SUBIC - Refusing to go home empty-handed, Michael Comaling atoned for his lackluster performance in the laser-run individual event of the 30th Southeast Asian Games modern pentathlon by topping Friday's beach triathle.
The 19-year-old Comaling logged 17 minutes and 887 seconds to win the gold medal of the shoot-swim-run race at the Subic Bay Boardwalk. His time was 10.97 seconds ahead of silver medalist Phurit Youhuang of Thailand. Muhammad Taufik of Indonesia settled for the bronze mint.
Comaling bared he didn't eat before Thursday's race, which ultimately led to his 7th place finish. But he was not about to make the same mistake on Friday.
"I thought I could win yesterday but I didn't eat," he bared. "I learned my lesson from the coaches said learn from it, forget the past, and focus on today. That's why I ate a lot today."
Meanwhile, Lady Luck smiled on Princess Arbilon.
Arbilon was supposed to place fourth. Fortunately, Thailand's Sanruthai Aransiri was penalized, pavong the way for Arbilon to snatch the bronze medal.
Arbilon clocked 22 minutes and 5.51 seconds.
It was Indonesia which dominated the field, with Dea Salsabila claiming her second gold medal (19:52.73). Teammate Cintya Nariska seized the silver (20:02.02).