By El Amigo
The Philippine women’s sepak takraw team broke new ground at the Asian Games, capturing a historic silver medal after Vietnam ended its golden run with a 15-8, 15-4 victory Tuesday in Nagoya, Japan.
Abegail Sinogbuhan, Jean Marie Sucalit and Nelly Jay Salon came within one victory of a breakthrough gold after marching into the final for the first time in the country’s Asian Games history.
But Vietnam proved too strong in the championship match at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium, taking control early and never allowing the Filipinas to mount a sustained comeback.
The silver nevertheless gave Philippine women’s sepak takraw its highest-ever Asian Games finish since the sport debuted in the continental meet in 1990.
The Filipinas showed their potential from the preliminary round, beating host Japan and India before losing to South Korea. They advanced to the knockout stage with a 2-1 record.
They then delivered when it mattered most.
In the semifinals, Sinogbuhan, Sucalit and Salon fought past Laos, 15-12, 15-10, to secure the Philippines’ maiden appearance in a women’s sepak takraw final and guarantee a historic medal.
Their run also strengthened the country’s medal haul in Nagoya. The silver was the Philippines’ third in the Games and its 15th medal overall at that point, alongside two golds and 10 bronzes.
It was likewise the second medal won by Philippine sepak takraw in Nagoya, after the men’s regu team secured a bronze.
For Philippine women’s sepak takraw, however, the bigger prize may be the breakthrough itself—a first Asian Games final, a first silver and a new benchmark for the next generation.
