PH bags bronze in Asian Games women’s kata

THE Philippine women's kata team claimed a bronze medal in the 20th Asian Games after defeating Thailand 4-1 in the battle for third at the Toyohashi Gymnasium in Japan Tuesday morning. Samantha Emmanuelle Veguillas, Ysabielle Arrogante, and Rebecca Cyril Torres posted scores of 7.8, 7.7, 7.9, 8.7, and 8.1, against Thailand’s 7.6, 7.5, 7.7, 8.5, and 8.3 to seize the last podium spot. The Filipina trio thus handed the Philippines its first-ever medal in the team kata event in the continental meet. "We didn't care which team we're going to face. We just claimed that we will come home with a bronze medal," said Arrogante. The Filipinas started strong with a 5-0 sweep of Cambodia’s Sreynuch Puthea, Oun Sreyda and That Chhenghorng, but went down with a 0-5 loss to powerhouse Iran in the semifinals before bouncing back in the battle for third. “It has been a long journey," said Torres. "We struggled and lost multiple times over the years but we just kept on performing until the end." The Sonny Montalvo-coached Filipina trio gave the Philippines its third medal in the Games following the bronzes won by the women's soft tennis team and mixed martial artist Carlos Alvarez. The Kayla Sanchez-led Philippine swimming team was also gunning for...