While Michael Ver Comaling dominated the 2025 SEA Games men’s triathle, Shyra Mae Aranzado’s silver came amid drama after Princess Arbilon was disqualified.
Michael Ver Comaling’s six-year wait for another SEA Games gold finally came to an end.
Back in top form after battling knee injuries, Comaling dominated the men’s triathle in the modern pentathlon at Jomtien Beach in Pattaya City, Chonburi Thursday, Dec. 18.
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The 25-year-old crossed the finish line in 14:10.17 to claim victory, ahead of Indonesia’s Farras Satrio Aris Sugianto (14:27.79) and teammate Graha Rizky Taruna, who took bronze with his 15:03.86 clocking.
“It was a rollercoaster. Kasi I was out of the national team since 2020 because of my knee injury, so I wasn't able to compete for 2 to 3 years,” Comaling said in an interview with Cignal’s Denisse Valdesancho.
“Last year, medyo okay na. I tried to qualify again, and God blessed me — I regained the strength in my foot and body. I had to stay in Ormoc for five months to focus completely," he added.
Comaling’s gold marked the Philippines’ second in modern pentathlon at the 33rd edition of the biennial meet, following Melvin Sacay’s earlier triumph in the men’s laser run.
One big “buoy” drama
The women’s event, however, had its own drama.
Princess Arbilon, who had already claimed silver in the women’s laser run, was disqualified after officials ruled she had made an “incomplete lap” in the swim.
Coach Rex Dela Cruz explained that the mishap was caused by visibility issues from sunlight reflecting off the water, which made Arbilon misread the buoys marking the course.
Buoys are used in the swimming portion of the modern pentathlon as marker, especially in open water events.
“On the latter part, nangunguna na tayo and dalawang atleta natin is in 1-2 position. Now, we were very much positive na pagpunta sa swim, talang atin na ‘yon,” Dela Cruz said.
“Ngayon, nagkaroon ng misfortunate incident na 'yong sand is almost against sa view ng athletes. Then kinausap ko 'yong athlete and tinanong ko ‘kung anong nangyari and akala niya ‘yun na ‘yung yellow na buoy dahil sa sun rays.”
A similar issue affected Malaysia’s Pei Yao Lim, Dela Cruz added.
Fortunately, Philippine bet Shyra Mae Aranzado stayed focused, spotting the correct buoy and pacing herself to secure silver in the women’s triathle event.
She finished with a time of 18:29.30 seconds, behind Indonesia’s Dea Salsabila Putri (18:01.83) and ahead of Thailand’s Aisika KaewYongkod (18:39.99).
“Ngayon, buti na lang si Shyra Mae Aranzado was there all the while and she paced herself well. She spotted the correct buoy and finished strong,” Dela Cruz said.
He added: “Binigyan siya ng information ng marshall ng nandoon pa ‘yong turning point. Tinapos niya and then she got back onto the land.”
(With reports from Denisse Valdesancho)
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.