From five points down in the first end (first three arrows) of the finals, the Filipinas scored nines and 10s and won the gold by a good seven points, 218-211, as Filipino spectators, led by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, exploded into a loud cheer in the National Sports Training Center off Hanoi.
"I am very happy with this win because it is a come-from-behind and it is our first gold," said Arroyo, who said he immediately reported the win to President Gloria Arroyo after the morning finals.
"They did it well, they showed they had fighting spirit," he said, adding that this is the fruit of their training supported by the P20-M fund released by Malacañang to boost the gold medal chances of the country’s elite athletes.
The First Gentleman himself personally congratulated the players — Jennifer Chan, Jasmin Figueroa, and Rachelle Anne Cabral-and their coach Clint Sayo.
"I am relaying the congratulatory message of the President to you for your great performance," he said during a brief lunch at the mess hall for athletes.
Also on hand to witness the country’s biggest moment in the Games were Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit, chef de mission Julian Camacho, POC officials Romy Ribano and Steve Hontiveros and PSC commissioner Mike Barredo.
PSC chair Eric Buhain was to arrive late yesterday from Manila.
"I’m happy with this one, and I’m sure all Filipinos are equally happy more so because it came at the start of the SEA Games," said Dayrit.
Although the Games were declared open only last night, archery competitions started as early as Monday, along with those in water polo and gymnastics.
When asked how her archers beat the odds to win, team manager and archery association secretary general Ligaya Manalang said, "Ewan ko, habang naglalaro sila, nagdarasal ako."
Malaysia, which was the top seed after topping the eliminations, led the Philippines, 75-69 after three arrows from three archers in the first end, and 76-75, in the next end, to lead by seven.
Figueroa, 18, started for the Philippines in the third end, scoring two perfect 10s, but she got a 4 in her last shot, and broke to tears.
"Maganda ang bitiw ko pero nabigla ako nang ang score pala ay 4," said Figueroa, whose coach consoled her as her opponent also scored a 4 after 9-7. The Filipinas reduced the Malaysians’ edge to three.
Cabral hit two 9s and a 10 to lead her opponent by seven, 28-21, giving the Philippines the lead, by four, for the first time. Chan, the country’s top archer, came up with three 9s, which her Malaysian opponent failed to match. "Pressured? Hindi nape-pressure ang Pinoy," said Chan.