Events Monday, Nov. 28

10:25 am men’s 3-meter springboard synchronized (finals)
3pm women’s 3-meter springboard individual (finals)
4:30 pm men’s 10-meter platform synchronized (finals)

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—The Philippines opened its title retention bid in diving on a high note, scooping up a gold and a bronze as Filipinos continued their impressive performance in the water at the Trace Aquatics Center here.

Sydney Olympics veteran Shiela Mae Perez teamed up with Ceseil Domenios in out-diving bets from Thailand and Malaysia in the women’s 3-meter synchronized springboard event to give the host country its second gold medal after athletics’ Marestella Torres’ victory in the women’s long jump.

Egged on by the predominantly hometown crowd, Perez and Domenios led from the first up to the fifth dive-- including the very difficult backward 2 ½ somersault tuck position, which they almost perfectly executed in their fourth try—compiling an aggregate score of 260.60 points.

The Thai duo of Supapan Prasertkwan and Sukrutai Tomaorros finished with 239.40 points to take the silver, while the only other entry, the Malaysian pair of Leong Mun Yee at Cheong Jun Hoong settled for the bronze with 238.17.

Originally, there were six teams entered in the event, but Myanmar and Vietnam decided to pull out during the other day’s technical meeting, while Singapore’s bet did not arrive.

“We expected Shiela and Ceseil to win the gold,” said RP team coach Rommel Kong. “Salamat at nagbunga din ‘yung halos limang buwan ng training namin sa China.”

The win improved the Philippines’ bronze medal finish in the Vietnam Games. It also brought so much joy to Perez as she finally won a SEA Games gold after two failed tries.

According to coach Kong, the team is expecting Perez to win two more golds in the 1-meter and 3-meter individual springboard.

The Philippines’ other medal, a bronze, came from the men’s 1-meter individual springboard courtesy of Domenios’ brother – Zardo.

Malaysia’s Yeoh Ken Nee won the event with Thailand’s Suchart Pichi taking the silver.

The other Filipino bet, Victor Paguia Jr. ended up fifth.

Malaysia won its second gold in the women’s 10-meter synchronized platform,, while Vietnam grabbed the silver and Thailand took the bronze.

Pool action continues Monday in three events, the men’s 3-meter synchronized springboard, the women’s 3-meter springboard individual, and the men’s 10-meter platform synchronized.

SEA GAMES PHILIPPINES [http://www.2005seagames.com.ph/]