initial hiccups during the early arrival of athletes from other countries, Filipino sport­ing fans are still in for a big treat when action in the 30th SEA Games begins in various venues.

For one, most of the region’s fastest, strongest and toughest athletes are here – all ready to show what they got.

Even the richest athletes in the region – Prince Mateen and Princess Azemah – chil­dren of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of oil-rich Brunei – and Rep. Mikee Romero – all polo players are now in Calatagan, Batangas.

Also expected to play in polo’s 0-2 goals event are Brunei’s Prince Jeffri and Prince Qawi.

And make no mistake about it, they’re playing in world-class venues – the Miguel Romero and Enrique Zobel polo fields.

Some of the athletes to watch are three prodigious swimmers who combined for 19 gold medals in the Kuala Lumpur Games two years ago.

They are Olympic champion Joseph Schooling and Quah Ting Wen of Singa­pore and Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Anh Vie. Nguyen was crowned queen of the pool after winning eight golds while Schooling got six and Quah five.

Schooling’s meteoric rise to fame – he received millions after that – began when he beat American great Michael Phelps in a hotly-contested 100m butterfly final in the 2016 Rio Games, giving his country its first Olympic gold.

Also worth watching is Vietnamese Olympic shooting champion Hoàng Xuân Vinh.

The reluctant hero won his country’s first gold medal by ruling the 10 meter air pistol.

For strength, there are two big weightlifting personalities who should be followed and watched – they are Indonesian Eko Irawan, and of course the country’s Hidilyn Diaz.

Both are Rio Games winners with Diaz winning a silver and Irawan a bronze.

Thailand has been banned to take part in the biennial sports festival for alleged doping so the two will have an easy path to glory with Diaz seek­ing her first SEA Games gold.

For grace and courage, the coun­try can always count on Cebuana star Margielyn Didal.

She became an instant celebrity when she competed in the X Games Minneapolis 2018 and accounted for one of the four gold medals won by the country in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

Badminton players like Thai Ratchanok Intanon and Indonesian Jonathan Christie are also expect­ed to showcase their world-class forms.

The 21-year-old Christie is In­donesia’s poster boy, having beaten four of the world badminton’s top five – Kento Momota, Shi Yuqi, Chou Tien-chen, and Viktor Axelsen.

Not to be left out are gymnast Carlos Yulo and pole vaulter EJ Obiena – both are already assured of berths to the Tokyo Olympics next year.

Yulo, the 19-year-old pride of Leveriza, Manila, dazzled the crowd and awed the opposition with his powerful performance in ruling the floor exercise in the 49th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany in October.

Obiena, on the other hand, be­came the first Filipino to clinch an Olympic berth by clearing 5.81 meters in a tournament in Italy last September.

Also worth paying hard cash to watch are the PBA star expected to whip their rivals with the ferocity of grizzled warriors, as well as boxer Nesthy Petecio, who recently became a world champion.

And what about Efren “Bata” Reyes?

The former world champion – both in the 8-ball and 9-ball – and who is long regarded as one of the best to ever pick up a cue will have his swan song in the SEA Games by competing in the 3 cushion carom men’s singles.

Hopefully, the Magician has some more tricks up his sleeves to pull off a perfect ending to a colorful career, with the SEAG and its world-class athletes as his stage.

Source: Manila Bulletin

By Joseph Almer Pedrajas

Philippines’ Agatha Wong defended the gold medal in the women’s taolu taijiquan competition after finishing with 9.67 points in the 30th Southeast Asian Game Sunday morning — a performance dedicated to her late 11-year-old teammate.

“I would like to dedicate my performance to my old teammate Rastafari Daraliay who recently passed away,” Wong said, who got emotional in an interview with the Manila Bulletin after she remembered her fellow wushu athlete.

Daraliay passed away in Sept. after reportedly falling from the top bunk of a double-deck bed inside the athletes’ dormitory at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate. “This is for him.”

“I also dedicate my performance to my family. They’ve been supporting me since January,” Wong said, confident that her grandmother witnessed her full performance from home.

The 21-year-old Wong secured her second consecutive SEA Games gold medal— the first one in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia two years ago—at Taolu Taijiquan competition through a swift and sharp performance, despite having “no [specific] specialty” at wushu.

“I don’t think I have specialty. I just tried my best,” she said when asked if Taijiquan is her strong suit.

The reigning gold medalist also said she did not expect to win and was just happy after being able to deliver her performance.

“I have really bad cramps and my feet hurt. This year, I just trained all year round so we were all very fatigued.”

Wong’s notching of gold at the World Trade Center was the second for the Philippines. She performed fifth in the competition which started at 9 a.m.

Brunei Darussalam’s Basma Lachikar placed second with 9.55, followed by Vietnam’s Thi Minh Huyen Tran with 9.53.

Aside from Wong, who performed at her home court, Lachikar also got huge supporters. But the country’s athlete did not feel any pressure while delivering the discipline.

“There’s no pressure in it. I’m really happy that they also have many supporters although they are here in the Philippines. It’s a good sports,” she said.

Meanwhile, during men’s taolu taijiquan, Philippines’ Daniel Parantac bagged bronze medal after garnering a score of 9.56.

Malaysia earned the top spot at 9.68 points while Brunei came next with 9.59.

Source: Manila Bulletin