RP tankers sink nine more golds in SEA tiff

SAN PABLO CITY–The Philippines struck nine more golds in Day Two even as closest pursuer Singapore continued its strong showing in the Southeast Asian Age-Group swimming championships yesterday here at the San Pablo City Swimming Center.

Two record-breaking performances by Bonus Bordado and Lambert Guiriba fortified the country’s bid for the overall championship while Marichi Gandiongco and Luica Dacanay displayed their winning forms anew.

Overall, the Philippines produced nine golds, nine silvers and 13 bronzes after Day Two to keep its hold of the lead in the medal tally.

The Philippines has a two-day aggregate of 18 golds, 21 silvers and 20 bronzes.

Bordado, a 14-year-old high school student from Ateneo de Naga, splashed his way to a record time of 1:06.89 in the boys 13-14 100m breaststroke, shattering the old mark set by Moho Akbar Nasution in 1997.

It was the first gold medal finish by Bordado, who may get a possible slot in the national team after posting a record-breaker in this eight-team field.

"I was surprised," said Bordado, "I didn’t expect this to come because my mind is set towards winning my first gold and it was worth all the wait."

Bordado, whose former sport is cycling, bested Benjamin Ng of Singapore and Hgu Yen Duyson of Vietnam.

Like Bordado, Guiriba also dished off a record-breaking feat in the boys 15-17 50M butterfly.

Guriba, son of swimming official Rolando Guiriba, dashed his way to a record time of 26.32, erasing the old record posted by Ng Cheng Xun of Singapore last year.

Guiriba’s new record in the SEA Age-Group was slower than the old personal record of 26.21 which he posted during the SEAG tryouts.

It was Guiriba’s second gold after two days in this event.