PUERTO Princesa City, Palawan — A Filipino-American stunner who grew up in this island paradise easily emerged as the darling of the 2017 Pilipinas International Beach Sports Festival, which opened at the Baywalk here Sunday.
Courtney Melissa Tan-Gray of Palawan used her familiarity and wide experience to clinch top honors in the women’s 10-k open water swimming competition.
Gray, the 19-year-old daughter of a retired American soldier now based in Florida and a Filipina mother, clocked two hours, 38 minutes and 02 seconds to rule the event to the delight of a big crowd which included her mom Vivian and relatives.
Erika Kristy Lukang finished second with a time of 2:42.57.
“I’m so happy to win this event at home. It was fun,” said Gray, who graduated at the British International School in Phuket, Thailand only a few weeks agon
Before transferring to Phuket, Gray studied at Hope Christian School-Palawan and moved to Trace College-Laguna upon the initiative of former national coach Carlos “Pinky” Brosas in 2010 and St. Paul’s Pasig in 2013.
“With my performance today, I think I’m ready to compete in another level. I really hope to represent the country in the coming SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,” she said.
Princesa City Mayor Luis M. Marcaida III awarded the trophy to Gray and congratulated her for making “Palawenos proud in this three-day international competition, which also attracted foreign participants in the accompanying beach water polo competition.
Mayor Marcaida also personally invited Gray to attend Monday’s flag-raising ceremony at the Puerto Princesa City Hall where she will be introduced as the newest pride of Palawan.
Overshadowed by Gray’s smashing performance were national team members Teodoro Roy Canete, Mico Anota and Jyan Carlos Abad, who finished 1-2-3 in the men’s division.
Canete, the pride of General Santos City clocked 2:13.38 to clinch first place Anota timed 2:17.57 for second place and Abad clocked 2:26.14 for third place.
Meanwhile, competitions in the beach water polo event will go full blast Monday.
Ten men’s teams and three women’s teams from the USA, Canada, Russia, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Singapore and host Philippines are competing for the top prize
It is water polo played on any beach with a 10m x 15m playing field and a depth of at least 2m. Each team shall have three field players and one goal keeper playing inside the field.
Teams shall be playing for two halves of eight minutes each. The objective, like any other ball games, is to score as many goals as possible.
The event is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.