Twin kill for PH dribblers
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -Team Philippines on Wednesday scored a double kill in the sport closest to Filipino hearts, ending their 10th Asean Schools Games here on a high note.
Playing with fire in their eyes, the Filipino dribblers annexed the boys and girls gold medals following lopsided victories over their respective opponents on the final day of competition.
The boys dribblers, after settling for silver in last year's ASG, finally delivered and emerged champions after demolishing host Malaysia, 87-65, at the fullhouse Gem in Mall courts in Cyberjaya.
With several Filipino supporters and fellow athletes in attendance, the Richard Goldwin Monteverde-coached NU Bullpups bannered team got off to a strong start and never looked back to close the tournament with a 4-0 clean slate.
The towering presence of six-foot-seven 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 is also the Finals Most Outstanding Player during the 2018 Exped SM-NBTC National Finals Division 1, also grabbed six boards.
Tan Chee Wey poured in a team-high 13 points for Malaysia.
The girl dribblers lived up to their billing as the tournament favorites as 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.
During the awarding ceremony, Pastrana and some of her teammates cried as they had played their final game in Asean Schools Games.
Coach Angelina Fedillaga thanked their sponsor SM and all Filipinos who watched the games.
Fedillaga said she's excited to vie for a threepeat in next year's ASG in Indonesia.
The medalists will receive cash incentives from the Department of Education (Deped). The gold medalist will each receive P6,000 while the silver and bronze winners will get P4,000 and P3,000.
The closing ceremony of the 10th Asean Schools Games is set Thursday evening.