Off-and-on performances of PH nationals

By Jesus A. Garcia, Jr.

DAYS after this year’s Asian Games, our Philippine national ball squads continue to see action against Asia’s powerhouse teams in volleyball and in basketball. So far, our women’s volleyball nationals failed in their first two games but were successful in their third game to stay alive in this year’s Asian Volleyball Cup (AVC).

Our volley belles were leading the first two sets against Australia and Iran but lost both in the last three sets consecutively in a heartbreaking 2-3 score, respectively, But our ‘never say die’ nationals spearheaded by superstar Alyssa Valdez bounced back on their third skirmish repulsing the dreaded and taller Kazakhstan, 3-1, last September 18. So far, PH is currently in ninth place. (PH next opponent was current second placer South Korea).

What’s happening to our volleyball team is similar to what happened to our national basketball squad “Gilas Pilipinas.” The national dribblers lost to the taller and heftier Iranians, 81-73, but pounded Qatar, 92-81, on their second clash in the fourth window of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers. Gilas belongs to Group F with five wins three losses and currently on third position after Australia and Iran. Gilas next foe is Kazakhstan on November 30 in Melbourne, Australia.

Experts say it’s an even match, but I believe Gilas will win especially if naturalized player Andray Blatche and Cebuano behemoth June Mar Fajardo return to the hard court.

 

14-day Tour of Vietnam

My big congrats to our local rider Ronald Oranza of Villasis for placing third in the just concluded 14-day Tour of Vietnam.

Oranza, 26, was just 26 seconds adrift to overall champion David Eard of Netherland and only 11 seconds behind to second finisher Ali Kademi of Iran. The 5’9” Oranza, won the 4^th, 8^th and 10^th stages to climb to third place while my town mate and Oranza’s teammate Joshua Cariño who won the 5^th stage unfortunately suffered a bad fall in the 8th stage and landed 25^th out of 80 accredited international contestants. The two Pangasinenses carrying the colors of Philippine Navy Standard Insurance (PNSI) six-man squad, landed second in the team general classification. Oranza was the winner of this year’s 10-day Ronda Pilipinas bikathon while Cariño topped the internationally flavored UCI sanctioned 2018 Le Tour de Filipinas.

Keep up the good work my co-cyclists. We, Pangasinenses, are really proud of you.

 

Batang Pinoy National Championships

As I’m rushing this piece afternoon of September 20, I received good news from the deputy director of Pangasinan Sports Development and Management Council (PSDMC) Marlon Domalanta that our province already collected 22 gold medals, eight golds from cycling (so far) in the Batang Pinoy National Championships being conducted in Baguio City.

My heartfelt congratulations for them and most of all my big thanks to our sports-minded and the hard-working father of the province Gov. Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III, and to all the staff of PSDMC headed by director Modesto Operania and Domalanta for their unrelenting and unselfish assistance to our young athletes. The well-organized Pangasinan Sports Academy (PSA) of Gov. Pogi is undoubtedly bearing fruits. Remember, our young ones are our new hopes in the future.  Carry on the good effort guys.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Therefore, thus says the Lord God: “I will cause a stormy wind to break forth in My fury; and there shall be a flooding rain in My anger, and great hailstones in fury to consume it. EZEKIEL 13: 13

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