THE boys’ victories in doubles and singles were like occasional drizzles on a scorching sunny day that they may not be enough to wash away all the heat—but they proved to be a refreshing break.

The tandem of Greg Paz and Gelli Ramos scored the country’s first victory at the expense of Rahimin Bin Mohd Azri and Sazunilla Bte Saat of Brunei Darussalam, 21-8, 21-7, in the mixed doubles Thursday of the 14th Asean Schools Badminton Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“We are hoping to continue our winning ways. Malakas ang makakalaban nila sa susunod na round pero malaking tulong ang panalong ito upang mapataas ang morale ng mga bata,” said national team coach Ronald Magnaye.

But it will take more than morale-boosters to gear up the Paz-Ramos duo when it faces the veteran pair of Siripong Ketwong and Thunphukkanan Ampunsawan of Thailand, which drew an opening-round bye.

Singapore Youth Badminton Championships bronze medalist Joeper Escueta provided the second win after he toppled Brunei’s Noriskandar Bin Omar, 21-12, 21-14, in the tournament supported by STI, Taraflex-Spurway, Enchanted Kingdom, Centrum, Superferry, AirPhilippines, Gold’s Gym, Gatorade, Rebisco, Dominos Pizza, Absolute and Splash.

Escueta, a Palarong Pambansa champion, also got his ticket into the second round today where he clashes with Pollawat Boonpan of Thailand.

In the team event, Indonesia edged Thailand, 3-2, to rule the girls’ class, while the Thais dumped the Malaysians, 3-2, for the boys’ crown. “ Sana magtuloy-tuloy na ‘to. Hindi lang kasi para sa’min pero para na din sa bansa dahil host tayo kaya dapat makapagbigay naman tayo ng fighting chance sa bansa natin kahit pa sabihing malakas talaga Thailand at Malaysia ,” said Escueta.

All about heart

THE fighter with the bigger heart and better mental focus will win this weekend’s ring extravaganza, according to Manny Pacquiao’s American adviser, Michael Koncz.

RP boys provide moments of relief

THE boys’ victories in doubles and singles were like occasional drizzles on a scorching sunny day that they may not be enough to wash away all the heat—but they proved to be a refreshing break.

Philippine Cup finalists in rematch

A REMATCH between teams which figured in last conference’s championship tops today’s twin bill in the Smart-Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference that is gradually shifting to a frenzied stage.

THE RP-Nokia Youth team will represent the country in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (Seaba) phase of the Stankovic Cup, its biggest, and probably the toughest, tournament so far since it was formed last year by the Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP).

Goal: To reach the finals

NATIONAL diving head coach Zhang Dehu has one lofty goal for the two Filipino divers heading into the 2008 Beijing Olympics—reach the finals.

TWO major names in the local racing scene these days are slowly but surely making a comeback.