CEBUANO striker Rheyjey Ortouste exploded for 35 points, including 15 in the deciding set, to lead the Philippines to a 12-21, 21-17, 21-17 over Myanmar in the final round of the upset-marred 31st Kings Cup – Sepak Takraw World Championships yesterday at Bangkok, Thailand.
It was the first time that the country won a gold medal in the tournament. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Nationals as they found themselves down, 0-1, despite Ortouste’s nine first set points.
However, the opening set loss did not slow down Ortouste, who continued his onslaught in the second stanza where he scored 11 markers to force a deciding set.
The Nationals sustained the momentum in the third, taking a 16-14 lead before finishing off Myanmar with a 5-3 blitz.
“Humbled and blessed. And they said it can never be done. But today, we did the impossible. History is made,” said Philippine Amateur Sepak Takraw Association (Pasta) President Karen Tanchanco-Caballero in a Facebook post.
Earlier in the day, the Philippines pulled off an upset in the semifinals by beating the world’s best team, Thailand in a grueling three-set battle.
The team was composed of Ortouste, Jason Huerte and Mark Gonzales.