NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand – The Philippines continues to rack up more gold medals on the fifth and final day of the 13th ASEAN Para Games here at the 80th Birthday Stadium on Sunday.
The Filipinos already collected 38 golds, 31 silvers and 47 bronze medals at press time as they are in fourth place in the overall medal tally.
In fact, the Philippines tallied its best ASEAN Para Games medal tally after eclipsing the 34-33-50 gold-silver-bronze haul of the 2023 edition in Phnom Penh.
After setting a new meet record of 4 minutes and 26.32 seconds in the men’s 1500-meter T12 event last Wednesday, Cyril Ongcoy claimed his second gold medal in this year’s Para Games, clocking 17:32.19 in the men’s 5000-m T12 event.
“Matagal ko na sinasabi na ito ang main event ko. Hindi talaga ako magpatalo rito,” Ongcoy said.
“Natutunan ko po talaga ‘yung strategy tapos kailangan natin ng focus. Kasi mahirap mag-focus lalo na kapag pressured dahil ang laki nung iba.”
Also making an impact on the final day of this prestigious tournament for differently abled bodies is Cleford Trocino, as he clinched the gold medal in the men’s 800m T52 with a time of 2:00.16 while team captain Jerrold Mangliwan tallied 2:00.73 for the silver medal.
The 38-year-old Trocino said the gold was with it after beating 2004 Athens Paralympic bronze medalist and home bet Peth Rungsri, who took the bronze medal with a time of 2:01.31.
“Sa loob ng sampung taon, ngayon lang ako nakakuha ng gold. Mga Paralympic-caliber mga kasama ko,” Trocino said.
“Hindi ko aakalain na may lakas pa ako para makatawid ng finish line.”
Gary Bejino won his fourth gold medal after clocking in 1:11.40 in the men’s 100m freestyle S6 event at the 80th Birthday Aquatics Center.
More medals are expected for the Filipinos as the men’s wheelchair basketball squad is vying for the gold against host Thailand at Terminal 21 Korat and the chess team competing in the Blitz category at the Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University as of writing.
