5 more bets in Rio: Philippines eyeing best finish ever

RIO DE JANEIRO – Just one more medal will give the Philippines its best finish ever in the Olympics, and the chance now hinges on the last five athletes still in contention over the last 10 days in Rio.

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz already did her part by winning the silver medal in the women’s 53 kg class last Sunday, and is now back in Manila.

Her silver medal ended a two-decade medal drought for the Philippines, giving the Philippines a 0-1-0 gold-silver-bronze tally in the overall standings, equaling the same tally posted with the silver medal finish of Anthony Villanueva in the 1964 Olympics and Mansueto Velasco in 1996 and making her the first female athlete to win an Olympic medal for the country.

Eighty-four years ago, in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, the Philippines won three bronze medals courtesy of Simeon Toribio in men’s high jump, Jose Villanueva in men’s boxing (bantamweight) and Teofilo Yldefonso in men’s 200m breaststroke.

With Diaz’ silver, another medal of any color here will also surpass that 1932 finish. In any medal count, a silver and a bronze will rank higher than three bronze medals.

“We don’t want to put pressure on our remaining bets but another medal of any color will give the Philippines its best ever finish in the Olympics,” said chef-de-mission Jose Romasanta.

Golfer Miguel Tabuena, who’s enjoying the finest season of his young professional career, teed off late Thursday night against some of the world’s best.

The 21-year-old Tabuena, then the “child wonder of Philippine golf,” is confident of putting up a good show at the par-71 Olympic Golf Course, a links course.

All he needs is a strong start.

The other surviving athletes are marathoner Mary Joy Tabal, who will compete on Aug. 14; long jumper Marestella Torres Sunang and 400m hurdles bet Eric Cray on Aug. 16; and taekwondo’s Kirstie Elaine Alora on Aug. 20, the penultimate day of competition.

Out of the running are table tennis bet Ian Lariba, weightlifter Nestor Colonia, judoka Kodo Nakano, boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez, and swimmers Jessie Khing Lacuna and Jasmine Alkhaldi.

Alkhaldi failed to reach the semis in the women’s 100m freestyle, her time of 56.30 seconds a bit slower than her personal best time of 55.94 set at the Arena Pro Swim Series in Arizona in April before coming to the Olympics but a huge improvement over the 57.13 seconds she posted in the 2012 London Olympics.

Her time was good for second in her heat and 33rd overall among 46 competitors. She finished 34th among 50 entries in London.

 Australia’s Cate Campbell won the gold in a new Olympic record time of 52.78.

“Overall it was okay. I’m happy with the results. I would have been happier if I swam faster but we got the time that we trained for,” said Alkhaldi.

As she headed back to the Athletes Village with her American coach Jennifer Buffin, the student at University of Hawaii is still thinking of what’s next for her.

“I don’t know yet. I’m taking it one day at a time. I’m not sure yet,” said Alkhaldi, who should end up competing in the 2016 SEA Games in Malaysia.

Here in Rio, the tall, tan, young and lovely Filipina did her best.

“I did my best. We did everything that we can. I asked myself. ‘What more can I do to get faster?’ I feel we did everything,” she said.