NEW CLARK City, Capas, Tarlac -- James Deiparine put an end to the Philippines' decade-long drought in swimming as he won the men's 100m breaststroke in the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Aquatics Center.
The 26-year-old Deiparine clocked 1:01.46, and set a new SEA Games standard. Filipino teammate Jonathan Cook recorded 1:02.62.
The last time the Philippines struck gold in the aquatics swimming competition was in the 2009 SEA Games when Daniel Coakley, Miguel Molina, and Ryan Arabejo topped the 50m freestyle, 1500m freestyle, and 200m and 400m individual medley events, respectively.
"It feels really good to get gold back after two silvers in the last SEA Games. This was the ultimate goal, competing at home here in the Philippines," said the gold medalist, who added to his collection of two SEA Games medals.
Meanwhile, Fil-Am tanker Remedy Rule just came 0.02 seconds too late and settled for silver in the women's 200m butterfly. Rule's 2:10.99 finish also set a new national record, eclipsing herself in a mark she set last July. Singapore's Jing Wen Quah led the race with 2:10.97.
Fellow Filipina Rosalee Santa Ana tallied 2:19.48 for eighth.
In the women's 100m freestyle, Jasmine Alkhaldi narrowly edged Rule by 0.04 seconds to take home bronze. The 26-year-old Alkhaldi had a finish of 55.76 seconds in a contest ruled by Singaporean Ting Wen Quah's 54.74 ticks.
"It feels great [to win a medal]. The Philippines has given me so much as I represent them. I've met so many great people and I'm glad I paid back by giving them the silver," Rule told reporters.
"I shouldn't have cut my fingernails," Rule joked.
In other events, Miguel Barreto and Jessie Khing Lacuna finished seventh and eighth, respectively, in the men's 400m freestyle.
Chloe Isleta (2:19.71) and Xiandi Chua (2:20.52) finished fifth and sixth, respectively, in the women's 200m individual medley. Vietnam's Thi Anh Vien Nguyen (2:15.51) won gold.
Jerard Jacinto (56.45) narrowly missed a podium finish by 0.2 seconds, while compatriot Jaden Olson (56.64) picked up sixth in the men's 100m backstroke, which was lorded over by Zheng Wen Quah (53.79) of Singapore.
Olympic gold medalist Joseph Schooling of Singapore snared his first gold as a part of the men's 4x200m freestyle relay.