The Philippine Online Chronicles

Team Philippines scored one gold medal in the third day of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), with climber Elaina Kristine Flores winning in the bouldering competition in sport climbing yesterday at the Jakabaring Sports Complex in Palembang, Indonesia.

"Flores and the Thai figured in a dead heat in the final round, an issue that was settled by referring to their qualifying round performance which favored the Filipina," the Philippine Olympic Committee Online newsletter reported.

The Philippines also added seven silver medals and eight bronze medals in what has been described as a disappointing day of competition.

Henry Dagmil and Benigno Marayag had a 2-3 finish in men's long jump, winning the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Trackster Mervin Guarte finished second in the men's 1,500 m. run while Rosie Villarite placed second in women's javelin throw, making the track and field team the most productive sport for the Philippines so far.

In aquatic sports, swimmers Dorothy Grace Hong and Jessie Lacuna scored a silver medal each in women's 200 m. backstroke and men's 200 m. freestyle, respectively. The men's synchronized diving pair of Jaime Asok and Ryan Rexel Fabriga added a silver in the 10 m. platform competition while the women's pair of Sheila Mae Perez and Ceceil Domenios got a bronze in the 3 m. springboard competition.

In combat sports, karatekas Mae Soriano, Jayson Ramil Macaalay, and Ronnel Balingit won a bronze medal each while taekwondo jins Karla Jane Alava and Samuel Thomas Morisson likewise placed third in their respective weight divisions. Cyclist Nino Surban won the lone bronze medal for the Philippine team in the men's cross-country mountain bike race.

In team sports, the men's softball team bounced back from an opening-day loss to smash Singapore, 11-1, while the baseball team debuted with a 9-2 beating of Thailand. The Junior Azkals meanwhile were eliminated by Myanmar (Burma), 0-5.

Former collegiate star John Paul Gomez is currently leading the chess competition while cue artists Dennis Orcollo, Rubilen Amit, and Iris Ranola entered the quarterfinals in their respective billiard competitions.

Team Philippines is at sixth place entering the fourth day of competition today, with five gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze medals. Host Indonesia lords the overall medal race with 40 gold, 29 silver, and 21 bronze medals.