CHAMPIONS. Members of the Gilas Pilipinas celebrate their victory at the Hangzhou Asian Games in China on Oct. 6, 2023. Gilas is one of the PSA's top achievers for the month of October after winning the gold medal. (Photo courtesy of PSC Media Pool)
MANILA – The Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) bared on Thursday its top achievers for the month of October, bannered by Gilas Pilipinas and the women champions in jiu-jitsu and billiards.
The Tim Cone-mentored Gilas delivered one of the four gold medals won by the country in the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China.
After 61 years, the Filipinos finally triumphed in men's basketball. The victory was highlighted by a 77-76 conquest of host Chinese squad in the semifinals and getting back at Jordan, 70-60, in the finals.
Jiu-jitsu's Meggie Ochoa (-48kg) and Annie Ramirez (-57kg), and pole vaulter EJ Obiena also delivered a golden performance for the Philippines, which also pocketed two silvers and 12 bronzes.
Billiards player Chezka Centeno of Zamboanga City was also named top achiever after ruling the prestigious Predator WPA World 10-Ball Championship at the Klagenfurt Sports Park in Austria.
At the World Combat Games, muay thai's Rhichein Yosorez and Alyssa Kylie Mallari (mai muay event), jiu-jitsu’s Kaila Napolis (52kg) and taekwondo’s Darius Venerable (men’s individual poomsae) won gold medals at the King Saud University Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to join the list.
Team Philippines, led by chef de mission Alvin Aguilar of wrestling, also managed to secure five silvers and five bronzes in the tournament that featured 16 sports.
At the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, the Philippines collected 10 gold, four silver, and five bronze medals to finish ninth overall.
The PSA also picked boxer Eumir Marcial and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan for earning tickets to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Marcial qualified after his silver medal performance at the Hangzhou Asian Games while Yulo and Finnegan got their Olympics tickets at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium.
Bowlers Krizziah Macatula and Grace Gella pocketed the doubles bronze medal at the IBF World Championship in Kuwait. It was the second podium finish in the event for the Philippines after the gold medal victory of current PSC Commissioner Bong Coo and Lita dela Rosa struck gold in 1979 (Manila). (PNA)
