The Philippines Women’s National Football Team came up short in its bid to advance to the knockout stage of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
Hali Long’s goal in the 83rd minute gave the Filipinas the win, 2-1, against defending champion Vietnam, but it wasn’t enough for the team to secure a spot in the semifinals. Despite tying Vietnam and Myanmar with six points, the goal difference was not in the country’s favor as the latter scored a 5-1 win against Malaysia in the other game of the night.
On the upside, however, the Filipinas have beaten Vietnam two games in a row. Sarina Bolden likewise tied Quinley Quezada for scoring the most goals for the Filipinas with 22.
The U-22 team, on the other hand, dropped a 1-0 loss against Myanmar to end their campaign in the tournament. The squad only managed to show a point in four games in Phnom Penh. Again, another humbling, but hopefully a learning experience for the squad and those who have the final say in the preparation for the football competitions of the biennial games. The Designated Kit Man would like to suggest that as early as next week, the Philippine Football Federation should prepare for the U-22 tilt of the next Southeast Asian Games. ‘Pag kaya lang.
Moving forward, The Designated Kit Man met Marc Alexander Lim almost two months ago in our radio program 3PTS-Pambansang Tambayan ng Sports aired live every Sunday, 2 to 3 p.m. over DZME 1530 khz.
During the episode, Lim, one of the country’s best bets in the jiu-jitsu events of the SEA Games, shared his journey and preparation for the biggest regional sports event of the year.
Fast forward to three days ago, Lim defeated Vietnam’s Dang Dinh Tung to win the gold medal in the nogi -69kg category. It was Lim’s first gold medal in the SEA Games after earning a silver in 2019 and a bronze medal in the 2022 edition.
Just before he boarded the plane for his flight home to Davao City yesterday, Lim shared his thoughts on how much the gold medal meant to him, to his loved ones, his family and those who have supported him for almost two decades of competing in the sport he loves.
“At first nu’ng nag tap-out siya (Dang), I couldn’t describe the initial emotion, parang unbelievable ang moment that finally I was able to achieve my goal. Then, the second emotion was gratitude. Super thankful talaga ako sa lahat ng tumulong along the way throughout the good and the bad times,” he revealed.
Just like many feel good stories of the SEA Games, especially among our athletes who never lost the faith in themselves that they will win the gold no matter how long and hard it may take, Lim also had his share of doubts and the feeling if he is indeed capable of taking the fight all the way to win the gold. It took him several years to win his first gold medal in the games. Lesser mortals will certainly give up the moment they falter in their first try. And for Lim, he faltered several times before conquering his doubts, his opponents and his own Mount Sisyphus to take the title.
“It’s always been a silver. It’s always been a bronze. It’s always so close to the gold, but I always fall short. Ito ang first gold ko after seven years in the national team and in 17 years of doing jiu-jitsu,” Lim said.
Despite finally winning his event, Lim said the gold medal will not be the end of his goal. He says it will only motivate him further and to aspire for more. He says he wants to win more gold medals even if it means training longer and harder in the coming weeks.
“But the more important thing is to keep my feet on the ground, but at the same time, keep my eyes set on my goals. Winning the gold is actually a confidence booster for me na kaya ko pala manalo,” he added.
For context, the jiu-jitsu team won a total of three gold, one silver and eight bronze medals in Cambodia. There were two events in the Cambodia games, the Newaza gi and nogi or the fight/match category and show and duo or choreographed forms and scenes side of the jiu-jitsu competitions.
Aside from Lim, Kaila Napolis and Annie Ramirez took the gold in their respective divisions. And despite practicing for just three months, the Philippine team took home bronze medals in the show and duo competitions. Incidentally, it was the first time the country competed in the show and duo events of jiu-jitsu in the SEA Games.
Lim says he will take a short break in Davao but will resume training for another important tournament.
“There is one in Mongolia in nine weeks. It is the Jiu-Jitsu World Championships, this is the highest form of competition in the sport,” Lim said.
But for now, Lim says he will just enjoy the moment for a while.
“I can’t put into words what I feel. Everything’s happening so fast, but thank you for all the support, thank you for never giving up on me. It’s not just my efforts but the collective efforts of my team, my loved ones, the people in Davao and to everyone,” he added.
Lim says there will always be a reward for those who patiently wait and are humble enough to learn and grow from the challenges not only in jiu-jitsu and in life as well.
Which I agree wholeheartedly. Going back to football, the time will come that our football teams, especially the U-22, will finally win a medal in the SEA Games. The question is when. I just hope that it will be soon because more than two decades of just being in the group is already a long wait. And it is kind of tiring to see that the country is consistent in being just in the elimination round, but not in the knockout stages. Unlike Lim, patience is something that I need to work on much more.
Please join us for another exciting episode of 3PTS-Pambansang Tambayan ng Sports this Sunday, May 14, from 2 to 3 p.m. over DZME 1530 khz. For our Mother’s Day episode, we will have chess mom Atty. Nikki De Vega and her daughter 10-year chess champion Nika Juris Nicolas as special guests. Lim will also join us via Zoom from Davao City.
Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat