Third win in 4 SEAG for Cordova

NAYPYITAW—Veteran rower Nestor Cordova stuck to the race plan and nailed his third win in the last four editions of the Southeast Asian Games rowing competition.

Trailing the leader from Burma (Myanmar) halfway through the 2,000-meter course, Cordova poured every ounce his energy in a closing spurt to capture the gold in the men’s single sculls at Ngalike Dam here.

The Navyman from Bacolod City clocked seven minutes and 49.38 seconds, nipping  by three-tenths of a second Ayung Ko Min, who led the field of six rowers almost throughout.

Indonesia’s Memo Memo placed third (8:03.61).

Dedicating the win to Supertyphoon “Yolanda” victims and his wife Virgie, Cordova duplicated his victory in 2011 in Palembang, where he also rallied to win. He first won the event in 2007 in Thailand.

The 36-year-old Cordova was fourth after the halfway mark and two boats behind Min in the final 200 meters.

“I don’t know where I got the strength to finish strong,” said Cordova, who competed in the Asia Cup in Hong Kong after the team’s training in Shanghai early this year.

“I told myself to give it my best shot.”

Team manager Quintin Pastranas said lagging behind the leaders at the start of the race was part of Cordova’s ploy.

“I told them to size up the opponents in the first 1,000 meters and then give everything they have after that,” said Pastranas.

In the lightweight men’s fours, rowers Benjie Tolentino, Edgar Ilas, Alvin Amposta and Roque Abala Jr. placed fourth.

Abala and Amposta will see action in the men’s double sculls on Tuesday.