SEA Games: Heartbreaking loss for Team PH in sepak takraw | ABS-CBN
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SEA Games: Heartbreaking loss for Team PH in sepak takraw
Camille Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 29, 2017 10:13 PM PHT
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Updated Aug 30, 2017 12:58 AM PHT

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – (UPDATED) In a situation that has become all too familiar for Philippine teams in the 29th Southeast Asian Games, its teams in men's regu and squash settled for silver medals after losing in heartbreaking fashion in their respective finals on Tuesday evening.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – (UPDATED) In a situation that has become all too familiar for Philippine teams in the 29th Southeast Asian Games, its teams in men's regu and squash settled for silver medals after losing in heartbreaking fashion in their respective finals on Tuesday evening.
At the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil, the trio of David William Pelino, Robert Andrew Garcia, and Reymark Begornia dropped a 1-2 decision to Singapore in the final of the men's team event.
At the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil, the trio of David William Pelino, Robert Andrew Garcia, and Reymark Begornia dropped a 1-2 decision to Singapore in the final of the men's team event.
The loss came just a day after they pulled off a shocking upset of Malaysia in the semis, only to run out of steam in the gold medal match.
The loss came just a day after they pulled off a shocking upset of Malaysia in the semis, only to run out of steam in the gold medal match.
Meanwhile, the men's regu team also failed to secure the mint after bowing to Malaysia at the Stadium Titiwangsa.
Meanwhile, the men's regu team also failed to secure the mint after bowing to Malaysia at the Stadium Titiwangsa.
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In the last sepak takraw event of the SEA Games, the Philippines started off slow, made a comeback, but eventually faltered against the taller home team.
In the last sepak takraw event of the SEA Games, the Philippines started off slow, made a comeback, but eventually faltered against the taller home team.
Malaysia wound up winning 25-23, 21-13, to secure the gold medal, and send the Philippine team composed of Jason Huerte, Rheyjey Cabogoy, Rhemwil Catana, Ronsited Gabayerno, and Mark Joseph Gonzales to second place.
Malaysia wound up winning 25-23, 21-13, to secure the gold medal, and send the Philippine team composed of Jason Huerte, Rheyjey Cabogoy, Rhemwil Catana, Ronsited Gabayerno, and Mark Joseph Gonzales to second place.
"Medyo nagkulang lang kami sa depensa," said sepak takraw coach Metodio Suico Jr. "Kita naman na 'yung tikong ng Malaysia, talagang malakas, at advantage nila 'yung homecourt."
"Medyo nagkulang lang kami sa depensa," said sepak takraw coach Metodio Suico Jr. "Kita naman na 'yung tikong ng Malaysia, talagang malakas, at advantage nila 'yung homecourt."
Suico was also unimpressed with some of the decisions made by the referee, particularly one call in the second set that saw the Philippines denied a point after the official judged that the ball hit a player's hand.
Suico was also unimpressed with some of the decisions made by the referee, particularly one call in the second set that saw the Philippines denied a point after the official judged that the ball hit a player's hand.
"Sumabit daw dito sa kamay, which is hindi naman, kahit tingnan pa sa video," said Suico. "Talagang hindi tumama sa kamay."
"Sumabit daw dito sa kamay, which is hindi naman, kahit tingnan pa sa video," said Suico. "Talagang hindi tumama sa kamay."
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"Eh 'yun nga, decision ng referee. Wala tayong magagawa," he added.
"Eh 'yun nga, decision ng referee. Wala tayong magagawa," he added.
Both teams had entered the final match of the day with identical 3-0 records, and the Philippine team was upbeat over its chances following a 21-10, 21-18 win over Brunei earlier in the afternoon.
Both teams had entered the final match of the day with identical 3-0 records, and the Philippine team was upbeat over its chances following a 21-10, 21-18 win over Brunei earlier in the afternoon.
Their defense failed them against Malaysia, however, with the home team's attacker proving nearly unstoppable all match long.
Their defense failed them against Malaysia, however, with the home team's attacker proving nearly unstoppable all match long.
Towards the end of the second set, the Philippines succumbed to its own errors, allowing Malaysia to pull away as the home crowd cheered their team on.
Towards the end of the second set, the Philippines succumbed to its own errors, allowing Malaysia to pull away as the home crowd cheered their team on.
The losses of the regu and squash teams in the finals ensured that the Philippines will finish with its fewest gold medals in the SEA Games in 18 years.
The losses of the regu and squash teams in the finals ensured that the Philippines will finish with its fewest gold medals in the SEA Games in 18 years.
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After Tuesday's events, the country has 24 gold medals, along with 33 silvers and 64 bronzes, which puts it at sixth place in the medal table.
After Tuesday's events, the country has 24 gold medals, along with 33 silvers and 64 bronzes, which puts it at sixth place in the medal table.
Only one Filipino athlete – Kathryn Magno – will see action on Wednesday as she competes in speed skating ahead of the closing ceremonies at Bukit Jalil.
Only one Filipino athlete – Kathryn Magno – will see action on Wednesday as she competes in speed skating ahead of the closing ceremonies at Bukit Jalil.
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
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