Fancied RP archers settle for bronze

Missing the services of veteran Amaya Paz, the highly-touted Philippine women’s compound team settled for the bronze medal yesterday as the third Asian Archery Grand Prix ended at the Ateneo field with India emerging as the most bemedalled team.

Despite the heroic efforts of veterans Jennifer Chan and Abbigail Tindugan, the Filipinas, with newcomer Arlene Infante as their third member, bowed to the Indian team of Kumari Namita Yadav, Bhegyabati Chanu and Jhanu Hansda 213-226.

After disposing of the Filipinas, the Indians went on to rule the event, coming up with 230 points in the gold medal match against the Iranian team of Akrah Shabani, Sakineh Ghasem Pour and Ensieh Haji Anzehael that finished with 221 points.

“We’re thankful for the bronze but it would have been better if we won the gold,” said Tindugan, 27, who helped power the Philippine to the team gold in the first leg of the Asian Grand Prix last February in Thailand.

India jumped the gun on the Philippines, taking a 57-53 lead after six arrows. Never letting up, the Indians outscored the Filipinas, 59-56 and 55-51 to take a big 171-60 lead going into the final six arrows.

“They came out strong and we didn’t do well in first end partly because our team is not as solid as we wanted and partly because the Indians performed well even in the gold medal match,” said Tindugan.

Paz, the reigning Southeast Asian Games champion in the compound division, was on the family way and was forced to watch from the sidelines.