SAMARINDA, Indonesia—The Philippine Team flourished in six sports, including in men’s basketball, where it won the gold, in the recently concluded 9th BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asian Growth Area) Friendship Games in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The focus area of Davao City, represented by the Holy Cross of Davao College, captured the nationals’ lone gold, demolishing South Sulawesi, 109-63, to avert a gold-medal shutout in the weeklong tournament aimed to foster camaraderie and strong relationship among countries in the East Asian region.
Davao avenged its defeat against Sabah, Malaysia in the last edition of the biennial games held in Labuan, Malaysia as the Crusaders swept the four-nation meet.
The team, headed by City Mayor’s Office officer-in-charge Mikey Aportadera, is composed of Joshua Aguilon, Harry Dumagan, Mark Brian Francisco, Kennith John Gudes, Bernard Gutierrez II, James Clarn Linares, Lean Vincent Martel, Harold John Nebria, Jhayston Oquias, Loid Prince Unson,Joromeo Yap, Christian Gonzales, Michael Jay Gonzaga and Christian Ivan San Diego.
The Davao City’s tandem of Rex Paller of Jose Maria College and Jan Ashley Jacob of the University of Mindanao claimed the men’s beach volleyball bronze, defeating the tandem from South Sulawesi, 21-17, 21-16.
Abet Bernan, who mentored the city’s team that won the gold in Labuan, also coached Paller and Jacob.
The city’s sepak takraw team, composed of Paul Abenojar, Bryan Borras, Jayrix Fel Cabero, Jundy Puton, Dominic James Sagosoy, Nomar Sencio and Alion Ypon, also won two bronze medals in the regu event.
The focus area of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, meanwhile, won three silver medals for Team Philippines as Diana Mae Memoracion finished second in the 3,000 meter run, while the women’s and men’s team came out short for the gold in the 4×100 meter run. The 18-year-old Marquez also won a bronze medal in the women’s javelin throw.