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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Delgaco, Paraon scoop first PH rowing gold; Alex Eala advances to gold medal match

Delgaco, Paraon scoop first PH rowing gold; Alex Eala advances to gold medal match

Published Dec 16, 2025 12:18 pm  |  Updated Dec 16, 2025 03:16 pm

At A Glance

  • BANGKOK — Riding the crest of the Team Philippines' biggest medal haul in a day on Monday, the Philippine rowing team sustained the surge with a gold courtesy of Joanie Delgaco and Kristine Paraon in the women's rowing double sculls at the Jomtien Beach in Pattaya City, Chonburi on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
(POC Media Pool)
(POC Media Pool)
BANGKOK — Riding the crest of the Team Philippines’ biggest medal haul in a day on Monday, the Philippine rowing team sustained the surge with a gold courtesy of Joanie Delgaco and Kristine Paraon in the women’s rowing double sculls at the Jomtien Beach in Pattaya City, Chonburi on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
The Filipina duo started out strong and pulled away in the first 1000 meters and never looked back from there to pick up the country’s 26th gold in the biennial meet.
Paraon and Delgaco finished the race in 6:16.966 to top the bets from Thailand and Vietnam by at least a four-second differential.
“Actually kagabi nakikita po namin na parang pahirapan pa yung bronze pero sabi ko sa sarili ko, grabe lang talaga pag si Lord na yung gumalaw talaga. Walang imposible talaga,” said Delgaco.
“Di po namin ineexpect tong gold namin na ito kasi po malalakas yung kalaban namin pero tiwala lang talaga sa isa’t isa at alam naman po namin yung pinagdaanan namin na training,” echoed Paraon.
Their triumph came just moments after Olympian Cris Nievares also delivered a bronze medal in the men’s single sculls.
He clocked 6:22.121 to finish behind Memo of Indonesia and Wattannusith Premanut of Thailand who bagged the gold and silver, respectively, with finishing times of 6:10.257 and 6:15.827.
Also getting a shot at adding another gold medal for Team Philippines was Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala.
The 20-year-old made quick work of Thai bet Thasaporn Naklo, 6-1, 6-4, to assure herself a silver medal. 
“She was able to not only respond (to the Thai challenge) very well but close it out, which I think is very important for us,” said Philippine tennis team coach Denise Dy.
Likewise, the Philippine men’s floorball team is poised to win a gold medal after defeating Singapore, 6-4, in Chonburi.
Entering the match as the heavy favorites, the world No. 12 Filipinos stamped their class in the dominant victory to arrange a finals showdown with host Thailand.
In athletics, Sarah Dequinan is expected to land at the podium in the heptathlon event. The Filipina ironwoman is currently at the third spot with 4,620 points through six events. The 1,500-meter race is being held as of press time.
As of 2p.m. on Tuesday, the Nationals have collected 26 golds, 40 silvers and 82 bronzes for the sixth spot of the standings.
With the pace of PH athletes in the SEA Games, the target for Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino is to claim the fourth overall spot.
"With the tide obviously favoring the host in almost all fronts, the target is to get fourth overall," said Tolentino.
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