Gabito, who won the bronze medal in the recent Asian Athletics Association Championships in Manila last month, recorded a 6.30m jump in her second attempt then nipped Nigeria’s Esther Aghatise for the silver medal in one of the three events the seven-man RP team is competing in here.
The Nigerian bet actually matched Gabito’s effort but the veteran Filipino campaigner, who also bagged a bronze medal in the Busan Invitationals two weeks ago who will defend her crown in the SEA Games in Vietnam this December, clinched the silver with less attempts, three. Aghastise had five.
"I stayed focus and just did my best effort," said Gabito, who also won the gold in the Manila leg of the Asian Grand Prix last June. Her exploits gave the Philippines its second silver in the meet after teener Liane Marice Marquez in swimming and powered the RP team past SEA Games rival Thailand (0-2-2) in the medal tally with a 0-2-5 (gold-silver-bronze) haul.
"I know either one of them (the other being Marestella Torres) would deliver. It’s a good sign for the team in the coming SEA Games," said Go Teng Kok, the athletics chief and chef de mission of the Asian contingent in this 97-nation meet.
George, the Busan Asian Games gold medalist, dominated the event with a jump of 6.53m, way below the 6.70m she recorded in claiming a bronze just shades in the recent World Athletics Championships in Paris in September.
Gabito’s teammate, Marestella Torres, finished fifth with 6.29.
Meanwhile, John Lozada hopes to make a good account of himself against a Thai rival in the 800m run at 2 p.m. Thursday with the four-some of Ernie Candelario, Rodrigo Tanuan, Jimar Aying and Ronnie Marfil competing in the 4x100m relay late in the day.
Go said Lozada and company’s performances will help determine their medal chances in the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam in December.
"I hope Lerma‘s silver medal finish will inspire Lozada and the relay team," added Go, whose wards emerged the surprise package in the last SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur two years ago with 11 golds.