Jeremy Nopre, Felix Calipusan Jr., Jodan Macalipay get their first SEA Games medal, a bronze one, after beating Myanmar in karate men's team kata, a fitting birthday gift for their coach who happens to celebrate her birthday right on Christmas.
When the Philippine men's karate squad fell to host Thailand in the team kata event of the Southeast Asian Games on Thursday morning, they had to dig deep to shake it off.
"Nung una, dismayado talaga kami sa results," Felix Calipusan Jr. told One Sports. "Gustong-gusto namin mag-finals, 'di tayo pinalad."
It took some encouragement from coach Rhodee Saavedra to help them focus for the bronze medal match against Myanmar.
"Sabi ko sa kanila, pi-pick up na lang 'yung medal, kasi panalo na sila sa training pa lang," Saavedra said to One Sports. "Pick up nyo na lang, ganon na lang."
The Philippines was second to perform in the bronze medal event.
And when the coach saw Myanmar's performance, she knew the Filipinos had it.
"Sabi ko, kaya. Ayaw ko lang sabihin baka mag-kumpiyansa. First three points, ang layo ng agwat so alam ko na," she said.
The win is bigger for the squad, a fitting birthday gift for their coach who celebrates her birthday on Christmas Day.
It's also for one of their coaching staff, Junel Perania, their "dorm father" who passed away recently.
It's the first SEA Games gold medal for Jeremy Nopre, Felix Calipusan Jr., and Jodan Macalipay.
For Jodan, it's also his first SEA Games appearance as he worked to balance training and studies.
"For me, so happy na nagbunga 'yung sakripisyo namin," he said.
It's also special for Nopre and Calipusan Jr., who is competing in their third SEA Games. This is their first medal for the biennial event.
They've been training in karate ever since they were nine to ten years old.
"Sa inyo 'yun, reset lang," Nopre recounted what their coaches said after the loss to Thailand, "Ayun, binawi."
And it's extra special medal for Calipusan, who celebrated his 26th birthday on December 5.
"Sobrang happy kasi nakapag-medal din for SEA games," he said.
Katrina Alba is a sports journalist and producer, notably with SportsCenter Philippines before taking on her current role at One Sports.
She primarily writes about basketball and volleyball, with experience covering the SEA Games, Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup.
Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.