Cariño, Tabucol lose to Thai pair in teqball semifinals in AYG
MANAMA — The Philippines’ Crystal Cariño and Nicole Tabucol missed out on a potential shot at a gold medal after succumbing to Thailand’s Phatrawan Simawong and Chiratchayaphon Kenkhunthod, 2-0, in the teqball semifinals of the 3rd Asian Youth Games (AYG) at the Exhibition World Bahrain on Wednesday.
The Filipina pair, however, will have a chance at a bronze in the sport that’s a mix of sepak takraw and table tennis if they beat host Bahrain’s Rawan Abdulaziz and Fatima Albanna in the girls’ doubles event on Thursday.
Alas Pilipinas likewise suffered its first defeat in girls’ volleyball at the hands of regional powerhouse Thailand, 25-21, 25-18, 25-14, at the Hall B of the Isa Sports City.
It was the first defeat for the Nationals in two outings.
Despite it, the country, represented by National University bracketed at Group D, made it to the classification phase for the teams that finished in the top eight from the four groups.
Action though intensifies starting on Thursday in golf, mixed martials, muay, taekwondo and triathlon where the country has bets with a legitimate shot at a podium finish, possibly a gold.
One of the country’s entries with the best chance at a gold is John Brix Ramiscal, a world championship gold winner in Abu Dhabi last month in the junior 16-17 male category.
The Philippines is hoping to add to the first gold captured by Kram Airam Carpio in pencak silat a few days back and possibly surpass its two-gold, three-silver haul last edition in Nanjing, China 12 years ago.
“We can win more because our lineup is strong and we can pull surprises in golf, weightlifting, athletics, muay and boxing,” said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who attended Wednesday’s Olympic Council of Asia meeting at the Art Hotel and Resort here.
Mr. Tolentino, part of the OCA board, said gold winners should take home a bounty for their feats.
The government, by law, is mandated to hand gold winners in Asian-level events done at least biennially and participated in by a minimum of 25 countries with an incentive worth P500,000.
“The Philippine Sports Commission and the POC should give incentives. If The Palace sees that we gave them, there’s a big chance they will give too,” he added. — Joey Villar
