THE Philippines closed out its campaign in the 12th Asean Para Games in Phnom Penh on Friday with 34 gold medals—surpassing the 28-gold performance in Indonesia last year.
Thanks to Darry Bernardo, Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza and Sander Severino, who won two gold medals each at the Royal University on Thursday, Team Philippines was a significant hit in the games staged at the Cambodian capital.
Bernardo, who is visually impaired, won the men’s individual B2-B3 and team with Arman Subaste and Menandro Redor.
Mendoza, a lawyer, ruled the women’s individual blitz PI and team with Cheryl Angot and Jean-Lee Nacita.
The wheelchair-bound Severino, a former world champion, topped the men’s individual and team with Felix Aguilera and Henry Lopez.
The James Infiesto-coached chess team had a total of 13 golds, improving its 10-gold harvest last year.
The team also produced the top two most successful athletes in the Philippine contingent with Bernardo pocketing six golds and Mendoza contributing five.
Angel Mae Otom secured four gold medals for the swimming squad, which bagged 10 gold, nine silver and seven bronze medals to finish sixth, behind Thailand (34-29-33), Vietnam (28-19-26), Indonesia (27-37-24), Malaysia (26-12-10) and Singapore (11-10-8).
With its 34-gold, 33-silver and 50-bronze output, Team Philippines duplicated its fifth-place finish in Surakarta, Indonesia.
“I am honored and overjoyed to congratulate our athletes for their remarkable performances and astounding achievements in the 12th ASEAN Para Games,” Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner and Team Philippines chef-de-mission Walter Francis Torres. “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.”
Indonesia has collected 153 golds, 141 silvers and 93 bronzes to capture its third consecutive title.
Thailand, which will host the 2025 edition in Korat, settled for second place with 123 golds, 107 silvers and 92 bronzes, followed by Vietnam (66-56-78) and Malaysia (47-38-35).