Pinoy Para bets deliver medals

MANILA, Philippines — Swimmer Angel Mae Otom and table tennis’ Lhey Marie Manginsay came through with the Philippines’ worthiest performances of the day as the country sustained its record-setting phase in the 13th ASEAN Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand yesterday.

Otom topped the women’s 100m backstroke S4-S5 in a minute and 43.87 seconds and then returned moments later in ruling the 200m freestyle in 3:44.49 to hike her golden total to four after her triumphs in the 100m free and 50m back in the first two days.

She will shoot for more as she is entered in the 50m free and mixed 4x50m medley relay S1-S10 class today.

Manginsay, for her part, completed her romp by edging Indonesian Dewi Tri Kurniantari Siguharto, 11-9, 11-9, 6-11, 9-11, 11-2, to snare the country’s first gold since the late great Paralympian Josephine Medina snared one nine years ago in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“It’s historic because it’s our first gold in years,” said national table tennis coach Louie Eballa.

It came on the same day after FIDE Master Sander Severino, Jasper Rom and Henry Lopez ensured the country of at least two more golds after virtually ruling the men’s individual PI event.