Cargo Movers, Cool Smashers try to secure semis berths

Games Thursday (Philsports Arena)

9:30 a.m. – Gerflor vs Chery Tiggo

12 noon – F2 Logistics vs Petro Gazz 4 p.m. – Creamline vs PLDT

6:30 p.m. – Farm Fresh vs Cignal

F2 Logistics, physically and emotionally exhausted following a steal of a classic five-set win over Choco Mucho late Tuesday, expects to recover quick through rest and proper nutrition as it faces another top and tough contender in pursuit of a coveted semifinal seat in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig today (Thursday).

“We have to recover more because our next game is on Thursday,” said F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego after steering her wards to a mind-boggling 21-25, 25-17, 1725, 25-21, 18-16 decision over the Flying Titans that saw them fight back from 11-14 deficit in the decider to snatch the win.

With a 3-0 card in the six-team Pool B, F2 Logistics still needs to win once to formalize its semis stint although the Cargo Movers are keen on sweeping their last two games to further firm up their bid in the carry-over phase which will feature two foreign guest squads from Vietnam and Japan.

Meanwhile, US women’s team coach Vlatko Andonovski said Rapinoe remained an important part of the team for the World Cup which starts on July 20.

“Megan Rapinoe is one of the most important players in women’s soccer history and a personality like no other,” he said.

“It’s been a wonderful experience to coach her in the NWSL and for the national team and I’m looking forward to her being an important part of our team at the World Cup,” he added.

The Californian has spent most of her career playing in domestic leagues but had a brief spell in Australia with W-League team Sydney FC in 2011 and two years later played for French club Lyon, reaching the final of the Champions League.

At the 2019 World Cup in France, she scored in the 2-0 win over the Netherlands in the final and was named Player of the Match. She won the Golden Boot as top scorer and Golden Ball for best player in the tournament. AFP

Club Gymnastica bets dominate national gymnastics’ meet

CLUB Gymnastica, the pioneer in training Philippine gymnastics athletes, produced big winners in the recent Gymnastics Association of the Philippines Challenge 2023 at the GAP National Training Center in Intramuros, Manila.

The club, which was established in 1981, participated in three out of the seven categories, namely P3, HP3, and FIG Junior, with Amara Zoe Lagdameo, Maria Celina Gonzales, Zayanna Ysabel Enriquez, Chiara Lourice Acedera, Gilanah Raine San Pedro, Jia Mae Cabatingan, and Reeze Angel Semacio all emerging with medals.

Total tally was seven golds, nine silvers and three bronze medals.

Acedera, the Individual AllAround winner, won the overall gold in the P3 category, with San Pedro receiving the silver.

Gonzales won the overall gold in the HP3 category, with Lagdameo netting silver in the AllAround FIG Junior category.

“We take pride in the successes of our athletes and really commend and recognize their hard work, dedication, and discipline. Since 1981, it has been our mission to produce worldclass Filipino gymnastics athletes who can go head-to-head against the world’s best,” said Club Gymnastica president Susan David Talingting.

Four of the gymnasts from the current Women’s Philippine National Team are products of Club Gymnastica, with the next batch of talented gymnasts hoping to follow suit.

The CGP president added that the GAP Challenge serves as the qualifying competitions for ranking and possible inclusion in the developmental and national t raining pool.

“A win in the recently held competition is a big step for the young athletes as they are one step closer to fulfill their dream of going to the nationals and eventually get the honor of representing the country in future international gymnastics events,” said Talingting.