BY NICK GIONGCO
CLARKFIELD, Pampanga – Karatedo, archery and boxing sent the Philippines orbiting further into outer space Monday as the host resumed its winning ways in various sports with two more competition days remaining in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
In a highly-charged +61 kg finals of karatedo, Jamie Christine Lim, daughter of PBA legend Samboy Lim, clipped Zefanya Ceyco of Indonesia,2-1, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
It was karatedo’s second top finish following Junaa Tsukii’s kumite gold two days ago.
The 22-year-old Lim, one of the most promising bets in the sport, became emotional following the match when she was congratulated by her mother and former Pag Ibig Funds head, Darlene Berberabe.
Lim’s father Samboy could not make it to her coronation because of an ailment.
Lim’s rise to the SEAG throne wasn’t particularly surprising.
In the KGS International in Singapore, Lim took home a gold and one silver and in the Turkish GP, she won gold.
Also this year, Lim graduated summa cum laude with a degree in BS Mathematics from the University of the Philippines, making 2019 a breakout year for her.
As karatedo celebrated Lim’s triumph, archery also provided a glittering finish to its campaign when the mixed compound team of Rachelle dela Cruz and Paul Marton dela Cruz beat Vietnam’s Chau Kien and Van Nguyen for the gold, 148-147.
Boxing had mixed results in its campaign to win 10 out of 13 gold medals.
Light-flyweight Carlo Paalam fashioned out a 5-0 win over the ultra-aggressive Kornelius Langu of Indonesia at the PICC in Manila.
Utilizing fancy footwork and a stinging, pesky left jab, Paalam kept Langu at bay and made him miss badly with his powerful overhand rights.
When the decision was announced, Paalam, who had bagged the bronze in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, went down to do some pushups before rising and celebrating with his coaches, led by former standout Ronald Chavez.
The Philippines is already guaranteed the overall crown with a tally as of 4 p.m. of 116 gold, 85 silver and 94 bronze medals after a huge opening day harvest of 22 and Sunday’s mega haul of 23.
A distant second is Vietnam, which totes a tally of 68-64-84 and Indonesia at Thailand at third, 66-81-85. Breathing down Thailand is Indonesia with a collection of 66-67-85 while Singapore is fifth with 44-34-51.
While the Philippines will no longer be affected, the race for second remains a tossup involving Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.
There are still events in medal-rich athletics and swimming.
The closing rites will be held Wednesday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium with Pampanga’s best entertainers headlining the show.
