by Julia Marie Mangmang

The Philippines continued to have its presence felt as its athletes bagged several more medals across multiple sports in the 31st Southeast Asian Games. As of posting, the Filipinos have won 21 medals today alone. 

ICYMI

Last night, the country’s dancesport team shined in multiple categories of the tournament. 

Tandem Stephanie Sabalo and Michael Marquez emerged on top in the single dance – latin cha cha contest, and finished second in the single dance – latin jive and all five dances competitions. 

Meanwhile, dancers Wilbert Aunzo and Pearl Cañada earned a silver and two bronzes in the single dance – latin samba, latin rumba, and latin paso doble divisions, respectively. 

Jessica Geriane of the swimming team and Aries Toledo of the athletics squad also handed the country silver medals. 

Janry Ubas followed up his silver medal finish in the men’s long jump yesterday with a bronze in the men’s decathlon division today. 

Team Sport Athletes Continue to Deliver

As of writing, the athletics team has already handed the country 15 medals, following Carlos Yulo’s men’s vault and men’s artistic horizontal bar golds and his men’s parallel bars bronze. Aleah Finnegan and Juancho Besana also delivered silver and bronze medals, respectively. 

In dancesport, pair Ana Leonila and Sean Aranar gained golds in tango and viennese waltz, each, while Mary Renigen and Mark Gayon finished third in both standard waltz and quickstep, and emerged victorious in slow fox trot. 

The taekwondo team also gave the country multiple awards, with Jocel Ninobla winning gold, men’s team poomsae team Rafael Mella, Patrick Perez, and Rodolfo Reyes Jr., and Juvenile Crisostomo, Jeordan Dominguez, Justin Macario, Janna Olivia, and Darius Venerable of the mixed freestyle poomsae grabbing silver. 

Meanwhile, Merwin Tan and Marie Sy of the bowling team nabbed gold and silver in the men’s and women’s singles contest, respectively. 

In the 110-meter hurdles division, Clinton Bautista and Jelly Paragile each earned gold and bronze. 

Jerico Rivera had a bronze medal finish in the men’s mountain bike cross-country division of the cycling tournament. 

In basketball, both the women’s and men’s teams were off to a good start, winning their opening games against Indonesia and Thailand, respectively. 

Both women’s and men’s beach volleyball squads are also undefeated, with all teams finishing their opening matches in straight sets. 

Given the country’s current medal count, it sits at third place in the overall tally, behind Vietnam and Thailand.