Can’t win ‘em all

Win some, lose some, you just can’t win 'em all.  This is the scenario the past two months in the sporting  world. The Iloilo Kisela Knights were eliminated in the PCAP Open Chess Tournament after losing to the Negros Kingsmen, who faced the Pasig King Pirates for the title and lost. My team, De La Salle, was bumped off in the UAAP, failing to snare the last Final Four playoff berth, after bowing to the Adamson Falcons who in  turn lost to Ateneo, who went on to win the title after blasting the UP Maroons. My other favorite team in the NCAA, the St.Benilde Blazers,  were just too inexperienced as they failed to stop the San Juan De Letran Knights' drive for a three-peat.  In football, Argentina finally won another crown in the World Cup in Qatar after beating France on penalty kicks courtesy of Leo Messi. I was rooting for Brazil  but was upset  by Cameroon. Here at home, the UV Lancers swept the University of Cebu Webmasters to claim the CESAFI title while the Ateneo Magis mangled pretenders to the crown Bogo City to bag the junior plum.  In the NBA, my favorite team the Boston Celtics has lost three in a row at home, thus putting  a big question  mark on their drive for the title after a remarkable start.

Boston Marathon champ banned

Kenyan Diana Kipyokei, 2021 Boston Marathon champion tested positive for the anti- inflamatory triamicinoline acetonide after submitting her urine sample. She also forged documents which she claimed came from the hospital. The 28-year old was stripped of her Boston victory and banned for six years. Also failing a doping test that revealed traces of diuretic furusemide was Purity Rionoripe 29, also of Kenya. She also altered a prescription to make it appear as if  a doctor prescribed this drug.  She is banned for five years. Another Kenyan, Betty Wilson Lempus was accused of manipulating a doping test and opposing the investigation and is suspended at the moment.  As I was ending this column, more reports on Kenyan suspensions came. World Athletes Integrity Unit (AIU) announced that marathoner Alyssa Gibkemboye Kimotai was banned for two years. Johnson Kibet Mayo got three years while sprinter Mark Autino will be banned for two years. Now you know the Kenyans secrets why they run so fast.

Batang Pinoy Super Kids

After the Batang Pinoy smoke cleared, several kids stood tall. The most bemedalled athlete was 12-year old  Miguel Carlos from Puerto Princesa who won seven gold medals in archery. Leonelyn Compuesto is from Masbate won five gold medals in athletics and will represent the country in the Asian Athletic Championship in Uzbekistan next year.  Compuesto, who’s idol is the late Lydia De Vega, ruled the girls 100m (13.11), 200m (26.64), 400m and 4x400m relay. She will be joined by Nilo Villaran from Bacolod City who won the boys 100m hurdles (15.17),200m (23.18) and 400m hurdles (57.29). Baguio City emerged champion with 29 gold medals. Laguna was second with 14 while Gensan settled for third with 13. Pasig came in fourth with 13 while Iloilo pocketed fifth with 12. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!