Philippines, 21 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Phil. Women?s Basketball Team wants to improve on SEA Games Silver finish


PhilBoxing.com


MANILA (PNA) -- For bringing home the silver medal the last time around in 2011, members and officials of the Philippine women?s basketball team believe they deserve to represent the country anew in the coming 27th Southeast Asian Games this December in Myanmar.

Team manager Cynthia Tiu, who owns the team?s principal sponsor discovery Perlas, is appealing the Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission task force to endorse the team for inclusion despite not having been recommended by the Samahang Basketbol Pilipinas, the recognized National Sports Association for the sport.

In a letter addressed to task force head and chef de mission, Col. Jeff Tamayo and an earlier statement made during Friday?s SCOOP Sa Kamayan session, Tiu said she was saddened that ?our own Federation has not endorsed us even if we are in contention for the gold (medal) having won the silver in 2011.?

Ms. Tiu said that the silver medal the Filipinas cornered two years ago in Indonesia could have been, in fact, a gold medal had it not for the controversial call made by game officials in the dying seconds of the game that favored eventual champion Thailand.

In the SCOOP session Ms. Tiu and national coach Haydee Ong as well as several members of the team who appeared as guests, swore that the country?s high ranking sports officials, particularly POC president Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco and and PSC chair Richie Garcia were present during the PH-Thailand finale and saw how the Filipinas were denied of what could have been the Philippines? first SEA Games championship since 1977.

?The POC and the PSC have set the criteria of gold medal winners and/or potential gold medals, then why are we being left out? Ms. Tiu asked. ?Do you think this is fair? Actually, appealing was far from our mind kasi alam naming na qualified kami under the criteria at kung hindi nila kami isama, bahala sila.?

?But we feel, we owe it, not only to the Philippine team members but to the entire women?s basketball community to fight for all the woman players who should be allowed to own up to their dreams and be given the chance to embrace them.?

Team members ? co-captains Ewon Arayi and Joan Grasales, Ish Tiu and Melissa Jacob, who along with their friend, former national volleyball player Myra Balakyot, were attended the SCOOP session, agreed with their team manager and coach.

?Nadaya tayo noong 2011, bayaan na sana nila kaming makabawi,? Aryai said in a sentiment shared by co-teammates present at the SCOOP session.

Both Ms. Tiu and Ms. Ong admitted they are at a loss why the SBP failed to recommend the Filipinas? participation.

?I approached Mr. Barrios (SBP executive director Renauld ?Sonny? Barrios) one time to ask about the team?s status, but he could not give me a definite answer as to whether we are going to Myanmar or not,? Ms. Tiu lamented. ?He just told me the SBP is relying on the POC-PSC criteria.?

?I guess the SBP has just been very busy attending the preparations for the coming FIBA-Asian championship,? she said.

Ong told members of the Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines that the nucleus of her team has been playing together the last five years since Ms. Tiu lent her hand in assistance which explained the reason why the Filipinas have not fallen out of the medal standing in all the tournaments they took part in.

?In fact, we gifted the Philippines its first gold medal ever in 30 years, also in 2011 when we ruled that year?s SEABA (Southeast Asian Basketball Association) championship,? Ms. Ong recalled. ?All Philippine women?s teams given the go signal to take part in the SEA Games since 2001 ended up at least with a bronze medal.?


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Weigh-in Results: Collazo and Valdez On Weight for Flyweight Showdown in Oceanside
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 20 Jun 2026
  • “I feel Murat’s style is a perfect match for me.” Tony Yoka prepares for Murat Gassiev
    , Sat, 20 Jun 2026
  • Alex Eala continue her magical run by beating World No. 8 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 20 Jun 2026
  • BOXING LEGEND: JIMMY CARRUTHERS
    By Ray Dunbar, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH H2O SYLVE vs. JOJO DIAZ
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Collazo vs. Valdez Final Press Conference Quotes
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Alex Eala beats World No.2 Elena Rybakina
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Cuban Middleweight Pedro Veitia Scores Electrifying Stoppage of Previously Unbeaten Taiwo Afolabi
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Riyadh Season boxing events will stream free starting in November
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Heavyweight Contender Gustavo "The Cuban Assassin" Trujillo Returns June 28 in Main Event of "Fist of Fury 11"
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • DC Eagles routs Perfect, 5-1 in R5
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • PCCI Las Piñas Leaders to Visit Lipa for the June 20 JCI Rapid Chess Tournament
    , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • Engr. Allan Anthony Alvarez eyes five squads in JCI Senate Lipa 3X3 Open Rapid Chess Tournament on June 20
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Jun 2026
  • PACHECO CLASHES WITH ALEEM ON STACKED LA CARD
    , Thu, 18 Jun 2026
  • Rising Mexican Contender Neider Valdez Steps in to Face Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo in WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Championship Fight
    , Thu, 18 Jun 2026
  • Sumabong to defend WBO title against undefeated Taiwanese on July 11 in Bohol
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Jordan Orozco Remains Perfect with Dominant Third-Round TKO of Fernando Diaz on MVP/Boxlab Card in Orlando
    , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Floyd Mayweather Jr could face charges of fraud in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • EDDIE HEARN SIGNS DIVINE OMOJOR FOR MATCHROOM BOXING ON LONG-TERM DEAL AS NEWCASTLE TEENAGE CRUISERWEIGHT TURNS PRO
    , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • DC Trail Ultra on July 26 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Torre to grace Gov. Oaminal Chess Festival
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Apolinar, Santisima to fight on June 19 in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Canoy still waiting for his US visa for June 20 fight against Collazo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • "Hand of Stone" Roberto Durán celebrates 75th birthday
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Sy-Tancontian excited on Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.