SUBIC, Zambales – Mary Francine Padios may have only clinched silver in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Pencak Silat Tunggal (single) female, but it was still an honor for her. Not only was she representing the country for the first time, she also played against playing against one of her inspirations growing up, Puspa Arum Sari of Indonesia.
She trailed the Indonesian champion’s 467 points by 13, leaving Anisah Najihah Abdullah of Brunei in bronze with 451 points.
“Thankful pa rin ako kahit silver, masaya ako sa results, sobrang deserve naman ng Indonesiya," she said. "Beterano naman na talaga ‘yon eh. Sinundan ko ‘yung idol ko. Overwhelming kasi maraming athlete na gusto i-represent ‘yung bansa and nandito ako ngayon, nakatayo dito. Malaking bagay ‘yung achievement na ‘yon para sakin.”
The 16-year-old pencak silat bet also shared that she was actually part of the reserve of the national team. A silver at her young age can only mean a bright future for her.
She shared with SPIN Life: “Sadya pong reserve lang ako ngayon, pero ang gusto, kung makakalaro pa ako sa future. I’ll do my best and magte-train pa ako harder para sa susunod, iuuwi ko naman ‘yung gold.”
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