Pinoy wrestlers get shutout in Asiad wrestling

Filipino wrestlers Joe Fer Callado and Jason Baucas suffered defeats in their respective bouts Thursday at the 20th Asian Games at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center.

Callado was defeated by Uzbekistan’s Alisher Ganiev, 9-0, in the Men’s Greco-Roman 60kg.

While Baucas fell to Indonesia’s Andika Sulaeman by the same score in Men’s Greco-Roman 77kg.

Neither Filipino was able to put a point on the board, allowing their respective opponents to secure victories by technical superiority.

Callado and Baucas are supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Yape doubles medal haul for Philippine taekwondo

Candelaria and Yape via POC/PSC Media

One more medal for poomsae.

Jeus Yape captured the bronze medal in the men’s individual poomsae competition Thursday at Toyohashi Gymnasium, adding another medal to the Philippines’ haul in the event.

Just hours after Juliana Candelaria claimed silver in the women’s individual event, Yape delivered a score of 9.0900 to secure third place.

“I’m happy po with my performance. Ginawa ko po ‘yung best ko, ginawa ko po lahat ng makakaya ko,” Yape said in an interview with One Sports.

South Korea’s Yun Kyusung topped the field with a score of 9.3800, while Thailand’s Navin Pinthasute took silver with 9.2800.

Coach Jeordan Domingez credited Yape for overcoming the pressure that comes with competing on the Asian stage.

“I’m so happy for him. I know the feeling because we also competed in this competition before, and I’m very happy and proud of Jeus, together with Mika, because they conquered that fear [of pressure],” Domingez said.

Yape, meanwhile, vowed to build on his performance as he looks ahead to his upcoming competitions.

“Right now I’m happy sa journey ko po, and I’ll just keep moving forward,” he said.

Yape will switch to VR mode as he sees action in virtual taekwondo round of 16 on Friday, 10am (Manila time).

Taekwondo, supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, now has two medals courtesy of poomsae.

Candelaria secures silver in Asiad poomsae

Making her Asian Games debut at 18 years old, Juliana Candelaria delivered a silver-medal performance in the women’s individual poomsae competition Thursday at the Toyohashi Gymnasium.

Candelaria scored 9.1300 in the gold-medal contest to finish second behind South Korea’s Jung Haeun, who took the gold with 9.3100. Thailand’s Thitaree Kaewolanwasu claimed the bronze with 9.0400.

She earned a 9.200 score in her recognized poomsae routine before posting 9.060 in the freestyle round.

“Amazing. I feel great about everything,” Candelaria told One Sports. “It’s such an amazing achievement for me. It’s my first Asian Games.”

“Super duper thankful to everyone. My family, my coaches, my teammates,” she added.

Coach Rani Ortega credited the team’s collective effort for Candelaria’s podium finish, which gave the Philippines its fifth silver medal of the Asian Games.

Candelaria joins Jean Claude Saclag (MMA), Marie June Adriano (karate), the Philippine women’s sepak takraw team, and Amaya Amparo Cojuangco (archery) as the country’s other silver medalists.

“Ang mati-take ko [na lesson] here is live in the moment, kasi what I did in this competition is to enjoy and just be grateful for everything,” Candelaria said.

“Hard work really pays off, with the trust and teamwork of all of us, kaya talaga. Kaya,” Ortega adds.

POC optimistic in surpassing Hangzhou haul at Aichi-Nagoya

Bambol with EJ c/o POC/PSC media

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino remains optimistic that Team Philippines can surpass its four-gold mark as the 20th Asian Games heads into its final three days.

Speaking with reporters as the continental showpiece approached its homestretch, Tolentino expressed firm belief that the Filipino delegation still has several strong medal opportunities left across various disciplines.

“May tatlong simba up to Sunday morning. Last 3 days, still hoping for more golds,” Tolentino said. 

“Siguro naman sure na malalampasan ‘yung apat,” said the POC chief, referring to the four golds that the country won in Hangzhou three years ago, courtesy of pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, jiu-jitsu warriors Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez, and Gilas Pilipinas.

The Philippines' gold medal count in Nagoya stands at three, two from double-Olympic champion Carlos Yulo (men's floor exercise and vault) and pole vault star EJ Obiena.

Tolentino acknowledged that while the delegation suffered unexpected early heartbreaks, most notably the early exit of the Sibol Mobile Legends squad and MMA artist Jean Claude Saclag, other sports remain well in contention to step up.   

“Ganu’n talaga. May napipitas, may pumapalit. God willing, mayroon pa pagkukunan,” Tolentino said.

Outlining the sports where Team Philippines could potentially make a late surge, Tolentino pointed to key events in tennis, boxing, martial arts, beach volleyball, padel, golf, and team sports.

“Of course, Alex [Eala]. Boxing, Carlo Paalam. Judo. Malakas nga lang ‘yung first event ngayon. What else? Jiu-jitsu. Hopefully dalawa, so apat na ‘yun. Hindi ko alam dynamics ng softball. Pumasok pa ang padel, so lima. Meron pa ‘yan,” he said.

He also expressed confidence in the golf contingent, led by Bianca Pagdanganan and Rianne Malixi. 

With time running out before the games officially wrap up on Sunday, the POC chief called on the nation to rally behind the remaining Filipino athletes competing for podium finishes.

“God willing. Lahat tayo mga kababayan, let's pray for our athletes at Team Philippines. Lahat na mga nagka-qualify pa. Kaya sure na malalampasan natin ‘yung 4, hopefully,” said Tolentino.