PH swimmers bag 3 golds in day 1 of SEA Age Group swim tilt

PHNOM PENH—The Philippines plucked two more gold medals before the end of the first day of competition in the 43rd Southeast Asian Age Group Swimming Championships Friday at Morodok Techo National Sports Complex here.

Georgia Peregrina and Jerard Jacinto swam to the first place in the girls! and boys’ 16-18 100m backstroke events to add to Desirae Mangaoang’s gold medal finish earlier in the day.

READ: Desirae Mangaoang delivers 1st gold for Philippines in SEA Age swim meet

Peregrina, a Fil-Australian swimmer who is also making her debut for Team Philippines, registered 1:06 in her backstroke swim and 2:23.26 in her individual medley, which was good for a silver medal.

“I feel very proud to be able to do it (win a medal) for my country and I’m really happy,” said the 18-year-old swimmer. “My times were not very good so that was a bit disappointing but I’m just glad I was able to add to the tally.”

Jerard Jacinto one of the Philippines’ gold medalists in day 1. Photo by Celest Flores-Colina

Jacinto, meanwhile, copped his first gold medal with a time of 56.92, 1.6 seconds faster than second placer Hoe Yean Khiew of Thailand.

The Philippines also managed to grab four more silver medals after Peregrina’s win and Rian Marco Tirol’s second place in the 16-18 boys’ 50m breaststroke event in the morning.

Ivo Nikolai Enot (13 & under boys’ 100m backstroke), Sam Banos (14-15 girls’ 100m butterfly), Miranda Renner (16-17 girls’ 50m freestyle) and Adrian Echler, Matthew Alumbres, Juan Daos and Miguel Barreto (18U 4×200 freestyle relay) all took home silver medals.

Athena Chang (13 and under girls’ 400-meter freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay), Renner (100m butterfly) and Mia Tandingan (14-15 girls’ 50m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay), Xiandi Chua and Janelle Lin (4x200m freestyle relay) added bronzes to the country’s medal haul.

After the first day, the Filipino junior swimmers have three golds, six silvers and four bronze medals for sixth place.