HANOI—Christine Hallasgo capped the Philippine athletics team’s campaign in the 31st Southeast Asian Games here at the My Dihn National Stadium with a silver in the marathon.
Still in contention in the final 600 meters, Hallasgo was slowed down by cramps the rest of the way but soldiered on to pull through with the runner-up finish in the event she ruled during the 2019 edition in the Philippines.
Hallasgo finished with a time of 2:56.07 behind winner Odekta Naibaho Elvina (2:55.280). Vietnam’s Ngoc Hoa Hoang Thi finished third at 2:57.350.
Hallasgo’s silver was the seventh for Team PH in these games, to go with five golds and 14 bronze medals.
“Malaki po ang pasasalamat ko, unang una sa Panginoon. Kahit hindi man po ganu’n kahaba ‘yung pag-eensayo namin, at least nakalaban po ako at nakuha ko ang silver. Hindi man po gold pero malaking bagay na sa akin na na-represent ko ang Pilipinas,” said Hallasgo.
The team failed to match or surpass its 11 gold, 8 silver and 8 bronze medals in the 2019 SEAG held at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Tarlac, but Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association head corach Joeffrey Chua still considers the tracksters’ stint here a success.
“This version of the SEA Games is by far the most challenging because of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. But with 1 SEAG record, 5 new Philippine national records recorded, and 8 personal records established, this can be considered as a very successful campaign for PATAFA national athletes,” said Chua.
The team was led by Asia’s best pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, whose gold-winning feat set a new SEAG record of 5.46 meters.
Other gold medalists were William Morrison in the men’s shot put (18.14 meters), Clinton Bautista, who set a new national record in the 110m hurdles at 13.78 seconds; Eric Cray, who won a fifth straight 400m hurdles SEAG crown and Kayla Richardson, who regained the 100-meter tiara (11.60 seconds) that she won in the 2015 Singapore edition.
Silver medalists were Kyla Richardson (200 meters, 23.56), Hokett delos Santos (pole vault, 5 meters), Janry Ubas (long jump, 7.73 meters), Aries Toledo (decathlon, 7499), Sarah Dequinan (Heptahlon), Harry Diones (triple jump, 15.87m) and Hallasgo.
Bagging bronze medals were Kayla Richardson (200 meters, 23.87), Joida Gagnao (5000m and 3000m, steeplechase), Alfrence Braza (men’s 1500m, 3:56.35), Melvin Calano (javelin, 66.86m), Sonny Wagdos (men’s 5000m, 16:39:89), Ubas (decathlon, 6977 pts), Bernalyn Bejoy, Jessel Lumapas, Edgardo Alejan, Jr. and Joyme Sequita (4×400 Mixed Relay), Jelly Paragile (100m Hurdles), Alyana Nicolas (pole vault), Robyn Brown (women’s 400m Hurdles, 56.44 seconds),
Morrison (discus throw), Evalyn Palbrica (javelin, 49.07 meters) and Bejoy, Brown, Eloise Medina and Maureen Schrijvers (4×400, Women’s Relay).
“The feeling of pressure, disappointment, excitement, and victory made each performance memorable. All athletes gave their all and we couldn’t be more proud,” said Patafa’s Judith Staples.
