Pinoy bets falter in Asian Beach Games

Arabian waters proved too tough for youngsters Jose Gonzales and Erika Lukang, and so did better prepared competition at the start of the 2nd Asian Beach Games in Muscat, Oman. Competing for the first time in marathon swimming, Gonzales finished 18th among 25 finishers at Barr Al Jissa Qantab beach with a time of 1:06:55.7. His clocking was 6 minutes 41.3 second behind winner Saleh Mohammad of Syria, who also won the inaugural 5-kilometer race in 2008 in Bali, Indonesia. Only 16, Lukang was a clear lightweight against 24-year-old Li Xue of China, who dominated with 1:01:27.8 against 15-year-old compatriot Shi Yu (1:01:33.4). The Filipina clocked 1:19:28.5, placing her eighth among 10 entries. Fernandez and Lukang will try their luck in the 10-kilometer event slated Saturday morning here (afternoon in Manila). Asian Gamer Reneric Moreno led six other Filipinos that competed at noontime Thursday (4 p.m. Manila time), eyeing strategic positions in races 1 and 2 of the men’s RSX of sailing at the Al Mussanah Sports City. John Harold Madrigal opened his bid in the first two races of men’s techno, while partners Ridgely Balladares and Richly Magsanay, and Joel Mejarito and Rommel Chavez, were the PHL entries in races 1 & 2 of the 16 Open Hobie. Rubin Cruz Jr., PHL’s lone entry in the radial open laser event, also saw action, although the actual placings will not be known until late night in Manila, which is four hours ahead of Oman. The Philippines sent only 23 athletes to compete in triathlon, sepak takraw, windsurfing, sailing, wakeboarding and woodball and marathon swimming. Following an opening ceremony that turned out to be an elaborate poetry reading session that left little to the imagination, China’s relatively large delegation immediately went to work, along with those of Iraq and Syria to corner the medals at stake for the day. Shortly after the take-off point, China had a gold and silver, Iraq had one gold, while Syria and Pakistan each had a silver and bronze. Hong Kong and Taipei each had a bronze medal. Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuanco Jr. led a team that included Chief of Mission Jeff Tamayo, POC secretary general Steve Hontiveros, and POC treasurer Julian Camacho. “I am encouraged by what I have seen so far," Cojuangco said, suggesting that the Philippines retains good prospects of hosting the same event in the country in 2013, a standing offer that the Olympic Council of Asia had made at the 16th Asian Games in China last month. - KY, RCJ, GMANews.TV