THE Philippines concluded its participation in the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, with a commendable performance, securing a total of four gold medals.

This achievement matches the country’s medal count from the 2018 edition of the Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia.

Finishing 17th overall, Filipino athletes also clinched two silver medals and an impressive 12 bronze medals, resulting in a total medal tally of 18 for the Philippines at the Asiad. The closing ceremony of the event took place on Sunday evening, October 8.

In comparison to their performance in Indonesia, the Philippines maintained their gold and silver medal haul but fell slightly short in the bronze category. Nevertheless, the nation managed to surpass its previous 19th-place finish by climbing two spots in the overall rankings.

The host nation, China, dominated the Games with an astonishing 201 gold medals, along with 111 silver and 71 bronze medals,
accumulating a total of 383 medals.

This victory marked China’s 11th consecutive overall championship in the Asian Games since their first win in 1982 in India. Japan secured the second position with 51 gold, 67 silver, and 69 bronze medals, followed by South Korea in third place with 42 gold, 59 silver, and 89 bronze medals. India took fourth place with 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze medals, while Uzbekistan rounded out the top five with 22 gold, 18 silver, and 31 bronze medals.

Before the Hangzhou Games, the President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino, had set a target of winning at least four gold medals for the country. Initially, this goal seemed challenging as the Philippine contingent struggled to secure gold medals in the first week of competition.

Fortunately, Ernest John ‘EJ’ Obiena, ranked as the world’s number 2 pole vaulter, delivered the Philippines its first gold medal by setting a new Asiad men’s pole vault record of 5.90 meters on September 30. This marked a significant improvement for Obiena, who had finished in seventh place in 2018 with a clearance of 5.30 meters.

The Philippines continued its quest for gold, and Meggie Ochoa clinched another gold on October 5 despite battling fever and hip pain. Ochoa, a two-time world champion and 2018 Asiad bronze medalist, emerged victorious in the ju-jitsu women’s -48kg final, defeating Balqees Abdulla of the United Arab Emirates.

The following day, October 6, proved pivotal for the Philippines as they secured two gold medals, meeting the POC’s target. Ju-jitsu artist Annie Ramirez unexpectedly became a champion, winning the women’s -57kg class by defeating Galina Duvanova of Kazakhstan.

Later that evening, Gilas Pilipinas, led by interim coach Tim Cone and naturalized player Justin Brownlee, secured the gold in the men’s basketball tournament, marking the Philippines’ first gold in Asiad basketball in 61 years.

Notably, Arnel Mandal and Eumir Marcial contributed to the country’s medal haul with two silver medals, while Marcial’s performance also secured his spot in the Paris Olympics next year as an Asiad boxing finalist.

Additionally, the Philippines boasted 12 bronze medalists in various sports, including taijiquan and taijijian all-around, sanda, weightlifting, tennis, mixed doubles tennis, poomsae, sepak takraw, kata, and ju-jitsu, as well as in BMX racing.

In summary, the Philippines showcased its athletic prowess and determination, achieving a remarkable performance at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

(AI/MNM)

HANGZHOU – Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio failed to repeat against rival Lin Yu Ting of Chinese Taipei and made an early exit in the 19th Asian Games Friday at the Hangzhou gymnasium.

Lin used her height and reach advantage to keep at bay her Filipina adversary on the way to pulling off a 4-1 decision, and a place in the quarterfinals of the women’s 57-kg class.

Two years ago, Petecio, 31, took the measure out of the 5-foot-9 Chinese Taipei fighter by beating her, 3-2, in the Round of 16 of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the native of Davao Del Sur won a silver medal.

This time, it wasn’t meant to be.

“Nag-unahan kami kung sino ang makakakuha ng saktong style. At naunahan niya talaga ako,” said Petecio, who was humble in defeat.

The loss denied Petecio her first shot at clinching a return ticket to the Olympics set in Paris next year as the quadrennial showcase serves as a qualifier to the Olympiad.

Now she has to go through and compete in the World Championship in the hopes of making it in the Paris Games and complete what had been an unfinished business for her.

“Hindi pa tayo tapos,” Petecio vowed.

Petecio’s exit also ended the women’s team campaign in the Asiad, leaving the men’s team – now down to just three fighters – to carry the fight in a bid to win Philippine boxing’s first gold medal since the 2010 edition of the quadrennial meet in Guangzhou, China.

Other than Petecio, those who failed to advance include her fellow Olympian Irish Magno, Aira Villegas, Aaron Jude Bado, Mark Ashley Fajardo, and Marjon Pianar.

(ai/mnm)

HANGZHOU – A long-time rival awaits Nesthy Petecio at the other end of the ring Friday when she finally makes her debut in the 19th Asian Games.

The Tokyo Olympic silver medal winner faces top seed Lin Yu Ting of Chinese Taipei in an early clash between the top contenders in the women’s 57 kg class.

The winner in the 3 p.m. match at the Hangzhou gymnasium will book a berth into the quarterfinals.

“Dito na magkaka-alaman,” said national coach Ronald Chavez of the highly-anticipated bout.

Petecio, 32, previously took the measure out of Lin during the Round of 16 of the Tokyo Olympiad, when the Filipina won their tightly-fought match by the skin of her teeth, 3-2, on her way to making the finals, where she eventually lost to gold medalist Sena Irie of Japan.

But the Asiad is an entirely new episode on the rivalry of the two.

Whereas Lin already had a bronze medal tucked under her belt which she won during the 2018 edition of the quadrennial meet in Palembang while still fighting at 51 kg class, the Asiad is the only one lacking in Petecio’s trophy case.

“Lagi lang akong quarterfinals,” she said of the two previous stints she had in 2018 and 2014 (Incheon, South Korea), respectively.

“(Kaya) sobrang challenging ito sa akin.”

Petecio, also a gold medal winner in the 2019 World Championship, will be the last of the nine-man boxing team to see action for the first time heading to the weekend, where the quarterfinals and semifinals are going to be held.

Heavyweight John Marvin was the latest Filipino fighter to advance after scoring a Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) against Rabin of Nepal late Wednesday night. He joins Olympic medalists Carlo Paalam and Eumir Felix Marcial in the next round as they try to give Philippine boxing its first Asiad gold since Rey Saludar (flyweight) in the 2010 edition in Guangzhou, China.

Marjon Pianar is fighting 2023 World Championship gold medalist Asadkhuja Muydinkhujaev of Uzbekistan in the Round of 16 of the men’s 71 kg class as of press time for a berth in the quarterfinals.

Somnuek Thananya of Thailand meanwhile, won by walkover against Rizza Pasuit, who was not with the Philippine boxing team here but was listed by Asiad organizers on the meet’s official website. (ai.mnm)

HANGZHOU, China – Alex Eala pulled off one of the biggest comeback wins in tennis history in the Asian Games with a EA0-6, 7-5, 6-0 win over Japanese Kyoka Okamura Wednesday, Sept. 27 that assured Team PH another bronze medal at the Olympic Tennis Centre here.

Eala, seeded No. 4, looked like a beginner in the first set as she committed numerous turnovers – some were basic mistakes – not to mention Okamora’s solid game from the baseline.

She even lost her first serve in the second, giving Okamura a 2-0 lead.

Good thing, Eala found her second win and rallied furiously to win the second set which proved enough to take the fight out of her Japanese rival.

The third set was a different story as it was Eala who dictated the tempo on the way to posting another win that could go down as one of the highlights of a flourishing career.

The victory arranged the 18-year-old Filipina sensation a semis date with top seed Zheng Qinwen of China, who survived a close opening set to beat Park Sohyn of South Korea, 7-6 (4), 6-0.

Qinwen is the very same person who made it to the quarters of the US Open in New York after beating last year’s runner up Ons Jabeur of Tunisia.

While Eala is ranked No. 192, the Chinese top seed is rated No. 23 in the latest ITF rankings.

The last time a country won a medal in the continental showpiece was 17 years ago – courtesy of Cecil Mamiit and Eric Taino who won two bronze medals in the Doha edition.

Her job is not yet done for the day as she and Francis Casey Alcantara are scheduled to battle top seed Yuki Bhambri and Ankita Ravinderkrishan Raina of India in the third round of the mixed doubles event later in the afternoon.
(ai/mnm)

HANGZHOU, China—Alex Eala completely dominated Sarah Ibrahim Khan in her Asiad debut on Monday, whipping her Pakistani foe, 6-0, 6-0, in the 19th Asian Games at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre.

It took only 39 minutes for Eala to bring down the 32-year-old Khan, who is nearly half her age, and progress to the next round either against Kazakhstan’s Aruzhan Sagandykova or India’s Rutuja Bhosale.

“It was a great game and it was good for my confidence,’’ said Eala, who currently ranked No. 191 in the world.

Seeded fourth in the tournament, Eala limited Khan to only six points against her for the duration of their duel.

The 18-year-old Filipino tennis prodigy also asserted her might with five aces. “I think I came in with a great attitude and a great mindset,’’ said Eala.

She will likewise see action in the mixed doubles with Ruben Gonzales, both of them armed with impressive credentials.

Another member of the team is Francis Alcantara, who is aiming for a podium finish that will end the nation’s medal drought in the Games.

Filipino-American Cecil Mamiit was the last netter to spearhead the Philippines to a pair of bronzes in the 2006 Doha edition. (ai/mnm)

HANGZHOU – Filipino gamer Jorrell Aristorenas suffered a 0-2 loss to Brunei bet Rashed Alrowaihi at the start of the EA Sport FC Online competitions of the 2023 Asian Games here on Sunday.

The 29-year-old, London-born Aristorenas, who also dabbles in football as a Stallion FC player, dropped to the lower bracket, where he will meet India’s Charnjot Singh.

Some 36 players representing 22 teams are competing at the 5,000-capacity China Hangzhou Esports Centre for the right to be crowned the inaugural Asian Games’ esports champion.

Alrowaihi advanced to the second round of the upper bracket, with Thai player Teedech Saisakul and Ali Al Hammadi of the United Arab Emirates.

Park Gi Yong of Korea also reached the second round with Hong Kong’s Fan Cheuk Wa and Li Jian Cheng of China.

In the Arena of Valor action, Thailand’s Vatcharanan Taworn took down the Miguel Banaag-led Philippine Sibol team, 1-0, to move up in Group D.

Meanwhile, Pinoy gamer Ross Villarin plunges into action in the Street Fighter V: Champion Edition Round of 32 Match 4 on Tuesday against Chantasriviroje Sitta.

After debuting in the Asiad as a demo event in 2018 in Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia, esports is coming in as a regular sport, expected to be the most watched in the games’ calendar.

Asiad esports features five PC games and two mobile games, covering both multiplayer online battle arena, or MOBA, and single-player genres.

Gamers will be pitting skills in League of Legends, Arena of Valor Asian Games Version (also known as Honor of Kings); Peace Elite Asian Games Version (also known as PUBG Mobile); Dota 2; Dream Three Kingdoms 2; Street Fighter V: Champion Edition; and EA Sports FC (also known as FIFA Online 4). (ai/mnm)

HANGZHOU, China — Agatha Wong brought home a bronze medal from the previous Asian Games five years ago.

The nation’s top taolu specialist aims to return to the Philippines with another medal around her neck.

Wong will compete in the wushu competitions of the 19th Asian Games at the Xiaoshan Guali Sports Centre on Sunday, aiming for no less than another podium finish in the women’s women’s taijiquan and taijijian (swordplay) all-around.

Prior to her trip to the Zhejiang province capital here, the five-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist was busy juggling her time between training and medical school.

“Training while studying is tough. You have to balance everything,’’ said Wong, a freshman at the UERM Memorial Medical Center in Manila.

She won a pair of taijiquan gold medals in the SEA Games and two more in the taijijian event before wushu federation officials decided to merge both events beginning at the Cambodia SEA Games early this year.

The 25-year-old beauty still aced the combined events with a fifth SEAG gold in Phnom Penh last May, making Wong a worthy medal prospect in tomorrow’s finale.

“I’ve trained hard. As they say, if there’s a will, there’s a way,” said Wong, a silver medalist in taijiquan during the 2015 World Wushu Championships in Jakarta. (AI/MNM)