Strong start for Philippine paddlers

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines  – Philippine paddlers opened their campaign auspiciously in the ICF Dragon Boat World Championships yesterday, bagging two silver and four bronze medals on a course overlooking the Puerto Princesa Baywalk here.

The Phl junior bets took the silver in the 2,000-meter small boat event in 10 minutes and 15.51 seconds in the competition backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Tingog party-list and Lacoste watches.

“This is a good showing  for them considering they trained together for the time in August,” said national coach Duch Co of the squad composed of Fiona Reign Minsing, Carla Joy Cabugon, Maria Kristina Mane, Chanal Maglasang, Ronen Estoque, Ivan Ercilla, Dirk Quinones, Jordan Jurado, Doree Rill Blanco, Angelo Osin, John Rex Senora, Jessa Mery Divine Dinampo and John Brix Caasi.

The hosts began the day by placing second in the women’s masters of the 2,000-meter small boat event, clocking 14:04.67 in the championships backed by the Puerto Princesa City government led by Mayor Lucilo Bayron.

The Phl standard-bearers won bronzes in the junior men’s, women’s open, 40+ Open and 50+ Open races of the  2,000-meter small boat events.