Asian Beach Games: Pinoy bets hang tough

Skipper Joel Mejarito and crewman Rommel Chavez made their silent move in races 5 and 6 to catch up with compatriots Ridgely Balladares and Richly Magsanay at third overall and bolster RP's chances for a medal finish in hobie 16 of the 2nd Asian Beach Games in Muscat, Oman. Windsurfer Reneric Moreno also improved a notch in the RSX standings to provide an additional boost, even as marathon swimming, techno race in sailing and beach woodball could not spark anything positive for the 23-man squad competing in only seven events. John Harold Madrigal escaped the cellar with eighth and ninth place finishes in races 5 and 6 of techno Saturday to occupy ninth overall among 10 competitors. Misfortunes continued to hound Rubin Cruz Jr. in the laser open class where he further slid from 13th to 15th overall with 60.0, way off Muhamad Jais MD's 16.0 going into the last four races. Marathon swimmers Jose Joaquin Gonzales and Erika Lukang went home empty-handed after the 10-kilometer race Saturday where they registered forgettable finishes that placed them at the tail end of the competition roster. Out of 52 wood ball entries, Teodulfo Villaflor was 45th while Harold Loriega was 50th, light years away from three Thai players, who were clearly in a class by themselves. The 1-2 finish of Mejarito and Chavez in races 5-6 hoisted them four ranks higher to a three-way tie with Balladares and Magsanay and the Omani tandem of Akram Al Wahaibi and Hashim Al Rashdi, all with 22.0 net points. Still leading going into the last four races Sunday and Monday is the duo from Thailand, while second was a pair from Hong Kong with 8.0 and 18.0, respectively. "Our hobie 16 crews are still in a very good position to win medals. Let us just pray that they get the much-needed breaks on Sunday and Monday," said Chef de Mission Jeff Tamayo. Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. returned to Manila last Friday to lay the groundwork for a possible hosting of the Asian Beach Games in 2013 after being assured of support by the Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah. "There are some details that need to be ironed out, but there is reason to be excited," said Sports Commissioner Chito Loyzaga, the group’s deputy Chef de Mission . On Sunday afternoon, all Filipino sailing and windsurfing entries continued their medal quest. The women's sepak takraw team makes its debut on Monday, seeking a repeat medal finish from the inaugural Bali Indonesia Asian Beach Games. Oman remains on top in the medal race with 4-2-2 while Thailand is second with 4-0-2 and China third, 3-2-1. Other gold-medal winners are Indonesia with two, while Syria, India and Malaysia have one apiece. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV