FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – As of posting, athletes of the Philippine Army were able to bag gold medals at various sports competitions last December 1 and 2 during the 30th South East Asian Games.
Participating soldiers were able to win a total of seven gold medals from Speak Takraw, Arnis, Judo, and Basketball events held in Pampanga and Metro Manila.
Cpl. John Jeffrey Morcillos and Cpl. John John Bobier, members of the Philippine men’s Sepak Takraw team, ranked first after a final score of 670-450 against Cambodia.
Arnis players including Technical Sgt. Villardo Cunamay, Staff Sgt. Mike Bañares, and Sgt. Niño Mark Talledo captured their gold medals in the Lightweight Division 60kg above, Welterweight Division 65kg up, and Featherweight Division 55-60kg; respectively.
Sgt. Estie Gay Liwanen also earned her gold medal after she competed in the 63kg female category of Judo Kurash, a folk wrestling style in Central Asia. While Pvt. Janine Pontejos of Gilas Pilipinas Women took the top prize in the 3x3 Women’s basketball category.
“Sabik na sabik po kaming maglaro at makapag bigay ng karangalan…hindi lamang po para sa ating bansa ganun din po sa mga tao at alay din po namin ang aming tagumpay para sa ating mga kasamahang sundalo na lumaban din po para ipagtanggol ang ating bansa. Ang tagumpay po namin ay alay namin sa inyo,” said Bobier in a statement.
The Philippine Army has sent 21 participants to compete for this year’s SEA Games. Other sports events where the athletes will contend are Soft Tennis, Soft Ball, Wrestling, Athletics, and 5x5 Basketball. The SEAG will have a total of 529 events for 56 sports and will run until December 11.
“We congratulate our athletes for displaying the highest standards of excellence as they compete in the international arena. They carry with them the hallmarks of soldiery and the entire Philippine Army joins the nation as we take pride in them,” said Army Spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon P. Zagala.#
Photo courtesy of Philippine Army Athletes