Tag: tilt

Promising teen tops New York tilt

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Kheith Rhynne Cruz—CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Kheith Rhynne Cruz defeated Lichen Chen, 11-5, 11-13, 11-8, 12-10, recently to rule the WTT Youth Contender Westchester 2024 U19 singles division in Pleasantville, New York, bagging her second World Table Tennis youth contender crown in the last eight months.

Cruz also bagged the crown in the Puerto Princesa final in October last year.

The 17-year-old Paco Citizen Academy Foundation student went 2-0 in Group 1 after beating Louise Fan of Canada and Rachel Wang of United States, both in straight sets, and won over Daymar Castro of Puerto Rico, 11-5, 11-8, 11-4, in the semifinals.

Cruz also placed second in the U19 mixed doubles after she and Bosman Botha lost to Naresh Nandan and Rachel Wang, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9.

The Philippine Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) hailed Cruz’s latest feat, optimistic that she will continue to get better with the goal of qualifying for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“We believe in her abilities, and with proper support, training and guidance, we believe that she is our best bet to represent the Philippines in the 2028 Olympics,” said PTTF president Ting Ledesma.

Before finishing runner-up in the mixed doubles, Cruz and Botha beat Yashraj Shah and Amoolya Menon, 6-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-9, in the quarterfinals, and won over Krish Gandhi and Chen, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-8, in the semifinals.



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Creamline’s Jema Galanza likely out of Reinforced tilt

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Creamline’s Jema Galanza is set to play for Alas Pilipinas and will likely miss the PVL Reinforced Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —Creamline is preparing for the possibility that its go-to-scorer Jema Galanza won’t be joining the Cool Smashers in the upcoming 2024 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.

Galanza is one of the PVL players who are likely to miss the midseason conference due to their commitment to Alas Pilipinas, which will compete in the FIVB Challenger Cup next week against Vietnam and in the SEA V.League in August.

READ: Returning Jema Galanza ready for challenge with Alas Pilipinas

Although the PVL has aligned its calendar to the national team period to lend players to the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, most of the club teams are still hoping to have their players even late in the conference. 

“We don’t have the final decision yet, but based on what we know, she won’t be able to play with us. However, it’s not final yet so we are also waiting for the decision,” said Meneses on Wednesday in the PVL Rookie Draft Combine at GameVille Ball Park in Mandaluyong.

Tots Carlos was part of the training pool but Alas coach Jorge Souza De Brito has already ruled out the star opposite spiker at least for the Challenger Cup.

READ: Tots Carlos out for Alas Pilipinas, says coach Jorge de Brito

Meneses will be banking on American outside spiker Erica Staunton and their mainstays Alyssa Valdez and Bernadeth Pons in case they miss the reigning All-Filipino Finals MVP Galanza.

Draft strategy

Creamline Coach Sherwin Meneses during the PVL Draft Combine.

Creamline Coach Sherwin Meneses during the PVL Draft Combine. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“As of now, it’s okay because only time will tell. Our import is very young so they can easily adapt to the system,” said the Creamline coach.

Aside from their import, Meneses has a chance to add more players as they hold the 12th pick in the first-ever Rookie Draft on July 8. 

He has specific targets but it will depend on the picks of the first 11 teams.

“In every position, we have a strategy, but it depends on who the top 11 players are because we’re number 12. It’s very difficult to specify just one position,” he said.

“The Draft Combine is a big help because everyone has a chance to showcase their skills, even those who aren’t well-known have opportunities.”



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Creamline is hoping to end a six-year title drought in the Reinforced Conference as it settled for bronze in the import-laden tournament two years ago.

EJ Obiena nabs gold in Poland tilt as Paris Olympics looms

On: By: admin


EJ Obiena wins gold in the Irena Szewinska Memorial in Poland. –WORLD ATHLETICS

MANILA, Philippines–EJ Obiena continued his season by reigning victorious in his most recent conquest in Bydgoszcz, Poland on Friday (Manila time).

Not only did he snag gold in the Irena Szewinska Memorial, but the Filipino pole vaulter also registered his highest jump of the year at 5.97m.

Obiena expressed his excitement over winning gold while competing in Poland with hometown bet Paweł Wojciechowski.

READ: EJ Obiena bounces back with pole vault silver in Norway tilt

“I am extremely happy to have shared this [trophy] with friends and especially @wojciechowski_pv (Pawel) as he bids his farewell to his home fans,” wrote the Tokyo Olympian.

“We hold the despedida! Poznan is still to come!”

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A post shared by World Athletics (@worldathletics)

According to Obiena’s post, it was Wojciechowski who invited him to compete in the Szewinska Memorial.

Emmanouil Karalis of Greece won silver after clearing 5.92m while home bet Piotr Lisek rounded up the podium with 5.75m cleared.

READ: EJ Obiena wins gold in Croatia to begin 2024 season

With just a few weeks away from the Paris Olympics, Obiena will continue his season with more competition before the quadrennial sporting event in France.



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Next up for Obiena is a competition in Poznan with just two days to prepare.

“Til’ next time! Now some much needed rest and we go again to Poznan on the 23rd!” wrote Obiena.

Creamline taps Erica Staunton as import for Reinforced tilt

On: By: admin


Erica Staunton is Creamline Cool Smashers’ import for the PVL Reinforced Conference. –CREAMLINE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Creamline is bringing American wing spiker Erica Staunton as its guest foreign player in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference in July.

The Cool Smashers on Thursday welcomed the former US NCAA player to bolster their roster in the import-laden tournament.

“We’re thrilled to announce that Erica Staunton, a dynamic 23-year-old open and opposite spiker from the USA, is joining the Creamline Cool Smashers family,” the team wrote. “Her talent, passion, and energy are sure to bring even more excitement to our team.”

READ: Creamline somehow still found way to remain on top of PVL

Staunton played for Northeastern University in Division 1 before she transferred to Georgia University.

The 6-foot-1 versatile spiker, who also has pro experience in Finland with the Oriveden Ponnistus, joins the winningest PVL club, which recently completed a historic ’four-peat’ in the All-Filipino Conference.

Staunton is teaming up with Alyssa Valdez, Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao, Pangs Panaga, Bea De Leon, Kyle Negrito, and Denden Lazaro-Revilla.

The availability of Alas Pilipinas players Jia De Guzman, Tots Carlos, and Jema Galanza is still up in the air in the midseason conference as the nationals will play in several tournaments in the FIVB Challenger Cup and SEA V.League.

The Reinforced Conference title has been elusive for Creamline, which last won a championship with an import in 2018. The Cool Smashers lost to the Petro Gazz Angels five years ago and settled for bronze in 2022.

Creamline was the third PVL team to unveil its reinforcement as Chery Tiggo recently welcomed Khat Bell, while PLDT brought back Elena Samoilenko.

The top four teams in the Reinforced Conference will qualify for the Invitational Conference in September with two foreign guest clubs.



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