PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The vaunted gymnastics team capped its campaign with a sparkling performance as it chipped in three gold medals that powered Team Philippines on Tuesday in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at the Marquee Tent inside the National Olympic Stadium here.
After clinching the gold medal in men’s all-around on Monday, Carlos Yulo stormed back, ruling parallel bars while clinching the silver in still rings to underscore the country’s dominance in this sport that has been serving as a goldmine for the past three editions of the biennial meet.
Also providing a ray of sunshine for the Filipinos was Janry Ubas, who clinched the gold medal after registering 7.85 meters in men’s long jump event.
‘I did everything I can do and did my best. As long as I did my routines cleanly, I’m happy.’
Teia Salvino added another mint as she ruled women’s 100-meter backstroke in record-breaking fashion of one minute and 1.64 seconds.
Yulo, a two-time world champion, tallied 14.850 points to rule parallel bars over Phuong Thanh Dinh of Vietnam (14.400 points) and Ng Chun Chen of Singapore (13.100 points).
Prior to that, he settled for silver in still rings with 14.000 points behind Van Khanh of Vietnam (14.200 points) and ahead of Ally Hamuda Abdullah of Malaysia (13.000 points).
Yulo said he drew inspiration from the golden performance of John Ivan Cruz and Juancho Miguel Besana who ruled floor exercise and vault events, respectively.
He said he is very satisfied with his haul of two gold and two silver medals despite the decision of the organizers of limiting his event to only two apparatuses.
“I did everything I can do and did my best. As long as I did my routines cleanly, I’m happy,” said Yulo, who already has a total of nine gold medals since joining the SEA Games in 2019.
“I felt the challenge when Ivan and Juancho won their gold medals and I really wanted to get a gold medal to so that at least we get to take home three gold medals.”
For Besana, a vault finalist back in the first leg of the FIG World last March in Cottbus, Germany, he still seeks to improve since his score might not make the in tougher international events.
“I’m happy with the gold medal but my score won’t be enough if I will compete in world-type competitions. I want to do better,” said the 19-year-old Besana, who registered 14.425 points to win the vault crown.
“I can’t wait to undergo more rigorous training so that I can add more skills and deliver a lot more medals.”
In floor exercise, Cruz scored 13.850 points for the gold medal to extend the Filipinos’ reign in the apparatus.
Cruz, a cousin of Yulo, was in tears after formally receiving his first-ever SEA Games gold medal.
“I couldn’t explain this feeling. I never expected this,” a teary-eyed Cruz said.
“He (Yulo) just told me to not focus on the medal and just give my best performance out there.”
The only gymnast to not take home a medal in an apparatus was Jan Timbang, who placed fifth in pommel horse with a score of 9.450 points.
All in all, the Filipinos won a total of four gold medals, which is three shy of the seven mints they clinched in the previous biennial meet in Hanoi.
Still, it was an important contribution to the campaign of the Filipinos who are still in quest of a major gold rush entering the halfway park of the Games.
Save for Ubas, the Filipinos failed to win a gold in athletics with Unmajesy Williams settling for silver in the men’s 400-meter run while Shaina Mae Mendoza clinched another silver in women’s singles 60-minute event of Ouk Chaktrang.
Also falling short and settling for bronze medals were runner Frederick Ramirez (men’s 400-meter run), Kun Khmer fighters Felix Camtores (men’s 67-kilogram) and Zyra Bon-As (women’s 61-kg), Vovinam artists Janah Lavrador (women’s aspect boardsword single form), Aime Ramos (women’s 50-kg), woodpusher Venice Vicente (women’s 60-minute singles) and petanque athletes Maria Soberre and April Joy Alarcon (women’s doubles event).
