PH Dribblers Score Back-To-Back Victories In ASG

The Philippines’ basketball teams brought home back-to-back wins in the 2018 ASEAN Schools Games (ASG) on July 25.

Strong-willed and steadfast in their desire to end their ASG stint on a high note, the Filipino dribblers annexed the boys’ and girls’ gold medals on the final day of competition.

Coached by Richard Goldwin Monteverde, the boy dribblers finally delivered and emerged champions after demolishing host Malaysia, 87-65, at the full house Gem in Mall courts in Cyberjaya. This is after settling for the silver finish in last year’s ASG.

With several Filipino supporters and fellow athletes in attendance, the NU Bullpups-bannered team got off on a strong start and never looked back to close the tournament with a 4-0 clean slate.

The towering presence of 6’7” center Carl Vincent Tamayo, and 6’6” Kevin Earl Quiambao helped shut down the paint for the Malaysians, limiting them to just 31 percent shooting.

Guard Gerry Austin Abadiano scored 20 points, while sharpshooter Terrence John Fortea added 19, including five conversions from behind the arc.

Tamayo chipped in 18 points while Abadiano, who was also the Finals Most Outstanding Player during the 2018 Exped SM-National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) National Finals Division 1, grabbed six boards.

Meanwhile, the girl dribblers lived up to their billing as the tournament favorites when they clobbered Singapore, 80-42, to clinch their second straight gold medal finish. The girls also won the gold in last year’s staging of the ASG in Singapore.

The team, which earlier defeated Thailand and Indonesia, relied on the services of Palarong Pambansa veteran and Silay City bet Kent Jane Pastrana, who poured in 14 points.

Pastrana’s aggressive plays on offense also paved the way for open baskets for her teammates Karl Ann Pingol of Pototan, Iloilo, who contributed 12 points.

Guard Caila Marie Galamiton and Angelica Surada added 10 points each.

Kristine Cayabyab, who was one of the major contributors during last year’s gold medal run, could only cheer and watch from the sidelines as she missed her second straight game due to a sore knee.

Coach Angelina Fedillaga thanked their sponsor SM and all Filipinos who have watched the games, and expressed her excitement to vie for a three-peat in next year’s ASG in Indonesia.

“This is an empowering and inspiring milestone for all the female athletes of the country,” DepEd Assistant Secretary and Palarong Pambansa Secretary General Atty. Revsee Escobedo shared. “They have shown their opponents that they are a force to be reckoned with.”

DepEd Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and School Sports Tonisito Umali stated that the success of the athletes is not only for themselves: “It is for their families, friends, and all the Filipino people who believe and support the sports culture.” (DepEd)