Philippine Sports and Entertainment Portal Online

SINGAPORE, July 3, 2009 -- Team Philippines should be downtrodden after suffering a medal shutout but dominant performances in the ball games preliminaries boosted the Filipinos sagging spirits in the Day 2 of action on Wednesday in the first Asian Youth Games here.

Despite gallant effort, the Nationals came up empty-empty handed in the diving, bowling and shooting events but a twin kill in the Fiba 3-on-3 and girls’ beach volleyball events saved the day for RP.

Cris Mike Tolomia’s short stab in the final 1:06 minutes keyed the Philippines come-from-behind 27-26 win over perennial powerhouse and much taller Iran side at the Anglican High School.

The RP cagers capped a perfect day by posting an abbreviated 34-11 triumph over the Mongolians in the 2:25 minute mark in the second period. In the fiba 33, once a team scored 33 points the game is stopped.

RP’s cagebelles literally did not break a sweat after the Kazakhs failed to make it in the competition due to unexplained reason.

Spikers Alyssa Valdez and Kim Fajardo moved one win away from advancing to the next round after defeating the Sri Lankan pair of Nicanthika Yaddehi Gamage and Mudiyanselage Ilangakoon 21-18, 21-17.

Lone diving competitor Natassia Marie Nalus placed fourth in the girls’ 3m springboard with a score of 281.75. She finished behind Korean Kim Nami (357.20), Macau’s Lei Sio I (350.45) and Chinese Liu Tian (342.15).

Collins Jose had a good start but could not sustain his performance as he finished ninth place with a total 1291 points in the bowling boys’ singles event at the Orchid Country Club.

In shooting, sisters Dianne Nicole (385points) and Marie Isabelle Eufemio (366) finished 17th and 33rd places in the girls’ air rifle 40 event but coach Robbie Hermoso found a reason to celebrate as Nicole beat the minimum qualifying shot of 368 which earned her a spot in the Youth Olympics next year.

Meanwhile, China sets the pace with three golds followed by India with 1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze. Japan and Taiwan are currently tied in third spot with 1gold and 1silver each.

A total of 14 golds are at stake on Thursday. Events on tap are swimming’s boys’ and girls’ 400m freestyle and 200m butterfly; athletics’ boys’ javelin throw, long jump, 110m hurdles, 400m, girls’ 110m hurdles, discuss throw, and 400m; bowling’s boys’ and girls’ doubles; and shooting’s boys’ air rifle 60.

The RP keglers will try to bounce back on Thursday in boys’ doubles event. Jose will team up with Louie Fredric Chuaquico while Jayson John Tubid will connive with Bryan Cedric Gabay starting at 1:30 p.m.