2 bronzes fire off PH campaign

We know we have already beaten the Indonesians in the SEA Games and Asian Championships before, so we’re very confident to face them in the quarterfinals

JAKARTA, Indonesia — The vaunted Philippine taekwondo team got off to a sizzling start as it copped two early bronze medals in the poomsae events of the 18th Asian Games at the Jakarta Convention Center Assembly hall here.

The troika of Dustin Jacob Mella, Joerdan Dominguez and Rodolfo Reyes Jr. bowed to China, 7.830-8.180, in the semifinals to settle for bronze medal in the men’s team event.

Moments later, the trio of Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, Rinna Babanto and Janna Dominique Oliva delivered the second bronze after falling to powerhouse South Korea in the semifinals, 7.110-8.020.

Babanto, who was part of the team that clinched the gold medal in the 29th Southeast Asian Games last year, said the result was quite expected after they were stacked against Indonesia in the quarterfinals.

“We were confident going into the quarterfinals against Indonesia,” Babanto, the pride of Cebu City who is taking up AB Sports Management at De La Salle University, told Daily Tribune’s Asiad coverage supported by Primehomes.

“We know we have already beaten the Indonesians in the SEA Games and Asian Championships before, so we’re very confident to face them in the quarterfinals.”

True enough, Babanto and his team emerged with a better, cleaner execution of a more difficult routine to beat Indonesia, 8.180-7.640, a victory that came at the heels of their impressive win over Hong Kong in the Round of 16.

It was the same the men’s side as the highly-favored group of Mella, Dominguez and Reyes dominated Iran in the quarterfinals, 8.330-8.100 following an 8.180-7.640 domination of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Round of 16.

Unfortunately, Reyes lost to Suvittayarak Pongporn of Thailand in the quarterfinals of the men’s individual event, 8.080-8.320, while Jocel Lyn Ninobla bowed to Chau Tuyet Van of Vietnam, 7.890-8.110, in the Round of 16 of the women’s individual event.

“We’re always facing against each other and he already became my friend,” said Reyes, referring to his Thai foe in the men’s individual event.

“But today, he got the victory. Maybe it was really for him. I will use it as a motivation to do better in the next international competition,” he said.

Still, head coach Igor Mella said he is satisfied with their performance, especially since this marks the first time that the event is being played in this prestigious quadrennial meet.

“It’s unfortunate that we lost in the semifinals,” said Mella, who coached the men’s squad to a golden performance in the previous SEA Games.

“But we’re still glad that we got the bronze, especially since the event is being played in the Asian Games for the very first time.”