This is not a drill: Timor Leste has been assured of not one, but two medals in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Days after Filipinos started cheering for their SEA rival to land a podium finish, it was confirmed that East Timor will get at least bronze in boxing and taekwondo. And unlike that earlier reported silver, this time it's for real.
Timorese boxer Jose Barreto Quintas da Silva may have lost to Thai Ammarit Yaodam, but the former had already secured a medal for his country when he advanced to the semifinals of the men's flyweight. Light heavyweight Frederico Soares Sarmento followed soon with a bronze.
The same goes for women's under-57 kilogram athlete De Araujo Dos Reis Amorin Imbrolia.
Sarmento and Da Silva will be awarded their bronzes during the official podium ceremonies tonight.
This comes on the heels of East Timor's chef de mission to the SEA Games Vicente Carvalho da Silva reacting to Pinoys showing their support by sharing the flag of Timor Leste on social media.
He said, "I am very happy for your help. All of the Philippines’ hospitality for my country. Once again, thank you very much for your help."
For a time, the hashtag "TimorLeste" was the No. 4 local trending topic on Twitter:
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