PH sepak takraw team nails King’s Cup gold medal
THE PHILIPPINES clinched a sepak takraw gold medal in the King’s Cup held recently in Thailand.
A team of Rheyjey Ortouste, Johnjohn Bobier and Arnel Isorena topped the men’s doubles after a 3-2 decision of Brunei in the finals of what is considered the world championship for the sport.
They took the first, third and deciding sets of the best-of-five title duel to rule the Division I category of the 23-nation tournament. The PH team earlier downed Singapore, Chinese Taipei and Cambodia.
“We’re proud of the performance of our athletes. If there’s a World Cup for sepak takraw, this should be it,” said Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia.
Sepak takraw chief Mario Tanchangco said members of the gold-winning team were standouts from this year’s Philippine National Games held in Dumaguete City.
Garcia said Ortouste, Bobier and Isorena, all college students from Earist school, will receive cash incentives from the PSC.
“It’s (King’s Cup) not a four-year event but it’s a world championship. We’ll look at the incentive scheme,” said Garcia. June Navarro
