PH REIGNS IN WOMEN’S ALL-AROUND GYMNASTICS

The Philippines claimed its 12th gold medal courtesy of artistic gymnastics as Aleah Finnegan, Chiara Andrew, Charlie Manzano, Lucia Gutierrez, Kursten Lopez, and Cristina Loberanes topped the women’s team all-around.

Garnering 184.500 points, the Philippines bested host Vietnam, which settled for silver with 183.800 points, and Singapore, which clinched bronze with 182.550 points.

Finnegan also won silver in the women’s individual all-around.

(READ: Jiu-jitsu, fencing, gymnastics shine as PH bags 7 more SEA Games golds)

EJ OBIENA SETS NEW SEA GAMES RECORD

A new SEA Games record in men’s pole vault has been set as EJ Obiena defended his gold medal with a clearance of 5.46 meters.

Obiena effortlessly cleared 5.46m with just one attempt as he shattered the previous record of 5.45m he notched in the 2019 SEA Games.

He tried to break his Asian record of 5.93m by going for 5.94m but failed after three tries.

(READ: EJ Obiena shatters SEA Games record, defends gold with ease)

OCHOA, RAMIREZ DELIVER JIU-JITSU GOLD

Two more gold medals fell on the Philippines’ lap courtesy of the national jiu-jitsu team as Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez triumphed.

Ochoa won the women’s 45kg event, while Ramirez ruled the women’s -62kg class.

(READ: Jiu-jitsu, fencing, gymnastics shine as PH bags 7 more SEA Games golds)

SAMANTHA CATANTAN BAGS PH’S FIRST FENCING GOLD

The national fencing team bagged its first gold for the Philippines courtesy of Samantha Catantan as she topped the women’s individual foil event.

Catantan defeated Jie Xin Wong of Singapore, 14-12, to eclipse her bronze finish in the 2019 SEA Games.

(READ: Jiu-jitsu, fencing, gymnastics shine as PH bags 7 more SEA Games golds)

THAILAND DEALS PH WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL FIRST LOSS

Thailand gave no quarter to the Philippine national women’s volleyball team as the SEA Games queens cruised to a 25-15, 25-13, 25-14 blowout win.

Team Philippines, which is coming off a straight-sets victory over Malaysia, will next face Indonesia on Tuesday, May 17, 12 pm. Thailand has yet to be dislodged from its first-place throne since 1995.

(LIVE UPDATES: Team Philippines men’s and women’s volleyball – 31st SEA Games)

PH MEN’S VOLLEYBALL SUFFERS SHOCK LOSS

The Philippine men’s volleyball team absorbed a stunning four-set loss to Cambodia in its SEA Games opener, 21-25, 26-24, 28-30, 27-29.

Winning silver in the 2019 SEA Games, the Philippines is in jeopardy of missing the podium as it dropped to third place in the three-team Group B.

The Philippines needs to beat Thailand as only the top two from the group will advance to the semifinals.

(READ: PH men’s volleyball suffers shock loss to Cambodia in SEA Games opener)

KIM MANGROBANG RULES WOMEN’S TRIATHLON ANEW

As expected, Kim Mangrobang reigned in the women’s individual triathlon as she captured her fourth SEA Games gold medal.

Mangrobang topped the event for the third straight SEA Games, with her other gold coming in the mixed relay event in the 2019 edition.

Two Filipinas occupied podium spots as Raven Alcoseba bagged bronze.

(READ: PH sweeps SEA Games triathlon golds as Mangrobang, Casares rule)

PH GOES 1-2 IN MEN’S TRIATHLON

The Philippines’ repeated its 1-2 haul in the men’s individual triathlon after Fernando Casares and Kim Remolino ruled the competition.

Casares bagged the gold as compatriot and reigning SEA Games champion John Leerams Chicano stepped aside, while Remolino matched his finish in the 2019 edition with the silver.

Chicano will compete in the duathlon.

(READ: PH sweeps SEA Games triathlon golds as Mangrobang, Casares rule)

PREVIEW

After Carlos Yulo, another Olympian takes center stage in the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam on Saturday, May 14, as EJ Obiena leads the Philippines’ charge for more medals.

Obiena is heavily favored to retain his gold medal in the men’s pole vault as other members of the national athletics team compete on Saturday.

He holds the SEA Games record after clearing 5.45 meters in the 2019 edition, a mark that still pales in comparison to his Asian record of 5.93 meters.

More gold medals are expected as the Philippines eyes another dominant showing in triathlon after sweeping all three gold medals in the event when the country hosted the SEA Games three years ago.

Kim Mangrobang tries to defend her throne in the women’s class, while Andrew Kim Remolino aims to capture gold in men’s action, with compatriot and reigning champion John Leerams Chicano participating in duathlon.

Whether the Philippines will accomplish another double gold in 3×3 basketball will be known on Saturday as Gilas Men 3×3 and Gilas Women 3×3 conclude their respective campaigns.

Both suffering shocking losses, the men’s and women’s teams look to finish strong in the second staging of 3×3 basketball in the biennial meet.

Over in men’s volleyball, the Philippines kicks off its bid for another podium finish after bagging silver in the 2019 SEA Games.

The Philippines faces Cambodia in the three-team Group B.

Also set to see action on Saturday are the golf, wushu, billiards, fencing, and esports teams, among others.

– Rappler.com