Some failed to impress, some missed a shot, some floundered a return. It was the story of the Day 3 campaign of the country, even as the first medals of the 28th Southeast Asian Games were awarded last Tuesday, June 2. At the day’s end, someone provided hope by winning the last event of the day for Team Philippines. Something that could hopefully usher in a new lease of life as the rest of the delegation arrives the morrow.
Synchro swimmers fail to impress
As the OCBC Arena opened its first events of the Games, the Philippines’ return to the SEA Games synchronized swimming event was a wakeup call to how much we need to improve in the sport.
Sending just a pair of swimmers in the Games for the duet technical and free routine, the Philippines finished last in a pool of eight competitors. 15-year old Allyssa Salvador and 24-year old Jemimah Tiambeng finished with a 43.7238 mark. The duo scored 11.2238 on elements, but did well enough to score 16’s on execution and overall impression.
Siklab falters in ‘Battle of Newbies’
In a battle of freshly-formed teams, the Philippine women’s netball squad failed to deliver on the win, as Myanmar took the victory, 56-31, Tuesday, June 6 at the OCBC Arena Hall 1.
It was a tight first quarter at 3-all until Myanmar pulled away to lead by 9, 17-8, after the period. The Burmese team continued to score in double digits in each quarter, whereas limiting the Pinays to less than 10 points. The Nationals kept it close in the payoff period, but the run was not enough to register their first victory.
Gonzales pulls though to end PH woes
It was not the age, but experience that paved the way for reigning men’s singles bronze medallist, Richard Gonzales, to remain undefeated in the pool phase of the said event for this edition. That proved to be the saving grace in a gloomy day for the paddlers, and Team PH in general.
The women’s singles entries had a bad start as they lost their first matches of their respective pool phases. Sendrina Balatbat and Ian Lariba were both defeated in straight sets. Mai Hoang My Trang of Vietnam took the win against Balatbat, 11-7 11-5 and 11-6, while defending champions, Feng Tian Wei of Singapore overpowered Lariba, 11-6 11-6 and 11-2. Lariba showed some signs of brilliance on her returns, unfortunately, Feng was just too strong for the La Sallian.
Young upstart Ryan Jacolo succumbed to a fellow fresh talent, Thailand’s Tanviriyavechakul Padasak, also in straight sets, 12-14 5-11 6-11, to kick of his men’s singles group campaign. With a win badly needed, it was up to veteran Gonzales to provide the silver lining.
Ficky Supit Santoso of Indonesia took the first set 11-6 with great attacks that disrupted the Filipino’s defensive stance. Gonzales mixed it up in the following sets to get the second and third. Then, Santoso raced to a big lead in the crucial fourth frame and never looked back and forced a decider. It was a see-saw battle in the fifth and final set, until the Indonesian pulled away. The 44-year old veteran forced his younger opponent to committing errors to get to the match point first, 10-9. An exchange of great rallies ensued, and an error by Santoso ended the match in favor of Gonzales, 12-10.
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June 3 schedule:
The national fencers take the pistes starting at 9am at the OCBC Arena Hall 2 for the pools of women’s individual foil, men’s individual epee, and men’s individual sabre.
Salvador and Tiambeng will be completing their participation at the Games with the free routine, 1pm at the OCBC Aquatic Center.
Our paddlers continue their battle in the singles pools phase with Ian Lariba taking on Sawettabut Suthasini of Thailand at 2:50pm. Ryan Jacolo hopes to bounce back against Le Tien Dat of Vietnam at 3:30pm, while Richard Gonzales wants to extend his run to propel his semifinals chances as he battle Tran Tuan Quynh, also of Vietnam. Matches will be at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Siklab Pilipinas hopes to have a better performance in their next game against Asian champions and hosts Singapore at 7pm, at the OCBC Arena Hall 1.
To end the night, the U23 Azkals aims to get their first win in a crucial tiff against Cambodia at 8:30pm at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
