By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Team Philippines capped off its campaign in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia with 58 gold medals, an improvement from its haul in Hanoi, Vietnam a year ago.
Claudine Veloso delivered the country’s final gold medal in the biennial games as she placed first in the women’s kickboxing -52 kilogram category by defeating her Vietnamese foe in the finals.
Gretel de Paz also delivered a kickboxing gold when she topped the 56kg category, while Jeremy Pacatiw (men’s lowkick -67kg) and Gina Iniong (women’s light kick -55kg) settled for silver medal finishes.
Ending with kickboxing bronze medals were Von Buminaang in the men’s full contact 67kg, Mikko Camingawan in the men’s -54kg full contact, Danny Kingad in the men’s full contact 60kg, and Darryl Chulipaz in the men’s lowkick 51kg.
On the other hand, Trixie Lofranco finished with a gold medal in the women’s individual anyo non-traditional open weapon category, while Crisamuel Delfin also bagged the gold in the men’s division.
For his part, Ronil Tubog bagged a gold medal in the men’s wrestling freestyle 61kg category, while Alvin Lobreguito also had a first place finish in the men’s freestyle 57kg category.
Wrestlers Jefferson Manatad and Chino Sy Tancontian ended with silver medals each in the men’s freestyle 92kg and -97kg class, respectively, while Jhonny Morte got a bronze medal in the 65kg men’s freestyle wrestling.
Meanwhile, the National Men’s Floorball Team settled for a silver medal finish in the floorball team event, while the Philippine women’s football team also made it to the podium as second runner-up.
The Philippine cricket team of Alex Bobbi Smith, April Rose Saquilon, Catherine Bagaoisan, Jennifer Alumbro, Jhon Kate Andreano, Joelle Galapin, Johannah McCall, Jonna Eguid, Riza Penalba, and Romela Osabel clinched a silver in the women’s T10 event.
Team Philippines also captured a bronze medal in the men’s beach volleyball team of Alnakran Abdilla, Jaron Requinton, James Buytrago, and Jude Garcia, while weightlifter John Dexter Tabique also had a bronze in the men’s 89kg category.
The Philippine Judo Mixed Team of Keisei Nakano, John Viron Ferrer, Carl Dave Aseneta, Rena Furukawa, Ryoko Salinas, and Gylwynn Gimena also finished with a bronze medal in their event./ASC, WDJ