SEA Games: PH 4×100 relay teams settle for silver, bronze

The Philippine women’s 4×400 relay team during the athletice event 30th Southeast Asian Games in Clark City. INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

NEW CLARK CITY — Thailand sprinted with golds in the men’s and women’s 4X100-meter relays Monday, frustrating the hometown bets who settled for bronze and silver, respectively.

The women’s team, composed of Kristina Knott, Zion Corrales Nelson and sisters Kayla and Kyla Richardson, put up an exciting chase down to the finish.

But Knott, the team anchor and 200m champ, just fell short as the Thais finished in 44.38 seconds. The Philippines timed 44.50 seconds, while Vietnam arrived 45.17 seconds.

The men’s team, struggling in transition and slow start, paled in comparison to the defending champions. The Thais pulled way from the field in the last 100 meters and arrived at the end with practically no one behind them.

Thailand clocked 39.27 seconds besting Malaysia (39.78) and the Philippines (40.04).

Still, the Philippines managed to exceed its target of eight golds after winning two golds Monday in men’s javelin throw and men’s 110-meters hurdles.

With one day of competitions left on Tuesday, the hosts had collected nine gold medals with triumphs in men’s and women’s pole vault, women’s marathon, women’s 200m, 4X100m mixed relay, shot put and pentathlon.