So much hope, so much expectations.
This, in the best sense, can we describe our contemporary sports situation and development as the cream of our crop persevere against the best in the world stage and other continental arenas.
Kai Sotto has finally emerged from his shell even for just those few opportuned minutes against the Portland Trailblazers in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
He is the first in line of our hopes. Should any NBA ballclub sign him up even for just a season (or even less), that already is a recognition of his potential.
Gilas coach Chot Reyes happily announced recently that the 7’3” former Ateneo center is planing in today – July 18 – to join the pool’s practices for the August FIBA WC next month.
Other heart-warming news is that two Pinoy athletes romped away with golds in the Asian Athlteics Championships in
Bangkok, Thailand Sunday.
Yes, you guessed it right. Ernest John Obiena reigned supreme in his pet event, registering 5.80m on his first try to reset his own meet record (5.71m) and easily win the pole vault gold.
The better news is that EJ officially set a new Asian record with his final two jumps, successfully clearing the bar at 5.91m.
EJ, the best Pinoy polevaulter ever produced, is the first Filipino to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Robyn Brown earlier snatched the first gold for the Philippines, ruling the 400m hurdles for women, clocking 57.50 seconds.
In chess, Fil-Am super GM Wesley So lost to former world champion Magnus Carlsen in the final of the Aimchess on-line tournament of the Champions Chess Tour Saturday.
So, ranked number 8 in the world, survived the rigorous loser’s bracket defeating Eduardo Itturizaga of Spain, US’ Fabiano Caruana and Uzbek Nodirbek Abdusattorov – all via 2-0 scores – to reach the final.
Elo-rated at 2769, Wesley will cross wits anew against his peers at the FIDE World Cup on July 29 to determine two qualifiers to the Candidates Matches next year.
Oh, belated congratulations to the billiards tandem of Johann Chua and James Aranas for bringing home the 2023 World Cup of Pool crown.
The Pinoy cue masters very convincingly thwarted the German pair of Joshua Filler and Moritz Neuhausen 11-7 to give the Philippines its fourth title in World Cup 9-ball history.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, our PInoy contingent should be ready – mentally, physically and spiritually – for the approaching Asian Games in China this October.
Let’s pray that the usual exasperating funding problems do not belatedly arise. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
