BY NICK GIONGCO
CLARKFIELD, Pampanga – Philippine track and field made a startling discovery Friday when little-known Christine Hallasgo crowned herself as the region’s marathon queen on a day obstacle course, modern pentathlon and golf joined hands in giving the host country a push going into the halfway mark of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Hallasgo’s morning feat was followed by gold medals bagged by Michael Comaling in modern pentathlon, Mervin Guarte and Sandi Menchi in obstacle course and Bianca Pagdanganan in women’s individual golf.
Hallasgo, whose inclusion to the national team was only formalized this year by way of the National Open, bested the undisputed queen of Philippine marathon Mary Joy Tabal, also the SEAG defending champion at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
Going into the race, Hallasgo, 27, wasn’t actually eyeing to bag the top prize, adding all she wanted was a podium finish since she wanted athletics to have a strong start.
But when she saw the Japan-trained Tabal fading away in the final stages, Hallasgo, who just trained on local shores, made her bold move and pulled off the biggest win of her career.
At around the same time Hallasgo was celebrating, former middle distance runner Mervin Guarte and Sandy Abahan swept the individual 5Kx20 event in obstacle course in Alabang, Metro Manila. Gloerien Merisco made it a 1-2 finish in the women’s after coming in second to Abahan.
Comaling was not to be outshone by the early winner as he ruled the Beach Triathlete Individual in modern pentathlon.
Over at the fairway at Luisita in Tarlac, Pagdanganan beat Kan Bunnabodee of Thailand for the gold in individual play after hitting a one-under 71 for a three-day total of 209. Bunnabodee carded a final round 72 for a 212 total while teammate Pimnipa Panthong also did a 71 for 213.
Pagdanganan, 21, was a vital part of the team that won gold in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games alongside Yuka Saso and Lois Go.
As of 4 p.m., the Philippines now has 70 gold medals (49 silver and 36 bronze), way ahead of Vietnam’s 33-37-42 and Indonesia’s 31-36-42.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino feels the country is on its way to taking the overall crown in the 11-nation biennial sportsfest.
“If we hit 130 gold medals, that’ll be enough for us to be assured of No. 1 in the standings,” said Tolentino, who is looking forward to seeing more golds coming in the next few days as the 11-day regional meet enters the homestretch.
