PUERTO PRINCESA CITY – Team Philippines-A, led by the Davao Region delegation, claimed 12 gold medals after two days of intense competition at the 11th BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area) Friendship Games on Tuesday.
The delegation also secured 17 silver and 18 bronze medals, putting them at the top of the medal tally. Malaysia-B followed in second place with 8 golds, 8 silvers, and 4 bronzes, while Team PH-E (Puerto Princesa) ranked third with 7 golds, 3 silvers, and 2 bronzes.
Quendy Fernandez, a 19-year-old swimming standout from Puerto Princesa, bagged three gold medals in the girls’ 100m backstroke and the 200m medley and freestyle relays. She added to her earlier achievements, which included a gold in the 50m backstroke and a silver in the 400m freestyle.
“Dito po ako natuto lumangoy from Kinder pa lang. Dito na ko nag-swim, lalo na nandito pa ako sa (I learned to swim here since I was in Kinder, and now I’m in an international competition),” said Fernandez, a sophomore at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Competing in her hometown gave her “much joy and energy.”
Another standout, Philip Sahagun from De La Salle University, captured his third gold in the boys’ 100m backstroke.
Adding to Team PH-A’s medal haul were Desiree Anne Alaba in the women’s long jump, Mary Jane Pagayon and Kate Duffy Gel Mc Dowell in the women’s 800m (gold and silver, respectively), and swimmers Lia Margarett Amoguis and Paolo Miguel Labanon in the 200m butterfly.
Team PH-B, representing General Santos City and Sarangani province, also made their mark with two gold medals. Swimmer Marilen Sofia Cariño triumphed in the girls’ 50m breaststroke, while the women’s badminton duo of Rehina Bayudang and Krystn Valdez dominated their category.
The competition continues on Wednesday, with more gold medals up for grabs in archery, esports, karatedo, pencak silat, and sepak takraw.
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