SEAG: PH charges for gold in 5 victories

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines finally made its gold medal charge in 5 victories, two each from athletics and women’s golf, Wednesday at the 27th Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar.

The Philippines won a total 19 golds, 23 silver and 28 bronze medals in seventh place behind Singapore’s (23-22-31) in the 10-nation biennial meet.  

Christopher Ulboc nosed out Tiem Sam Pham of Vietnam in the 3,000-meter steeplechase as the Philippines won the event for the seventh straight SEA Games. Ulboc clocked 9:01.59 to Tiem’s 9:02.50. Rene Herrera, who won this event 5 straight times, finished fourth behind a Thai runner, according to national coach Roselyn Hamero in her Facebook account.

Jeeson Ramil Cid nursed a 200-point lead after the first half and became Southeast Asia’s iron man by topping the decathlon in 7,030, the Philippines’ first gold medal in this event. 

“I am happy with their result. It’s time for them to be trained abroad and get good competition,” said Rosito Andaya, who developed Ulboc and Cid while he was coach of Far Eastern University, in a phone interview.

Ulboc, a 23 year old from Tangub City, Surigao with a strong sense of pace, came to FEU in 2007. Cid, 22, of Dingras, Ilocos Norte who has a rare combination and speed and strength, arrived the following year. 

Princess Superal led women’s golf to the individual and team event, justifying the faith of the National Golf Association of the Philippines had in them.

“We have to salute the president (of NGAP Tommy Manotoc). We were afraid of exposing them to senior competition but he said they will deliver,” said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Peping Cojuangco in an interview with dzSR.

The men’s poomsae squad in taekwondo triumphed and bagged the fifth gold. A sixth gold is still up for grabs as Dennis Orcollo and Dennis Biado are yet to face each other in the 10-ball singles finals, dzSR reported. – Rappler.com