Paul dela Cruz nipped Zulfadhli Ruslan, 10-9, in a thrilling sudden-death, shoot-off to salvage the bronze medal in the men’s individual archery compound event at the Synthetic Turf Field inside the KL Sports City in Bukit Jalil.
After 50 arrows, Dela Cruz and Ruslan, a silver medalist in the 2015 Singapore SEA Games, were deadlocked at 144, paving the way for the single-arrow shoot-off.
Picked to shoot first, Dela Cruz calmly shot a 10 while his Malaysian rival could only muster a 9 to clinch his first SEA Games individual bronze medal after sharing the team bronze honors in the Singapore SEA Games two years ago.
Amaya Paz-Cojuangco, a two-time women’s individual compound SEA Games champ, had an off day and failed to go beyond the quarterfinals.
Also emerging victorious in the first three days of battle are the national men’s and women’s football squads.
The Philippine men’s U22 squad exacted revenge on Cambodia, 2-0, while the women’s squad shocked the host country, 2-1, to kick off their respective bids on a sizzling note.
Reymart Cubon delivered a right-corner kick in the 53rd minute before Filipino-Japanese Belgira Kouichi volleyed a free kick that slipped through the Cambodians’ defensive wall in the 73rd minute to help the Filipinos post their first victory in Group B.
Team captain Patrice Imelido and Camille Reyes, meanwhile, starred in the Malditas’ overwhelming triumph over the Malaysians in this five-team, single round series late Tuesday at the Shah Alam Stadium.