Kram Airam Carpio and Alas Pilipinas U-18 delivered standout performances on Sunday as the Philippines made its mark in the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain.

Carpio, representing Santa Cruz, Laguna, advanced to the semifinals of Pencak Silat after two emphatic victories at Exhibition World Bahrain Hall One in Sakhir. She overpowered India’s Sakshi in the girls’ 51–55kg division to reach the final four, building on her earlier 36–22 win over Iran’s Nazninfatemeh Kolasangiani in the Round of 16. Carpio previously earned a silver medal in Tanding Class A at the Asian Pencak Silat in Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam, in July.

Alas Pilipinas U-18 takes down South Korea in five sets

In girls’ volleyball, Alas Pilipinas U-18 scored a gritty 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 22-25, 15-10 victory over South Korea at Isa Sports City in Riffa to open its campaign with a bang.

National University recruit Samantha Cantada led the charge, with Rhose Almendralejo and Harlyn Serneche providing strong support. The roster also features Adeleine Agustin, Micaella Gould, Atasha Anne Doroja, Denesse Daylisan, Raine Gabrielle Alonzo, Rihanna Cris Navarro, and Diza Marie Berayo. The team faces Southeast Asian rival Thailand next in Pool D play on Tuesday.

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Setbacks in other sports

The day wasn’t without heartbreak as Jelou Eluna bowed out in the boys’ 59–63kg Pencak Silat quarterfinals, falling to Malaysia’s Muhammad Raqib Darwisy, 40–13.

In Kurash, Syrine Mae Bacani fell in the girls’ -70kg quarterfinals to Iran’s Mahsa Barzegar via khalol, while Elijah Mendoza exited early after losing by khalol to Tajikistan’s Bubakr Turaev in the boys’ -65kg Round of 16.