Malaysia downs PH in rugby

KUALA LUMPUR – The Philippines’ bid to retain the men’s rugby sevens title suffered a big blow when the Volcanoes went down to Malaysia, 24-14, Saturday in the 29th Southeast Asian Games.

The loss came after the Volcanoes swept their first two assignments against Indonesia and Cambodia via similar 47-7 results.

The Volcanoes came into the tournament fresh from victories in the SEA 7s in April and the Asia Trophy Series in February.

Malaysia finished the day with three victories, counting their 26-0 thrashing of Cambodia and 12-10 win over Singapore.

In women’s play, the Philippines split its first two games.

The Nationals trounced Laos, 31-0, but were blanked by Thailand, 32-0.

Earlier, Mary Joy Tabal ruled women’s marathon.

Full-blown action gets under way on Sunday with 18 gold medals on tap in 11 sports.

Five golds will be disputed in wushu with Daniel Parantac defending his title in the men’s optional taijijian. He is also entered in the men’s optional jianshu.

Kimberly Macuha is the only other Filipino in action in wushu when she sees action in women’s optional jianshu.

Table tennis offers three golds while bowling, equestrian and archery stake two golds apiece.

A day after the Philippines was held to two bronzes in the compound events, the Filipinos go for the golds in the men’s and women’s individual recurve events.

In bowling, the men’s and women’s singles will be played at the Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya.

The other gold medals will come from water polo, gymnastics and netball.

Boxing gets under way with flyweight Ian Clark Bautista, bantamweight Mario Fernandez and middleweight Eumir Felix Marcial climbing the ring starting at 3 p.m.

In basketball, the Gilas Cadet squad gets its first acid test against Thailand at 9:30 p.m. while the women’s team takes on Singapore at 7:15

p.m. In football, the Philippines clashes with Vietnam at 8:45 p.m.