SEAG Review: RP archers make mark in recurve

Filipino archers shattered five men’s compound and recurve bow records in the recent Southeast Asian Games.

Four of the marks were established in the compound bow division, which made its debut in the SEAG, while the other was set in recurve.

Earl Benjamin Yap led the locals’ record-breaking spree in compound, shooting 355 points in the 30-meter distance to wipe out the 352 mark of Raul Arambulo.

Yap then combined with Gil Gabriel and Adam Jimenez III to post 3962 in the FITA round and surpass the 3900 standard set by Arambulo, Carlos Carag and Clint Sayo in July 2003 in New York City.

Yap, Carag, Gabriel and Jimenez also fired 245 in 3x9 team match and 486 in 2x27 final total to erase the old records of 240 set by Arambulo, Jimenez, Rizal Ledesma and Christian Obmerga and 454 held by Manuel Martinez, Arambulo and Yap himself, respectively.

SEAG men’s team gold medalists Marvin Cordero, Mark Javier and Florante Matan produced the lone recurve mark by scoring 476 points in the 2x27 finals. The old record of 473 was established by Oscar Briones, Clint Sayo and Michael Facundo.

Cordero, Javier, Matana and Christian Cubilla tied the national record of 241 points in the 3x9 team match.

The Philippines unseated Indonesia as overall champion by winning three gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Malaysia came in second at 3-2-1 while Indonesia slipped to third at 1-3-2.