SINGAPORE – Team Philippines began the day with a bang but ended it with a dud.
The Filipinos failed to sustain the hot starts of triathletes Claire Adorna and Kim Mangrobang as they settled for a single silver and seven bronze medals the rest of the way Saturday during the 28th Southeast Asian Games here.
Asian Games silver medalist Daniel Parantac, John Keithley Chan, and Norlence Ardee Catolico fell short of duplicating the golden feat of Adorna early in the day in women’s triathlon as the trio bagged a silver medal in the men’s dual event weapons in wushu.
Parantac and Co. finished with a score of 9.70 points behind gold medal winner Singapore (9.72).
By the end of the first official day of actual competitions, the Philippines tallied one gold, five silver, and seven bronze medals for seventh place in the medal tally.
Justine Tinio, who captured the country’s first silver in this year’s meet, could only salvage a bronze medal this time in the women’s team foil, together with Anna Gabriella Estimada, Wilhelmina Lozada, and Keren Pangilinan.
Hermie Macaranas provided two bronzes in the canoeing event, winning a medal in the men’s C1 1000m, before teaming up with Ojay Fuentes to finish third in the men’s C2 1000m.
The women’s traditional boat race team also copped the bronze in the 6-crew 200m event.
Gilbert Ramirez (men’s 66-73kg) and Helen Dawa (women’s -52kg) likewise claimed bronze medals in the judo competitions, even as shooter Jayson Valdez took third place honor in the men’s 10m air rifle.
In softball, the PH Blu Girls and Blu Boys opened their title defense with similar lopsided victories.
The women’s softball team won over Indonesia, 6-0, while the men’s squad beat Thailand, 8-1.
The Philippine Volcanoes rugby sevens squad debuted in style behind a 24-10 victory over Thailand, even as their ladies counterparts blanked Laos, 17-0.
The Philippine men’s tennis team swept Cambodia, 3-0, for a sure bronze in the competition.
Lightweight Josie Gabuco and flyweight Irish Magno posted victories to start their campaign in women’s boxing on a high note.
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