SEVERAL Thomasians shined on the international stage as part of the Philippine contingent to the 2015 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore last June 4 to 15.
The Growling Tigers went home with a total of three gold medals, two silver and a bronze to add to the 29-36-66 overall haul of the Philippines, which finished at sixth place in the biennial meet.
Tigers forward Kevin Ferrer won another gold medal as part of Sinag Pilipinas this year, highlighted by a stellar game against East Timor, after scoring 19 points on 64 percent shooting.
Tiger Jin Rodolfo Reyes Jr., alongside De La Salle University’s Dustin and Raphael Mella, secured the gold medal in the men's poomsae team event after garnering a total of 7.850 points, ahead of Vietnam’s 7.720 and Indonesia’s 7.505.
“We cried a lot during the announcement of winners because all the training bore fruit. Until now, we could not believe that we won the gold,” Reyes said.
Lady Jin Jocel Lyn Ninobla, with Rinna Babanto and Juvenile Crisostomo, won a bronze in the women’s poomsae team event.
Tiger Softbelles Celestine Palma and CristyJoy Roa helped the Philippine Blu Girls win their third consecutive gold medal via an impressive sweep in the softball tournament. The Blu Girls capped the tournament with a 3-0 over Thailand in the finale.
Palma said that the exposure from the biennial meet would boost their squad in the upcoming UAAP season.
In fencing, Hanniel Abella and the Philippine squad settled for silver in the women’s team epee, while teammate and Thomasian alumna Harlene Raguin also notched silver in the women’s individual epee.
The women’s team managed to power their way past Myanmar and Singapore before succumbing to Vietnam, 28-45, in the gold medal match.
“It’s not easy to get a medal in the SEA games but I guess our determination and our hearts brought us to that point,” Abella said. “We might not win the gold but we’re very happy because all our hard work paid off.”
Other silver medalists included Ernest John Obiena, who missed out on the gold by the slimmest of margins in pole vaulting.
“I was overwhelmed by how many Filipinos were there to watch and support the team. Even when I lost I was still welcomed and praised by some of the Filipinos who were watching,” Obiena said.
In the women’s billiards 9-ball finals, long-time World Champion and Thomasian alumna Rubilen Amit was outclassed by 15-year-old sensation and fellow Filipina Chezka Centeno, 5-7.
Other notable Thomasians who saw action at the SEA Games were Reynaldo Salonga Jr., Jemimah NissiTiambeng, and Remia Buenacosa in water polo, synchronized swimming, and netball, respectively. Carlo A. Casingcasing, Clarence I. Hormachuelos And Randell Angelo B. Ritumalta
