Busan Asian Games bronze medalists Alvin Amposta and Nestor Cordova led the Filipinos sweep of all four events they joined in the three-day competition which also lured rowers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and host Vietnam.
Amposta and Cordova clocked 6 minutes 57.89 seconds to beat Vietnams Do Manh Tung and Nguyen Tuan Anh (7:02.44) and Thailands Anupong Thainjam and Ruthanapol Teppibal (7:05.66) in the mens lightweight double sculls event.
The other RP gold medalists were Jose Rodriguez in mens lightweight single scull, Rodriguez and Olympian Benjamin Tolentino in the mens double sculls and Jairus Miron, Mark Anthony Galvez, Nilo Cordova and Rowell Tolentino in the mens lightweight coxless fours.
Rodriguez timed 7:39.15 to topple Vietnams Nguyen Van Nguyen (7:43.79) and Myanmars Li Khint Maung Yi (7:58.87) in singles scull and then paired with Tolentino to clock 6:52.95 and whip Vietnams Nguyen Van Nguyen and Nguyen Anh Tuan (6:57.34) and Indonesias Tofan and Anang Maung Vi (7:10.01) in double sculls.
Miron and company finished in 6:42.76 to edge the Vietnamese (6:43.43) and the Indons (7:16.84) in the coxless fours.
"Im proud of the boys achievements," said rowing association president and Philippine Olympic Committee treasurer Benjamin Ramos, who headed the 10-man RP delegation. "They worked hard to produce their best showing ever in the (SEARF) championships."
Actually, the Filipinos had a chance to win a fifth gold when Amposta and Cordova made it to the finals of the lightweight mens coxless pairs. But they had to withdraw due to conflict of schedule.
"Mukhang walang talo, kaya lang nagkasabay ang finals nila sa favorite event nilang double sculls sa lightweight coxless pairs," explained coach Nicanor Jasmin.