Modest haul: Athletics, Esports bets secure Asian Games bronze medals

Team Philippines picked up two more bronze medals from athletics and esports as the 20th Asian Games entered its final week in Nagoya, Japan.

John Cabang finished third in the men’s 110-meter hurdles while Sibol also secured bronze in the Pokémon UNITE event, pushing the Philippines’ medal tally to two golds, two silvers and eight bronzes.

The Spain-based Cabang clocked 13.48 seconds to give Philippine athletics its first medal in this year’s Asiad.

Chen Yuanjiang of China captured the gold in 13.15 seconds, while home bet Muratake Rachid took silver in 13.29 seconds.

Sibol also made history by securing the Philippines’ first Asian Games esports medal despite losing to Indonesia, 0-2, at the Aichi Sky Expo Hall.

The Filipinos appeared headed for a strong start after building a huge lead in Game 1, but Indonesia erased the deficit after securing Kyogre in the final two minutes to complete a 312-277 comeback.

Sibol failed to recover from the setback as Indonesia carried the momentum into Game 2 and dominated, 887-204.

“Actually, in Game 1, the opponents were incredibly lucky. If you notice, their health was extremely low. It’s just that we fell short,” said Sibol Pokémon UNITE head coach Albert Camp.

“Still, I’m incredibly happy. I’m still in awe because it’s a first, and I’m so happy for the boys because this is something they’ll carry with them for a lifetime — that they brought home a medal for the Philippines.”

Sibol, bannered by Kim Rey Salazar, Michael Vaughn Ocio and Lance David, swept Hong Kong, 2-0, in the quarterfinals before bowing to Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the Philippines missed out on two more medals after Junmilardo Ogayre fell to Adumalik Khalokov of Uzbekistan, 0-5, in the men’s 60kg boxing quarterfinals.

Weightlifter Kristel Macrohon also finished outside the podium in the women’s 69kg division after posting a 227kg total.

The Philippines, however, still has several medal opportunities on Monday.

Two-time Olympic medalist Nesthy Petecio faces Yang Chengyu of China in the women’s 60kg quarterfinals, with a win assuring her of at least a bronze medal.

Fellow Olympic medalist Carlo Paalam also battles Chinese pug Zhang Jiamao in the men’s 55kg quarterfinals.

Tennis star Alex Eala, meanwhile, begins her Asiad campaign against Patcharin Cheapchandej of Thailand in the women’s singles at the Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center.