The Philippines assured itself of at least two bronze medals in taekwondo at the start of full-blown competition in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia Sunday.
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The men’s team of Dustin Jacob Mella, Jordan Dominguez and Rodolfo Reyes Jr. advanced into the semifinals against China following its victory over Iran.
The trio scored 8.330 points to edge Iran (8.100) and earned the right to face the Chinese who ousted Thailand, 8.480-8.360.
The women’s squad of Juvenile Faye Crisostomo, Rinna Babanto and Janna Dominique Oliva, on the other hand, nipped Indonesia, 8.070-8.040, to reach the semifinals against Korea.
Both semifinals will be played later in the day.
Results in the individual events were not as promising.
Rodolfo Reyes Jr. bowed to Suvittayatarak Pongporn of Thailand, 8.320-8.080, in the quarterfinals.
In the distaff side, Jocel Lyn Ninobla was eliminated in the Round of 32 by Chao Tuyet Van of Vietnam.
In women’s volleyball, the Philippines lost to Thailand as expected, 25-22, 25-12, 25-15, despite a promising start where it led before fading.
Chatchu On Moksri pounded the Nationals with 46 points to lead Thailand’s offense.
The Filipinas were led by Jaja Santiago and Alyssa Valdez with 29 and 28 points, respectively.
In swimming, Roxanne Yu advanced into the final of the women’s 200-meter backstroke by finishing second in her heat.
In wushu, Agatha Wong came in fifth in the women’s taijiquan with a score of 9.68. Indonesian Lindswell Lindswell topped the event in 9.75.
Over in Palembang, Alexander Hagen Topacio came in a strong third in the men’s trap.
Topacio scored 71, just one shy of Manavjit Singh Sandhu of India and Aamar Iqbal of Pakistan.
China and Chinese-Taipei won the first two gold medals of the Games.