TEAM Philippines’ campaign in the Paris Olympics slowed down the past two days after the historic and scintillating two-gold haul of Carlos Yulo in the men’s artistic gymnastics floor exercise and vault over the weekend at the posh Bercy Arena.
Adding another sorrow was Ernest John Obiena’s fourth place finish in the pole vault final yesterday before a wild and roaring 69,000 spectators at the Stade de France.
Also bidding his drive in the French capital goodbye was hurdler John Cabang Tolentino, whose stint came to a screeching halt when he went down with an injury minutes before his scheduled repechage run in the men’s 110m hurdles event at the same venue.
Tolentino was set to see action in the repechage at 4:50 p.m. in an attempt to reach the semifinals.
Four Pinoy bets bannered by Aira Villegas try to ignite the fire anew when they plunge into action today.
Assured of a medal, Villegas clashes with third seed Buse Naz Cakiroglu of Turkey in the women’s 50kg semifinals at the famous Roland-Garros Stadium.
Making their debut in the Greatest Show on Earth is the duo of golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina at 5:06 p.m. in Manila and 4:44 p.m., respectively, in the tough 60-player cast.
In a crushing Instagram post, Tolentino apologized to his supporters, revealing that he was unable to compete due to the unexpected setback.
“I am so sorry. I’m not gonna be able to run due to an injury,” Tolentino said. “Thanks to all the people who supported me. Laban Pilipinas!”
Tolentino made his Olympic debut last Sunday when he finished sixth in his heat, qualifying for the repechage round.
With his withdrawal, the Philippines’ chances to crash the podium in track and field stint formally concluded.
Fellow hurdler Lauren Hoffman was also eliminated in the repechage.
Philippine athletics has only two medals in the grandest sports spectacle– two bronzes courtesy of high jumper Simeon Toribio in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics and 400m hurdler Miguel White in the 1936 Berlin Games.
Pagdanganan tees off alongside Spain’s Azahara Muñoz and Swiss Morgane Metraux as she tries to atone for a 43rd-place finish in the Tokyo three years ago.
Ardina starts with Finland’s Noora Komulainen and Norway’s Madelene Stavnar, while former national team ace Yuka Saso, now representing Japan, takes on Australia’s Minjee Lee and Thai ace Atthaya Thitikul.
Ditto with weightlifter John Ceniza who gets his maiden Olympic appearance going in the men’s 61kg at 9 in the evening.
Yulo’s place in the annals of Philippine sports pantheon is sealed in the country’s centennial participation in the Games. For sure, the remaining seven athletes want to emulate Yulo.
