PH Kurash team’s Helen Aclopen. PHOTO VIA PSC
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Kurash team delivered the first three medals — two silver medals and a bronze– as the country tries to defend its overall championship throne in the 31st Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday at Hoai Duc Gymnasium in Vietnam.
Helen Aclopen settled for silver medal in the women’s -48kg division, yielding to Trang To Thi of host Vietnam in the gold medal match.
Aclopen beat Khin khin Su of Myanmar and Duangdara Kumlert of Thailand to reach the final.
Charmea Quelino also won the silver in the women’s -52kg division.
George Baclagan, meanwhile, delivered the bronze medal.
Baclagan, who represented the country in the -90kg category, fell to Vietnamese Duy Thanh Le, placing third. He beat Malaysian Mohamed Izzat Mohamed Noor but lost to Thuong Tran of host country in his earlier matches.
Philippines, the overall 2019 SEA Games champion, is currently fourth without a gold medal, one silver and two bronze medals as of posting time.