Phl triathletes capture SEA Games men’s, women’s relay mints

RAYONG, Thailand --- Team Philippines dominated the men’s and women’s team relay events of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games triathlon competition on Wednesday at Laem Mae Phim, Klaeng district in Rayong here.

Filipina triathletes Kira Ellis, Kim Mangrobang and Raven Alcoseba clocked in an hour, 10 minutes and 14 seconds in the race held at the picturesque southern tip of Thailand’s Gulf of Siam, about a two-hour drive from the capital Bangkok.

The trio beat Indonesia by a mere 34 seconds in an exciting wind-up after Martini Pratiwi, Kayla Shafa and Renata Aditya crossed the finish line with 1:10:48.

Singapore’s Kathlyn Yeo, Louisa Middleditch and Herlene Yu took bronze (1:12:00).

Not to be outdone, the men’s team of Aki Lorbes, Matthew Hermosa and Fer Casares made it a double celebration after finishing on top with a time of 1:04:05.

The squad edged silver medalists Luke Chua, Bryce Chong and Yi Jun Tey of Singapore by just 10 seconds (1:04:15) while Indonesians Aloysius Mardian, Rashif Amria Yaquin and Kautsar settled for bronze.

Indonesia was 30 seconds behind the Filipinos with a time of 1:04:35.

The Philippines can make it a golden treble in the team mixed relay (two males, two females) with the gun start scheduled at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday (Manila time).