PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — After a massive nine-gold medal haul on Sunday, Team Philippines sustained its solid form, grabbing four gold medals in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Monday at the Morodok Techo National Stadium here.

Rising star Vanessa Sarno kicked off the medal rush as she delivered the gold in record-breaking fashion while veteran Tina Vergara came out of retirement to shine in wrestling and Maria Ella Alcoseba and Dexter Bolambao asserted their dominance in arnis for the Filipinos, who are expected to surpass the 52 gold medals that they tallied during the previous biennial meet in Hanoi.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said the Filipino athletes are primed for a strong finish entering the final two days of the competition.

As of 7:30 p.m., the Philippines is at the fifth spot with 50 gold, 74 silver and 94 bronze medals, just few mints shy of its finish in Hanoi where it plucked 52 gold, 70 silver and 105 bronze medals.

"We will surpass our medal tally in Vietnam," Tolentino said.

"It is achievable. God-willing, it might even reach 60 gold medals."

True enough, the Filipino athletes are working hard to eclipse their previous performance.

Sarno, for one, shattered her record of 104 kgs in snatch by lifting 105 kgs topped with 120 kgs in clean and jerk for a commanding 225 kgs en route to the gold medal.