On right track to regain SEAG crown

December 6, 2019 admin Headlines, Sports

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Fri, 06 Dec 2019 10:20:01 +0000

BY NICK GIONGCO

CLARKFIELD, Pampanga – Philippine track and field made a startling discovery Friday when little-known Christine Hallasgo crowned herself as the region’s marathon queen on a day obstacle course, modern pentathlon and golf joined hands in giving the host country a push going into the halfway mark of the 30^th Southeast Asian Games.

Hallasgo’s morning feat was followed by gold medals bagged by Michael Comaling in modern pentathlon, Mervin Guarte and Sandi Menchi in obstacle course and Bianca Pagdanganan in women’s individual golf.

Hallasgo, whose inclusion to the national team was only formalized this year by way of the National Open, bested the undisputed queen of Philippine marathon Mary Joy Tabal, also the SEAG defending champion at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

Christine Hallasgo of the Philippiens raises her hands after corrsing the finsih line as she captures the gold medal in the Womens Marathon of the 30th South East Asian Games in New Clark City Atheletic Stadium in Tarlac. (Mark Balmores/Sony A9)

CHRISTINE Hallasgo. (Mark Balmores/Sony A9)

Going into the race, Hallasgo, 27, wasn’t actually eyeing to bag the top prize, adding all she wanted was a podium finish since she wanted athletics to have a strong start.

But when she saw the Japan-trained Tabal fading away in the final stages, Hallasgo, who just trained on local shores, made her bold move and pulled off the biggest win of her career.

At around the same time Hallasgo was celebrating, former middle distance runner Mervin Guarte and Sandy Abahan swept the individual 5Kx20 event in obstacle course in Alabang, Metro Manila. Gloerien Merisco made it a 1-2 finish in the women’s after coming in second to Abahan.

Bianca Pagdanganan reacts after winning the gold medal in the Womens Individual Golf event of the 30th South East Asian Games in Luisita GOlf CLub in Tarlac City. (Mark Balmores/Sony A9)

BIANCA Pagdanganan (Mark Balmores/Sony A9)

Comaling was not to be outshone by the early winner as he ruled the Beach Triathlete Individual in modern pentathlon.

Over at the fairway at Luisita in Tarlac, Pagdanganan beat Kan Bunnabodee of Thailand for the gold in individual play after hitting a one-under 71 for a three-day total of 209. Bunnabodee carded a final round 72 for a 212 total while teammate Pimnipa Panthong also did a 71 for 213.

Pagdanganan, 21, wa
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