Sepak bets deliver as promised

NAGOYA – No resignation letters to tear. Only medals to count.

The 21-strong Philippine sepak takraw team – the same team told to win a medal or step aside as national athletes – guaranteed itself at least a silver and a bronze as of yesterday, turning a harsh ultimatum into a historic breakthrough at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

“Pupunitan ako ng resignation letter,” said sepak takraw chief Karen Tanchanco-Caballero after the women’s doubles marched into the gold-medal game and the men’s regu settled for bronze.

With unyielding grit, Abigail Sinogbuhan, Jean Marie Sucalit and Nelly Jay Salon swept past Laos, 15-12, 15-10, to book a shot at ultimate glory against Vietnam.

The Philippines and Vietnam dispute the gold at 9 a.m. today – with the Filipinas already assured of the country’s first ever silver in Asian Games sepak takraw.

Hours later, the men’s regu of Jason Huerte, Jom Lerry Rafael, Reynaldo Asilum Jr., Glindel Phori and Ronsited Gabayeron looked headed to matching the women’s feat when they took the first set against powerhouse Malaysia.

But they could not ward off the fightback. The Malaysians took the second set and the kill in the decider, dealing the Filipinos a 15-10, 11-15, 7-15 loss.

Still, it was a medal delivered. A promise kept.

Before leaving Manila, Tanchanco-Caballero disclosed an ultimatum with the national team: Come home with a medal or give way to the next batch of players.

And they proved they meant business.