Archer Chan hits target in SEAG swan song

Jennifer Chan finally hit an individual target in the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane, Laos and is now ready to call it quits. “Na-achieve ko na ang dream ko sa SEA Games, kaya ito na ang last ko," said Chan Tuesday after winning the women’s individual compound event at the National Sports Complex’s archery range.

After going through a tension-filled semifinal, Chan beat Myanmar’s Aung Ngeain, 115-112, for the individual gold medal - her first since debuting in the biennial meet in 1991. On the way to the gold medal match, the 44-year-old Chan narrowly overcame Thailand’s Narisara Tindua, 114-111, in the semis held earlier in the day. “Mas kabado ako sa semifinals kasi ‘pag natalo ako dun, wala ng chance for the gold medal," said Chan, younger sister of former SEA Games archery queen Joann Chan-Tabanag. Chan got past Laos’ Viengkeo Syhalath, 117-102, in the first round and Malaysia’s Norhayati Al-Madihah Hashim, 113-112, in the quarterfinals for her spot in the Final Four. Tough luck for Yap Close but not quite was the case of 2007 silver winner Earl Benjamin Yap in the male compound event. Yap narrowly lost to Indonesia’s Igusti Puruhito 111-113 in the semifinals and had to beat Laos’ Thanonglith Siriponh 118-107 in the bronze medal match, capping an individual campaign that showed so much promise at the start. The 35-year-old archery teacher and equipment shop owner topped Monday’s qualifying with 701 points. After drawing a bye, he beat Cambodia’s Chuon Omrin, 114-106, and Thailand’s Chakrit Thongwattana, 117-115, to arrange a semifinals duel with Puruhito. “Minalas si Earl," said archery association secretary-general Terry Lim. “More often than not, when it was his turn, hahangin. Then titigil sa release niya. Wala tuloy ‘yung allowance niya." Worse off were teammates Fermin Barrenechea, who only got as far as the compound quarterfinals, and Mark Pinili Javier, who was booted out of the recurve right in the round of 16. The association’s goal of reaping two golds here could be achieved through Yap, Barrenechea and Rosendo “Dondon" Sombreo Wednesday in the compound team play. “Malakas ang men’s team natin and we just hope we could deliver the much-needed gold tomorrow (Wednesday)," said Lim. - GMANews.TV