Yap saves day for RP archers, pockets silver

Earl Benjamin Yap made up for a shaky qualifying round and clinched the silver medal in the third Asian Archery Grand Prix 2008 at the Ateneo Open Field.

The 23-year-old Yap struggled in the compound event qualifying rounds Sunday but recovered to arrange a finals showdown with Iran’s Reza Zamaninejao.

Yap scored 114 points in a 12-arrow match, three points off his Iranian rival.

In the Asian Archery Championship in China last month, Yap defeated Zamaninejao in the semifinals en route to winning the gold.

“I’m happy, not super happy, but I’m happy I won the silver considering I didn’t do well in opening day,” said Yap who placed 11th with 675 points after two qualifying rounds Sunday.

“Besides I’m happy to shoot against Reza in the finals. I’ve beaten him in the previous tournament I guess it’s his time now,” added Yap, a member of the national team since 2001.

The Filipinas, however, continued to struggle in the women’s recurve event, with Rachelle and Francisca Cabral and Joan Tabanag failing to get past the round of 16.

Kwon Unsil of Korea ruled the women’s recurve with 109 points while Indians Biruly Rimil (108) and Bannerjee Dola (107) wound up in second and third place, respectively.

The Philippines is expecting another medal from veteran campaigner Jennifer Chan when the Olympic round of the women’s compound category gets going today. Chan led with a 682 total after the qualifying round.

First time national team member Kristina Bismark, seeing action in an international event for the first time, is also expected to pull off surprises after placing third with 665 points in the qualifying.