PHL’s last medal hope crashes out in Karate

INCHEON, South Korea – The Philippines' last medal hope Gay Mabel Arevalo faded early, failing to advance into quarterfinals of the women's -50kg division in Karate at the Gyeyang Gymnasium on Saturday at the final day of the 17th Asian Games here.

Arevalo lost to Indonesia's Sru Nita Sari Sukatendel, 8-0, in a lackluster finish for the Phl team.

The Indonesian bet scored on two ippon and four yuko to fashion out the lopsided win.

The loss ended the Phl's campaign here with a lone gold coming from Olympian BMX racer Daniel Caluag that went with three silver and 11 bronze medals for a total of 15, one short of the country's 16-medal haul in the 2010 Asian Games.

The country fared better in the last Asian Games with three golds from billiards, boxing and bowling plus four silvers and nine bronzes. But billiards was not included in this year's edition, while bowling produced no medals and boxing could only come up with a silver from lightweight boxer Charly Suarez and three bronze medals.

Wushu added two silvers courtesy of  Daniel Parantac in the men's Taijiquan & Taijijian All-Round and Jean Claude Saclag in men's Sanda -60kg.

Taekwondo chipped in five bronze medals while Wushu and Karate had one each.