Skateboarding sensation Margielyn Didal is raring to return to competition despite high chances of having an outright berth in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Since most of the Olympics qualifiers leading into the 2021 Tokyo Games were either cancelled or postponed, Didal has since then fortified her No. 14 spot in the world rankings in the women’s street category with 22,420 points.
“Kampante naman ako sa kung anong numero ako ngayon sa world rankings but also if I could compete or make it better, it would be good. But I’m good sa number naman,” said Didal, who is also ranked No. 3 in Asia, over Radyo Pilipinas 2, Friday.
Both Carl Sambrano, president of Skateboarding and Roller Sports Association of the Philippines, and national team coach Dani Bautista are also relying on Didal’s competitive nature, having been exposed to several international competitions before the sporting world was put on a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Carlo Anolin)
Laguna chessers gain share of PCA lead
Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. and Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez trounced their respective foes with the black pieces as the Laguna Heroes thrashed the Toledo City Trojans, 18-3, to gain a share of the lead in the online Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCA) All-Filipino Conference held via Lichess.com on Wednesday.
The US-based GM Barcenilla whipped Ronald Ganzon in 51 moves of the Italian Game’s Two Knights Defense on board one while Enriquez outplayed Jinky Catulay in 73 moves of the Scandinavian Defense on board three to help the Heroes tie the San Juan Predators for the lead with similar 18.3 records.
Laguna’s strong start sparked by Barcenilla and Enriquez was a big boost as FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad beat National Master Carlos Cabuenos on board four, Vince Angelo Medina tripped Richard Natividad on board six and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo nipped Christopher Tubalado on board seven for a lopsided 12-2 victory in the rapid section. (Jeremiah Sevilla)
Filipino netters suffer QF defeat
Francis Casey Alcantara and Fil-Am Ruben Gonzales still couldn’t find the right chemistry as the duo bowed out of the $25,000 ASC BMW Men’s World Tennis Tour in Naples, Florida.
The two bowed to the Peruvian pair of Conner Huertas del Pino and Alexander Merino, 7-6 (11-9), 4-6, 10-7, in the second leg’s quarterfinals on Friday morning (Manila time).
Despite a heartbreaking first set defeat, the Filipino netters struck back to force a decider only to lose steam in the end.
The duo suffered a first round loss to Alejandro Gomez of Colombia and Israel Alexander Ore of the United States in the first leg of this COVID-stricken Futures event.
Alcantara and Gonzales cakewalked to the quarterfinals as one of their first round opponents in Justin Butsch and Alex Rybakov of USA tested positive for COVID-19, forcing officials to cancel the match and give the Filipinos a victory via walkover.
Regardless, it was the first triumph as partners for Alcantara and Gonzales in the ITF World Tennis Tour. (Jeremiah Sevilla)
