At long last, the gold in men\u2019s basketball.
And for the millions of basketball-crazy Filipinos, as far as the Asian Games is concerned, it’s the one that matters.And for the millions of basketball-crazy Filipinos, as far as the Asian Games is concerned, it’s the one that matters.“Six decades,” Gilas coach Tim Cone, almost hoarse, said as he hurriedly walked past a row of reporters heading to the Philippine dugout.
That was the last time Filipinos came home from the Asian Games with gold medals around their necks. From thereon, the gold proved elusive, and the Philippines could only show a silver in 1990 and a couple of bronzes in 1986 and 1998. Then there’s Cone, who just a week or two ago, wasn’t even sure if he could field a full lineup to this Asian Games. But they managed, and with some players who weren’t even supposed to be here, won it all.
The Philippines was in control from start to finish and led by 13 points in the second quarter, then by 10 at the end of the third. But the gold was really in the bag only in the final minute, when they held on to a 66-55 lead. Gilas could have taken a 15-point lead but Japeth Aguilar muffed a one-handed dunk. Jordan cashed in on that miscue and dropped a heavy 11-0 bomb to make it 26-28.
The 32-year-old Ramirez gave Team Philippines its third precious gold at the 19th Asian Games, and the Jiu-jitsu squad its second after Meggie Ochoa won her own just the other day. It was scoreless until the final 20 seconds when Ramirez swept her opponent from the bottom to earn two points.“Okay lang naman na siya ang nasa taas basta ako ang may control. Hindi naman siya gumagalaw. Hinintay ko lang siya mawalan ng balance. Then na-sweep -gold,” she said.
Ramirez’ coach, nine-time SEA Games judo champion John Baylon, said he never lost hope on his ward pulling it off in the end. In sepak takraw, over at the Jinjua Sports Centre Gymnasium, the men’s team of Jason Huerte, Mark Gonzales, Rheyjey Ortouste, Ronsited Gabayeron and Jom Lerry Rafael settled for the bronze medal after losing to their rivals from Malaysia, 15-21, 11-21.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Meggie Ochoa rules Asian Games jiu-jitsu, wins 2nd PH gold in HangzhouFilipina jiu-jitsu bet Meggie Ochoa snags the Philippines' second gold in the 19th Asian Games, giving the country a massive boost in tying or beating its four-gold haul in 2018
Read more »
Kaila Napolis bags bronze in women's jiu-jitsuKaila Napolis added to the Philippines medal count in the 19th Asian Games Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition by bagging a bronze on Friday in Hangzhou, China.
Read more »
Annie Ramirez nails Asian Games gold as jiu-jitsu reinvigorates PH bidAnnie Ramirez captures the Philippines' third gold and second in jiu-jitsu in the Asian Games as she rules the women's 57kg class
Read more »
Ramirez delivers 2nd jiu-jitsu gold for PH in Asian GamesDefining the News
Read more »
Jiu-jitsu’s Ramirez gives PH 3rd goldIn clinching the gold, Ramirez won all her four matches by sheer superiority, starting with Le Thi Thuong of Vietnamese in the first round, Fiona Toh of Singapore in the quarterfinals and Shamsa Alameri of the United Arab Emirates.
Read more »