Thursday, December 14, 2006 Pabillore wins silver; Malalad loses in rd. of 16
RP Karateka Ma. Marna Pabillore fell short for a gold medal finish as she bowed down to the much taller Tomoko Araga of Japan in the women’s -53 kg kumite finals of the 15th Asian Games karate competitions held in Qatar Sports Club Indoor Hall.
The 26-year-old Pabillore, a pride of Cagayan de Oro, logged the country’s fifth silver medal after a 9-1 loss to the Japanese, who was nine centimeters taller.
On her way up, Pabillore defeated Ha Ryon Bok of North Korea, 7-1, in the round of 16, Venera Zhetibay of Kazakhstan, 3-1, in the quarterfinals and Lee Lee Lim of Malaysia, 3-1, in the semifinal.
Cebu’s Noel Espinosa was the first medalist for the RP karate Team after landing a bronze medal in the men’s individual kata competitions.
Meanwhile, 23rd Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Gretchen Malalad and Nelson Pacalso lost in the early rounds yesterday.
The 26-year-old Malalad, who salvaged a bronze medal in the 14th Asiad, lost to Macau’s Paula Cristina Pereira Carion, 5-7, in the women’s 60-kg kumite round of 16, while the 36-year-old Pacalso dropped his match, 7-1, to Lim Yoke Wai of Malaysia in the men’s 65-kg kumite quarterfinals.
While the country will commend the Asian Games medalists when they return to Manila, Cagayan de Oro City is scheduled to set up separate commendation rites for the three medalists—Pabillore and boxers Violito Payla and bronze medalist Genebert Basadre. Payla won a gold, while Genebert Basadre fished a bronze.
Vice Mayor Michelle Tagarda-Spiers passed a resolution to the city council yesterday to commend the CDO-native medalists. “I have instructed somebody just this morning for the commendation but we are also trying to consider a motorcade heroes’ welceome,” said Spiers.
The vice mayor also invoked a city ordinance enacted in 2003, which provides financial incentives for the Cagayan de Oro athletes who win in international meets.
In chess, the Philippines moved to ninth place with two more rounds left in the mixed classical chess team play at the Al-Dana Indoor Hall in Doha, Qatar.
The team, bannered by International Masters Darwin Laylo and Ronald Dableo and 14-year-old sensation Jedara Docena of Tagbilaran City, will have to force shut-out victories in the remaining rounds for a chance for either a silver or bronze medal. (JAF)
