Lombridas hands RP silver, bronze

Host Philippines created some impact in the second day of action in the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Schools gymnastics championships, snaring silver and bronze medals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium yesterday.

Kris Matthew Lombridas, an 18-year-old first year education student at University of the East, tallied 42.6 points in the individual all-around he highlighted with a strong performance in pummel horse where he registered the highest score with 7.3 points to win the bronze medal.

Indonesian Agus Adi P. copped the gold with 42.9 points while Thai Suriyen Chanduang took the silver with 42.7 points in this four-day event participated in by six countries and co-organized by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines.

Lombridas’ score plus those of Frederick Lee Rocas (41.5), Fortunato Abad (40.5) and Cecilio Buenas (40.4) were enough to clinch the silver medal for the Philippines in the team event with a total score of 165.60 points.

Jasper Roxas’ 37.9 points didn’t count in the five-to-play, four-to-count format.

Thailand ruled the event by compiling 168.80 points, courtesy of Chanduang, Worand Kaewpanya (41.8), Weena Chokopaoumpai (40.6) and Wapoo Jansuwan (39.3) while Singapore won the bronze with 160.60 points behind Hue Wah Toon (42.3), Wan Ren Fei (39.9), Hue Wah Kiat (39.2) and Tah Ling Hah (37.4).

The Marikina City-based Lombridas, playing on his second international competition after debuting in the Hawaii Pacific Alliance where he reached the finals last May, is eyeing to deliver the first gold for the country as he leads the pummel horse competition at presstime yesterday.

"They say I’m ahead, I hope to win the gold medal," said Lombridas, who started to compete in the national level in the 2001 Palarong Pambansa in Bacolod where he copped one gold and three silver medals, in Filipino.

In contrast, the RP women’s squad finished fourth out of five teams topped by Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.