Subic —Gymnast Daniela dela Pisa kicked off another productive day for the Philippines in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Dela Pisa, an ovarian cancer survivor, scored 17.750 in her routine to clinch the gold in the hoop category of the gymnastics competition, her third and most impressive medal in the games, to go with two bronzes from the ball and clubs categories. She beat Malaysia’s Amzan Izzah (16.500) and Kwan Amy Dict Weg (15.900), who got the silver and bronze, respectively.
Following Dela Pisa’s gymnastics’ feat, Quezon-pride Cris Nievarez and the tandem of Joane Delgaco and Melcah Caballero hit paydirt as the Philippine rowing team got off to a sizzling start at the ACEA Bay here.
Motivated by his desire to help his family in the seaside town of Atimonan, Quezon, Nievarez gave the country its first gold medal on Day 7 after ruling the men’s lightweight single sculls a day after he topped the time trials. He clocked in at 7:34.27 in besting Thailand’s Siripong Chaiwichitchonkul 7:35.01 for the gold.
‘‘I didn’t expect to win the gold but the Lord guided me to victory. I am also motivated by my desire to help my family,’’ said the 19-year-old Nievarez, a first-timer in the biennial Games. Nievarez said he will use his financial incentives to help his two siblings and mother.
Indonesia’s Kakan Kusmana bagged the bronze with a time of 7:39.54.
Bicol standouts Delgaco and Caballero combined to rule the women’s lightweight double sculls with a time of 7:24.21.
Vietnam’s Thi Hao Dinh and Thanh Huyen Ta took the silver after clocking 7:27.65. Myanmar’s Shwe Zin Latt and Nilar Win registered a time of 7:30.23 for the bronze.
Delgaco, 21, and also a SEA Games rookie, said she would buy a land in Iriga City, Camarines, Sur, while Caballero plan to save her cash incentives for future use.
Zuriel Sumintac and Nestor Cordova failed to land a medal in the men’s pair after finishing fifth in the event won by Indonesia’s Dendri Al-Ghiffari and Ferdiansyah, who timed 6:58.46. The Filipinos clocked 7:15.04.
Meanwhile, the Philippines also got off to a hot start in the taekwondo competitions at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Rodolfo Reyes Jr. scored 8.349 to win the gold in the male recognized poomsae individual event, relegating Thailand’s Sengmueabg Pattarapong to the silver with 8.199, while Myanmar’s Shine Sun finished with 7.849 to settle for the bronze medal.
Jocel Lyn Ninobla made it a double celebration for the host team, edging Thailand’s Srisahakit Ornawee by a hair for the women’s poomsae recognized individual gold.
Ninobla scored 8.433 while Ornawee finished a close second with 8.432. Vietnam’s Le Tran Im Uyen settled for the bronze with 8.149.
“It was really close. I’m thankful to God for the win,” Ninobla said.
Reyes’ win more than made up for his bronze medal finish in the event in 2017 in Kuala Lumpur.
“I’m too happy to win the gold. I’m very thankful for the support of the huge Filipino crowd. It’s really inspiring. Thanks to you all,” said 22-year-old Reyes.
The taekwondo trio of Dustin Jacob Mella, Rafael Enrico Mella, and Reyes, Jr. then captured the Poomsae Team event gold.
Other winners for the day were pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, 200-meter trackster Kristina Knott; Margielyn Didal, who captured her second gold, this time in the street category of skateboarding; Chezka Centeno in the 10-ball pool singles; the men’s epee fencing team; Junna Tsukii in the 50-kg kumite; Noelle Manalac in soft tennis; and Francis Casey Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon in the tennis doubles.
