The Philippines-A duo of Andrei Alexis Macalalag and Malcolm Gabriel Mag-aso bagged the mixed doubles Badminton gold on Wednesday 11th BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines – East Asean Growth Area) Friendship Games at Puerto Princesa City Coliseum.
Representing the country for the first time, the pair from Mati City in Davao Oriental outclassed Philippines-B tandem Gabriel Zapanta and Garnet Mediatrix Hervias in straight sets, 21-12, 21-16, in the all-Philippines finals.
Despite interrupted training, Macalalag paired well with Mag-aso who had to play in the tough Batang Pinoy National Championships prior to the BIMP-EAGA Games.
“With the help of Kuya Dong and the unwavering support of our family and friends, we were still able to achieve this incredible international achievement,” Mag-aso said in a social media post.
Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat congratulated Macalalag and Mag-aso for their feat.
“We are very proud of your achievement and we cannot wait to welcome you home when you return,” Rabat said.
Davao Oriental governor Nino Uy also posted a congratulatory message to the two.
The 18-year old Macalalag is a TVL student of Mati National Comprehensive High School while the 17-year old Mag-aso is a standout of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy. The tandem have trained under the watchful eyes of coach Dong Tabanao since taking up the sport as young kids.
PH Team A also snagged the women’s singles badminton gold courtesy of Klea Montanez while PH Team B’s Regina Bayudang and Khrystn Valdez topped the women’s doubles.
Meantime, Jamie Danielle Nirza struck gold in women’s karate while swimmers Philip Sahagun and Quendy Fernandez added another mint in their growing war chest in the competitions.
Representing country’s Team A, the 18-year-old Nirza showcased her impressive skills to earn 36.5 total points from the judges, edging Malaysia A’s Anisa Aira Nur (36.2) for the advance women’s individual kata gold.
Nur took the silver while Malaysia B’s Ameera Liew and Brunei’s Nasir Abdul got the bronze.
“I’m happy to achieve such a feat, and I worked hard for this one. I’m glad na I was able to perform the way I wanted, and I’m happy for my teammates we’re able to perform [well],” said the first-year nursing student from Jose Maria College.
“I practiced napo, when I perform, I go there with my very best, and I just feel honored and blessed to bring something that our country can be proud of,” she added.
Aside from the gold, Nirza and her teammates Yesha Lee Ho and Al Rhina Kawano grabbed the women’s team kata silver after tallying 34.6 points.
In the men’s individual, Arvin Santillana settled for silver with 36 points.
Meanwhile, Sahagun conquered the boys’ 200 meter backstroke (2:14.38) while joining the PH Team A in winning the 4x100m medley relay to raise his total gold medals to five.
“Goal ko talaga na mapasama sa national team and represent our country sa international competitions,” said Sahagun.
Fernandez, for her part, added two more medals that included a gold in the girls 200m backstroke and a silver in the 4x100m medley relay to finish her campaign with five gold and two silver medals. (With PSC PR)
Earlier in Archery, PH Team E’s Nathaniel Carlos topped the men’s individual recurve after beating his Malaysian rivals with six points while PH Team B’s Yvonne Forcado snared the crown in the women’s class
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In athletics, Milchay Moreno led PH Team A in winning the 4x400m women’s relay in 4:09.51 against Malaysia (4:19.73) and PH team D (4:34.16).
As of 8 p.m. of Tuesday, Dec. 3, PH A topped the medal tally with 12 gold, 17 silver and 18 bronze medals, followed by Malaysia B (8-8-4), PH Team E (7-3-2), Indonesia (4-4-3), PH Team B (3-1-4), PH Team D (1-1-2) and Brunei (0-0-1).
