NAGOYA, Japan — Marie June Adriano won bronze in women’s kumite -50 kilograms on Wednesday as the Philippines continued its search for its first gold medal at the Asian Games.
Adriano defeated Chinese Taipei’s Chung Ya-chi, 10-3, in the bronze-medal match to give the Philippines its fifth medal and second in karate at the Games.
“This is really a big thing for me. As a first-timer, the pressure was really great,” Adriano said.
Adriano reached the semifinals after defeating Cambodia’s Srey Phea Chonn, 4-3, and South Korea’s Yang Yewon, 4-0. Hong Kong’s Tsang Yee Ting then edged her, 5-4, in the semifinals.
Adriano’s bronze followed the earlier bronze from the women’s team kata squad of Rebecca Cyril Torres, Ysabielle Arrogante and Samantha Emmanuelle Veguillas.
The Philippines’ best finish remained a silver from Jean Claude Saclag in mixed martial arts, but several Filipino athletes and teams advanced to medal contention.
Yulo advances to gymnastics finals
Two-time Olympic champion Carlos Yulo led the Philippine men’s artistic gymnastics team to sixth place among eight countries with 227.359 points at Nagoya General Gymnasium.
Yulo posted scores of 14.266 in floor exercise, 14.566 in vault and 14.166 on parallel bars.
China won the team gold with 255.095 points, followed from Japan with 253.826 and Chinese Taipei with 239.896.
Karl Eldrew Yulo, Justin Ace De Leon, Zachary Nuñez and Miguel Besana joined Carlos Yulo in the Philippine lineup.
Carlos and Eldrew Yulo advanced to the floor exercise final on Sept. 24, giving the Philippines another opportunity to add to its medal haul.
Three Gilas teams advance
The Gilas Pilipinas men’s 3×3 team completed an unbeaten group campaign with a 21-15 victory over Kazakhstan to secure an outright quarterfinal berth.
Nic Cabañero scored seven points despite playing with a sprained right hand, while Doy Dungo and Luis Pablo helped the Philippines finish the game with an 8-3 run.
The Philippines will face Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals.
The women’s 3×3 team also finished the group stage unbeaten after beating Malaysia, 17-12. Kacey dela Rosa recorded eight points and seven rebounds, while Maria Pasilang added six points and seven rebounds.
The Gilas women’s 5-on-5 team also advanced to the quarterfinals, leaving three Philippine basketball teams in the knockout stage.
Ogayre advances in boxing
Junmilardo Ogayre advanced in the men’s 60-kilogram boxing division after defeating Mongolia’s Gantumur Lundaa through a split decision in Nishio City.
Ogayre led on four of five judges’ cards after two rounds before taking a standing eight-count in the third. His early advantage secured the victory.
He will face Nepal’s Roka Magar in the next round.
Beach volleyball pair stays unbeaten
Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara remained unbeaten in women’s beach volleyball after defeating Mongolia’s Khandsuren Gantogtokh and Tsolmon Batjargal, 21-3, 21-3.
The Filipino pair finished the match in 21 minutes to improve to 2-0 in Pool G. They will face Hong Kong on Sept. 26.
Weightlifter Rosegie Ramos also came close to the podium in the women’s 53-kilogram division.
Ramos finished with a 203-kilogram total after lifting 93 kilograms in the snatch and 110 kilograms in the clean and jerk.
North Korea’s Kang Hyon Gyong won gold with 223 kilograms, while China’s Zhao Jinlan took silver with 218 kilograms and Thailand’s Surodchana Khambao earned bronze with 214 kilograms.
