LIVE UPDATES: Team Philippines at SEA Games 2023

Petecios, Filipino boxers open hunt for nine SEA Games golds

PHNOM PENH—Watching Nesthy Petecio batter her rivals was always a fun-filled moment for Norlan Petecio.

Now, it’s her elder sister’s turn to return the favor when Norlan climbs atop the ring on the biggest stage so far of his budding boxing career.

“I’ll cheer for him on the sidelines. We always talk about his fights and he knows what to do,’’ said the 31-year-old Nesthy.

They could become the first sister-brother gold performers for Team Philippines  as the boxing finals of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games get going on Saturday at Chroy Changvar Convention Hall. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Carlo Biado, Johann Chua assured of bronze in 9-ball doubles

Carlo Biado and Johann Chua assured themselves of going home with a medal in the 32nd Cambodia Southeast Asian Games after advancing to the semifinals of the men’s 9-ball doubles on Friday.

Out to atone for their early exits as singles competitors, Biado and Chua defeated the Vietnamese pair of Anh Tuan Nguyen and Duc Thien Luong, 9-2, at Aeon 2 Sen Sok in Phnom Penh to secure at least a bronze in this year’s biennial meet. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Patrick King Perez gets dream come true with poomsae gold

PHNOM PENH—On cloud nine following a magnificent performance, Patrick King Perez easily became the darling of the crowd when he ruled the men’s recognized poomsae individual on Friday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Perez was ecstatic after his final score flashed across the screen and somersaulted on his victory run to the delight of a wildly-cheering Filipino crowd at the Chroy Changvar Convention Hall here.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m so happy I just couldn’t believe it,’’ said the 23-year-old Perez of his first SEA Games gold medal. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: PH men’s beach volleyball team improves to 2-0, women’s squad falls

The Philippine beach volleyball teams fashioned out contrasting victories in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Friday at Otres Beach in Preah Sihanouk.

The men’s team edged Cambodia in three matches to seize a 2-0 record in Group A while the women’s squad debuted with a loss to Vietnam in the golden match.

Jude Garcia and James Buytrago outlasted home bets Oem Narit and Thy Menghuong in the golden match, 23-21, 21-17, as the Philippines won the series against Cambodia to stay unbeaten. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Sam Catantan settles for fencing silver after knee injury

PHNOM PENH—Sam Catantan handily won over Singapore’s Kemei Cheung in the semifinals of women’s foil fencing but had to withdraw from the gold-medal match due to an injured knee on Friday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

The 21-year-old Catantan twisted her left knee near the end of their duel and went on to prevail, 15-6, that set up a much-awaited finals’ encounter with Singapore’s Maxine Jie Xin Wong.

Catantan, last year’s champion in the Hanoi SEA Games, was brought out of the Chroy Changvar Convention Hall B on a stretcher as he could hardly stand on her own. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Philippine women’s team strikes gold in recognized poomsae

PHNOM PENH—Jocelyn Ninobla has become an iconic figure in women’s poomsae after collecting three gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games all on her own.

The 26-year-old shared her blessings this time by bringing along Aidaine Laxa and Nicole Labayne to victory in the recognized poomsae contest at the 32nd SEA Games.

“I was highly motivated to win because I want them (Laxa and Labayne) to experience how it feels to win a gold medal,’’ said Ninobla, the women’s individual poomsae champion since 2017 in Malaysia. FULL STORY

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Nicole Labayne, Jocelyn Ninobla and Aidaine Laxa gold medal in women's team recognized poomsae #SEAGames2023 | @junavINQ pic.twitter.com/uFcba7uAkQ

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 12, 2023

Rubilen Amit, Chezka Centeno come up empty-handed in SEA Games 2023

Sans the presence of any pool event that won them multiple golds in the past, Rubilen Amit and Chezka Centeno were forced to end their 32nd Cambodia Southeast Asian Games campaign without any medal after losing their women’s 1-carom matches on Friday.

Both fell to Vietnamese opponents in the quarterfinals at Aeon 2 Sen Sok in Phnom Penh, repeating the same fates they absorbed in the women’s 3-carom competitions a few days earlier.

Amit lost 50-19 to Kien Tuong Phung while Centeno succumbed to Thi Ngoc Hue Le by the same score. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: PH wushu artists grab silver, three bronze medals

Four Filipino wushu artists notched the podium finishes the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Chroy Changvar Convention Center: Hall A on Thursday.

Gideon Padua settled for silver in the men’s sanda 60kg category, losing to Vietnam’s Truong Giang Bui in the final.

Carlos Baylon bowed out of the semifinal match in the men’s sanda 56kg category after succumbing to Indonesia’s Bintang Reindra Nada Guitara, 2-1. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Francisco dela Cruz salvages carom bronze for PH

Francisco dela Cruz gave the Philippines its first medal in billiard sport after a bronze medal finish in the men’s 3-carom event of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Dela Cruz was assured of a podium finish after reaching the semifinals where he eventually lost to Duc Anh Chien Nguyen of Vietnam, 40-10, Thursday at Aeon 2 Sen Sok in the Cambodian capital.

Nguyen would go on to lose to fellow Vietnamese Nguyen Tran Thanh Tu for the gold. FULL STORY

Gilas Women title defense in jeopardy after big loss to Indonesia

Gilas Pilipinas Women faltered against Indonesia, 89-68, on Friday hurling a monkey wrench into its bid to annex a third straight gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games.

The defending champions had very few answers to an unbeaten Indonesian side that caught fire in the third period, ultimately dooming their stand at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: PH swimming wraps up campaign with additional medals

The Philippines shone anew with two more medals in the swimming events of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Morodok Techo National Stadium: Aquatics Center on Thursday.

The team of Jasmine Alkhaldi, Miranda Renner, Teia Isabella Salvino and Thanya Angelyn Dela Cruz bagged the silver medal in the women’s 4×100, finishing with a combined time of 4:11.82 minutes. FULL STORY

Agatha Wong, balancing med school and training, surprises self with fifth SEA Games gold

PHNOM PENH—Medical school wasn’t much of a hindrance for Agatha Wong to make it five out of five gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games.

With low expectations, the 24-year-old wushu artist surprised herself with a performance to remember that merited a gold medal in the women’s taijiquan/taijijian on Friday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

“Training while studying medicine is really tough. I really didn’t expect to win,” said Wong, a dominant figure in the event since the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Filipino bets hike athletics’ medal haul with silvers, bronze

Sarah Dequinan notched a silver medal in athletics for the second straight year in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Morodok Techo National Stadium on Thursday.

Dequinan snagged silver in the women’s heptathlon event with 5,369 points. She was, however, unable to record a new personal best with last year’s 5,381 points staying as her career-high.

Her Vietnamese rival Linh Na Nguyen took the gold with 5,403 points while Thailand’s Sunisa Khotseemueang completed the podium with 5,253 points. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Sibol wins silver in MLBB women’s esports event

Sibol Pilipinas settled for silver in the inaugural Mobile Legends: Bang Bang women’s tournament in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Nagaworld 2, Cambodia on Thursday.

The Philippines held an advantageous 2-1 lead against the undefeated Indonesian team before dropping two straight games to finish at second place, 3-2.

In the rubber game, Indonesia needed only 15:34 minutes to end the game with a 13-5 kill tally over Sibol. FULL STORY

Eric Cray rules 400m hurdles for sixth straight SEA Games gold medal for PH

PHNOM PENH—Make it six for Eric Cray.

The 34-year-old hurdler sprinted over the last hundred meters and zoomed ahead of the pack to collect his sixth straight gold medal in the men’s 400m hurdles on Thursday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Cray stretched his mastery of the event, where the 34-year-old likewise holds the SEA Games record, in 50.03 seconds.

“It’s my sixth and it means everything. All the hard work, the dedication, the injuries, everything I’ve been through,’’ said Cray, who flashed his six fingers and yelled “Jordan,’’ referring to the six NBA titles of the Chicago Bulls superstar. FULL STORY

Gilas Pilipinas loses to Cambodia in SEA Games 2023

Saddled by frosty shooting all night long, the Philippines bowed to Cambodia, 79-68, in the highly-anticipated men’s basketball clash on Thursday in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Gilas Pilipinas found itself trailing by double digits early in the game at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, no thanks to the torrid shooting of the hosts’ naturalized players.

Not helping was the heat in the venue that had Justin Brownlee playing uncharacteristically and a fightback that came a little too late. FULL STORY

PH spikers beat Singapore, face Thailand in SEA Games 2023 volleyball semis

Alyssa Valdez returned in limited action and nailed the game-winning attack as the Philippine women’s volleyball team booked the last semifinal ticket in Group B with a 25-17, 25-14, 25-13 victory over Singapore in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Thursday at Indoor Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Team captain Valdez played for the first time in the tournament missing the first two matches in the preliminary round, making her return since suffering a right knee injury in December. It’s also her first game on the international stage since last year’s Vietnam Games after missing Creamline’s campaign in the AVC Cup and Asean Grand Prix due to dengue. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Carlo Paalam, Paul Bascon make it 9 PH boxers in gold medal round

Tokyo Olympian Carlo Paalam and Paul Bascon made it nine Filipino reaching the gold medal round at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Thursday at Chroy Changvar Convention Center: Hall G in Cambodia.

Paalam, the Olympic silver medalist, outclassed Timor Leste’s Edegar Foe Quintas Da Silva via unanimous decision, 5-0, to advance in the men’s 54kg class.

Paalam clashes with Indonesia’s Aldoms Suguro, who Vietnam’s Van An Tran in the other semis bracket, for the flyweight gold. FULL STORY

Gilas Women bank on strong second half to whip Singapore in SEA Games 2023

The Philippines held Singapore to just five points in the third period on the way to a 94-63 bamboozling in the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) women’s basketball competition on Thursday at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Cambodia.

Gilas Pilipinas cranked things up in the third to annex a second straight win less than 24 hours after whipping Cambodia by 60 points.

Khate Castillo topscored for the Nationals with 14 points while Ella Fajardo, Afril Bernardino, and Clare Castro tossed in twin-digit scores in the effort. FULL STORY

SEA Games: First time’s the charm for PH women’s cricket team in silver finish

The Philippines notched a silver medal in cricket courtesy of the women’s team in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at AZ Group Cricket Oval: Hun Sen Boulevard.

The women’s cricket team placed second in the women’s 6 A Side category after succumbing to Indonesia with a score of 78/1-25/5 in the final.

The Indonesians emerged victorious by converting 53 runs. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: PH’s Kristian Narca settles for silver in kun khmer

PHNOM PENH—Kristian Narca matched the resolve of Cambodia’s Laingkousin Khun but settled for the silver medal just the same in kun khmer on Thursday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Getting the blessings of all three judges, Khun ruled the men’s 57kg, 30-27, of the host nation’s own sport held at the Elephant Hall of the Morodok Sports Complex here. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Philippine sepak takraw teams pluck silver medals

The men’s and women’s sepak takraw team of the Philippines notched two silver medals in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Olympic Complex: Basketball Hall NSTC on Thursday.

The men’s team finished in second place in the hoops takraw category, jumping over Cambodia, which finished with bronze but fell behind eventual gold medalist Myanmar. FULL STORY

PH men’s beach volleyball team off to strong start in SEA Games 2023

The Philippine men’s beach volleyball team jumpstarted its 32nd Southeast Asian Games on a high note after sweeping Timor Leste in two games on Thursday at Otres Beach in Preah Sihanou, Cambodia.

Ranran Abdilla and Jaron Requinton dominated Timor Leste’s Fabricius Correia and Joel Savio Valente with a rousing 21-7, 21-13 victory.

Jude Garcia and James Buytrago completed their team’s first win in Group A, sweeping the tandem of Inocencio Fernandes Xavier and Jonio Freitas, 21-13, 21-11. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Ronald Oranza bags men’s cycling bronze

PHNOM PENH—Ronald Oranza grabbed a bronze medal in men’s cycling criterium on Thursday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Oranza checked in third with a similar clocking as compatriot Efren Castro Reyes in one hour, 13 minutes and 39 seconds, but was rewarded with the bronze after the high-velocity race held at the fringes of the majestic Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. FULL STORY

Vault champ Juancho Miguel Besana’s Olympics dream nearing reality

 

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA—After soaking in the airy feeling on top of the medal platform, the once-distant Olympic fantasy for gymnast Juancho Miguel Besana has transformed into a possibility.

“It’s a dream to become an Olympian like Caloy [Yulo],’’ said Besana after stepping into the shoes of the two-time Filipino world champion Yulo to rule the men’s vault in artistic gymnastics in the 32nd Southeast Asian  Games. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Jarod Hatch scores swimming bronze for PH

PHNOM PENH—Jarod Hatch came out of retirement and gave Team Philippines a much-needed shot in the arm after securing his second medal in swimming at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

The 24-year-old Hatch collected a bronze in the men’s 50m butterfly in 23.89 seconds on Wednesday, resetting his own Philippine record of 24.27 seconds achieved during the national swim tryouts at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac last February. FULL STORY

Philippines bows to Vietnam in women’s volleyball, in must win vs Singapore

The Philippine women’s volleyball team was sent crashing back to earth by reigning silver medalist Vietnam, 20-25, 17-25, 19-25, absorbing its first defeat in Group B in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Wednesday at Indoor Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Tran Thi Thanh Thuy remained to be a thorn in the side of  Philippines as she sparked the Vietnamese’s comeback in the first set and nailed the killer blows in the last two sets to keep her team unbeaten in two games to advance to the semifinal round. FULL STORY

Nesthy Petecio, four others boxers assured of silver medals in SEA Games 2023

Tokyo Olympian Nesthy Petecio and four other Filipinos are assured of silver medals in boxing after advancing to the finals on Wednesday in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Chroy Changvar Convention: Hall G.

Petecio defeated Cambodia’s own Vy Sreyrsros by unanimous decision in the semifinals of the women’s 57kg division.

She will come home with a silver medal at least when she faces Indonesia’s Ratna Sari Devi in the gold medal bout. FULL STORY

Gilas Women clobber Cambodia to kick off SEA Games ‘three-peat’ bid

The Philippines lived up to its lofty billing as defending champion on Wednesday night, blowing Cambodia into kingdom come, 114-54, in the Southeast Asian Games women’s basketball competition.

Gilas Pilipinas Women got their act together in the second period to pull away from the hosts which paraded a number of naturalized players, including a WNBA-caliber talent. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Joseph Arcilla shrugs off cramps to win soft tennis gold

PHNOM PENH—Halfway through the contest, Joseph Arcilla felt a sharp spasm in his legs, one could force an average competitor to just walk off the court and abandon everything amid the scorching heat.

But Arcilla is no lesser mortal and willed himself to go beyond his own boundaries to claim the lone gold medal for Team Philippines on Wednesday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

“I suffered from cramps and I could hardly stand. It was mental toughness that kept me going,’’ said Arcilla. “Thanks to our psychologist who always reminded us to think positive every time we go into court.’’ FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Dines Dumaan settles for silver in pencak silat

PHNOM PENH—Dines Dumaan dropped his gold-medal match against world champion Khoirudin Mustakim of Indonesia, 25-43, despite throwing a sizable volume of punches in pencak silat at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Mustakim weaved out of harm’s way while sneaking in several kicks, particularly in the third round when the Indonesian seized a huge advantage on his way to capturing the men’s 45-50kg Class A title at the Chroy Changvar Hall here. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Philippines delivers more medals in athletics

The Philippine athletics team scored several silver and bronze medals in the ongoing 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Morodok Techo Stadium on Tuesday.

Umajesty Williams emerged victorious with a silver medal in the men’s 400m event while fellow Filipino Frederick Ramirez took bronze in the same event.

Malaysia’s Umar Osman completed the podium as he took home the gold medal. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: PH women’s soft tennis team bags gold

The Philippines’ women’s team bagged a gold medal in soft tennis in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia on Tuesday.

The women’s team of Christy Sañosa, Fatima Ayesha Amirul, Noelle Conchita Mañalac, Noelle Nikki Zoleta, Princess Lorben Catindig and Virvienica Isearis Bejosano grabbed gold to end the team event. FULL STORY

Philippines destroys Cambodia in women’s volleyball opener

The Philippine women’s volleyball team showed no mercy as it blasted Southeast Asian Games first-timer Cambodia with a masterful 25-5, 25-5, 25-5 rout to open its Group B campaign on Tuesday at Indoor Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.

Team captain Alyssa Valdez, who is still recovering from a right knee injury, didn’t play but her Creamline teammates Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos formed a potent combo with national team mainstay and Chery Tiggo’s MVP Mylene Paat to school the home squad.

As host of the 32nd edition of SEA Games, Cambodia fielded a women’s volleyball team for the first time.  It only scored four out of their 15 points with 11 coming from the visiting squad’s errors. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: PH boxers Irish Magno, Riza Pasuit move on to gold medal round

Irish Magno and Riza Pasuit assured themselves of silver medals in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday at Chroy Changvar Convention Center: Hall G in Cambodia.

Magno advanced to the women’s 54kg finals after notching a 5-0 unanimous decision win over Indonesia’s Novita Sinadia. FULL STORY

Now a gold medalist, John Ivan Cruz on the way to taking family out of poverty

PHNOM PENH—John Ivan Cruz steps on the mat almost daily the past two years with lifting his family out of poverty in mind.

The Filipino floor exercise specialist will have something that his family can start with after clinching a gold medal at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Philippines adds silver, bronze to ouk chaktrang medal haul

Shania Mae Mendoza and Venice Vicente added two more medals to the Philippines’ tally in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in chess ouk chaktrang games at Royal University of Phnom Penh on Tuesday.

Mendoza succumbed to eventual gold medalist Thi Hong Nuang Doan of Vietnam, 1-0, in the women’s single 60-minute category for the silver medal. FULL STORY

Gilas Pilipinas rolls past Malaysia in SEA Games 2023 opener

The Philippines picked Malaysia apart with methodical precision on Tuesday afternoon to get its SEA Games redemption bid off on the right foot.

Gilas Pilipinas used a balanced attack and a spectacular outing on the defensive end to clobber the enemy, 94-49, at Morodok Techo Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. FULL STORY

Carlos Yulo rules parallel bars for second gold in SEA Games 2023

PHNOM PENH—Carlos Yulo instantly zoomed into hyperfocus after grabbing the bars on the way to collecting his second gold medal at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday.

The two-time world champion got the nod of the judges with 14.850 points to rule men’s parallel bars after a silver finish earlier in the rings. FULL STORY

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WATCH: Carlos Yulo's near-perfect routine in the men's parallel bars event at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. #SEAGames2023 | @junavINQ pic.twitter.com/CZtlevV02g

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 9, 2023

SEA Games 2023: Juancho Miguel Besana wins vault gold, Carlos Yulo silver in rings

PHNOM PENH—Juancho Miguel Besana grabbed the men’s vault gold in artistic gymnastics at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Besana scored 14.425 after two attempts to join Ivan Cruz, the men’s floor exercise winner, atop the podium. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: John Ivan Cruz turns emotional after men’s floor gold

PHNOM PENH—John Ivan Cruz burst into tears after claiming the gold medal in the men’s floor exercise in artistic gymnastics on Tuesday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

“Life is hard back in the Philippines, but all the sacrifices and the hardships in training are all worth it,” said the 21-year-old Cruz from Malate, Manila, who secured his first individual gold in the Games after helping the PH men’s team bag a silver on Monday. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Philippines wins three medals in sailing

The Philippine sailing and windsurfing team added three medals to the country’s haul in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Monday at Sokha Beach in Cambodia.

Andrei Tugade notched the silver medal in the men’s windfoil IQ: youth category while Thailand’s Passapong Lianglam emerged victorious with the gold medal. Cambodia’s Keio Pheanon completed the podium in said event. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Carlo Biado, Johann Chua exit 9-ball singles event

Despite being favorites to go far in the 9-ball billiards event, Filipino bets Johann Chua and Carlo Biado made early exits in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Aeon 2 Sen Seok, Cambodia, on Tuesday.

Chua, the reigning 9-ball singles champion, kissed his title retention bid goodbye after a 9-8 heartbreak at the hands of Myanmar’s Maung Maung Phone Myint Kyaw. FULL STORY

Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes still working his magic at 68

PHNOM PENH – Wispy haired and hunched over, Efren “Bata” Reyes looks like your typical coffeeshop uncle with his jersey tucked into baggy jeans and sports shoes paired with white socks.

But give this 68-year-old Filipino a cue and he is able to turn it into a wand and make the balls do his bidding at the pool table. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: PH badminton ends medal drought as women’s team shines

The Philippine women’s national badminton team secured at least a bronze at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Monday at Morodok Techo Badminton Hall.

The team advanced to the semifinals at the expense of Malaysia, 3-0. FULL STORY

Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio secure SEA Games boxing bronzes with semis berths

Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio stamped their class and secured sure bronzes in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Chroy Changvar Convention Center: Hall G on Monday.

Petecio proved too much for Laos’ Minavanh Oupaxa in their women’s 57kg bout, needing only one round to advance to the semifinals. FULL STORY

EJ Obiena captures SEA Games pole vault gold anew, resets record

EJ Obiena broke his own Southeast Asian Games record thrice and claimed the gold medal, as expected, in the men’s pole vault under intermittent rains at the Morodok National Stadium here.

Obiena, the world’s No. 3 vaulter, erased the standard of 5.46 meters that he established in the Hanoi Games last year with a 5.65m jump. FULL STORY

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WATCH: EJ Obiena's 5.65 jump is a new SEA Games record. #SEAGames2023 | @junavINQ pic.twitter.com/lfifZ9itoJ

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 8, 2023

Xiandi Chua delivers PH’s first swimming gold, sets new SEA Games record

Xiandi Chua quickened the pace at the final turn to clinch the gold medal in the women’s 200-meter backstroke in record-shattering fashion at the swimming competitions of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Chua touched the wall in two minutes and 13.20 seconds while Chloe Isleta arrived second in 2:16.19 in a gold-silver Philippine finish at the Morodok Aquatic Center. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Robin Catalan clinches PH’s second kun bokator gold

ONE Championship fighter Robin Catalan beat Indonesian Ade Permana to win a gold in the men’s combat 50-kilogram class in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games Kun Bokator on Monday at  Chroy Changvar Convention Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Catalan delivered the country’s 17th gold and second in Kun Bokator — traditional martial arts in Cambodia — joining Angel Gwen Derla, who ruled the women’s single bamboo shield form of the sport. FULL STORY

Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio secure SEA Games boxing bronzes with semis berths

Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio stamped their class and secured sure bronzes in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Chroy Changvar Convention Center: Hall G on Monday.

Petecio proved too much for Laos’ Minavanh Oupaxa in their women’s 57kg bout, needing only one round to advance to the semifinals.

SEA Games 2023: Jamie Lim, Junna Tsukii lead PH to women’s team kumite silver

Jamie Lim and Junna Tsukii led Team Philippines to a silver finish in the women’s team kumite on Monday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Vietnam’s Thi Huong Dinh, Thi My Tam Hoang, Thi Ngoan Nguyen and Thi Thuong Truoung proved superior over the Filipinos, 2-0, and clinched the gold medal at the Chroy Changvar Hall here. FULL STORY

Carlos Yulo wins third straight men’s all-around gold medal in SEA Games

Carlos Yulo hasn’t reached his peak yet, but the quick crash course seemed enough for the Philippine gymnastics hero to remain untouched at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

“I only had two weeks to prepare and complete all the things that I need to accomplish,’’ said Yulo after reasserting his mastery in the men’s all-around event for the third SEA Games in a row.

The former two-time world champion squeezed the victory from his favorite apparatuses—the vault and parallel bars—and was unmatched in the floor exercise was a dominant figure in the sport back in 2019. FULL STORY

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LOOK: Carlos Yulo during #SEAGames2023 gymnastics men's all-around competition where he won gold for the Philippines 🇵🇭 for the third straight time! 📸 REUTERS pic.twitter.com/KzfCGewelG

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 8, 2023

Kaila Napolis turns tables on scheduling strategy on her way to milestone SEA Games gold

Quick, which Filipinos won the first gold medal for the country in the previous two editions of the Southeast Asian Games?

While winning the first gold medal for the national delegation is a celebrated achievement during the opening days of the biennial meet, recalling the piece of trivia over time requires a little mental workout for casual sports fans.

One person who will easily remember?

The athlete.

“It felt great,” Kaila Napolis told the Inquirer via a phone call on Sunday, three days after breaking the golden ice for Team Philippines in Cambodia. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: PH men’s volleyball team claims fifth place, downs Singapore

The rebuilding Philippine men’s volleyball team placed fifth in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games as Jayvee Sumagaysay executed the game-winning block to escape gritty Singapore, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23, in a classification match on Monday at Indoor Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The Filipino spikers, who matched its previous finish last year, displayed grace under pressure in each set to withstand the Singaporeans, led by Jordan Ryan Wong and Shergill Ajay Singh.

With Jau Umandal stepping up to close out the match with a 23-22 lead in the fourth set, Wong kept Singapore afloat, nailing a down-the-line spike to tie the game but Jade Disquitado quickly answered with his own kill to reach match point. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Ariana Evangelista cops cycling silver for PH

Ariana Evangelista pedaled her way to the silver medal of the women’s mountain bike race on Monday in Siem Reap at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Indonesia’s Dara Latifah claimed the gold medal in the finals while Thailand’s Warinthorn Phetpraphan and Vipavee Deekaballes placed third and fourth in the contest set against the famed Angkot Wat. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: PH adds 3 bronzes in kun bokator

The Philippines claimed three more podium finishes in kun bokator, a traditional martial art in Cambodia, at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Monday at Chroy Changvar Convention Center: Hall C in Phnom Penh.

Phillip Delarmino, Ryan Jakiri and Godwin Langbayan all bagged bronze medals in their respective events. FULL STORY

Gilas men’s 3×3 proud to put up good fight vs all-naturalized Cambodian team

Team captain Almond Vosotros stepped in to lighten the mood in a somber atmosphere that began to engulf the Philippine men’s 3×3 basketball team.

The stocky hot-shooting guard simply reminded the unit that he leads—Joseph Sedurifa, Joseph Eriobu and Lervin Flores—that they didn’t lose against Cambodia in their gold-medal encounter at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

“Heads up guys. Everybody knows they’re not from Cambodia, you know that,’’ said Vosotros after the Cambodian challenge beefed up by naturalized professional players from the United States seized victory, 20-15, at the Filipinos’ expense. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Fernando Casares clinches men’s triathlon gold for PH

Fernando Casares eased the pain of Kim Mangrobang’s failed title-retention effort with a gold medal in men’s triathlon at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

The Filipino-Spanish defending champion emerged from the water a little bit late before he gradually recovered in the 20-kilometer bike and 5km run stretch to seize the title at the Kep Beach Resort, a 167-kilometer drive from the Games’ hub here.

In duplicating his 2022 feat in Hanoi, Casares reached the finish arc in 58 minutes, 33.5 seconds, making up for a bungled medal attempt in men’s duathlon on Sunday. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Kim Mangrobang loses triathlon title to naturalized Cambodian

Kim Mangrobang found naturalized Cambodian Margot Garabedian a tough customer on Monday at the Kep Beach Resort that ended the Filipino’s string of gold medals in women’s triathlon at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Garabedian quickly rose out of the water in the 750-meter swim, kept Mangrobang at bay in the 20km bike before sealing victory in one hour, five minutes and 34.2 seconds after a steamy 5km run.

Mangrobang, the three-time champion since the 2017 edition of the Games in Malaysia, reached the beach running third, slowed down in the bike sequence and chased Garabedian in the footrace. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Sibol delivers Philippines’ first esports gold in Wild Rift

Team Philippines plucked a gold medal in esports with a 3-1 victory over Vietnam in the League of Legends: Wild Rift event at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

The mixed team of Aaron Mark Bingay, Chammy Paul Nazarrea, Golden Hart Dajao, Justine Ritchie Tan and Reniel Angara won three out of their four games to clinch the title and increase the country’s haul to 14 gold medals. FULL STORY

SEA GAMES 2023 MEDAL TALLY AS OF MAY 7, 10:30PM (PH TIME)

Filipino spikers post first win in SEA Games 2023, eye 5th place vs Singapore

Jade Disquitado came to the rescue in the fifth set to deliver the Philippine men’s volleyball team’s first win in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in the classification stage in the classification stage on Sunday at Indoor Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Disquitado took matters into his own hands, scoring six points in the fifth set as the Philippines survived a gritty Malaysian side, 25-19, 20-25, 25-21, 24-26, 17-15.

The victory put the Filipino spikers in the battle for fifth against Singapore on Monday. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Rubilen Amit, Chezka Centeno bow out in 3-cushion carom

Bemedaled Filipino cue artists Rubilen Amit and Chezka Centeno were booted out in the women’s 3-cushion carom singles event in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at NagaWorld 2: Aeon 2 Sen Seok in Cambodia on Sunday.

Fortunately for Amit and Centeno, they still have a chance to redeem themselves when they compete in the 1-cushion carom singles event beginning Friday.
FULL STORY

PH bet Marc Alexander Lim finally wins SEA Games gold medal in jiu-jitsu

PHNOM PENH—It took a while before jiu-jitsu fighter Marc Alexander Lim reached the top of his weight class in the Southeast Asian Games.

After trying his luck for the third Games in a row, the 26-year-old from Davao City finally achieved what he had been dreaming all along—a gold medal in the men’s nogi -69kg on Sunday at the 32nd SEA Games here.

“I’ve been through a lot of silvers and bronzes in my career. This was simply the result of my strong determination to win,’’ said Lim, a silver medalist during the 2019 SEA Games in Manila that was downgraded to a bronze last year in the Hanoi edition.

SEA Games 2023: Philippines adds soft tennis gold to medal haul

The Philippines reaped a gold medal in soft tennis in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Olympic Complex: National Olympic Stadium on Sunday in Cambodia.

Noelle Conchita Zoleta Mañalac and Princess Lorben Ambos Catindig clinched the Philippines’ 12th gold medal after ruling the women’s double individual category. FULL STORY

[VIDEO] Gilas 3×3 coach Lester del Rosario on losing to Cambodia for silver

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[VIDEO] Gilas Women coach Pat Aquino on 3×3 silver finish

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SEA Games 2023: Philippines assured of silver in Wild Rift esports event

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines’ Sibol Wild Rift advanced to the gold medal match of the League of Legends: Wild Rift esports event in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Sunday.

Sibol defeated Vietnam, 3-2, to be assured of either a silver or a gold medal finish for the Philippines.

Gilas Pilipinas loses to Cambodia, falls short of SEA Games men’s 3×3 gold

The Philippines wound up with a silver medal after bowing to host Cambodia, 20-15, in the men’s 3×3 competition in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Sunday.

Battling a Cambodia side parading three naturalized players, Gilas Pilipinas was a shadow of its dominant self that crushed opponents the day before.

Almond Vosotros had six points, Lervin Flores, and semifinal hero Joseph Sedurifafourth each while Joseph Eriobu finished with one in the effort at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh. FULL STORY

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WATCH: Cambodia relegated the Philippines to another silver finish in men's 3×3 basketball at the #SEAGames2023. | @junavINQ pic.twitter.com/k6YfqHI0nU

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 7, 2023

SEA Games 2023: Gilas Pilipinas Women settle for silver in 3×3 basketball

The Philippines settled for a silver medal after bowing to sweet-shooting Thailand, 21-16, in the women’s 3×3 competition of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Sunday.

Gilas Pilipinas women found themselves playing catchup early, no thanks to the pin-point marksmanship of the Vietnamese at Morodok Techo National Stadium’s Elephant Hall 2. FULL STORY

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WATCH: The Philippine women's 3×3 basketball team drops the gold medal game against Vietnam at the #SEAGames2023. | @junavINQ pic.twitter.com/T86ph5SAQo

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 7, 2023

SEA Games 2023: Kim Mangrobang retains title in women’s duathlon

Kim Mangrobang gave her all in the final run amid the scorching heat to successfully retain the women’s duathlon title at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Mangrobang picked up steam in the 20-kilometer bike after her 5km run start was a little bit shaky before scooting all the way to the finish in the 2.5km run finale at the Kep Beach Resort. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: PH sweeps all 4 gold medals in obstacle race

Team Philippines completed a sweep of all four gold medals in obstacle racing at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Mervin Guarte, Ahgie Radan, Elias Tabac and Jay-R De Castro capped the nation’s scintillating performance in the sport with a victory in the men’s relay on Sunday.

The Philippine women’s relay team earlier won the gold medal by the skin of its teeth after beating Indonesia. FULL STORY

Another gold for Philippines in Obstacle Course racing

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LOOK: Sandi Abahan, Mecca Cortizano, Tess Nocyao, and Milky Tejares ruled the obstacle women's relay over Indonesia at the #SEAGames2023. | @junavINQ pic.twitter.com/f9dK3G9eqR

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 7, 2023

SEA GAMES 2023 MEDAL TALLY AS OF MAY 6, 11:45PM (PH TIME)

SEA Games 2023: Filipinas escape Malaysia on Sarina Bolden’s late goal

Sarina Bolden scored the winner right before the final whistle as the Filipinas kept destiny in their hands after slipping past Malaysia, 1-0, on Saturday in women’s football competitions of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

With a scoreless draw looming in a frustrating evening at RCAF Old Stadium, Bolden came through off a free kick from Sara Eggesvik to give the Filipinas the maximum three points following a disappointing loss to Myanmar in their opening assignment. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Philippines wins silver, bronze medals in Cambodian chess

The Philippines bagged two medals from ouk chaktrang (Cambodian chess) in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The Philippines added one silver and one bronze in Ouk Chaktrang, a traditional chess sport game in Cambodia. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Philippines bags silver, bronze in swimming

Filipino swimmers bagged a silver and bronze medal on Friday in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Morodok Techo National Stadium: Aquatic Center in Cambodia.

The Philippines ended up with a silver medal in the women’s 4×100 meter freestyle team relay thanks to the efforts of Teia Salvino, Miranda Renner, Xiandi Chua and Jasmine Alkhaldi. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Carlo Paalam finds relief after beating home bet in opener

Carlo Paalam felt relieved that the worst possible scenario for him at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games had come to pass.

“The pressure is always tremendous when you go up against the host country. There’s fear that you might get cheated,” said Paalam after removing Cambodian Sao Rangsey out of the way in a unanimous victory at the start of his preliminary stint on Saturday.

The Tokyo Olympic silver medalist stands to have the longest campaign at the men’s bantamweight division, needing to topple all five opponents on his path to the gold medal. FULL STORY

Gilas makes 3×3 semis, sweeps pool play in SEA Games 2023

Gilas Pilipinas won all three games in pool play to reach the men’s 3×3 basketball semifinals of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Almond Vosotros, Lervin Flores, Joseph Eriobu and Joseph Sedurifa convincingly defeated Laos (21-5), Vietnam (21-13) and Indonesia (21-11) at Morodok Techo Indoor Sports Center to emerge on top of Pool A. FULL STORY

Junna Tsukii upset with judge’s decision as she settles for SEA Games karate silver

PJunna Tsukii dropped her gold-medal match against Malaysia’s Chandran Shahmalarani in an encounter the reigning World Games champion felt she got the raw end of the deal on Saturday at the karate competitions of 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

“How can I lose. I’m sure that I had the advantage and I was more active than her. But they chose her, so I don’t know what happened with the judge,’’ said Tsukii after settling for a silver medal in the women’ -50kg kumite. FULL STORY

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Gilas Women advance to SEA Games 3×3 semifinal despite opening loss

Gilas Pilipinas recovered after losing its opening assignment with back-to-back wins to secure a semifinals berth in the women’s 3×3 basketball competitions of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games Saturday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Jack Aninam, Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos and Mikka Cacho defeated Laos, 21-6, and dethroned champion Thailand, 14-8, to finish with a 2-1 record in Pool A of the event held at Morodok Techo Indoor Sports Center. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: PH claims seventh gold with aquathlon mixed relay victory

The Philippines snagged another gold medal in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Saturday at Kep Town Beach in Cambodia.

Matthew Hermosa, Kira Ellis, Erica Burgos and Inaki Lorbes ruled the aquathlon mixed team relay sport for the country’s seventh gold in the biennial meet. FULL STORY

Annie Ramirez wins third straight SEA Games gold medal in jiu-jitsu

Jiu-jitsu grappler Annie Ramirez submitted Vietnam’s Thi Thuong Le via knee bar to rule the women’s ne-waza nogi -57kg on Saturday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

It was the third gold medal for Ramirez in these Games, having won it also in the 2019 edition in Manila while boosting the national jiu-jitsu team’s medal collection to two golds and a pair of bronzes. FULL STORY

Chris Ross named team captain for Gilas SEA Games squad

Chris Ross, a nine-time PBA champion and a member of the famed Gilas Pilipinas squad that won it all in the Southeast Asian Games here nearly four years ago, will be skippering the 12-man crew tasked to reclaim the basketball gold in Cambodia next week.

National coach Chot Reyes revealed Ross’ appointment on Saturday after their final practice at Meralco Gym in Pasig City, just hours before the contingent jets for Phnom Penh. FULL STORY

Sakura Alforte wins SEA Games 2023 gold in karate

Sakura Alforte’s near-flawless routine netted the Philippines a gold medal in karate on Saturday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Alforte got the nod of the judges and scored 40.8 points in the women’s individual kata, beating last year’s champion Phuong Nguyen of Vietnam (40.2) to strike the first podium finish for the national karate team at the Chroy Changvar Hall here. FULL STORY

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Sakura Alforte strikes the first gold for the PH karate team in the women's individual kata at the 32nd SEA Games pic.twitter.com/tTRsPvWHzA

— June Navarro (@junavINQ) May 6, 2023

SEA Games 2023: Andrew Kim Remolino bags aquathlon silver

Andrew Kim Remolino pocketed a silver medal in aquathlon, providing comfort for Team Philippines after Raven Faith Alcoseba missed the podium on Saturday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Remolino, a two-time SEA Games triathlon silver medalist, brought his act to the 500-meter swim, 2.5-km run event and clocked 15 minutes and seven seconds behind gold medalist Rashif Yaqin (14:28) of Indonesia. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Precious Cabuya, Mark Rodelas deliver 2 golds for PH in obstacle racing

Mark Julius Rodelas, a nephew of track and field icon Elma Muros-Posadas, topped the men’s 100m in obstacle racing on Saturday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games here.

Rodelas clocked 25.19 seconds in beating compatriot Kevin Pascua (26.81) for the country’s fourth gold in the 11-nation meet.

Precious Cabuya claimed the third gold medal for Team Philippines earlier after at winning the women’s individual plum. FULL STORY

Filipinas need sweep of last two games in SEA Games 2023

The Filipinas are expected to get past Malaysia on Saturday to begin their fight for survival in the women’s football competitions of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Coach Alen Stajcic’s side is eager to shake off the disappointment of its defeat to Myanmar last Wednesday and secure the full three points in the match set 8p.m. local time (9 p.m. Manila time) at RCAF Old Stadium.

A late penalty resulted in the 1-0 loss to Myanmar, putting the World Cup-bound Filipinas in a dire situation to win their remaining two matches in Group A in order to reach the semifinals. FULL STORY

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser believes Gilas will be ‘crazy’ good defensively

A lot has been said about the manpower crisis that the Philippines is dealing with ahead of its bid to reclaim the basketball gold in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

But Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser offered some perspective to help appreciate the 15-man pool from which the final roster to Cambodia will be built.

“I think it’s a good group,” he said during a Gilas Pilipinas practice at Meralco Gym in Pasig City. “It’s a group that’s really athletic, and I think defensively, our potential, you know, is crazy.” FULL STORY

Team Philippines proudly marches as Cambodia officially opens SEA Games 2023

Cambodia officially opened the 32nd Southeast Asian Games with an impressive and elaborate opening ceremony at Morodok Techo Stadium on Friday night.

An all-female pool of 50 Filipino athletes, accompanied by the Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine SEA Games Chef de Mission Chito Loyzaga and deputy Len Escollante, paraded  60,000 seater stadium clad in their Francis Liberan-made “Araw” barong outfits.

Alyssa Valdez, who served as the Team Philippines’ flag-bearer, was introduced highly during the parade of nations as a SEA Games and Asian Games veteran.

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The all-female Philippine delegation for the opening ceremony, led by flag bearer Alyssa Valdez, march inside the Morodok Techo Stadium during the parade of nations. 🇵🇭 #SEAGames2023 📹 Cambodia Sports TV pic.twitter.com/6ixdqmvVjh

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 5, 2023

SCHEDULE: Gilas Pilipinas at SEA Games 2023 5×5 basketball

Jau Umandal rues ‘lack of preparation’ as PH men’s volleyball team out of medal race

The national men’s volleyball team mapped out a blueprint that could propel them back to the medal podium of the Southeast Asian Games starting with an extensive training camp in Japan.

Two games into the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, the foreign trip highlighted by tuneup matches that ran for two weeks, it seemed, wasn’t enough.

“The heat (inside the gym) wasn’t a factor. We simply lack the preparation for this tournament,’’ said Joshua Umandal following an 18-25, 18-25, 17-25, setback against Cambodia late Thursday evening that threw the Philippines out of the semifinal picture for good. FULL STORY

SCHEDULE: Philippines at SEA Games 2023 volleyball

PH men’s volleyball team ends SEA Games podium hopes, bows to Cambodia to go 0-2

The Philippine men’s volleyball team kissed its medal hopes goodbye as it fell to host Cambodia, 18-25, 18-25, 17-25, in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games before an ecstatic home crowd on Thursday evening at Indoor Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.

Even before the opening ceremonies on Friday, the Filipino spikers have already bombed out of podium contention as they couldn’t stop Pin Sarun and the Cambodians, who earned their second straight win in Pool A to join defending champion Indonesia in the semifinals. FULL STORY

Kaila Napolis gets sweet payback on decorated Cambodian foe for SEA Games gold

Kaila Napolis waited far too long to grapple with Jessa Khan at the mat since that agonizing night back in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

When the Napolis earned the chance, letting victory slip again from her grasp wasn’t part of the plan.

`”Getting back at her took a long time and I was really motivated to win,’’ said the 25-year-old Napolis after clinching the first gold medal for Team Philippines in jiu-jitsu here at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Mervin Guarte relishes success in obstacle course racing

From a decorated middle-distance runner in the Southeast Asian Games, Mervin Guarte has found a home in obstacle course racing.

Guarte’s skills as an 800m and 1500m specialist on the track netted him not a few silver medals in these events since the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta, but the gifted racer from Calapan, Mindoro never earned a gold.

“I’ve been reaping the benefits of my transfer (from track and field to obstacle racing). This is now my home,’’ said Guarte, who is wearing the national colors in the 11-nation biennial meet for the seventh consecutive time. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Angel Gwen Derla rules kun bokator event for PH’s second gold

Angel Gwen Derla delivered a second gold medal for the Philippines on Thursday in the women’s bamboo shield form of kun bokator at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

The 19-year-old from Cabuyao, Laguna temporarily shifted from pencak silat and tried her hand in the Cambodian indigenous sport, seizing the win with 8.5 points to frustrate the host country’s bet at the Chroy Changvar Hall here.

SEA Games 2023: Young Azkals bow out of semis contention with loss to Timor Leste

The Philippines ended its hopes of a semifinals berth in the men’s U-22 football competitions of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games after a 3-0 loss to Timor-Leste on Thursday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Coach Rob Gier’s side never recovered after conceding an opening goal in the first 15 minutes and subsequently being reduced to 10 men after Dennis Chung was sent off, resulting in a stinging defeat at Olympic Stadium in the Cambodian capital. FULL STORY

Jiu-jitsu’s Kaila Napolis wins Philippines’ first gold medal in SEA Games 2023

Kaila Napolis struck the first gold medal for Team Philippines on Thursday, beating a highly-favored foe in Jessa Khan in front of a hometown crowd in women’s jiu-jitsu at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Napolis swept Khan and seized a dominant position to earn two points near the end of their Newaza Gi 52kg encounter and redeem herself from a heart-breaker against the same rival back in the 2019 SEA Games in Manila. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Philippine teams also qualify for Obstacle Course relay final

A day after forging an all-Filipino finale in the men’s and women’s individual obstacle racing, the Philippine team slowed down in the qualifying races of the relays on Thursday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Still, coach Kristian Guerrero can feel in his gut that a medal sweep is forthcoming.

“That’s the plan, we just need to focus and not be complacent,’’ said Guerrero after the PH men’s and women’s relay teams made it to the gold-medal race on Sunday. FULL STORY

Petecio siblings fight for country, family pride at SEA Games 2023

While reclaiming her throne will have significant weight, Nesthy Petecio considers her brother’s fledgling national team tour that starts in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games as the one that has greater value.

Norlan Petecio will have the stage for his coming out party here, as he sees action in the men’s welterweight division (67 kilograms) of the biennial meet’s boxing competitions with no less than his popular sister Nesthy as his biggest fan. FULL STORY

Young Azkals need sweep to advance to SEA Games 2023 semis

The Philippines pulled off a 1-1 draw against Cambodia on Wednesday in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games men’s football competitions, nut the young Azkals—as impressive as that feat was against the hosts—need no less than a sweep of their last two games to have a chance at getting out of group play.

Tuesday’s stalemate courtesy of a last-gasp header by Doy Cariño gave the Young Azkals a slim chance of getting one of the two semifinal berths in Group A with lowly Timor Leste and Myanmar next on their schedule. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Philippines assured of silver in Cambodian chess

Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna and Woman Intenational Master Shania Mae Mendoza assured the Philippines of a silver medal in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games 2023 ouk chaktrang (Cambodian chess) women’ doubles 60-minute at Royal University of Phnom Penh.

A 4-1 win-loss record in the knockout ladder preliminaries netted a 3.5 tally for the Filipino duo, the same points held by Myanmar and Malaysia.

Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna and Woman Intenational Master Shania Mae Mendoza assured the Philippines of a silver medal in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games 2023 ouk chaktrang (Cambodian chess) women’ doubles 60-minute at Royal University of Phnom Penh.

A 4-1 win-loss record in the knockout ladder preliminaries netted a 3.5 tally for the Filipino duo, the same points held by Myanmar and Malaysia. FULL STORY

Coach Sergio Veloso finds consolation in PH men’s volleyball loss to Indonesia

Coach Sergio Veloso dismissed the agonizing defeat of the Philippine men’s national volleyball team on Wednesday at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games as a simple case of first-game jitters.

“It’s the first match and the guys were anxious,’’ said Veloso after the men’s squad suffered an 18-25, 18-25, 23-25 setback at the hands of defending champion Indonesia held at the Indoor Main Hall of the Olympic Complex here. FULL STORY

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FINAL: Philippines succumbs to Indonesia, 18-25, 18-25, 23-25, in the #SEAGames2023 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/R1i8CseiMz

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 3, 2023

Veteran trio spearheads Gilas women SEA Games 2023 ‘three-peat’ bid, 3×3 gold hunt

Veterans Jack Animam and Afril Bernardino, along with skipper Janine Pontejos, will spearhead the Gilas Pilipinas’ women’s team that will shoot for a third straight crown in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

The rosters of the women’s 5-on-5 and 3×3 teams were released on Wednesday, with Animam, Bernardino and Pontejos pulling off double duties.

“I hope they believe in what they’re doing right now … and we play together [in Cambodia],” said national coach Patrick Aquino. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: PH indoor hockey teams stay winless after beating from Indonesia

The men’s and women’s indoor hockey teams continued to have a rough stretch in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Wednesday.

Indonesia swept the men’s team, 20-0, behind a dominant outing from Muhammad Alfiana.

Muhammad scored six goals to hand the Philippines its third loss in the SEA Games. FULL STORY

Honored Chris Ross on SEA Games call-up: I’ve got some energy to give

Accustomed to playing long conferences for San Miguel Beer in the PBA, Chris Ross said it’s jarring to have so much free time.

Fortunately for the champion playmaker, he got a national team call-up. So count on him to spend all his extra zest to help Gilas Pilipinas in its extraordinary task in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

“I haven’t played (in a while),” he told the Inquirer. “We lost in the semifinals of the last two (PBA) conferences. The last time I played in the Finals was back in September, so I’m really excited to have this.”

“I want to get out there and play especially for the national team because it’s always a pleasure for me. You know, I’ve got some energy to give,” he added. FULL STORY

SEA Games 2023: Four Filipinos advance to Obstacle Course Race final

Four Filipinos advanced to the Finals of the 100-meter Obstacle Course Race event in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at Chroy Changvar Convention Center, Cambodia on Wednesday.

Precious Cabuya and Jaymark Rodelas zoomed past the competition in the women’s and men’s individual 100m OCR elimination rounds, respectively.

The medal round of the 100m OCR event is on Saturday. FULL STORY

Dov Carino helps Young Azkals salvage draw vs Cambodia in SEA Games 2023

Dov Carino scored an equalizer near the final whistle as the Philippines stunned host Cambodia with a 1-1 draw on Tuesday in the men’s U-22 football competitions of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.

Carino came through for the Young Azkals when he headed the ball off a long ball in stoppage time, stunning a partisan crowd that were left disappointed with the result at Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh. FULL STORY

Alyssa Valdez named PH flag bearer in SEA Games 2023