Redemption for Lopez

SEAG: Lopez demolishes Chhoeung, 10-3

Pauline Louisse Lopez of Philippines (PHI) unleashed a devastating reverse

roundhouse kick before the buzzer to terminate Cambodia’s (CAM) Aliza Chhoeung,
10-3, to bring gold to her nation in the women’s koryogi under 57 kg taekwondo finals
of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Dec. 8, 2019.

Falling short in her last gold medal run in the SEA games, Lopez redeemed
herself in front of her own country and her parents as she proudly walked victorious
with the Philippine flag after the match.

Lopez was a nightmare for Chhoeung, landing three lethal head kicks in three
total rounds to stun the Cambodian.

"My parents were watching for the first time in 10 years. So I didn’t want to
fail them. I know they prayed hard for my success,” Lopez said after getting a bronze
in the 2017 SEA games.

Fortune favors the brave as the Pinoy pride never hesitated to rush Chhoeung
and delivered an early three points by throwing a sneaky head kick and left the
Cambodian jin scoreless in the first round.

Playing under pressure from the energetic crowd, Lopez sent another clever
hook kick to the head of Chhoeung in the second round, 7-0.

With the great need for a counter to that strike, Visiting Chhoeung refused to
give up and tried to put up a fight in the second, she quickly answered back with a
solid kick on the trunk to trim the lead, 7-2.

Chhoeung had difficulty taking the match up close capped by the defensive
tactics of Lopez, she only managed to drill one point in the third round, trailing four
points to turn the tables, 7-3.

With five seconds remaining of their last round, Lopez can’t help but delight
the Filipino crowd, the Pinay discharged a surprising reverse roundhouse to the head
of Chhoeung which drew the audience into chaos.

"I'm very overwhelmed by the cheers of our kababayans. It’s really nice to play
in your home town. It was so inspiring," she said.

Filipino bet Lopez encountered one of the toughest challenges of her career,
facing a 5-foot-10 titan in her gold medal stint.

Filling another achievement into her bag, Lopez claimed her second gold medal
for the Philippines in the SEA Games edition.
 Casimero-Akaho fight ends in No Contest

Filipino boxer John Riel Casimero came to nothing on his super-bantamweight

debut after turning the match in No Contest decision against the fighter of Japan Ryo
Akaho, in their WBO super-bantamweight bout at Paradise Hotel, Incheon, South
Korea, Dec. 3, 2022.

Much awaited battle between the two neighboring countries ended early after a
controversial hit of Casimero in the back by the head of Akaho.

Akaho was the one chasing Casimero in the first round and kept on throwing a
couple of punches.

Meanwhile, Casimero decided to fight on the defensive and however managed

to discharge counterpunches and his signature left hooks to match the aggressor
Akaho.

Casimero changed in form in the second round, he violently confronted the

Japanese fighter by landing countless deadly left and right hooks.

While Casimero pounding punches towards Akoha, the orthodox fighter from
Japan saw an opening to unleash his ferocious left hook that sent Casimero down.

After that intense skirmish, Casimero barely hits the back of the head of Akoha
and called for a timeout.

The camp of Akoha complained to the referee about the incident that happened
and refused to continue the match.

"Boxing does not have a video reading applied in other sports such as baseball
and soccer, but if the purpose is to aim for clean sports, the results are justified to
change. The rules of competition cannot apply to every situation accurately case by
case because nobody knows what will happen in professional boxing," said Hwang.

Veteran boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino stated that the fight was an unlucky
decision for Casimero as it was seen in the clip the punch didn’t land directly to the
back of the head.

As a result, the Pinoy boxer maintained his professional record at 31 wins (22
KOs) and 4 losses.
PH ousts Japan to claim bronze in Super Series

Leaning to the impressive performance of the team captain Jayson Huerto,

Philippine sepak takrawl team prevailed over Team Japan in a close fight for the
bronze, 2-0 (21-19, 21-15), in the ISTAF Super series at Bangkok, Thailand, Oct. 24.
 It was a neck to neck for the battle for bronze, PH and Japan had full of lead
changes in the game that turned crowd into frenzy mood.

Needing the match for a podium finish in the tournament, PH exploited the
weak spots of Japanese capped by their strong toppings attack.

PH smartly utilized their lead in the first set and never let Japan to step up by
displaying their tower-like defense, 21-19.

After a short break, Huerto of Team PH played the role of saviour for the
nation, he blasted relentless of roll and bicycle spikes to make Japan in havoc.

PH team pulled off an outstanding 6-0 run in the mid game of the second set,
owing to the performance of Rhey Ortouste, PH secure the bronze as confetti rained
down the court for their victory.

"It was a great game. I am glad that we were able to win the game against a
strong team such as Japan,” said Ortouste.

"Before, I got intimidated against much-experienced players, but now I always

put in mind to just play our best and to be not intimidated by whoever we would be
playing against,” said Ortouste.

Team Philippines fell short three years ago as they finished sixth place in the
same tournament.