FILE -Philippines’ Jean Claude Saclag. INQUIRER PHOTO/LEO M. SABANGAN II.
PHNOM PENH—Kickboxer Jean Claude Saclag spared no effort in mauling his favored rival for a third straight title in the men’s low kick -63.5kg division on Monday night at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
As the crowd rallied behind the hometown bet, Saclag took every opportunity he found in attacking Cambodian San Rakim for a 3-0 win that capped the country’s five-gold haul of the day.
The 28-year-old pride of Kalinga earlier defeated Dimitri Kyttanasilalack of Laos, 3-0, in the semifinals on the way to defending the titles he captured back to back in the Hanoi Games last year and in the 2019 edition in Manila.
Saclag also relieved the pain of two bronze finishes in the sport courtesy of Kurt Lubrica (men’s low kick -51kg) and Jomar Balangui (men’s low kick -57kg).
SURPASSING GOLD OUTPUT
Saclag’s effort put the Philippines within a gold to match its output of 52 gold medals in 2022 Vietnam with a day of competitions left before the SEA Games formally come to a close on Wednesday.
“There are more sports to be played. We still have arnis, kickboxing, judo, floorball, sepak takraw and traditional boat race where our medals will come from,’’ said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino.
“There are plenty of surprises and we’ll be finishing strong,’’ he added.
Overall, the country is settled at fifth place with 51 gold medals, 77 silvers and 103 bronze behind Vietnam (122-100-98), Thailand (94-76-93), Indonesia (74-67-92) and host Cambodia (71-68-113).
Meanwhile, judo siblings Jeanalane Lopez (women’s -44kg) and Leah Jhane Lopez (women’s -48kg) contributed to the nation’s bronze collection on Monday along with John Viron Ferrer in the men’s -90kg division.
Taekwondo jins Dave Cea (men’s -80kg), Baby Jessica Canabal (women’s -53kg), Laila Delo (women’s -67kg) and Joseph Chua (men’s -63kg) likewise failed to advance to the finals and ended up with bronze medals.