Renz Dacquel and Claudine Veloso opened the women's kickboxing campaign with a bang after advancing into their respective gold medal matches in the 2021 Southeast Asian Games at the Multi-Purpose Hall Gymnasium in Bac Ninh, Vietnam.
Dacquel beat Thai foe Boonpeng Kanwara with a 3-0 sweep in the -48kg full contact event before Veloso followed suit with a 3-0 mauling of Vietnamese opponent Bui Hai Linh in the -52 kg low kick.
Both Dacquel and Veloso secured at least silver medals for the Philippines.
Jean Claude Saclag, the reigning champion of the men's -63.5kg low kick, clobbered Vu Truong Giang of host Vietnam for a sure silver medal finish.
Meanwhile, Honorio Banario (-71kg low kick), and Emmanuel Cantores (-60kg low kick) were both assured of at least a bronze medal finish in their respective divisions.
The national kickboxing squad, so far, has guaranteed five medals for the Philippines.
Gina Iniong, the defending women's -55kg kick light champion, is also projected to yield one more medal when she competes in the -60kg low kick even.