Asian Games: PH sepak takraw team takes home bronze

The Philippine sepak takraw squad. –POOL

HANGZHOU, China—The Philippine sepak takraw squad made sure there won’t be a medal shutout for the country on Tuesday in the 19th Asian Games.

Headlined by veteran striker Jason Huerte and Rheyjey Ortouste, the men’s quadrant team salvaged a bronze after falling prey to Indonesia, 2-1, during their semifinal at the Jinhua Sports Centre Gymnasium.

The Filipinos earlier subdued Singpore’s Bin Mohammad Umar, Ramli Muhammad, A’fif Muhammad and Yusof Muhammad, 2-0, in the quarterfinals for the right to meet the Indonesian quartet of Muhammad Muliang, Rusdi Rusdi, Dikyapriadi and Muhammad Hafidz.

Down after the first set, 15-21, the Indonesians engaged the Filipinos, who also got solid contributions from Mark Joseph Gonzales and feeder Vince Torno, in a fierce back-and-forth duel to even up matters, 25-24, in the second frame.

Muliang then took matters into his hands and joined forces with the flamboyant-striking Rusdi to seize the final set, 21-17, that pushed the Filipinos out of gold-medal contention for good.

Nevertheless, Team Philippines welcomed its ninth bronze medal in these Games. Pole vaulter EJ Obiena delivered the nation’s solitary gold while sanda warrior Arnel Mandal accounted for the lone silver.