By MARK REY MONTEJO
The Philippine National Deaf Team delivered impressive performances to snare seven golds and finish second overall in the recently concluded 2nd Southeast Asia (SEA) Deaf Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Nationals collected seven gold medals with Maria Lovella Catalan leading the winners after ruling the women’s bowling singles and all event categories to add up to the country’s collection of six silvers and 12 bronzes in the regional tiff.
Bowler Catalan also won silver in doubles with Ma. Cecilia Villacin, while she copped two bronzes in master and trio events of the competition which was joined by six other nations.
“This remarkable run is not only a victory in numbers but also a celebration of resilience, teamwork, and national pride,” the Philippine Sports Commission wrote on its social media post. “Mabuhay ang ating mga atleta sa kanilang ipinakitang husay at pusong Pilipino. Salamat sa inyong sakripisyo at inspirasyon para sa bayan!”
Aside from Catalan, a Deaf Sports Program Trainer at College of Saint Benilde, Abbrianne Nuevo (women’s singles) and Cayl Chaves (men’s singles) conquered their respective classes in table tennis.
In doubles events, Nuevo teamed up with Ella Punay and ruled the women’s side andn mixed doubles with Julius Esposo, who, on the other hand, paired with Chaves to top the men’s category.
Plucking silvers for the Philippines were George Manozo (bowling men’s doubles, all event, and trio), and table tennis aces Ella Punay (women’s singles), Jedameg Ratificar and Rae Chester Tuzon (mixed doubles).
Manozo snatched two bronzes in men’s single and master, while Jae Phillipe Arce impressed in athletics where he took two bronzes in men’s 400m and long jump. Catalan, Villacin and Jackie Lou Suarez, Jamela Prestoza, Edwin Advincula, Julius Esposo, Ratificar, Rae Tuzon, Chavez, and Punay got bronze in their separate fields.
Malaysia topped the six-sport tournament – athletics, badminton, bowling, chess, futsal, and table tennis – with 25 golds, 16 silvers, and 11 bronzes.
Indonesia (4-14-17), Thailand (1-0-2), Brunei (0-0-3), and TImor Leste (0-0-1) followed the list. Laos came home empty-handed.
