SEA Games: Melcah Caballero wins another rowing gold for Philippines

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—When Melcah Jen Caballero captured her first gold with Joanie Delgaco, the 23-year-old rowing ace hardly assumed she would stand atop the medal podium again.

So it came as a big surprise for Caballero when she crossed the finish ahead of everybody else in the lightweight women’s single sculls Sunday at the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Caballero, who finished fourth in the event her previous stint in these Games, completed the 2000-meter race in seven minutes and 50.89 to defeat Thailand’s Rojjana Raclao (7:54.23) and Mutiara Putri of Indonesia (7:56.85).

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“I was already satisfied with the gold that we won yesterday (Saturday). This win made me happier because it wasn’t expected at all,’’ said Caballero, who ruled the women’s doubles sculls with Delgaco.

Caballero added that her training in China prior to the Games paid off courtesy of the Philippine Sports Commission.

“If not for that training in China, I wouldn’t be here now,’’ said Caballero, dedicating her golds to her parents back home in Camarines Sur. “Thank you PSC and for all those supported me, especially my parents.’’