FORMER AND current Thomasian athletes helped power the Philippines to a three gold, four silver and two bronze medal haul in the 6th Asian Beach Games, held from April 22 to 30.
Nine Thomasian athletes were part of the 101-strong Philippine delegation, one of the largest contingents in the competition in Sanya, China.
The contest marked the event’s return a decade after its last staging in Vietnam in 2016.
Jiu-jitsu standout Annie Ramirez sustained her continental dominance, capturing her third consecutive Asian Beach Games gold medal in women’s ne-waza division.The feat completes a golden run spanning three editions, following her victories in 2014 (Thailand) and 2016 (Vietnam).
Ramirez, who also served as one of the country’s flagbearers during the opening ceremony, etched her name in history with the rare three-peat. She became the third Filipino to bring home gold, after jiu-jitsu player Alexandria Enriquez and high jumper Leonard Grospe.
On the track, UAAP Season 88 double gold medalist Lianne Diana Pama anchored the Philippine women’s 4×60-meter relay team to a silver medal finish, clocking in at 29.73 seconds.
The quartet of Pama, Jessica Rose Laurence, Shane Ponce, and Kristina Knott, finished just behind Thailand, which secured gold with a time of 29.46 seconds.
The Gilas Pilipinas women’s 3×3 squad also delivered a silver-medal performance, advancing to the 3×3 basketball finals after a 20-13 semi final victory over Singapore before yielding to China, 21-13, in the gold medal match.
UAAP Season 86 Finals MVP Reynalyn “Tantoy” Ferrer bannered the squad alongside alongside Kaye Pingol, Mikka Cacho, and Gabi Bade.
In the men’s division, King Tiger Nic Cabañero and the Gilas Pilipinas men’s team placed fourth overall. The squad fell short in the bronze medal match against China, 13–21, following a narrow 20-18 semifinal loss to Thailand.
Cabañero was joined by fellow Growling Tiger Gelo Crisostomo alongside Jeff Manday and Aldous Torculas. Franceine Rosario also represented UST as part of the Beach Athletics Philippines delegation.
In beach volleyball, the Thomasian duo of Sophia Shanine Pagara and Khylem Harl Progrella advanced after a 2-0 sweep of Macau, but bowed to Thailand’s Taravadee Naraphornrapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee in the quarterfinals, 21–17, 21–15.
Meanwhile, UAAP Season 85 Girls’ Beach Volleyball MVP Grydelle Matibag and partner Sunny Villapando also reached the quarterfinals before falling to Japan’s Ren Matsumoto and Non Matsumoto 21-10, 21-13.
Former Thomasian and now UPJMT national team wrestler, Fierre Proudhon Afan competed in the men’s 80kg beach wrestling tournament but was unable to advance past the group stage. F
