AS TRIATHLETE Ma. Claire Adorna gave Team Philippines' campaign in the 28th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2015 a boost with a gold medal finish, Davao Region's judoka Jenielou Mosqueda and boxer Nesthy Alcayde keep their gold hopes alive after advancing into the next round of their respective events in separate venues in Singapore as of yesterday presstime.
The 21-year-old Adorna clocked a total of two hours, 13 minutes and eight seconds to rule the women's individual triathlon event held at the East Coast Park. She beat teammate 23-year-old Marion Kim Mangrobang (2:14:26) who took the silver instead and Sanruthai Arunsiri of Thailand (2:22:08) who salvaged the bronze.
University of Mindanao (UM) alumnus Mosqueda of Davao City outclassed Manivanh Baiyan of Laos in their women's judo 52-57 kgs. quarter-finals with an ippon only one minute and 19 seconds left to assure herself with a bronze. She arranged a semi-finals clash against Xuan Yi of Singapore who defeated Thi Than Tram Nguyen of Vietnam.
Mosqueda, who clinched a silver in Myanmar last 2013, told Sun.Star Davao Friday that she can't take her opponents lightly. She played Baiyan for the first time. "Hindi pwede magkumpyansa (I can't be complacent). One step at a time lang muna."
"God's will sana makuha ko na ang gold this time," Mosqueda added.
Aiba Women's World Boxing Championships 2014 silver medalist Petecio, for her part, cruised through the women's boxing semi-finals (51-54 kgs.) after drawing a bye. The 2013 SEA Games silver winner Petecio, who hails from Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur, will fight Ester Kalayuhin of Indonesia tomorrow. The latter dominated Efasha Kamarudin of Indonesia, 3-0, yesterday. Petecio was also assured of a bronze. She earlier said that she hopes to also nail the gold as it evaded her the past two editions.
Women's boxing coach Roel Velasco, in a separate chat with Sun.Star Davao, said: "Malaki naman po ang chance ni Nesthy na maipanalo ang gold. Maganda naman naging preparasyon ng team."
Petecio's teammates Irish Magno and Josie Gabuco also barged into the semis after eliminating their respective rivals. Flyweight Magno overwhelmed Novita Sinadia, 3-0, while 2013 SEA Games champion Gabuco prevailed over Aldriani Beatrichx Sugoro of Indonesia also on the same note, 3-0.
Meanwhile, SEA Games newbie Dabawenya Maiquel Jawn "Mikee" Teh Selga was overwhelmed by the spectacular opening rites held Friday evening.
"It was a very nice experience for me to walk with the rest of the Philippine delegation during the parade. It's my first time in the SEA Games and the parade was very memorable for me," Selga said.
The 15-year-old Stella Maris Academy of Davao will yet see action in women's wakeboard next week but she said they continue training. "I'm learning new tricks. I'm just excited to be part of this SEA Games."