- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Victorias City government Friday lauded its pride and multi-medalist para swimmer, Ariel Joseph Alegarbes, for winning two gold and three silver medals in the 12th ASEAN Para Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from June 3 to 9.
Alegarbes, who was the flag bearer for Team Philippines during the opening ceremony, won the gold in the 200-meter individual medley as new record holder, and another in the 50m butterfly event.
He bagged the silver in the 100m breaststroke, 100m butterfly, and 50m freestyle.
“You are such an inspiration! You make us all proud!,” the Victorias LGU said in a post.
Silaynon FM Sander Severino, meanwhile, took home the gold in the para chess men’s individual blitz PI category, and a silver in the individual rapid chess PI.
The trio of Severino, Felix Aguilera, and AGM Henry Roger Lopez also earlier gave the Philippines the 30th gold after they triumphed in the men’s team blitz chess PI.
Severino, with Lopez and NM Jasper Rom got the silver in the men’s team standard PI, and another in the team rapid chess PI, the Philippine Sports Commission said.
Sipalaynon Achelle Guion, who was the flag bearer in the 2022 Para Games in Indonesia, bagged two silver medals for best lift and total lift in the powerlifting women’s 45kg. category.
PSC Commissioner and Team Philippines’ chef de mission, Walter Francis Torres, said in a statement June 9 said the 172-strong para-athletes garnered 34 gold, 33 silvers, and 50 bronzes, for a total of 117 medals.
The medal haul surpassed the 28 gold, 30 silver, and 46 bronze medals brought home in last year’s para games.
“These achievements have not only brought glory once again to the Philippines but also serve as inspirations and motivations to future generations of para-athletes,” Torres said as he thanked the athletes, coaches, staff, PSC, Philippine Paralympic Committee, families, media, and friends, “who have been there from beginning to end.
As of 5 p.m. June 9, Team Philippines was in the 5th spot in the official medal tally, the PSC said./CGC
