Gold in sight in handball, kickboxing, rowing

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine handball team edged Thailand, 2-1, to ensure the country of a silver medal even as kickboxer Jean Claude Saclag and Tokyo Olympian rower Cris Nievarez and partner Christian Joseph Jasmin bolstered their golden bids in the 31st Southeast Asian Games yesterday.

It was the third win in four games for the Filipinos, who will win the gold if they beat the Vietnamese, unbeaten in four outings, including a 2-0 triumph over the former last Saturday, by a bigger margin. The crucial match is set at 6 p.m. (Philippine time) today.

But regardless of the final result, the Filipinos will improve on their bronze effort in 2019.

The team is composed of Daryoush Zandi, Dhane Miguelle Varela, Josef Maximillan Valdez, Rey Joshua Tabuzo, John Michael Pasco, Jamael Pangandaman, Manuel Lasangue Jr., Andrew Michael Harris, Mark Vincent Dubouzet and Van Jacob Baccay.

For Saclag, he will try to inch closer to the gold when he clashes with hometown bet Vu Truong Giang today.

Saclag smashed Laos’ Souliyavong Latxasak, 3-0, last Sunday to ensure himself of at least a bronze. A win against Vu in the semis would catapult the former wushu practicioner into the finals where he would have a chance to repeat as champion in the -63.5-kilogram low kick event.

Also standing in the way of Saclag are Chalemlap Santidongsakun of Thailand and San Rakim of Cambodia.

Saclag, however, will not only face the raucous hometown crowd but also an rival who has competed in the world stage for five years.

“I really need to be dominant in my performance here. I will do everything to win the gold medal,” said the 27-year-old Kalinga and Benguet native.

The other Filipino bets were fighting late Monday – Daryl Chulipas against Indonesia’s Salmri Stendra Pattisamallo in men’s full contact -51 kgs, Honorio Banario against Tanoi Yermias Yohanes of Indonesia in men’s -71s kg low kick and Emmanuel Cantores against Malaysian Ain Kamarrudin in men’s -60 kgs low kick.

Nievarez and Jasmin topped the prelims of the men’s lightweight double sculls by clocking six minutes and 28.01 seconds.

The pair finished ahead of Vietnam (6:28:01), Indonesia (6:33:96) and Thailand (6:36:75).

The finals are set Friday and Saturday.