Bangkok: The Philippines secured its second gold medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand after its women's swimming team won the 4x100 relay on Wednesday. The team, composed of Olympian Kayla Sanchez, Heather White, Chloe Isleta, and Xiandi Chua, clocked in at 3:44.26, more than two seconds ahead of silver medalist Team Singapore and bronze medalist Team Vietnam.
According to Philippines News Agency, Justin Kobe Macario delivered the first gold for the Philippines by topping the men's individual freestyle poomsae event of taekwondo at the Fashion Island Shopping Mall. The games, now featuring 10 countries, saw the withdrawal of the Cambodian delegation. Vath Chamroeun, chief of the Olympic Committee of Cambodia, explained the decision was due to "serious concerns and requests from the families of our athletes to have their relatives return home immediately" for safety reasons amid a conflict near the SEA Games venue.
The Philippines showed strong performances with Gian Christopher Santos winning a silver medal in the men's 200m medley and the trio of Rodolfo Reyes, King Nash Alcairo, and Ian Corton capturing silver in the men's recognized poomsae event. Earlier, John Derrick Farr claimed a bronze in the men's downhill mountain bike event in Chonburi, marking the first medal for Team Philippines.
With additional bronze medals in men's sepak takraw and taekwondo, the Philippines held a 1-0-3 count at press time in the medal tally, placing third overall. Host Thailand leads with an 8-5-1 count, followed by Myanmar with a 2-2-0 tally.
In women's 3x3 basketball action, the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 women squad experienced a setback, losing 15-21 to Indonesia at the Nimbutir Stadium. Reynayln Ferrer tied the score at 14-all with two free throws, but Indonesia's 7-1 finish secured their victory.
The Alas Pilipinas women's volleyball team is set to face powerhouse Thailand on Thursday at the Huamark Indoor Stadium. Meanwhile, in Pattaya, Rianne Malixi leads the Philippine golf team at the Siam Country Club, joined by Junia Gabasa and Grace Quinanilla. The men's team features Chris Remata, Rolando Bregente, Perry Bucay, and Shinichi Suzuki, with high expectations for both individual and team events.
