4 medals for Team PH in the Sepak Takraw World Championships

FILE: Send off lunch courtesy of our Go For Gold PH Family before leaving for Korat Thailand for 2018 Sepaktakraw World Championship (Photo: Pilipinas Sepaktakraw Association Inc/Facebook)

Team Philippines that participated in the 2018 King’s Cup Sepak Takraw World Championships went home with a total of four medals, one silver and three bronze after the tournament was held in Nakhon Rachasima in Thailand. They were among 31 other teams.

The silver medal was won by the women’s team in the premier hoop, while the three bronzes were from the men’s team in hoop, regu, and team regu.

Karen Tanchanco-Caballero, President of Pilipinas Sepak Takraw Association Inc. shared her satisfaction with the participants’ performance since they are a completely fresh team. “We tapped new athletes purely for exposure, but we still ended up with good results,” she told the media.

Go For Gold Philippines helped sponsor the team’s trip, to which executive Jeremy Go said the company doesn’t regret stating, “It was a great showing for our sepak takraw players despite having a new lineup.” He continued, saying, “The athletes made our country proud.”

The men’s team consisted of veterans Rheyjey Ortouste, Ronsited Gabayeron, Emmanuel Escote and rookies Joshua Gleen Bullo, Alvin Pangan, John Carlo Lee and John John Bobier. John Jeffrey Morcillos, Joeart Jumawan, Nestleer Bandivas, Christian George Encabo and Regie Reznan Pabriga also assisted the team as representatives of both Go for Gold and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). Coaches Rodolfo Eco, Hector Memarion, Metodio Suico Jr., and Junmar Aleta led the team.

Forming the women’s squad lineup includes Mary Melody Taming, Abegail Sinogbuhan, Gelyn Evora, Josefina Maat, Jean Marie Sucalit, Jea Mae Pepito, Jocielle Fernandez, Aisa Sabellita, Allyssa Bandoy and Lhaina Lheil Mangubat. They were coached Romulo Ruedas Jr., Esperidion Rodriguez, Gena Mark Saavedra and Deseree Autor.