Asian success thrills GAP chief

The Gymnastics Association of the Philippines is thrilled over the possibility of emerging successful in the 10th Senior Artistic Gymnastics Asian Championships at the OCBC Center in Singapore.

GAP president Cynthia Carrion said she is ecstatic seeing Aleah Finnegan grab her first podium finish in the prestigious continental tournament.

The 20-year-old Finnegan scored 13.483 points in the women;'s vault tio seal her spot in the podium last Saturday.

She also scored 50.399 points to finish seventh in the women's all-around to land on the Top 8.

With that, she will be joining Carlos Yulo and Kylee Kvamme in the upcoming 52nd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium this September.

Kvamme, who is set to play for the University of Alabama in the US National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1, scored 14.765 points to emerge 14th.

She, however, was able to make the cut as powerhouse countries like China, South Korea and Chinese Taipei have already qualified in the world tourney.

Kvamme, who is seeing action for Louisiana State University, is still competing in the floor exercise and balance beam events at press time.

"She got third place. It's a fantastic experience for her but there's still tomorrow (Sunday) to look out for," Carrion said in a phone conversation.

Last year, the Philippines took home three golds and a silver medal in the Asian tourney courtesy of Yulo.

'He (Yulo) will get those golds for sure.'

Now, the Philippines has a handsome chance to win at least 10 medals as Yulo looks to add three more medals after ruling the floor exercise and pocketing the silver medal in the individual all-around.

Also vying for medals are 32nd Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Juancho Miguel Besana in the men's vault while Emma Malabuyo is playing in the women's floor exercise.

Carrion is confident Yullo will be able to defend the gold medals he won last year in the vault and parallel bars and hopefully get one more medal in the horizontal bar.

"He (Yulo) will get those golds for sure," Carrion said.