TEAM UAAP-Philippines snared three gold medals in swimming and athletics Wednesday in the 17th Asean University Games in Palembang, Indonesia.
Ateneo tankers continued to sparkle in the pool, as Hannah Datu followed up her golden success in the 50-meter butterfly by topping the 100-meter butterfly while Season 77 men’s swimming MVP Jessie Khing Lacuna rook the gold in 200-meter freestyle.
University of Santo Tomas’ Ernest John Obiena gave the country its first gold in athletics by topping his favorite men’s pole vault event.
Datu, the Season 77 women’s MVP, clocked 1:01.75 to beat Thailand’s Supasota Sounthornchote (1:02.23) and Malaysia’s Erika Chia Kong (1:03.28).
Lacuna prevailed with a time of 1:52.94 to beat Daniel Bego of Malaysia (1:53.07).
Obiena recorded 5.10 meters to clinch the gold medal.
UST’s Elbren Neri settled for silver in the men’s 800m run, while the bronze medalists were FEU’s Evalyn Palabrica (women’s javelin throw), UST’s Michelle Loterte (women’s 400m hurdles) and Riza Jane Domenios (women’s 5mr platform diving).
A big leap from its two-gold haul in Laos two years ago, Team UAAP-Philippines now has eight golds, seven silver and 10 bronze medals to remain in fifth place.