PH gets shot at sepak takraw gold, adds bronze to Asian Games haul

Jean Marie Sucalit, Abegail Sinogbuhan, and Nelly Jay Salon guarantee the Philippines its best-ever sepak takraw finish in the Asian Games as they advance to the women's double final

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will get a crack at a historic sepak takraw gold medal in the Asian Games.

This after Jean Marie Sucalit, Abegail Sinogbuhan, and Nelly Jay Salon advanced to the final of the women’s double competition following a 15-12, 15-10 win over Laos at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium in Japan on Monday, September 28.

Regardless of the result of the gold-medal match against Vietnam on Tuesday, September 29, the Philippines is assured of its best-ever finish in the sport in the quadrennial showpiece.

The Philippines’ only other sepak takraw medals came in the 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China, where the men’s regu and men’s quadrant teams each won a bronze. 

It will be an intriguing title clash, with the Philippines and Vietnam disposing of opponents that previously beat the other.

After opening its campaign with a 2-1 loss to Laos, Vietnam reached the final with a 2-0 win over South Korea, which dealt the Philippines its only loss in the tournament.

While the Filipinas earned a shot at the gold, Jason Huerte, Jom Lerry Rafael, Reynaldo Asilum Jr., Glindel Phori, and Ronsited Gabayeron were not as fortunate as they absorbed a narrow 10-15, 15-11, 15-7 loss to Malaysia in the semifinals of the men’s regu event. 

Still, the quintet secured a bronze, replicating the Philippines’ finish in 2023, when Huerte, Rafael, and Gabayeron won the medal with Mark Joseph Gonzales and Rheyjey Ortouste.

Over in esports, Golden Hart Dajao, Justine Ritchie Tan, Charles Roman Esguerra, Dragon Hart Dajao, Jhon Mike Tungol, and Chammy Paul Nazarrea also bagged a bronze for the country event after falling to China, 2-0, in the Honor of Kings semifinals. – Rappler.com