king still reigns

BANGKOK, Thailand — Ernest John Obiena extended his reign as the region’s pole vault king in record-setting style in front of adoring Filipinos and fans of different nationalities who bore witness to his greatness on Tuesday night.

The 30-year-old vaulter set a new Southeast Asian Games standard after clearing 5.70 meters on his way to claiming the gold medal in the 33rd edition of the meet held at the Suphachalasai Stadium here.

Obiena reached the record on his first attempt, beating local bet Patsapong Amsamang, who was able to clear the height only on his third try.

The now four-time winner of the event since the 2019 Manila SEA Games tried but failed to hike his record to 5.75m.

Another Filipino Elijah Cole bagged bronze with a 5.20m clearance.

Obiena’s triumph capped a good day of mint collection for Team Philippines, which is still far from reaching the 58 gold medals it won two years ago in Phnom Penh.

Rowers Joanie Delgaco and Kristine Paraon delivered Day 7’s first gold medal, followed by kickboxer Zyra Bon-as and rhythmic gymnast Althea Ramilo.

Filipino athletes collected 29 gold, 41 silver and 89 bronze medals in sixth place as of 8 p.m.

Criticisms back home on the slow turnout of top podium finishes despite fielding a 1,600-strong delegation, caused concern to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who was quick to stand for the welfare of the national athletes competing.

“With the tide obviously favoring the host in almost all fronts, the target is to get fourth place overall,” he said.

“Saying it’s a misfortune for our athletes for missing the golds is unfair — they trained hard and are deserving to be sea games champions. But the circumstances and atmosphere of the competitions aren’t on our side,” he added.

Thailand has been dominating the Games since Day 1 with a haul of 152 golds to go with 92 silver and 64 bronze medals with just four days left before the regional sports spectacle closes.

Indonesia is running second with 61-70-65 followed by Vietnam (47-50-74), Singapore (34-32-40) and Malaysia (30-31-87).

The pair of Delgaco and Paraon captured an unexpected mint in the women’s double sculls at the Royal Thai Navy Rowing and Canoeing Training Centre here.

The Filipinas clocked in at 8:16.976 seconds beat local bets Sukkaew Rawiwan and Chaempudsa Parisa (8:21.634.) Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Van Anh and Pham Thi Bich Ngoc rounded out the podium with 8:26.447 for the bronze.

At the Thammasat University Rangsit Campus Gymnasium 5 in Pathum Thani, performing with grace and sharpness, the Italy-based Ranilo posted an overall score of 102.180 points.

Ramilo logged 25.52 points in the hoops apparatus, 25.65 in ball, 27.56 in clubs, and 23.45 in ribbon.

Singaporean Mikayla Angeline grabbed the silver with an overall score of 101.490 points, while Malaysian Ng Joe Ee and Thai Piyada Peermatukorn shared the bronze with identical 96.890s.

“I’m really grateful to everyone that supported me,” said Ramilo, who added a bronze in the group all-around with Andrea Mae Emperado, Shieldannah Sabio, Katrina Oretzo, Cristalin Zoe Valencia, and Francesca Denise Ganaden.

On the other hand, Bon-as defeated local bet Jantakarn Manoban, 2-1, in the final of the women’s 48kg low kick.

Meanwhile, Pinoy boxers finally got over the semifinal hump as Jay Brian Baricuatro and Flint Jara advanced to the gold-medal matches of their respective divisions following a pair of convincing victories at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center.