PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines - Philippine paddlers opened their campaign auspiciously at the start of the ICF Dragon Boat World Championships Thursday, bagging two silver and four bronze medals on the course overlooking the Puerto Princesa Baywalk here.
In their international debut while performing in near ideal conditions, the PH junior bets took the silver in the 2,000-meter small boat event in a time of 10 minutes and 15.51 seconds in the competition backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Tingog party-list and Lacoste watches.
'This is a good showing for them considering they trained together for the time in August,' said national coach Duch Co of the squad composed of Fiona Reign Minsing, Carla Joy Cabugon, Maria Kristina Mane, Chanal Maglasang, Ronen Estoque, Ivan Ercilla, Dirk Quinones, Jordan Jurado, Doree Rill Blanco, Angelo Osin, John Rex Senora,Jessa Mery Divine Dinampo and John Brix Caasi.

The hosts actually began the day early in morning in placing second in the women's masters of the 2,000-meter small boat event in clocking 14:04.67 in the championships also backed by the Puerto Princesa City government led by Mayor Lucilo Bayron.
The PH standard-bearers also had bronzes in the junior men's, women's open, 40+ Open and 50+ Open races of the 2,000-meter small boat events of the tournament also serving as major highlight of the International Canoe Federation's centennial anniversary.
More importantly, the national squad placed 10th overall in the mixed 2,000-meter race in a time of 9:46.34 in one of three races that will determine the top nine countries that will qualify for the World Games in Chengdu, China next year.
Vying in the field of 18 team, Co said that the squad had to overcome the handicap of racing ninth and last in the first race when they had to overcome the wake of the boats ahead of them to get a good time.
'I am offering no excuses but sometimes this make the race even more difficult if you are drawn near the end of the race,' explained Co of the event where each team is released at 10-second intervals.
'Kapag ganito ang posisyon mo sa huli, dapat Magaling ang steersman mo. Overall, maganda naman ang nagawa ng team,' noted veteran national skipper OJ Fuentes.
Co said the silver lining in the showing of the hometown paddlers after Southeast Asian rivals Indonesia and Thailand finished second (9:30.99) and 5tth (9:37.17), respectively, in the event.
'Since they have already qualified in the ICF Dragon Boat World Cup in Yichang, China the other weekend, the Philippines is technically now ranked No. 8 after the first qualifying event in this competition for the World Games,' Co said.
As the host, China is assured of one of the 10 slots available for the dragon boat sports that will make its maiden appearance in the city of Chengdu. TMT