Softball sweep

Palembang, Indonesia—Another golden double from softball lend a sparkle on an otherwise gloomy Saturday  for Team Philippines in the 26th Southeast Asian Games here.

The women’s team cruised past Indonesia, 6-0, in the morning final while the men’s team rallied to claim the title at the expense of another Indonesian squad, 7-3, at the Jakabaring Sport Complex.

The Filipinos thus kept their supremacy in the event they also ruled back home in the 2005 SEAG and also in the 2007 Nakhon Ratchasima edition. Softball wasn’t included in the 2009 SEAG in Vientiane, Laos.

Boxing also produced two more gold medal winners courtesy of  Alice Apariu Kate (light flyweight 48 kg-female) and Josei Gabuco (pin weight 46 kg-female).

With no victories scored in other fronts, the Philippines stayed mired at sixth place and appeared headed for their worst finish ever in the biennial meet being lorded over by the Indonesians, who are assured of the overall championship with a hoard of 133 golds, 106 silvers and 93 bronzes as of 8 p.m.  The Filipinos wound up sixth in the 2007 Games with 41 golds.

The Philippines now has a record of 24-41-59 (gold-silver-bronze) for sixth place behind Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Sinag Pilipinas men’s national team goes for a gold today when it faces Thailand.

The Pinoy cagers defeated the Thais, 103-69, during their preliminary round match.

The Philippines has claimed the gold medal in every SEA Games basketball event since 1991 save for a FIBA suspension in 2005 and the non-inclusion of the sport two years ago.

Bowlers Frederick Ong and Biboy Rivera  gave Team Philippines some hope as they wound up 1-2 after the first block of the men’s masters at the Jaya   Bowling Center in Jakarta.

BAYLON’S

REIGN  ENDS

Judoka John Baylon’s 22-year reign finally ended in Jakarta, forcing him to announce his retirement.

The 47-yearold Baylon bowed to Vietnamese To Hai Long, 24, in the semifinals of the under-81kg category. To compound his misery, Baylon also lost to Malaysian Marjan Abdullah in their battle for the bronze, after which he announced his retirement.

Another Filipino, Gilbert Ramirez, settled for the bronze in the under-73kg division.

Former world champion Francisco “Django” Bustamante yielded to Indonesian Ricky Yang, 9-3, and settled for the bronze medal in the men’s 9-ball single.

Yang, who lost to world No. 1 Dennis Orcollo in the 8-ball final, will clash with compatriot Irsal Nasution for the title.

In tennis, Cecil Mamiit will seek the men’s singles title then combine with Treat Huey for the men’s double semifinals. Huey and Denise Dy will figure in the mixed doubles finals. /inquirer