PH pulls off best Para Games’ campaign

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—Team Philippines closed out its campaign in the 12th ASEAN Para Games with 34 gold medals to surpass its 28-gold performance in Indonesia last year, thanks to Darry Bernardo, Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza and Sander Severino, who won two gold medals each at the Royal University on Thursday.

Bernardo, who is visually impaired, won the men’s individual B2-B3 and team with Arman Subaste and Menandro Redor.

Mendoza, a lawyer, ruled the women’s individual blitz PI and the team title,, with Cheryl Angot and Jean-Lee Nacita.

The wheelchair-bound Severino, a former world champion, topped the men’s individual and team with Felix Aguilera and Henry Lopez.

The James Infiesto-mentored chess team had a total of 13 golds, improving its 10-gold harvest last year.

The team also produced the top two most bemedalled athletes in the PH contingent, with Bernardo pocketing six golds and Mendoza contributing five.

Angel Mae Otom secured four gold medals for the swimming squad, which bagged 10 gold, nine silver and seven bronze medals to finish sixth, behind Thailand (34-29-33), Vietnam (2819-26), Indonesia (27-37-24), Malaysia (26-1210) and Singapore (11-10-8).

With its 34-gold, 33-silver and 50-bronze output, Team Philippines has duplicated its fifth-place finish in Surakarta, Indonesia.

“I am honored and overjoyed to congratulate our athletes for their remarkable performances and astounding achievements in the 12th ASEAN Para Games. These achievements have not only brought glory once again to the Philippines but also serve as inspirations and motivations to future generations of para-athletes,” said Philippine Sports Commission commissioner and Team Philippines chef-de-mission Walter Francis Torres on Friday.

“As we return home, remember that the results of these games will forever leave a mark on the sporting landscape of our country. You will continue to influence generations to overcome bound-

Philippine Football Federation’s National Women’s Training Director Isabella Fernando said the team has gone through two long years of preparation and is excited to see the players do their best.

“They are just gonna be doing their best to earn that spot and represent the flag as best as they can,” said Fernando.

The Filipinas will have their first game against the New Zealand Football Ferns in New Zealand on July 25 in Dunedin.

PFF president Mariano Araneta said he appreciated the encouragement they got from New Zealand and the Australian community in the Philippines.

CELINDA

Raagas and Darell Bada set out against a pack of bidders all primed for battle of power and speed as the youngsters take the spotlight ahead of the elite of endurance racing in the IRONKIDS Triathlon reeling off today (Saturday) in Subic Bay.

Raagas topped the 13-15 division of the last tri-race event at Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite last October while fellow Olongapo native Bada placed second to absentee Peter del Rosario in their side of the duel in the premier division of the event long considered as the spawning ground of triathlon talents and which drew a cast of 178 from various age-group divisions.

The 13-15 age titles will be disputed over 250-m swim, 6-km bike and 2-km run distance with participants already winners in more ways than just emerging victorious from the event ushering in a weekend of racing to be highlighted by the Century Tuna full IRONMAN and Subic IRONMAN 70.3 tomorrow (Sunday).

But Raagas expects to face a stern test against the likes of Jaden Khongkun, Clarissa Saludes, Zabelle Eugenio, Princess Ilio, Thara Salazar, Jayda Gumaya, Chantelle Coleman, Chelsea Borja and Kyrene Benzon, while Bada will have his hands full against Red Reyes, Jacob Catambay, Sean Julian, Edcarl Moreno, Chadwick Baday and Nathan Ramos, among others.

Meanwhile, the 6-8 years old bracket will clash over the 100-m swim, 2-km bike and 1-km run distance, while the 9-10 crowns will be contested over the 150-m swim, 4-km bike and 1.5-km run stretch.

The 11-12 division is set over the 200-m, 4-km bike and 1.5-km span with Evan Ramos from Antipolo, Rizal and Noah Maliwat from Pasig City and Dominique Aragones and Sara Santiago headlining the rosters in the two sides.

Also on tap are two events in relay category, according to the organizing The IRONMAN Group/ Sunrise Events, Inc. It features the mixed team for 6-10 made up of the 100-m swim, 2-km bike and 1-km run race, and for 11-15 bracket set over 200-m swim, 4-km bike and 1.5-km run distance.