SAKHIR, Bahrain — From local district meets to the international stage, Pangasinan teens Crystal Cariño and Nicole Tabucol turned their first teqball tournament abroad into a podium finish at the Asian Youth Games.

The former sepak takraw players delivered a surprise bronze medal for the Philippines in the girls’ doubles division after a tense 10-12, 12-10, 14-12 victory over Bahrain’s Rawan Abdulaziz and Fatima Albanna at Exhibition World Bahrain on Thursday, October 23.

From Sepak Takraw to Teqball success

“Ang expectations ko po wala po kaming makukuha kasi alam ko po malalakas ‘yung mga kalaban. Pero mayroon po pala kaming makukuha,” said Tabucol, still in disbelief after the win.

Cariño, 15, and Tabucol, 17, initially represented their district in sepak takraw before being referred to coach George Balanay, who was scouting for new talents to train in teqball — a decade-old hybrid sport that combines elements of sepak takraw and tennis, played on a curved table.

Despite having only a few months of experience, the duo showed remarkable progress and composure on the international stage. “Hindi ko po in-expect na pupunta kami sa ibang bansa para sa Asian Youth Games,” Tabucol shared.

Nerve-wracking finish in the bronze match

Down 10-11 in the deciding set, the Filipina pair fought back with grit and focus, winning four of the next five points to secure the medal. Cariño sealed the victory with a clutch finishing attack that sent the team and their coach into tears of joy.

“Kabado po tapos noong nalaman namin na nanalo kami, sobrang saya po. Tears of joy,” said Tabucol, who, along with Cariño, celebrated their unexpected triumph with coach Balanay.

The bronze adds to the Philippines’ growing medal tally in Bahrain and underscores how young athletes from local programs continue to shine on the continental stage.