By Julia Marie Mangmang

Filipino athletes shined bright on the first official day of the 31st Southeast Games as the day ended with the Philippines nabbing a total of 10 medals.

Jackielou Escarpe in the men’s minus-73kg event of kurash and Carlos Yulo in the artistic gymnastics individual all-around event delivered the country’s second and third gold medals, respectively.

The men’s gymnastics team also earned a silver medal, falling short to hosts Vietnam. Meanwhile, Jones Inso captured the silver medal in the men’s taijiquan event in wushu.

Emmanuel Cantores and Honorario Banario of the kickboxing team and Bianca Estrella of the kurash team earned bronze medals each.

Three Philippine rowing teams also had a podium finish. Zuriel Sumintac, Roque Abala, Joachim De Jesus, and Edgar Ilas of the men’s lightweight coxless four, Feiza Lenton, Alyssa Go, Joanie Delgaco, and Kharl Juliann Sha of women’s lightweight quadruple sculls, and CJ Jasmin, Van Maxilom, Athens Tolentino, and EJ Obaña of the men’s lightweight quadruple sculls all won bronze medals.

The women’s volleyball team also kickstarted their campaign with a win, sweeping Malaysia, 25-14, 25-20, 25-15.

As for the basketball men’s 3×3 competition, the Philippines emerged victorious against Cambodia, 19-7, and Thailand, 21-16, before dropping its third match to Indonesia, 13-15.

The women’s 3×3 basketball team, on the other hand, dominated Cambodia, 21-5, before falling to hosts Vietnam 21-18.

With today’s wins, the Philippines currently ranks fourth in the overall medal tally, after Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.