Subic Bay—Team Philippines did it again as student-athletes from Ormoc City scooped up three more gold medals on the second and last day of the 30th Southeast Asian Games modern pentathlon test event at the Boardwalk here.
This time, it was Michael Comaling’s turn to shine, after Princess Arbilon got disqualified in her bid to come up with an impressive finish in the beach triathle events.
The 19-year-old Comaling crossed the finish line of the four-target laser pistol shooting/50 meter swim/800-meter run of the men’s division in 18 minutes, 56.22 seconds.
Dexter Ardemer took the silver after finishing almost a minute behind (19:43.25), followed in third by Thai bet Benjamin Benjadheerapong (19:49.62).
The test events are held in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee and the Philippine Modern Pentathlon Association.
Hardly bothered by the hot morning weather, the lanky Comaling, who gave up his studies to concentrate on his training, then joined Ivy Claire Dinoy in taking the team relay gold in 19:48.50.
Arbilon, who made up for her disqualification in the women’s individual competition, settled for the silver with Samuel German (20:59.55), with the team of Shira Aranzado and Alne Tonada taking the bronze in 21:27.13.
“Mabilis ako sa huli sa running. Pero relaxed ako sa swim. Mabilis kasi kamay ko,” said Comaling, who felt at time doing the swim because it’s something he loves to do back home.
Comaling followed instructions from coach Rex dela Cruz to take care of his endurance, in their effort to have a consistent pace.
On Day 1, Comaling topped the beach laser run men’s division, but settled for the silver with Dinoy in the mixed relay.
Arbilon, who got two golds on opening day, blew her chances for a podium finish and a third gold medal in the women’s triathle, with Shira Aranzado.
That’s after both were penalized for putting their rubber head caps in the wrong place after the swimming event, instead of dropping them at a designated area.
This handed the third-running Dinoy the gold medal, after submitting a time of 24:51.81. Zaina
Therese Sarno placed second in 24:52.41, followed by Thailand’s Janthavach Busa Korn (24:54.44).
Dinoy, who is a natural sprinteer, bucked stomach pain as she made adjustments in running a longer distance in the 8,00-meter running course.
“Nanibago po ako sa takbo, kaya sumakit ang tiyan ko. Short distance ang tinatakbo ko, sa 100, sa 200 at at 400-meters po,” said Dinoy.
Philippine Modern Pentathlon Association president and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez said there will b five countries competing for top honors.
But it will be Thailand, which will make a show force and seek podium finishes during the competition proper.
