PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan – Under the scorching midday sun, the Philippines Team A had a golden day, asserting its dominance over both local and foreign rivals with an impressive 30-gold, 37-silver, and 32-bronze medals haul to claim the overall title at the 11th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games on Thursday, Dec. 5, here.

La Salle tanker Philip Sahagun made the biggest splash for the hosts, winning five gold medals after sweeping all of his events – the boys’ 200 IM, 4×100 freestyle and medley relays, 200m backstroke, and 100m backstroke.

He led Team A’s charge, contributing to their second overall crown in the regional meet.

Also starring for Team A were trackster Milchay Moreno and swimmer Lora Micah Amoguis, both claiming two golds and a silver. Jin Jamie Danielle Nirza also contributed with a gold and a silver.

On the other hand, Malaysia B (17-16-17) earned the runner-up spot with 50 medals, followed by Indonesia (14-8-5) and the Philippines’ Team E (13-8-11), led by UP standout and PNG multi-champion Quendy Fernandez, in third and fourth place, respectively.

The 19-year-old Fernandez dominated the competition, becoming the most decorated athlete with five golds (girls’ 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke, 4×50 200m medley, and freestyle relays) and two silvers (4x100m medley, 4×100 400m freestyle).

Philippines Team B (6-6-10) secured fifth place, followed by Malaysia A (2-3-2), Team D (1-2-10), Brunei Darussalam (1-2-8), and Team C (1-2-1).

On Wednesday afternoon, Philippines Team E triumphed in the esports event, where Mobile Legends: Bang Bang was played, securing a 3-1 victory over Team D, which took silver. Malaysia and Team A shared the bronze.

In sepak takraw at the Palawan State University (PSU) Gym, the Indonesian teams claimed both the men’s and women’s titles, while Team A of the Philippines earned silver in both categories.

This friendly competition has been hosted in the Philippines four times, with the Davao edition canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was first held in General Santos City in 1996 and again in 2012. Puerto Princesa City also hosted the event twice, most recently in 2003.

The event currently features eight disciplines: aquatics (swimming), athletics, archery, badminton, esports, karate, pencak silat, and sepak takraw.