Philippine triumphant with five golds

PHNOM PENH – Debutants on Cinderella runs and an old guard on a sustained charge.

These were the driving force for Team Philippines as it captured five gold medals on a humid day ushering in full action in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games yesterday.

First-timers Precious Cabuya of obstacle course race, Sakura Alforte of karate and the youthful mixed relay team in aquathlon soared to the very top straight away as jiu-jitsu vet Annie Ramirez scored a personal three-peat, helping keep the Philippine drive moving as host Cambodia continued to hold sway and Indonesia started rolling.

Cabuya delivered a world record-shattering performance in leading a 1-2 finish in the women’s individual 100m. A part-time fitness model, Cabuya covered the course in 32.7317 seconds – faster than her 33.128 in the heats – to grab the mint at the expense of compatriot Kaizen dela Serna (35.5218).

OCR’s glorious moment in the individual categories at the Chroy Changvar Convention Center Car Park was completed by the gold-silver finish of Mark Julius Rodelas and Kevin Pascua in men’s play.

Rodelas, nephew of athletics legend Elma Muros-Posadas, submitted a winning 25.1939 to dethrone 2019 champ Kevin Pascua (26.8135) and upgrade the bronze he previously won in his SEAG debut four years ago at home.

Ramirez kept her dynasty on the mat intact, beating Vietnam’s Thi Thuong Le via knee bar to rule the women’s ne-waza nogi -57kg event and give jiu-jitsu its second mint of the Games after Kaila Napolis’ triumph in the -52kg.

Ramirez won the same weight class in 2019 at home then dominated the 62kg category the following edition in Hanoi.

Young aquathletes Matthew Justine Hermosa, Kira Ellis, Inaki Lorbes and Erika Nicole Burgos joined the day’s gold rush for the 840-strong contingent backed by the Philippine Sports Commission over in the beaches of Kep.

They covered the 500m swim and 2.5k run distance in 1:09:57 to snare the crown over rivals from Indonesia (1:11.28) and Vietnam (1:13.31).

The Philippines also won silvers from Kim Remolino in men’s individual aquathlon (15.07), Arlan Arbois in men’s marathon (2:33:27) and Junna Tsukii in karate’s women’s kumite -50kg.

Bronze medalists for the day were Christine Hallasgo in women’s marathon (2:50.27) and Enrique Vasquez in karate men’s kata.

Counting the two-gold, two-silver, three-bronze haul prior to Friday’s opening, the Philippines tallied 7-7-5 as of 7 p.m.

The Cambodians held pole position with 14-9-7 as Indonesia tailed the Philippines with 7-6-8.

Meanwhile, three Pinoy swimmers advanced to the finals of their respective events over at the Aquatics Center of the Morodok Techo National Stadium.

Jerard Jacinto topped the morning qualifying heats of the men’s 100-meter backstroke with his 56.88 to get in play for last night’s final swim.

Jarrod Hatch ranked second in the heats of men’s 100m freestyle with 50.62 to move on to finale.

Thanyn dela Cruz qualified in the women’s 50m breaststroke after submitting a fifth-best 32.79 in the heats.