Philippines, 15 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


No real heartbreak; only deep disappointment


PhilBoxing.com


THE chubby basketball fanatic, too young for a legit heartache, could only blurt out his disappointment.

?Sabog, palpak (scattered, crushed), Captain Coby cried upon rising from his seat with over two minutes left in the Philippines-Korea Asian Games quarterfinal basketball match in Jakarta on Monday, a holiday.

The boy had refused to follow the running scores. He clearly felt betrayed.

A regular in the Alaska summer basketball camp at the Aquinas School San Juan, Coby had hoped for a glowing finish--never a droop-- after the Philippine team sent hopes rising with its brilliant fir s two games in the 18th Asiad.

**

Accounts from the game site said it was a close match, with Korea coming from behind, catching up, and breaking loose midway in the closing quarter.

That was what the running scores would show. But a closer look, a complete game assessment, would tell a different story. It was never a close contest. There has always been great disparity on both ends of the court.

There had actually loomed a close and thrilling finish.

Korea, after a calculating start, fell behind early, yielded the half by two points. There were also thrilling exchanges, the Philippines, giving it all, while drawing points from unlikely sources.

**

Unfortunately, the hardcourt instantly turn turbulent for the Philippines, after Korea started to frolic,repeatedly grabbing offensive rebounds unopposed, while streaking with unreachable three-point baskets.

Looking back, it?s easy to believe coach Hur Jae of Korea had decided to treat the Philippine game like a chess match. He opted for a calculating, start, pacing and patiently reading patterns, before subjecting the opponents to an unerring checkmate.

As a result, the Philippine team finished confused, tired and scattered.

**

Coach Yeng Guiao did not tarry and owned up to the fault. He claimed he had never expected a choking zone defense from the Koreans.

It?s of course doubtful if they could?ve achieved a different result, even if the team scouts had done their job.

After a few minutes of fame, Guiao was back on the plain, a humbled medal hopeful now left praying for a fifth place finish.
No realheartbreak, there. He lost to a greater coach, his team bowing to a vastly superior and superbly motivated outfit.

**

Anyway, one fellow truly disappointed should be NBA man Jordan Clarkson.

Pressed hard on the wings, he missed all his four shots at the start. He was only 10 of 25 from the field, but nevertheless top-scored for the Philippines.

Clarkson, upon arrival in Jakarta last week, said he was in the Asiad to win a medal.

He did not look anything special on Monday.

At least, he has also learned how unevenly basketball affairs are run in the Philippines.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 14 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
    , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
    , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • Zuffa Boxing set to unveil its maiden card on January 23 in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’ve got an army and army’s move in numbers’ Owen Corrigan returns for Light Heavyweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Pasalamat Festival Chess Tour 2026 to Push Through
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Sat, 10 Jan 2026
  • ‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026
  • Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
    , Fri, 09 Jan 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.