Rowers overall champs on Tolentino’s 3rd gold

Sydney Olympic veteran Benjie Tolentino captured his third gold in rowing, teaming up with Alvin Amposta to win the lightweight single scull and lift the Philippines to its first overall crown in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games at the La Mesa Dam.

The 28-year old Tolentino, 18th placer in single scull event in the Sydney Games, blended well with Amposta to win RP’s third gold, posting a time of 6:50.16. Thailand’s Theppibal Ruthanaphol and Thainjaw Anupong came in second with a time of 6:54.18 while the 6:57.36 time of Indonesian pair Jamaludin and Mulyana Anang took third with 6:57.36.

"Alvin and I have practiced only around 15 times, so imagine how huge this victory is for us," explained Tolentino.

Tolentino’s two other gold medals came from the lightweight men’s single scull and men’s coxless pair.

The Philippines finished with three golds, one silver and three bronzes, edging out tough rival Thailand which had three gold and one silver medals. It was the Philippines’ best performance in the sport, surpassing its double-gold haul in the 1997 Jakarta SEAG.

The overall championship was not decided until the final race, where the Philippines placed second in the lightweight men’s coxless four. The quartet of Amposta, Joel Bagasbas, Nilo Cordova and Nestor Cordova came in at 6:39.30.

Indonesia’s Aji Agus, Maryandi Aldino, Rodiaman and Iswandi finished first with 6:33.42 while Myanmar captured its second bronze with a time of 6.39.30.

The Filipinos eventually matched the Thais’ one-silver output to win the title on the strength of three bronzes.

Earlier, a nagging back injury sustained in the qualifying rounds slowed down men’s single scull favorite Jose Rodriguez who eventually settled for third. Thailand’s Theppibal Ruthtanapol secured the gold medal, his second in the day, with a time of 7:17.86 while Indonesia’s Lasmin was hot on his trail, finishing closely at 7:18.14.

Rodriguez, on the other hand, crossed the first half of the race at fifth but regained his form to secure the third spot with a time of 7:28.87.

Nida Cordova and partner Maria Concepcion Fornea won the bronze in the women’s coxless pair. Cordova and Fornea clocked in at 8:13.33 behind Vietnam’s 7:57.11 and Indonesia’s 7:59.94. who won gold and silver respectively.