PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The Philippines settled for the silver medal after bowing to Thailand, 7-15, in the men’s 3×3 wheelchair basketball final of the 12th ASEAN Para Games on Saturday at the Morodok Techo National Stadium’s Elephant Hall 2.
Malaysia outclassed Cambodia, 17-8, for the bronze medal.
The Filipinos had earlier lost to Thailand (6-18) but scored victories over Indonesia (11-5), Cambodia (14-5) and Malaysia (8-7) in the elimination round to arrange a title showdown with the unbeaten Thais.
“We started slow. We just started hitting the mark at the half, unfortunately it was too late. 3×3 is a fast game so whoever blinks would be in deep trouble and unfortunately, it was us. In the later part, we played according to our game plan and executed well but it was too late,” explained head coach Vernon Perea after the game.
The men’s squad duplicated its 2022 performance, the same as the women’s team which finished fourth.
The Lady Warriors suffered a 5-8 setback from Laos in the battle for third place.
Cambodia retained the title after beating Thailand 11-9.
Meanwhile, Filipino lifters gun for the gold medals when the powerlifting competition gets off the ground at the National Paralympic Committee of Cambodia Hall on Sunday.
Veterans Achelle Guion (women’s up to 45kg), Marydol Pamati-an (up to 41kg) and Romeo Tayawa (men’s up to 54kg) are seeking to improve their medal performances at the 2022 edition while Rose Ann Lita (women’s up to 50kg) and Jules Empizo (men’s up to 49kg) are hoping to make an impressive debut.
Guion delivered two silver medals last year. She also won a silver at the 2018 Asian Games (Indonesia) and competed at the 2012 London Paralympics.
Pamati-an and Tayawa, on the other hand, bagged two bronze medals each in the 2022 edition.
The national para powerlifting team’s coaching staff is composed of Rico Canlas (head), Allan Paje and Daisy Lipasana.
Lipasana, 23, joined the coaching staff team only this year. She is a national powerlifter and had played for the varsity judo team of University of Santo Tomas where she earned a sports management degree (cum laude).
“We have been asking for a female coach for so long. Finally, our request was granted,” said five-time Paralympian Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta in an interview on Saturday.
