Hidilyn Diaz wins Philippines' first Olympic medal since 1996!

She is also the first Filipina to win an Olympic medal!

Click here for Team Philippines updates in the Rio 2016 Olympics!

Team Philippines - Athletes, Schedule and Results

2016 3x3 U18 World Championships

Kobe Paras' U18 team last year failed to pass the group stages and finished 17th out of 24 overall. Can Team Philippines perform better this time?

Gilas Pilipinas captures another FIBA Asia C'ship Silver Medal

Gilas Pilipinas fall short of bagging another gold in the FIBA Asia Championships and outright ticket to the Rio Olympics after losing to China 67-78.

2015 Asian Men's Volleyball Club Championship

The Philippine team is represented by the Cignal HD Spikers who aim to improve on the 7th place finish of the country in the last year's edition which was held here in Manila!

Get to know our delegates to the 28th SEA Games!

Philippines is sending a total of 460 athletes to the 28th SEA Games this time with an aim of a better finish after worst 7th place performance in Myanmar two years ago.

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Tab Baldwin not taking things lightly, guards Gilas cadets from embarrassment in SEA Games

ALTHOUGH the Philippines is the overwhelming favorite, head coach Tab Baldwin doesn’t want to take any chances and is guarding the Gilas cadets from embarrassment in the Southeast Asian Games.
Winners of the SEA Games basketball competition 11 out of the 12 times, Gilas is heavily favored to improve that mark.
The Philippines’ strength in the Southeast Asian region was once again re-affirmed earlier this month when the country captured the 11th Southeast Asian Basketball Association (Seaba) Championship title by a winning margin of 68.4 points.
But Baldwin said they simply can’t take things lightly in the SEA Games.
“It only takes a very poor performance on our part, and the opponent having a great game. Then, all of a sudden, you’re embarrassed,” said Baldwin in an interview with Sports Radio 918.
The Philippines begins its campaign in the men’s basketball competition on June 10 against Indonesia in Group A play. They will also play Malaysia and Timor Leste with the top two teams in each group advancing to the semifinals.
Baldwin said he sees Seaba runner-up Malaysia, Singapore, and possibly Indonesia as the teams that could give the Philippines a tough time in the SEA Games.
“Malaysia and Singapore, those two teams probably represent the upper tier along with us. Depending on how they will strengthen their roster, Indonesia could also lift be at their level,” said Baldwin.
The Philippines recently had to make a minor change to the squad, inserting Baser Amer and Prince Rivero for Bobby Ray Parks and Arnold Van Opstal. They will be joined by some of the finest amateur players in the country in Kiefer Ravena, Scottie Thompson, Mac Belo, Troy Rosario, Jiovani Jalalon, Almond Vosotros, Norbert Torres, Kevin Ferrer, and Glenn Khobuntin.
Just for good measure, naturalized player Marcus Douthit has also been lined up for the SEA Games.
Source: Reuben Terrado of Spin.ph

Games to go on as scheduled after tough V-League finals

THERE’LL be no rest for the weary as coach Roger Gorayeb says the national team practice goes on as scheduled on Monday, a day after a tough five-set V-League final featuring some of his players on the squad bound for the Southeast Asian Games.
Seven of the 12 national team players saw action in the third match of the best-of-three V-League finals on Sunday won by PLDT.
The players who saw action on Sunday were Open Conference Most Valuable Player Alyssa Valdez, and finals MVP Jaja Santiago, Gretchel Soltones, and Denden Lazaro of PLDT Home Ultera, and national team skipper Jovelyn Gonzaga, Rachel Anne Daquis, and Dindin Santiago-Manabat of Philippine Army.
“Tuluy-tuloy na. Wala nang pahinga,” said Gorayeb during the postmatch conference. “Nag-usap na kami last week pa na kahit anong mangyari, may practice na uli sa Monday.”
PLDT Home Ultera’s five-set win over Philippine Army ended the best-of-three series that began on May 21 and ended 10 days later after a one-week break between the second match and the series decider so that the match can be aired live on television.
With only four days to go before they left for Singapore, Gorayeb said he isn’t thinking about anything negative, including fatigue, going into their final preparations for the SEA Games.
“At this point, ayoko na mag-isip ng negative. Kung may sasabihin ako, baka hind maging maganda para sa amin. Basta kami maglalaro lang kami,” said Gorayeb.
National practice had been canceled one time, a day after the second match of the V-League finals.
Source: Reuben Terrado of Spin.ph

After bronze in 2013, Babanto shoots for gold

IN HER first assignment at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games two years ago, then 16-year-old Rinna Babanto brought home a bronze for the country.
photo (c) Matt Wong
Now, with more experience, Babanto has only one thing on her mind going into her second stint at the SEA Games on June 12 to 14 in Singapore and that is to give the country a gold medal.
“I learned the importance of the team because my event (in 2013) was a team event. You also need to sacrifice and have patience with the team. This time I’m more determined because I’m competing in a double event and I want to improve more and win gold medals this time around,” Babanto told Sun.Star Cebu.
Babanto is the only jin from the talent-rich Cebu City taekwondo scene chosen to represent flag and country in the biennial sports meet of Southeast Asian countries.
“I’m so grateful that they have chosen me again to represent the country in another big tournament like the SEA Games. I’ll do my very best to win the gold this time,” she said.
Babanto is joined by Irene Bermejo, Juvenile Crisostomo, Pauline Lopez, Jocel Ninobla and Jade Zafra. She will be competing in individual and team events of poomsae.
Babanto, along with Rani Ortega and Janice Lagman, finished third and brought home a bronze medal in the Women’s Poomsae Team event of the SEA Games in 2013.
Source: Edri Aznar of Sun.Star Cebu

PH bets start arriving in small groups

SINGAPORE—Filipino athletes have to arrive here in trickles with the bulk of the Philippine delegation to the 28th Southeast Asian Games expected to hit town in the next few days.

The Philippine sailing team was the first to check in over a week ago while the men’s football squad—the under-23 version of the Azkals—has started to  warm up for the challenge ahead after coming in four days earlier in this tiny city-state considered one of the world’s major commercial hubs.

“We’re getting ready for the arrival of our athletes. We want to make sure there won’t be distractions along the way,” said Philippine chief of mission Julian Camacho.

The women’s netball squad, led by Teresa Angeline Aquino, Danielle Michiko Castaneda and former volleyball star Michelle Datuin, will open the country’s bid in these Games today against Thailand at the OCBC Arena Hall 1, five days before the opening ceremony.

Synchronized swimmers Allyssa Marey Salvador and Jemimah Nissi Tiambeng arrived Saturday as well as table tennis players Richard Gonzales, Ryan Jacolo, Rodel Ireneo Valle, Sendrina Balatbat and Ian Lariba.

Pinoy entries from canoeing, traditional boat racing, fencing, gymnastics and equestrian are due Sunday in time for the flag-raising ceremony on June 2 to mark the official opening by Singapore of its doors for the event.

The swimmers, archers, boxers, judokas, shooters, triathlon and athletes from softball, petanque, billiards and snooker, rugby sevens, wushu and tennis will arrive on June 5.

The Philippine delegation is down to 462 athletes from 35 sports with netball’s Kristina Jean Cruz and wushu’s Dave Degala (taolu) suffering injuries.

Source: June Navarro of Inquirer.net

Pinays battle Thais in SEAG netball opener

photo (c) netball.com.ph
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine women’s netball team “Siklab Pilipinas” plunges into action today against Thailand at the OCBC Arena in Singapore, officially kicking off the country’s campaign at the 28th Southeast Asian Games.
The Filipinas take the court at 2 p.m. in the second game of a triple bill that opens the round robin preliminaries.
Host and two-time Asian champion Singapore takes on Brunei at 12 noon while Malaysia battles Myanmar at 5:30 p.m.
Composed of players with background in basketball and volleyball, “Siklab Pilipinas” hopes to make a good account of itself in its first major tournament.
“It’s a brand-new team, a brand-new experience for everyone,” coach Fransien Howarth said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel. “The girls are working really hard and we’d love to come away with a medal and I think the girls deserve it.”
Former volleyball star Michelle Datuin and former WNCAA Mythical 5 basketball player Kristine Marie Teo are among those tapped to play for the team, whose SEAG trip is sponsored by the host Singaporeans.
They are joined by Teresa Angeline Aquino, Remia Buenacosa, Danielle Michiko Castaneda, Ana Thea Cenarosa, Maricar Convencido, Leanne Espina, Loraine Angela Lim and Mary Anne Jenelle Yabut.
“It’s our first major, major tournament and hopefully we can improve each game,” Espina, the team captain, told ANC. “We want to prove that we’re deserving of our spot in the SEA Games.”
A ball game most popular in Commonwealth nations, netball is played by two teams of seven on a rectangular court with raised goal rings at each end. Each team attempts to score by passing the ball down the court and shooting it through the goal ring.
Source: Olmin Leyba of Philippine Star

Filipina cagers eye SEA Games dominance

Filipina cagers are entering the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore in fighting form according to national team head coach Patrick Aquino.
College standouts Shelley Gupilan, Raiza Palmera, Merenciana Arayi, Cindy Resultay, Sofia Roman, Fria Bernardo, Afril Bernardino, Danica Jose, Analyn Almazan, Clare Castro, Allana Lim and Camille Sambile will be representing the country in the women’s basketball competition biennial regional games.
“We’ve been together for three months now and as of the moment, we are really on high form already. We’re hoping that with the talent that we have right now we can get the gold,” Aquino said in an interview.
The Filipinas are set to face regional women’s basketball powerhouse Thailand in their first match in the SEA Games.
“They [Thai team] have been champions for two SEA Games already and I hope my girls has the heart and the will to win on their game,” he added.
Aquino stressed that though his wards are relatively young, they are talented and committed to winning the gold.
“They are young but I always tell them that this is the most talented group ever formed,” he said.
Source: Jaelle Nevin Reyes of Manila Times

Saturday, May 30, 2015

Ilang katao inaresto dahil sa game-fixing sa SEA Games sa Singapore

Inaresto ang isang Singaporean at ilang mga foreigners dahil sa tangkang pag-aayos ng football matches sa Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

Sa ipinalabas na pahayag ng ng Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) sila ay mahigpit na nagbabantay sa mga match fixing activities sa football at ng may nagbigay ng impormasyon sa nangyayari sa football match sa SEA games ay agad na nila itong tinugunan.

Hindi naman na ipinalabas ng CPIB ang mga pagkakakilanlan ng mga nahuling suspek hanggat hindi napatunayan ang nasabing akusasyon.

Tinutulungan ng ilang myembro ng Timor Leste SEA Games football team ang CPIB sa kanilang pag-iimbestiga.

Nakatakdang mag-umpisa ang group stage football match ng SEA games bago pa lamang ito pormal na magbukas sa darating na Hunyo 5.

Matatandaan na kasalukuyang nakakulong ang Singaporean businessman na si Eric Ding matapos na ito ay inaresto dahil sa pagbibigay ng babae sa mga Lebanese footbal referees para maimpluwensyahan ang international matches noong Abril 2013.

At noong September 2013, labing apat na katao na myembro ng match-fixing syndicate ang inaresto kasama ang tinuturing nilang mastermind na si Dan Tan o kilalang Tan Seet Eng.

Source: Jovino Galang Jr. of Bombo Radyo Philippines

Former teammate of Alas, Romeo at Letran is a SEA Games champ — in track and field

ARCHAND Bagsit gave up a basketball career to become a trackster.

He has no regrets.

The switch from the hardcourt to the oval has done wonders for Bagsit, who distinguished himself two years ago by winning two gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.

Now, Bagsit is on track for more gold medals in Singapore next month — something that would have been beyond him had he chosen to stick with basketball during his college days.

Unknown to many, Bagsit was once a member of the Letran high school basketball team, where he counts now PBA stars Terrence Romeo and Kevin Alas and rising star Glenn Khobuntin among his teammates.

Bagsit went on to play college ball for Letran but, unlike his celebrated teammates, never enjoyed much success and never got the playing time with the Knights. He was even relegated to Team B at one point.

“Walang playing time,” Bagsit said. “Isa na rin ‘yun dahilan kung bakit lumipat ako. Nag-explore lang ako ng other sports.

Frustrated, he chose to switch to track and field, which came natural for him since he has been running in order to keep in shape.

“Kumbaga ‘yung track and field, cross training ko lang para mag-build ng speed (sa basketball)," said Bagsit. "Gumanda ‘yung career ko. Doon ako nag-boom.”

Just years after making the shift, Bagsit, in just his second SEA Games appearance, won gold medals in the the 400-meter run and the 4x400m relay in the Myanmar SEA Games in 2013.

Bagsit is confident about repeating the feat in Singapore.

“Kung paano ko pinaghandaan ‘yung last year, mas pinaganda ko ngayon. Dinoble ko,” said Bagsit.
Bagsit is also looking to qualify for the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics, even though he is still more than a second behind the Olympic qualifying standard of 45.8 seconds for the 400m run.

“Matagal pa naman ‘yun. Siguro may chance pa ako. Kung hindi man sa 400m, baba ako sa 200m para makuha ko lang ‘yung standard,” said Bagsit.

Source: Reuben Terrado of Spin.ph

SEA Games billiards: World No. 1, three world champions part of ‘Bata’ Reyes-led Philippine contingent

photo (c) thoughtsinbinary.com
The Philippines will be sending a formidable team, which includes the current World No. 1 and three former world champions, that will be expected to deliver a haul of gold medals in the billiards events in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Singapore beginning June 5.

Two-time world champion and Hall of Famer Efren “Bata” Reyes, the living legend of Philippine billiards, will spearhead the country’s campaign in the biennial meet.
The 60-year-old Reyes, a former World 9-Ball and World 8-Ball titlist, will be the country’s oldest bet but will be bringing in wisdom and leadership to the team selected by the Philippine Olympic Committee.

He will leading a contingent that includes the top-ranked player in the world Carlo Biado, former World 8-Ball champion Dennis Orcullo and two-time women’s world champion Rubilen Amit.

Veteran campaigner Warren Kiamco and up-and-comers Alvin Barbero, Francisco Dela Cruz, Reynaldo Grandea, John Drahcir Mauricio, Michael Angelo Mengorio and Jeffrey Roda.

Chezka Centeno, a budding teenage sensation, is the only other female participant for the billiards contingent. She qualified for the women’s World 10-Ball championship at age 13.
Biado is currently No. 1 in the World Pool-Billiard Association ranking, although he has yet to win a world championship. Last February, he finished runner-up to two-time World Junior champion Ko Pin Yi of Chinese Taipei.

Orcullo, one of the three Filipino players included in the world top 10 ranking of the WPA, had previously won gold medals in 2011 in Indonesia (8-Ball singles) and 2013 in Myanmar (10-Ball singles).

Amit, who won the inaugural staging of the Women’s World 10-Ball Championship in 2009 and repeated as champion four years later, is looking to add this year’s event to her growing list of gold medals.

She had already won a total of five gold medals, beginning in the 2005 SEA Games.

Source: Rey Joble of Interaksyon.com

Sailors set sights on 3 golds

SINGAPORE—The Philippine sailing team won’t settle for another gold-medal shutout similar to their Burma (Myanmar) experience two years ago.

The Filipino sailors arrived in this wealthy island city-state as early as May 20, more than two weeks before they officially set sail in the 28th Southeast Asian Games.

“I think we have a very good chance. We will be able to get at least three gold medals,” said sailing chief Judes Echauz.

Carrying out the determined bid are 13 sailors—headlined by the tandem of Ridgely Balladares and Richly Magsanay—during the June 6 to 14 races on the rough seas of the National Sailing Center and the calm waters of Marina Bay (keelboat).

Also part of the team are Rommel Chavez, Yancy Kaibigan, Rubin Cruz Jr., Lester Troy Tayong, Emerson Villena, Jerene Durana, Cyrin Guingona, Rheycilla Manaog, Rye Lee Caasi and Alaiza Mae Belmonte.

Echauz, president of the Philippine Sailing Association and board member of the Philippine Olympic Committee, said those gold medals would come from the keelboat and international 470 class events.

The Filipinos are hoping to end the gold-medal drought in the 20 sailing events calendared in the Games.

German Paz was the last Filipino SEA Games gold medalist (Olympic Class Neil Pryde RX:S) back in 2005 Manila.

Source: June Navarro of Inquirer.net

Triathlon head predicts 2 golds for Filipino bets in SEA Games

(c) zimbio.com
After a lengthy absence from the Southeast Asian Games, the sport of triathlon will be making its return to the multi-discipline event this year and that should give the Philippines plenty of reason to be upbeat in the upcoming biennial meet to be held in Singapore beginning June 5.

“I think as far as our chances are concerned, we’re llamado,” Tom Carrasco, head of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, told InterAksyon.com in a telephone interview.

“If we deliver a gold medal, this will be big for the triathlon community. We didn’t have participation in the 2009, 2011, and 2013 SEA Games and this will be our comeback.”
The last time Filipino triathletes saw action in the SEA Games, the bets produced one gold, two silvers and four bronzes across four categories in Thailand.

TRAP is only sending four athletes to represent the country in the triathlon event – Maria Claire Adorna, Kim Mangrobang, Nico Huelgas and Jonard Saim – but Carrasco is upbeat this year’s batch can surpass that feat.

“I think we can win two gold medals,” predicted Carrasco. “As far as training is concerned, I think we’re ahead of our SEA Games rivals. These are the most well-prepared athletes we’re sending for triathlon in the SEA Games.”

Carrasco likes the chances of Mangrobang and Huelgas, who underwent high-performance training in Portugal in preparation for the games.

Adorna, cited as one of the bets swimmers by the Philippine Sportswriters Association last year, will be trying her hand in the discipline as well. She placed a strong third in the Asian Triathlon event last year.

After the SEA Games, the triathletes will go straight to Taipei to participate in the Asian Triathlon.

Source: Rey Joble of Interaksyon.com

U-23 Azkals nurse high SEA Games hopes

SINGAPORE—The Philippine U-23 football squad hit the ground running here, training twice a day since arriving last Tuesday in hopes of making at least the semifinals of the 28th Southeast Asian Games.
(c) tribunnews.com

The team won’t be at full strength, though, as seven original members of the squad have been tapped for the national team playing in the World Cup qualifier against Bahrain on June 11.

But coach Marlon Maro is upbeat about the team’s chances, saying the country has a good draw. The U23 Azkals will kick off its campaign on Monday against host Singapore.
“We have high expectations because we got lucky in the draw and we are bringing a young but competitive team,” Maro told the Inquirer.

The team is without Azkals standouts Amani Aguinaldo, Daisuke Sato, OJ Porteria, Curt Dizon, Mark Hartmann, Manuel Ott and Kenshiro Daniels, but for Maro it’s still very competitive.

The Filipinos’ best finish in the Games was in 1991 in Manila when Maro and his teammates reached the semifinals.

Source: Marc Anthony Reyes of Inquirer.net

Fencers lunge for 5 golds

SINGAPORE—Veteran fencer Gian Carlo Nocum doesn’t mind rolling the dice even when the chances of winning are quite uncertain.

“Five gold medals is the target,” declared Nocum with confidence as the Philippine fencing team braces for stiff competition in the 28th Southeast Asian Games here.

The team, whose training was  monitored by actor-sportsman and fencing chief Richard Gomez, will be the first to hog the limelight as it vies for three golds, two days prior to the opening ceremony of the biennial meet.

The national fencers, bidding to claim the majority of the 12 gold medals at stake, are targeting victories in individual men’s epee and sabre and women’s foil on June 3 at OCBC Arena Hall 2.

“I told my teammates to dream big and aim high. We have nothing to lose,” said Nocum, on his fifth tour of duty in the  Games.

A consistent medal machine for the country, the PH fencing squad never failed to deliver golds in the five SEA Games it had participated in since 2003.

Joining the 32-year-old Nocum, a three-time silver medalist, are fellow veterans Emerson Segui and Almario Vizcayno plus a host of newbies in Eric Brando, Wilfred Richard Curioso, Noelito Jose, Brennan Wayne Louie, Hanniel Abella, Geisha De Leon and Chichelleyn Del Rosario, among others.

Source: June Navarro of Inquirer.net

18th ASIAN Seniors Women's Volleyball Championship Top SCORERS (Philippines)


18th ASIAN Seniors Women's Volleyball Championship
Beijing and Tianjin, China
May 20-28,2015
Philippines: TOP SCORERS

LEGENDS:
GP: Games Played
SP: Sets Played
APG: Average Points Per Game
APS: Average Points Per Set
AUS: Australia
KAZ: Kazakhstan
KOR: South Korea
HKG: Hong Kong
SRI: Sri Lanka
IND: India
MGL: Mongolia














GP SP AUS KAZ KOR HKG SRI IND MGL Total APG APS
PABLO Myla
7
25
2
5
6
26
18
15
15
87
12.43
3.48
MOLINA Frances Xinia
7
25
10
5
7
9
19
5
11
66
9.43
2.64
AGANON Carmina
7
23
8
2
0
16
13
3
6
48
6.86
2.09
GUMABAO Michelle 
7
21
6
1
1
6
5
5
13
37
5.29
1.76
PANAGA Jeanette
7
24
8
1
0
10
5
5
12
41
5.86
1.71
DY Kim Kianna
7
23
1
2
0
9
6
4
2
24
3.43
1.04
CLEMENTE Ma. Lourdes
7
19
4
2
0
0
4
3
1
14
2
0.74
TOLENADA Iris
7
26
4
0
0
2
6
0
3
15
2.14
0.58
PRACA Ma. Abigail
6
8
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
2
0.33
0.25
DIONELA Angelique
6
11
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
(L) GOHING Melissa
7
26
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
PEREZ Ivy Jisel
6
13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Fil-Am aims to improve stroke by stroke

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Am swimmer Lily Jordana said yesterday she’s more excited than nervous in her debut with the Philippine team at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore on June 5-16 and her focus is learning how to deal with the pressure of competing in a high-level international competition with the goal of dropping time.
Jordana, 18, said she’s going all out to bring her “A” game to Singapore. “I’m not sure what to expect,” said Jordana whose father Martin traces his roots to Naga. “I don’t usually get very nervous and if I do, it’s right before a race. I’ve researched the previous SEA Games results to gauge the competition. I’ve looked up several swimmers who consistently place in the top three. Mostly, I’ve been trying to measure what it will take to contend for a medal. With swimming, you can never tell how the competition will perform from year to year. People retire, get faster and new competitors appear. I hope to perform well but I’m taking this one race at a time, stroke by stroke.”
Jordana often visits the Philippines with her parents, brother and sister. Her grandfather Virgilio Jordana, uncles, aunts and cousins all live in Manila. Last December, a special tryout was arranged for Jordana at the PhilSports pool with PSC chairman Richie Garcia, POC first vice president Joey Romasanta, Philippine delegation to the 28th SEA Games chef de mission Julian Camacho and former national coach Pinky Brosas watching. She was later invited to join the team to Singapore. Now that Jordana has been issued a Filipino passport as a dual citizen and registered with the Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI), she’s good to go.
“Lily’s fast, she’s a Filipina and she can swim for us,” said PSI president Mark Joseph. “She has selected the Philippines as her sport country and the only thing she will not be able to do is to join the US nationals if it is used as a selection event for the US team. There are some really fast other girls but Lily is going to get a rocket No. 2 when she sees her life in the international dimension. Right now, her world is still a womb. I want to take our swimmers to the World Championships and put them into the FINA global database. Timing is now. We can put a competitive relay team in the Olympics and I’ve got the other three women ready.”
While Jordana isn’t looking beyond the SEA Games, she said qualifying for the Olympics has been her dream since she was a little girl. “I hope to be able to qualify and represent the Philippines in the Olympics,” she said in an email to The Star. “The Philippines isn’t just my dad’s country. It’s officially now my country, too. Honestly, it feels great and exciting. It is a commonly spoken about topic in my family. I’m pretty sure my siblings are tired of hearing how awesome this opportunity is although they continue to rejoice with me. As of now, my parents, uncle Joaquin and aunt Mariles are flying to Singapore to watch the SEA Games. Then, my dad and I will fly to Manila from Singapore as we plan on visiting family for about a week before going back to Texas. We’ll also visit my sister who’s working in Manila over the summer.”
Jordana said she is grateful to the POC, PSC, PSI, Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Immigration and the national swimming team for making her participation at the SEA Games a reality. “There are so many people I would like to thank and hope to be able to do in person while I visit after the SEA Games,” she said. “People who have helped me get to this stage, several of whom I’ve not had the opportunity to make their acquaintance since I’ve been training and schooling away from the Philippines. My special and sincere gratitude to my Tito Joaquin, Ms. Cynthia Carrion, Mr. Garcia, Mr. Romasanta, Mr. Camacho and Mr. Joseph.”
Dean's Corner ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Jordana said she hopes to compete in the 50-meter, 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke, 200-meter freestyle and at least one relay in Singapore. “I’m unsure of what relay I will be a part of,” she said. “I’m competing in my primary strokes. Usually, the events are chosen by the standard of what race best fits the swimmer. I’ve been trying to make every practice possible since the beginning of the long course season last April. My coach switched up our practice schedule a bit so now I’ve been doing more dry-land than usual. My club practices vary from day to day. Morning practices are for an hour on Monday and Wednesday and afternoon practices are anywhere from two hours to two hours and 30 minutes Monday through Friday. Saturday mornings are two hours. Thursday and Saturday, I spend an hour in the gym although my friend Alex Busher (of the Canadian national women’s team) and I have been doing kick sets in the pool for about 45 minutes and working out in the gym for another 30 minutes twice a week in the mornings. Both of us want to be prepared for college and I want to do well in Singapore. Due to training outside and having a heavy rain season, we’ve experienced an interrupted and unwanted delay in our training. Overall, I’m training about 20 hours a week.”
Jordana is now in Hawaii with national teammates Jasmine Alkhaldi, Joboy Gonzalez and Mira Santa Ana training under coach Jennifer Buffin. They will fly to Singapore on June 1 and meet up with the rest of the squad and coach Archie Lim. The team is made up of five male and seven female swimmers, namely, Gonzalez, Joshua Hall, Jessie King Lacuna, Aldrich McKirdy, Axel Ngui, Alkhaldi, Hannah Dato, Raissa Gavino, Jordana, Santa Ana, Imelda Wistey and Roxanne Yu.
Source: Joaquin Henson of Philippine Star

Clouters target golden double in SEA Games

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Blu Boys and Blu Girls target another golden double as softball competitions return to the Southeast Asian Games calendar in Singapore.
The Blu Boys and the Blu Girls have dominated softball play in the three times it was offered in the biennial games (2005, 2007 and 2011) and they seek to continue the run in the June 6-10 meet at Kallang Stadium.
“They are ready,” said coach Randy Dizer.”With the preparations of our athletes, plus their edge ability-wise, I think we’ll still get it.”
(c) Interaksyon.com
The core of the Blu Girls team that trained in the US and placed fourth in the Incheon Asian Games is back for the SEAG mission, namely Lorna Adorable, Francesca Altamonte, Veronica Belleza, Rizza Bernardino, Fil-Am Gari Blando, Luzviminda Embudo, Elma Parohinog, and Angelie Ursabia.
“We have almost the same team that went to the States for three months, went to the Asian Games and continued with its preparation so experience is not a problem. Psychologically, we have the edge because they haven’t beaten us (for the gold). In 2005, 2007 and 2011, we won both the men’s and women’s,” said Dizer.
But he maintained they are not taking the opponents lightly, especially Indonesia, which even sent its clouters to Japan and the Netherlands as well as host Singapore, which Dizer said could be the darkhorse of the meet.
Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
The Blu Boys, meanwhile, will parade seven of the 2011 gold-winning team – Isidro Abello, Emerson Atilano, Orlando Binarao, Oscar Bradshaw, Jasper Ocampo, Edmer Socorro, and Apol Rosales – for the golden bid.
“Although the men’s team lost some players because of their basic military training, the main core is still there, seven of the starting nine are with them, so the men’s team is still confident they will get it,” said Dizer.
The Phl clouters will be challenged by Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore in both divisions.
Source: Olmin Leyba of Philippine Star

Gilas cadets ready for SEA Games – Baldwin

After their Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) championship triumph, the Gilas Cadets are ready to take on foes in the 28th Southeast Asian Games, according to head coach Tab Baldwin.
He said that he does not want his players to take their opponents lightly but reiterated their hard work in practice will be a big boost in their bid to bring home the gold.
photo (c) Rivals.ph
The young national basketball team, is composed mostly of college standouts, is clustered in Group A together with Indonesia, Malaysia and Timor-Leste.
Eleven players from different National Collegiate Athletic Association and University Athletic Association of the Philippines schools, which includes Kiefer Ravena, Baser Amer, Almond Vosotros, Jiovani Jalalon, Glen Khobuntin, Earl Thompson, Norbert Torres, Mark Belo, Kevin Ferrer, Paolo Rivero and Troy Rosario, made the cut to be part of Baldwin’s team.
Also, naturalized center Marcus Douthit was tapped to reinforce the frontline.
“The only thing that is relevant is that we play well and if we play well, I believe that we have a great chance of winning each game,” Baldwin told The Manila Times.
The new Gilas coach added he expects the teams of host nation Singapore and Malaysia to be one of their toughest foes in the tournament.
Baldwin said that he has full confidence with the players he selected.
“We have a strong roster from top to bottom. In a lot of games during the SEABA, the players who came off the bench were just as strong as the players who started,” he added.
Source: Jaelle Nevin Reyes of Manila Times

Friday, May 29, 2015

Former Lady Spiker Michelle Datuin seeing action in SEA Games, but not in volleyball

MICHELLE Datuin, who made a name as part of the mighty De La Salle women’s volleyball team, will don the national colors in the coming 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

She won’t be playing volleyball, though. Datuin will be shooting hoops in the Lion City, but she is not part of the women’s basketball team, neither.

The pretty two-sport athlete is actually part of the Philippine netball team that is making its SEA Games debut.

And what exactly is netball?

Netball is played mostly by females and is actually similar to basketball, although its most notable difference is that players shoot on a goal without a board.

“It’s very similar to basketball,” said Datuin in explaining the basics of the game. “You have to shoot the ball, but you have to be three feet away from the basket. Hindi ganun ka-delikado.”

Datuin, a member of the Lady Spikers team in the late 2000s who also played in several commercial leagues following her graduation from La Salle, got hooked on the sport upon the encouragement of a fellow volleyball player.

And the chance to become part of the first-ever national netball team to the SEA Games enticed the former La Salle Lady Spiker to embrace the sport even more.

“Si Michiko Castaneda,” said Datuin, referring to the former University of the Philippines spiker when asked who introduced her to the sport. “Nag-start ako January. Mahirap ‘yung decision. I have to choose between volleyball and netball.

“Iniisip ko na lang, matagal na akong naglalaro ng volleyball. More than 20 years na. Sabi ko, I want to try this new sport, and the fact na kami ang pioneer ng team for Netball Philippines,” said Datuin, once chosen as FHM Philippines Girlfriend of the Month.

As for the chance of the PH team to win the gold in the SEA Games, Datuin admitted it will be very tough since netball in the country is still in its infancy stage, while noting host Singapore has been a perennial power in the sport.

Although the biennial showpiece won't formally start until June 5, the Philippine netball team begins its campaign on Monday at the OCBC Arena Hall 1.

“I have to be honest. Kaka-start pa lang namin although hindi ‘yun reason na hindi maglaro ng maayos. Kung iko-compare mo, ‘yung Singapore malayo talaga. Matagal na silang naglalaro ng netball, kami kaka-start pa lang,” she said.

While her focus is on netball these days, Datuin said she remains open to returning to playing top-level volleyball.

“Mahal ko pa rin ‘yung volleyball. Depende kung papayagan ako. Start ng year kasi focused na talaga ako sa netball,” said Datuin.

At the same time, Datuin also expressed her support to both the men and women’s volleyball teams competing in the SEA Games for the first time in a decade. One member is another former La Salle Lady Spiker in Aby Maraño.

“May chance (to win a medal). It’s a matter of how you give your best and how you play well,” said Datuin.

Source: Reuben Terrado of Spin.ph

Highly-touted PH track and field team up to the task in daunting SEA Games bid

THE Philippine athletics team is unfazed by the high expectations put upon its shoulders when it sees action in the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Philip Ella Juico confidently declared on Wednesday about the capability of the 36-man squad to win as many as eight to 12 golds in the June 6-15 biennial meet.

But instead of being pressured, members of the team said they are even more motivated to perform better owing to the renewed vibrant within the Patafa leadership and the entry of several sponsors to help the highly-touted track and field squad.

“Sabi nga ni Marestella (Torres, long jumper) kanina, sendoff party pa lang, panalo na,” said hammer thrower Arniel Ferrera, one of the veterans of the national squad, during the sendoff party tendered by the association to the team on Thursday at the posh Marriott Hotel.

 “Sinisigurado po namin na kung hindi niyo kami tatalikuran, ganun din po ang gagawin namin para sa bayan,” said Ferrera during the same event also made possible by watch industry players Timestudio, and Veloci Time.

Juico reiterated in his speech that he’s sticking with his earlier prediction as he is leaning on decathlete Jesson Cid, sprinter Eric Cray and Archand Bagsit, long distance runners Christopher Ulboc, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, hammer thrower Caleb Stuart, and long jumpers Marestella Torres and Henry Dagmil.

“We’ve done my calculation in the past. It looks like it’s reasonable,” he said “Several are in the 50-50 so we’ll be lucky with 12. I’m sticking with that.”

If this year’s track and field team delivers, it will match the best ever gold medal haul of the Philippines in the SEA Games with 12 achieved during the 1983 edition held in Singapore. The legendary Lydia De Vega anchored the team’s campaign back then.

Also in 2005 when the meet was last held here, the Filipinos won a total of nine golds in athletics.
“It’s a happy problem,” admitted Juico, the former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman, referring to the high expectations facing the team.

“It’s a good problem. At least, hindi sila aalis without people saying na walang mangyayari diyan.”

Source: Reuben Terrado of Spin.ph

Jov Gonzaga vows to lead from the front as captain of SEA Games-bound PH team

IT took a while before the thought finally sunk in for Jovelyn Gonzaga that she will be leading the Philippine women's volleyball team in the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore next month.

The pride of Sta. Teresa, Guimaras was informed by national coach Roger Gorayeb that she was chosen as the skipper during practice on Wednesday in front of her teammates.

In a star-studded cast that included Alyssa Valdez, Jaja Santigo, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Rachel Anne Daquis, Aby Maraño, Maika Ortiz, Rhea Dimaculangan, Jia Morado, Bea de Leon, Gretcel Soltones and  Denden Lazaro, Gonzaga said she didn't expect to get the captaincy.

"Hindi ko talaga ine-expect, so noong pagkasabi sa akin na shock talaga ako," Gonzaga shared to Spin.ph. "Kahapon hindi pa nagsi-sink in sa akin na ako talaga kasi never ko talaga na-imagine."

Gonzaga will now be leading a team returning to the SEA Games after a 10-year absence. The last a team represented the Philippines in volleyball, it bagged a bronze medal in the 2005 Games in Manila.
The 23-year-old said pressure comes with the job, but seeing her teammates giving their hundred percent in training makes the Philippine Army mainstay at ease with the duty given to her.

"Siguro noong time na 'yun na pagkasabi sa akin, na-pressure ako," she admitted. "Pero ngayon naman, naisip ko it's not about me, it's about the team and lahat naman kami dedicated sa ginagawa namin, hindi kami nahihirapan kasi nagtatrabaho kami as a team."

The team will leave for Singapore on June 4.

Source: Mei-Lin Lozada of Spin.ph

Athlete's Profile: Luis Gabriel Moreno

Luis Gabriel Moreno has his eyes on the gold medal at the upcoming Games.

At a tender age of 17, Luis Gabriel Moreno is the “Golden Boy” of Filipino archery, thanks to his history-making feat of winning the country’s first gold medal at the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games.
Moreno paired up with China’s Li Jiaman, and the duo overcame the odds to defeat Germany’s Cynthia Freywald and Malaysia’s Muhamad Zarif Syahiir Zolkepeli 6-0 in the Nanjing finals. Aside from the communication barrier between both athletes, the adverse weather conditions also made winning the gold medal all the more a difficult feat.


Moving on from this victory, Moreno is hoping to gain more exposure in international meets such as the upcoming 28th SEA Games held in Singapore. This is the first time that Moreno will be featuring in the SEA Games and he is targeting a medal finish, in order to boost his dreams of qualifying for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. 
Source: https://www.seagames2015.com/the-games/athletes/luis-gabriel-moreno