MANILA, Philippines — It's a great start for Team Philippines in the Tokyo Olympics after Cris Nievarez booked a slot in the quarterfinals in Men's Single Sculls on Friday.
The first to see action for the 19-strong Filipino contingent in the Games, Nievarez took his spot in the next round after finishing third in Heat 5 with 7:22.97 at the Sea Forest Waterway in Odaiba, Japan.
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He finished behind Crotia's Damir Martin and Russian Olympic Committee (ROC)'s Alexander Vyazovkin.
LOOK: The official results of Heat 5 | @StarSportsHub @PhilstarNews #Tokyo2020 #LabanPilipinas pic.twitter.com/EvwcQHL1Jc
— Luisa Morales (@mluisamorales_) July 23, 2021
Martin logged 7:09.17 while Vyazovkin finished with 7:14.95 to clinch the first and second place finish, respectively.
Nievarez thus moves on to the quarterfinal set Monday, July 26 beginning 8:40 a.m., Manila time.
Meanwhile, the rest of the rowers in Heat 5 — Nicaragua's Felix Potoy and Benin's Privel Hinkati are off to the Repachage set Saturday.
Nievarez, before competing in the heat, offered just three words.
WATCH: Cris Nievarez had only three words heading into the biggest game of his life: PARA SA BAYAN.
— Daily Tribune (@tribunephl) July 23, 2021
???? Patrick Gregorio pic.twitter.com/YpMeNQOy9e
"Para sa bayan," said Nievarez in a video caught by Mr. Patrick Gregorio