Team Philippines, represented by student-athletes from Ormoc City, clinched three gold medals more at the close of the modern pentathlon test event for the 30th Southeast Asian Games Friday at the boardwalk of Subic Bay.
Michael Comaling completed the four-target laser pistol shooting/50-meter swim/800m run event in 18 minutes and 56.22 seconds to defeat his compatriot, Dexter Ardemer, who pocketed the silver in 19:43.25.
Benjamin Benjadheerapong settled for third in 19:49.62.
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee and the Philippine Modern Pentathlon Association pooled their resources to come with the test event for the 11-nation Games on November 30 to December 11.
Comaling duplicated his feat in the team relay of the same event with Ivy Claire Dinoy after they clocked 19:48.50 despite the sweltering morning heat.
“Mabilis ako sa huli sa running. Pero relaxed ako sa swim. Mabilis kasi kamay ko,” said Comaling.
Princess Arbilon, disqualified in the beach triathlete event, got a silver medal with Samuel German after they timed 20:59.55 while the duo of Alne Tonada and Shira Aranzado secured the bronze in 21:27.13.
On the first day of competition, Comaling ruled the beach laser run men’s division, and bagged the silver with Dinoy in the mixed relay.
After winning two golds on the first day, Arbilon blew her chances for a podium finish and third gold medal in the women’s triathle with Shira Aranzado.
Both were penalized for putting their rubber head caps in the wrong place after the swimming event, instead of dropping it at a designated area, allowing Dinoy to claim the gold medal.
Dinoy submitted a time of 24:51.81 followed by Zaina Therese Sarno (24:52.41) and Thailand’s Janthavach Busa Korn (24:54.44).
Philippine Modern Pentathlon Association president, and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez said there will five countries competing for top honors with Thailand expected to put up a strong challenge.
