There was nothing but support and encouragement from four-time SEA Games pole vault gold medalist EJ Obiena, sharing the podium with fellow Filipino Elijah Cole in Bangkok.
Four-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist EJ Obiena couldn't help but be thrilled when fellow Filipino Elijah Cole clinched the bronze medal in the pole vault competition in Bangkok, Thailand on December 16.
It was a much-needed redemption moment for the 27-year-old Cole, who did not register a successful jump in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia. He cleared 5.20 meters for a bronze this time.
"Finally! I'm happy for Eli, finally he got a medal," Obiena told One Sports correspondent Alyssa Valdez. "Happy for him, finally."
This is only the second time that world No. 11 Obiena shared the SEA Games pole vault podium with a fellow Filipino, after Hokett delos Santos in 2021.
"I needed you guys so bad on that last attempt," Cole told Valdez. "Having the support of my family, the crowd, I really needed it," he said.
It was also a boost to get some encouragement from Obiena, who won gold via countback after clearing 5.70 meters.
"He's a superstar. Having him as a competitor... I'm lucky, very lucky. He's the best," Cole told One Sports. "He said the right things at the right time. Good encouragement, that's all I need."
Cole will aim to improve his jumps when he competes in the indoor tournaments.
The Philippine Athletics team delivered its most successful SEA Games campaign ever in Bangkok, hauling a total of 31 medals: five golds, seven silvers, and 19 bronzes, according to Secretary General Jasper Tanhueco.
In comparison, the Philippines garnered a total of 27.
"I didn't know that, I'm very proud," Obiena said. "Shout out to Hokett in decathlon who was not supposed to win but won."
"I think a lot of upcomig athletes are getting up to the podium, proud of that. The right management and the right federation supporting every athlete is definitely valuable. I'm happy track and field is showing what they can."
(With reports from Alyssa Valdez/Cignal)
Katrina Alba is a sports journalist and producer, notably with SportsCenter Philippines before taking on her current role at One Sports.
She primarily writes about basketball and volleyball, with experience covering the SEA Games, Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup.
Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.