PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan – Under the scorching midday sun, the Philippines Team A had a golden day, asserting its dominance over both local and foreign rivals with an impressive 30-gold, 37-silver, and 32-bronze medals haul to claim the overall title at the 11th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games on Thursday, Dec. 5, here.

La Salle tanker Philip Sahagun made the biggest splash for the hosts, winning five gold medals after sweeping all of his events – the boys’ 200 IM, 4×100 freestyle and medley relays, 200m backstroke, and 100m backstroke.

He led Team A’s charge, contributing to their second overall crown in the regional meet.

Also starring for Team A were trackster Milchay Moreno and swimmer Lora Micah Amoguis, both claiming two golds and a silver. Jin Jamie Danielle Nirza also contributed with a gold and a silver.

On the other hand, Malaysia B (17-16-17) earned the runner-up spot with 50 medals, followed by Indonesia (14-8-5) and the Philippines’ Team E (13-8-11), led by UP standout and PNG multi-champion Quendy Fernandez, in third and fourth place, respectively.

The 19-year-old Fernandez dominated the competition, becoming the most decorated athlete with five golds (girls’ 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke, 4×50 200m medley, and freestyle relays) and two silvers (4x100m medley, 4×100 400m freestyle).

Philippines Team B (6-6-10) secured fifth place, followed by Malaysia A (2-3-2), Team D (1-2-10), Brunei Darussalam (1-2-8), and Team C (1-2-1).

On Wednesday afternoon, Philippines Team E triumphed in the esports event, where Mobile Legends: Bang Bang was played, securing a 3-1 victory over Team D, which took silver. Malaysia and Team A shared the bronze.

In sepak takraw at the Palawan State University (PSU) Gym, the Indonesian teams claimed both the men’s and women’s titles, while Team A of the Philippines earned silver in both categories.

Of this posting, Thursday, the closing ceremony was well underway at the Balayong Basketball Covered Court, where the overall winners are expected to be announced, along with the turnover ceremony for the next host.

All participating athletes are present at the assembly, which will be attended by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann, commissioner Walter Torres, as well as BIMP-EAGA and local top officials.

This friendly competition has been hosted in the Philippines four times, with the Davao edition canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was first held in General Santos City in 1996 and again in 2012. Puerto Princesa City also hosted the event twice, most recently in 2003.

The event currently features eight disciplines: aquatics (swimming), athletics, archery, badminton, esports, karate, pencak silat, and sepak takraw.

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PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — Undeterred by the scorching heat, De La Salle ace swimmer Philip Adrian Sahagun secured the Philippines’ first gold medal in swimming at the 11th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games held Monday morning, Dec. 2, at the Ramon V. Mitra Sports Complex.

Sahagun, 21, representing Team A, edged out Indonesia’s Hidayatullah Aril by a fraction of a second to win the boys’ 200m IM crown. Clocking in at 2 minutes and 13.52 seconds, Sahagun narrowly beat Aril (2:13.83) in a thrilling race. Rodolfo Apilado III, also from Team A, claimed bronze with a time of 2:20.82.

“I didn’t expect to win kasi two weeks ago kakagaling ko lang ng UAAP and I didn’t have [enough] time to prepare for this kasi gusto ko rin po makapag-hinga. One week po ako walang training at all,” said the third-year BS Entrepreneurship student.

“Pero ang mindset ko lang is swim for the Philippines. No’ng last lap, medyo nakaramdam po ako ng sakit ng katawan pero nakita ko po ‘yong kalaban ko na humahabol kaya i-push ko na. Ando’n na po ako sa una kaya sabi ko ‘di ko na po ibibigay ’tong gold,” he added.

Hours later, Sahagun earned his second gold medal alongside his teammates in the 4×100 boys’ freestyle relay. The team clocked an impressive 3 minutes and 44.05 seconds, leaving Malaysia’s Team B (3:50.05) and Indonesia (3:55.73) trailing behind.

Up next for the two-time UAAP bronze medalist are the 200m IM, 200m backstroke, 100m backstroke, and the 4x100m medley events.

On the women’s side, Ateneo’s Lorah Micah Amoguis also delivered a stellar performance, clinching gold in her specialty, the girls’ 200m IM, with a time of 2 minutes and 30.73 seconds. Despite battling shoulder fatigue, the BS Life Sciences freshman dedicated her victory to her country and loved ones.

“I’m very glad na ito ang first gold ko, ‘tong pet event ko, and I dedicated this to the country,” said Amoguis. “This is for my coaches, parents, and my family po.”

Other Filipino swimmers who captured gold medals include June Pearl Dagano (girls’ 100m freestyle), John Michael Catamco (boys’ 50m butterfly), and Maglia Jaye Dignadice (girls’ 50m butterfly).

In athletics, Berdard Ganancial secured gold in the men’s discus with a throw of 33.95 meters. Jhonmark Sedoripa (33.14m) and Lunasco Alabado (32.58m) took silver and bronze, respectively.

In the women’s shot put, Aliia Tricia Badajos (9.53m) and Jerlyn Grace Crismundo (9.25m) settled for silver and bronze behind Malaysia’s Daniella Jimil, who threw 10.25 meters to claim gold.

The Philippines continues to dominate key events in the competition, showcasing the strength and determination of its athletes.

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