Brunei—Swimming maintained its amazing golden run as the Philippines, represented here by Mindanao and Palawan athletes, made a final-day show of force in the 10th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-Northern Territory-East Asian Friendship Games at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium here.
Davao City’s Fritz Jun Rodriguez emerged as the most bemedalled Filipino athlete as he added two more golds, bringing his collection to four golds and a silver in this biennial event, which will be hosted by the Philippines in 2020.
‘’I gave it my all,’’ said the 5’9” Rodriguez, who has been recruited by NCAA powerhouse San Beda University.
Rodriguez ruled the men’s 50-meter butterfly in 26.72, before helping men’s 4 x 50 medley relay beat the Northern Territory of Australia for the gold. Rodriguez’s lone silver came in the 4x50m freestyle relay.
Lora Micah Amoguis pocketed the gold in the women’s 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:35.61. She also got the silver in the 200-meter individual medley.
Athletics also did not disappoint at the huge Stadium Negara with 400-meter winner John Lloyd Cabalo of Puerto Princesa City winning another gold in the 800 meters, with a personal best of 1:57.59. The Grade 12 student at the National University frustrated Massa Syamsuddin (1:57.85) of South Sulawesi.
‘’ I would like to thank God first and my coaches,’’ said Cabalo, who also got inspiration from legendary 400-meter specialist Isidro del Prado, who now coaches the national track and field team of this tiny but rich nation.
The Philippines had a total of 12 golds, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals in the unofficial overall medal tally. Sabah of Malaysia had 19-13-10 gold-silver-bronze count, followed by Northern Territory (14-11-7).
Philippine Sports Commissioner and chef de mission Charles Raymond Maxey congratulated Brunei for the successful hosting of the Games. He personally met with Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports Major General (ret.) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan Bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok and extended his invitation to attend the 11th BIMPNT-EAGA in Davao City.
Maxey also received the BIMPNT-Eaga flag during the closing ceremonies at the Indoor Stadium attended by the competing teams and guest of honor Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Matsatejo bin Sokiaw, Brunei’s Deputy Minister of Energy and industry.