(UPDATED) The Philippine Obstacle Race Team will deliver four medals after their athletes advanced to the finals of the men's and women's individual competition at the Car Park of the Chroy Changvar Convention Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Precious Cabuya set the tone for the Philippines as she covered the 100-m course in 33.1278 seconds to lead compatriot Kaizen dela Serna in an all-Filipina duel for the women’s gold. Dela Serna, owner of the erstwhile global mark of 35.42 seconds, submitted a personal-best 34.8634 during the initial runs to set up their finals clash on Saturday.
Filipino aces also dominated action in the men’s side, with Mark Julius Rodelas ripping his own world standard of 26.42 seconds with a roaring 25.0921 seconds in the heats. Rodelas forged a title showdown with 2019 SEA Games king Kevin Pascua, who ranked second with a new personal best of 26.1896.
The medal round will take place on Saturday, still at the same venue.
According to Atty. Al Agra, president of the Philippine Obstacle Sports Federation, Rodelas and Cabuya's times are new world records though this is still subject to confirmation.
Filipino obstacle race athletes delivered six gold medals, three silvers, and a bronze in the 2019 SEA Games held in Manila. However, the event was not part of the program in Hanoi, Vietnam last year.
The women’s crew of Milky Mae Tejares, Mecca Cortizano, Sandi Abahan and Tess Nocyao and the men’s squad of Ahgie Radan, Elias Tabac, Mervin Guarte and Jay-R de Castro looks to duplicate the feat over in the team relay preliminaries today, Thursday.
Also on Wednesday, the Philippine men's hockey team absorbed a 20-0 loss against Indonesia at the Dinosaur Park Hall in the Chroy Changvar Convention Center. The women's team were also beaten, 14-1, by Indonesia as neither squad has yet to register a victory in Phnom Penh.
Meanwhile, the men's volleyball team opened their campaign with an 18-25, 18-25, 23-25 loss to Indonesia.
The women's football team plays later Wednesday night against Myanmar at the Army Stadium.
For more stories on the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, click here.