Cojuangco targets lone archery gold

Amaya Paz Cojuangco assured the Philippines of at least a silver with her entry in today’s final in the women’s individual compound against Malaysian champion Mat Salleh Fatin Nurfate in the 28th SEA Games archery competition here.

Cojuangco, whose glory years started in the 2005 SEA Games when she competed under her maiden name Amaya Paz, blasted compatriot Joan Chan Tabanag, 137-131, to advance to the semifinals where she defeated another tough opponent, Junsook Nareumoon of Thailand, 141-135.

Cojuangco, however, could not carry her compound team, which included Jennifer Chan and Joan Chan Tabanag, to the finals. They defeated Laos, 224-211 in quarterfinals but lost to Thailand 225-224, in the semis. They battle Singapore for the bronze, also today.

Bronze is the other medal on offer for the Filipinos who have lost in the semifinal since they have to face their losing semifinalist for the bronze in today’s medal rounds according to competition rules.

It will be Rachelle Ann dela Cruz against Indonesian Kusumawardanig Titik in the individual recurve and the Philippines vs Singapore in the men’s team compound.

In the individual recurve, Dela Cruz won over Richmawati Ika Yuliana of Indonesia, 6-5, but lost to the other Indonesian, Kusumawardanig Titik, who advanced to the finals against Loc This Dao of Vietnam.

In women’s team recurve, the Filipinas were thrown off the field by the Malaysian archers, 5-4, in the quarterfinals and finished fifth behind behind Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.

The men’s team compound is also a battle for the bronze between the Philippines and Singapore, while Indonesia and Malaysia contend for the gold.

In the individual event, Ferdinand Jose Adriano and Earl Benjamin Yap failed to advance with losses right in the quarterfinal round. Adriano lost to Zulfadhli of Malaysia, 137-131 while Yap bowed to Sapratno Separiatno, 136-141.

In the men’s team recurve, it will be Malaysia vs Vietnam in the final and Malaysia against Indonesia for the bronze.

In the men’s individual recurve, Olympian Mark Javier did not compete, while Luis Moreno lost in the ranking round to Thai Phusawat Natthapoom. Florante Matan advanced but lost in the quarterfinal to Natthapoom, 1-7.

The medal rounds were being held last yesterday between Thamwong Withthaya of Thailand and Kamaruddin Hasiq of Indonesia. The bronze was disputed by Phusswat and Kamaruddin of Malaysia and Si Lie Tan of Singapore.