Stunning gold wins, but PHL's biggest honors came off the field

Efren "Bata" Reyes flashed his trademark smile in the semifinals of the carom competition. Zeke Alonzo

The Philippines continued its medal rush in the sixth day of official competition in the 30th Southeast Asian Games with seven golds, but the biggest honors for the country came outside the field of play.

Surfer Roger Casugay became the toast of Filipino fans after news of his exploits made the rounds online.

Roger was competing in the men’s longboard open competition for surfing when a competitor Indonesia’s Arip Nurhidayat broke his leash. Seeing a colleague being swept away by the waves, Roger made sure to rescue Arip first, paying no mind to the competition.

Netizens hailed Roger as a hero who deserved all the gold in the world.

In billiards, fans also bade a fond farewell for 65-year-old legend Efren "Bata" Reyes, who failed to reach the finals of the carom competition after falling to Vietnam's Ngo Dinh Nai.

IN PHOTOS: Efren 'Bata' Reyes' shows signature smile despite loss

Before the match, Reyes vowed that he would try his best to beat the Vietnamese but he said that his skill level was no longer the same at his peak.

He said he was planning to undergo therapy after the SEA Games, saying he wanted to represent the Philippines as there was no other contenders available for the country.

After the match, the Vietnamese ace asked for a picture with Reyes, who he described as his idol.

New queen

The day also saw a new marathon queen crowned.

Christine Hallasgo pulled off a major upset over compatriot Mary Joy Tabal, who bagged the silver medal.

Hallasgo, who only joined the national pool in July, said she used to train using used shoes bought from ukay-ukay shops.

"Nakaka-suot po ako ng mga branded na sapatos 'pag may laro po ako tapos may premyong sapatos po na mga branded," she told GMA News' Ian Cruz.

Meanwhile, Tabal was gracious about coming in second to the newcomer.

"I'm happy kay Christine because this is her first SEA Games appearance. I'm also happy and proud na we made it first and second," Tabal said.

Gold winners

Racing was a major source of medals for the Philippines during the day, with obstacle racers Mervin Guarte and Sandi Menchu Abahan ruling the men's and women's 5K X 20 events, respectively. Sherwin Managil and Glorien Merisco also finished with the silver in each of those events.

Michael Comaling also won gold in the men's individual beach triathlete event in modern pentathlon, while Princess Arbilon took home the bronze in the women's event.

Asian Games gold medalist Bianca Pagdanganan led from end to end to win the gold medal in women's golf.

Mariya Takahashi led another medal rush in judo, ruling the women's 70kg. Carl Aseneta (men's 90kg), John Viron Ferrer (men's 100kg), Shin Matsumura (men's 100kg), and Ryoko Salinas (women's 78kg) won bronze medals.

Jemyca Aribado, Robert Andrew Garcia, and Reymark Bergonia broke through with a gold in the mixed team squash competition.

In billiards, Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit assured the Philippines of the gold in women's 10-ball after they arranged their third straight SEA Games finals meeting. The 20-year-old Centeno had won their previous two battles. Meanwhile, Pinoy duo Alvin Barbero and Jeffrey Roda ended their doubles campaign in snooker with a silver medal after a brave fight against Malaysia.

READ: Chezka Centeno: Right on Cue

The Philippines is also assured of a gold medal in tennis after two Pinoy pairs won both semifinal matches of the men's doubles event. The duo of Ruben Gonzales Jr. and Treat Huey emerged victorious against Vietnam's Le Quoc Khanh and Ly Hoang Nam in the semis, 6-1 and 6-3. In the other bracket, Francis Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon won over Viets Daniel Cao and Phuong Nguyen, 6-3, 6-1. Patrombon and Alberto Lim Jr. also won bronze medals in the men's singles competition.

Silver, bronzes

Jermyn Prado won her second medal in the SEA Games Games after her silver medal finish in the women's individual road event mass start.

Hermie Macaranas took home the silver in the men's single 1000m canoe.

Luke Gebbie, Maurice Ilustre, Jean Khouzam, and Jarod Hatch teamed up in the men's 4X100m freestyle relay to claim the silver in swimming. Chloe Isleta (women's 200m backstroke) and Remedy Rule (women's 200m freestyle) also bagged bronze medals.

In bowling, Kenneth Chua, Patrick Nuqui, Frederick Ong, and Merwin Tan won the silver medal in the men's team of 4, while the team of Maria Liza Del Rosario, Marian Posadas, Bea Hernandez, and Marie Sy notched bronze.

MMA star Rene Catalan also won in the men's 57kg division of sambo.  In the mixed team event, Helen Aclopen, Mariane Mariano, Jedd Andre Kim, Renzo Cazeñas, and Patrick Dos Santos claimed the bronze medal.

The Philippine beach volleyball teams — Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Dzi Gervacio and Dij Rodriguez for the women; Jaron Requinton, Jude Garcia, James Buytrago and Edmar Bonon for the men — won the bronze medal in each of their events.

Gilas dominance

June Mar Fajardo was too much to handle for Vietnam. Zeke Alonzo

Gilas Pilipinas continued to dominate the men's basketball competition, dispatching Vietnam, 110-69.

In boxing, veteran stars Josie Gabuco and Eumir Marcial each advanced to the finals after defeating separate foes on Friday. In the women's light flyweight division semis, Gabuco won via unanimous decision against Vietnam's Thi Diem Kieu to advance. Marcial won in the men's middleweight semis as the referee stopped the contest just two minutes into the match against Malaysia's Che Azmi Mohd Aswan.  Carlo Paalam also marched to the finals in the light flyweight division after beating Muhamad Fuad Mohd Redzuan via unanimous decision.

Aira Villegas opened the day for Philippine boxing with a bronze medal after falling to Thailand's Techasuep Nilawan. Ian Clark Bautista had a close fight against Butdee Chatchai Decha in the men's bantamweight semis, but the judges decided to go with Thai boxer, 0-5.

The men's volleyball team fell short against Indonesia, 25-23, 32-30, 25-20, as it suffered its first loss in the 30th Southeast Asian Games on Friday.

The national eSports team Sibol defeated Vietnam, 2-0, in the lower bracket semis, assuring them of at least a podium finish in the regional tourney.  Cav "EnDerr" Acompado who plays StarCraft II will enter the gold medal match on Monday after winning over Vietnam's Tran Hong Phuc in the upper bracket finals. —JST, GMA News