Will Aleah Finnegan represent the Philippines in the 2028 Olympics? | ABS-CBN
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Will Aleah Finnegan represent the Philippines in the 2028 Olympics?
Will Aleah Finnegan represent the Philippines in the 2028 Olympics?
Rom Anzures,
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 17, 2024 10:30 PM PHT
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Filipina gymnast Aleah Finnegan at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Handout/Aleah Finnegan
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MANILA — Aleah Finnegan made history for the Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
MANILA — Aleah Finnegan made history for the Philippines in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The 21-year-old was the first Filipina to have qualified for the Summer Games since 1964, and she eventually did wonders with fellow PH bets Emma Malabuyo and Levi Ruvivar in France in the women's artistic gymnastics event there.
The 21-year-old was the first Filipina to have qualified for the Summer Games since 1964, and she eventually did wonders with fellow PH bets Emma Malabuyo and Levi Ruvivar in France in the women's artistic gymnastics event there.
The Louisiana State University student ranked at No.47 at the end of their event, but she still remained grateful for her overall experience in Paris.
The Louisiana State University student ranked at No.47 at the end of their event, but she still remained grateful for her overall experience in Paris.
"I've been very fortunate and very blessed for the year that I've had," said Finnegan at the sidelines of the Yes Girl training clinic on Saturday in Intramuros, Manila.
"I've been very fortunate and very blessed for the year that I've had," said Finnegan at the sidelines of the Yes Girl training clinic on Saturday in Intramuros, Manila.
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Finnegan was among the LSU women's gymnastics squad that won the US NCAA Championship in early 2024, and she said that her campaign in Paris made her year even better.
Finnegan was among the LSU women's gymnastics squad that won the US NCAA Championship in early 2024, and she said that her campaign in Paris made her year even better.
"With the NCAA Championship and the Paris Olympics [stint], the Lord has given me the talent, I've been able to showcase it to the best of my abilities," she added.
"With the NCAA Championship and the Paris Olympics [stint], the Lord has given me the talent, I've been able to showcase it to the best of my abilities," she added.
She also relished the experience of finally representing the country in the quadrennial games.
She also relished the experience of finally representing the country in the quadrennial games.
"Competition-wise, it was very exciting. Walking into the arena, seeing all the Filipino flags, I'm very thankful that I was able to represent the flag," said Aleah. "My biggest takeaway was just how thankful I am to be there in the first place."
"Competition-wise, it was very exciting. Walking into the arena, seeing all the Filipino flags, I'm very thankful that I was able to represent the flag," said Aleah. "My biggest takeaway was just how thankful I am to be there in the first place."
The LSU junior also lamented how she fell short of advancing into the medal rounds of her event, but explained that she is instead looking to remain grateful for her whole campaign in Paris.
The LSU junior also lamented how she fell short of advancing into the medal rounds of her event, but explained that she is instead looking to remain grateful for her whole campaign in Paris.
"I think that it was my best showcase, but it can be a little disappointing. You worked your whole life for a total of five minutes, and unfortunately, things don't go your way sometimes."
"I think that it was my best showcase, but it can be a little disappointing. You worked your whole life for a total of five minutes, and unfortunately, things don't go your way sometimes."
"But I'm choosing to see the successful run that we had, I'm choosing to see how amazing it was. We had three women athletes in the gymnastics category. I'm really just blessed that each person that was there competing for the Philippines, they all had a part in our successful run," she continued.
"But I'm choosing to see the successful run that we had, I'm choosing to see how amazing it was. We had three women athletes in the gymnastics category. I'm really just blessed that each person that was there competing for the Philippines, they all had a part in our successful run," she continued.
Another unfortunate thing that the Business Marketing student had to deal with was missing the Heroes' parade for the Filipino Olympians earlier this week.
Another unfortunate thing that the Business Marketing student had to deal with was missing the Heroes' parade for the Filipino Olympians earlier this week.
She downplayed the incident, which she said was a result of a miscommunication with the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines. Finnegan stressed that what's more important is being able to link up with the hopefuls over there in the GAP Gym in Manila.
She downplayed the incident, which she said was a result of a miscommunication with the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines. Finnegan stressed that what's more important is being able to link up with the hopefuls over there in the GAP Gym in Manila.
"Our whole reason to come to the Philippines was for this clinic. I'm really thankful for the GAP for this opportunity and being able to showcase and spend time with over 80 gymnasts here," she explained.
"Our whole reason to come to the Philippines was for this clinic. I'm really thankful for the GAP for this opportunity and being able to showcase and spend time with over 80 gymnasts here," she explained.
Moving forward, Finnegan shared that what is more important is how GAP and the concerned groups must remain consistent with their support for the country's aspiring gymnasts as they look to build from Carlos Yulo's double-gold performance in this year's Games.
Moving forward, Finnegan shared that what is more important is how GAP and the concerned groups must remain consistent with their support for the country's aspiring gymnasts as they look to build from Carlos Yulo's double-gold performance in this year's Games.
"The team that we had was the biggest one that we'd have yet. What a great showcase that was, and we're doing better than we did four years ago in Tokyo," said Aleah.
"The team that we had was the biggest one that we'd have yet. What a great showcase that was, and we're doing better than we did four years ago in Tokyo," said Aleah.
"I think that's the important thing. It's not about the numbers and comparing ourselves to other countries. It's about the people that we have here. But I hope that it expands for '28, and I hope that more people will see the importance of representing the Philippines."
"I think that's the important thing. It's not about the numbers and comparing ourselves to other countries. It's about the people that we have here. But I hope that it expands for '28, and I hope that more people will see the importance of representing the Philippines."
"It's hard for me to [point out specifics], but I think that if they just keep on doing what they have been doing, we're gonna see tremendous upbringing in gymnastics. I've heard we're already getting so many people who want to start in gymnastics, and so many people who want to be a part of GAP and the incredible things that they're doing."
"It's hard for me to [point out specifics], but I think that if they just keep on doing what they have been doing, we're gonna see tremendous upbringing in gymnastics. I've heard we're already getting so many people who want to start in gymnastics, and so many people who want to be a part of GAP and the incredible things that they're doing."
"Slowly by slowly, we're building an army, and we're gonna see it real soon. If we just keep on doing what we're doing, we're gonna expand," she added, while also sharing how she can also do her part by enticing other Filipino-blooded athletes in the US to compete in the Philippines for future competitions.
"Slowly by slowly, we're building an army, and we're gonna see it real soon. If we just keep on doing what we're doing, we're gonna expand," she added, while also sharing how she can also do her part by enticing other Filipino-blooded athletes in the US to compete in the Philippines for future competitions.
"If you're proud of your heritage, this is the best way to showcase it. It's the world's highest stage, and personally, this is the best way to give back for the sacrifices that my family has given me."
"If you're proud of your heritage, this is the best way to showcase it. It's the world's highest stage, and personally, this is the best way to give back for the sacrifices that my family has given me."
"Anyone who will ask me about it, I'm of 100% support and I'll tell them to do it," continued the 2021 Southeast Asian Games double gold medalist.
"Anyone who will ask me about it, I'm of 100% support and I'll tell them to do it," continued the 2021 Southeast Asian Games double gold medalist.
However, Finnegan emphasized that personally, there are still no concrete plans for whether she will play for the Philippines again in Los Angeles four years from now.
However, Finnegan emphasized that personally, there are still no concrete plans for whether she will play for the Philippines again in Los Angeles four years from now.
"I don't have too many plans. I'm heading back to school in two weeks and I'll graduate in May. After I graduate, I'm just taking it one step at a time. It's not a yes, but it's not a no, so we'll just kind of see where the wind takes me," she said.
"I don't have too many plans. I'm heading back to school in two weeks and I'll graduate in May. After I graduate, I'm just taking it one step at a time. It's not a yes, but it's not a no, so we'll just kind of see where the wind takes me," she said.
Read More:
Gymnastics
ABSSports
2024 Paris Olympic Games
Paris Olympics
2024 Olympics
Paris 2024
Aleah Finnegan
Carlos Yulo
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Cignal's Jau Umandal shines brightest in Week 1 of Spikers' Turf
Cignal's Jau Umandal shines brightest in Week 1 of Spikers' Turf
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 25, 2025 01:30 PM PHT
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Cignal HD's Jau Umandal in their game against Savouge in the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, February 23, 2025. PVL Media
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MANILA -- Jau Umandal took charge for Cignal HD in the opening week of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, towing the HD Spikers to an immaculate 2-0 start.
MANILA -- Jau Umandal took charge for Cignal HD in the opening week of the 2025 Spikers' Turf Open Conference, towing the HD Spikers to an immaculate 2-0 start.
After setting the tone with 10 points on an 8-of-16 attack clip in the HD Spikers' sweep of newcomer Alpha Insurance last Friday, the former UST standout cranked his game up a notch two days later with 17 more markers on an astounding 16-of-23 spiking efficiency in Cignal's 25-23, 27-25, 25-19 win over Savouge.
After setting the tone with 10 points on an 8-of-16 attack clip in the HD Spikers' sweep of newcomer Alpha Insurance last Friday, the former UST standout cranked his game up a notch two days later with 17 more markers on an astounding 16-of-23 spiking efficiency in Cignal's 25-23, 27-25, 25-19 win over Savouge.
Umandal's efforts earned him the nod as the Spikers' Turf Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of February 21 to 23.
Umandal's efforts earned him the nod as the Spikers' Turf Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of February 21 to 23.
He gained the citation over teammate Steven Rotter and the Criss Cross trio of Jaron Requinton, Jude Garcia, and Kim Malabunga for the weekly citation handed out by reporters covering the competition streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.spikersturf.ph.
He gained the citation over teammate Steven Rotter and the Criss Cross trio of Jaron Requinton, Jude Garcia, and Kim Malabunga for the weekly citation handed out by reporters covering the competition streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.spikersturf.ph.
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Umandal, however, is keeping his focus on the big picture.
Umandal, however, is keeping his focus on the big picture.
"Ang mindset ko ngayong season ay mag-focus lang sa bawat laro at gawin ang best ko para makatulong sa team. Malaking bagay na maganda ang naging simula ko, pero alam kong marami pa akong dapat ayusin at pagbutihin," he said.
"Ang mindset ko ngayong season ay mag-focus lang sa bawat laro at gawin ang best ko para makatulong sa team. Malaking bagay na maganda ang naging simula ko, pero alam kong marami pa akong dapat ayusin at pagbutihin," he said.
"Lalo na laban sa malalakas na teams tulad ng Savouge, kailangan kong manatiling composed at sumunod sa game plan namin. Hindi rin ito magiging posible kung hindi dahil sa tiwala ng teammates at coaches ko, kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila.”
"Lalo na laban sa malalakas na teams tulad ng Savouge, kailangan kong manatiling composed at sumunod sa game plan namin. Hindi rin ito magiging posible kung hindi dahil sa tiwala ng teammates at coaches ko, kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila.”
Umandal credits his Cignal teammates - many of whom are part of the Alas Pilipinas men's volleyball team - for keeping him grounded no matter how often they cruise to wins as a cohesive unit.
Umandal credits his Cignal teammates - many of whom are part of the Alas Pilipinas men's volleyball team - for keeping him grounded no matter how often they cruise to wins as a cohesive unit.
"Maswerte ako na nasa isang team na maraming magagaling na players. Malaking bagay 'yung magkaroon ng teammates na laging nag-uusap, nagtutulungan, at nagtutulak sa isa’t isa para mas gumaling," he continued.
"Maswerte ako na nasa isang team na maraming magagaling na players. Malaking bagay 'yung magkaroon ng teammates na laging nag-uusap, nagtutulungan, at nagtutulak sa isa’t isa para mas gumaling," he continued.
"Sa totoo lang, nakakagaan ng loob na hindi ko kailangang akuin lahat ng responsibilidad sa laro dahil lahat kami may ambag. Dahil doon, mas na-challenge ako na gawin ang part ko nang maayos at maging consistent para makatulong sa team."
"Sa totoo lang, nakakagaan ng loob na hindi ko kailangang akuin lahat ng responsibilidad sa laro dahil lahat kami may ambag. Dahil doon, mas na-challenge ako na gawin ang part ko nang maayos at maging consistent para makatulong sa team."
He is also confident that their level of play can only improve as the tournament progresses.
He is also confident that their level of play can only improve as the tournament progresses.
"Hindi pa ito 'yung best ko, kaya patuloy pa rin akong magtatrabaho para mas mapaganda pa ang laro ko," he said.
"Hindi pa ito 'yung best ko, kaya patuloy pa rin akong magtatrabaho para mas mapaganda pa ang laro ko," he said.
Cignal’s next assignment for the week will be against VNS on Wednesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig and PGJC-Navy on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Cignal’s next assignment for the week will be against VNS on Wednesday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig and PGJC-Navy on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Read More:
abssports
volleyball
Spikers' Turf
Spikers' Turf Open Conference
Cignal HD Spikers
Jau Umandal
Player of the Week
Spikers' Turf Player of the Week
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