Philippines, 19 Nov 2025
  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:

  • Rematch for the ages
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • "Limping" Boston Showing Famed Celtics Pride
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • IIEE-Trocio Engineers defeated Splashers Lawyers in the BPBL Opening
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • ThunderDome 52 Card Preview
    , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Los Angeles Lakers may be under NBA gambling Investigation
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • PLAYER+ and BIBA Announce Official Partnership
    , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Roberto Racasa Claims 7 Medals at Asia Open International Memory Championships in Hyderabad, India
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Bacnotan Pickleball Club Marks First Anniversary With Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Connor Benn Targets Barrios' WBC Welter Belt After Defeating Chris Eubank Jnr
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • NBA Daily: Sans Wembanyama, Spurs Dominate Kings 123 – 110
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • GM Joey Antonio finishes second in Spain chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 17 Nov 2025
  • A Tall Order: Rafael Espinoza KOs Arnold Khegai to Retain Featherweight Crown
    , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Conor Benn dominates Chris Eubank Jr to claim emphatic rematch victory
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats Argentinian CM Daniri , maintains second place in Spain chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • NBA ALL STAR 2026: USA VS. WORLD
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 16 Nov 2025
  • Chris Eubank Jr. vs Conor Benn 2: Will Eubank Step on the Gas Pedal Earlier?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Russ Westbrook set record setting 10,000 assists
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • GM Joey Antonio draws Becker to maintain second place in Spain chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • 4th Gov. Ruel Pacquiao Motocross Competition
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Rafael Espinoza vs. Arnold Khegai
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Soledad fights Thai for WBC Asia Continental Welter title on Nov. 29
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • Former Champ Joseph Parker fails drug test on WBO championship fight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 15 Nov 2025
  • R&B PROMOTIONS RETURNS TO HARD ROCK LIVE AT ETESS ARENA FOR FIGHT NIGHT 4 ON NOVEMBER 22, 2025
    , Sat, 15 Nov 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.