Possible 3rd SEA Games athletics gold awaits PHL

A possible third gold awaits the Philippine track and field team after one member of Malaysia's 4x400-meter relay team in the 2011 Indonesia Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) failed the required drug test. The Malaysian quartet faces the possibility of being stripped of its title if a second test (B samples) still tested positive for banned substances. The report came out in Malaysian newspaper New Straits Times on Friday. Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Go Teng Kok welcomed the news and reiterated that the Filipino quartet composed of Jun Rey Bano, Edgardo Alejan, Julius Nierras and Archard Christian Bagsit deserved to win the gold. Once Malaysia is stripped of its title, the gold will be awarded to the Philippines that could bring its total medal haul in track and field to 3-8-4 (gold-silver-bronze). "Months before the SEA Games, I've been very vocal that we could win as many as six golds. But a few days before we left for Indonesia when I saw the final lineup, I felt that we’re only good for three gold medals, namely Marestella (Torres), (Rene) Herrera, and the 4x400-meter men’s relay team," Go said. Torres (long jump) and Herrera (3,000-m steeplechase) topped their respective events but the Filipino quartet placed second (3:11.16) to the Malaysian foursome of Subramaniam Kannathasan, Paneerselvam Yuvaaraj, Schzuan Rosely and Muhamad Yunus Lasaleh (3:10.49). The Indonesia SEA Games Organizing Committee, however, informed the Malaysian Athletic Union (MAU) and the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) on December 21, through a letter, that one member of the gold medal-winning squad and a Malaysian weightlifter who won the bronze tested positive for a banned substance (A samples). The names of both athletes were not released. "I really believe that our 4x400 relay team is capable of winning the gold, because I thought we can beat Thailand and Indonesia. But to my surprise (during the SEA Games), Malaysia entered a relay team. If they’re really that good, how come they do not have entries in the individual sprint events." Go said he has no idea yet on when the gold medal will be awarded pending the result of the second drug test, although he would personally notify the Asian Athletics Association of the news. Despite the possibility of one more gold medal would hike the country’s overall tally to 37-55-77 (gold-silver-bronze), the Philippines remains sixth in the standings behind champion Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore. — JVP, GMA News