PATTAYA, Thailand – The Philippines cornered three gold medals in the penultimate day of competitions at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Thursday.
Alex Eala, as expected, wrested the women’s singles crown in tennis - the first for the country since Maricris Fernandez in 1999 - on a relatively quiet Day 9, with the Philippine Blu Boys in men’s softball and Michael Ver Anton Comalig ruling the beach triahtle in modern pentathlon also gold winners.
The Philippines remains in sixth place with a 41-59-126 gold-silver-bronze tally, still behind fifth-running Malaysia at 46-49-108.
One silver medal for the day was courtesy of duathlon mixed team relay. The bronze haul then came from men’s epee, women’s epee, and women’s sabre in fencing.
Thailand is at first place with 196-129-93, followed by Indonesia (80-92-102), Vietnam (72-72-99), and Singapore (48-51-69).
Gold rush in final Friday
But a deluge of gold medals looms on Friday, the Filipinos' last chance to overtake the Malaysians with several final events essentially the last day of action in the regional meet, with closing ceremonies set on Saturday.
Gilas Pilipinas Men and Women will be battling for gold medals against Thailand in the basketball competitions at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok.
READ: Gilas braces for SEA Games final face-off with host Thailand
Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas, EJ Baricuatro, and Flint Jara fight for gold medals in boxing at the Chulalongkorn University Sports Center.
Alas Beach Women also vies for gold against host Thailand at the Jomtian Beach Pattaya.
The Philippine Blu Girls get their chance at the gold in the championship game against Singapore at the Queen Sirikit Sports Center.
Triathlon, beach rowing, and modern pentathlon are also slated, with Filipino athletes in contention for a medal.
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