SUBIC - On a day that Thailand dominated the field, the Philippines struck one gold thanks to Troy Tayong and Emerson Villena.
The Filipino duo lorded over the international 420 sailing event after besting Thailand's Navee Thamsoontorn and Nut Butmarasri on Saturday at the Subic Yacht Club here. Malaysia's Mohamad Faizal Norizan and Ahmad Syukri Abdul Aziz claimed the bronze.
Thailand won five of seven gold medals awarded with the next awarding ceremony set on Monday.
Tayong and Villena have been playing side by side since 2005, and they thought that made a world of difference.
"That's our goal: to emerge as No. 1. That's our motivation," said the 29-year-old Tayong in Filipino. "Our edge was our familiarity. We've been teammates since 2005. We trust each other."
For Villega, though, the gold came with a hefty price, which was quality time with his new-born twins.
Since the twins were born a month before the Games unfurled, much of his time was devoted to training. It's something first-time fathers shouldn't have to endure, but the 30-year-old Villena knew he had to, for flag and country.
The sacrifice was all worth it, though, when the gold medal was placed around his neck.
"My children are my inspiration. My family is my inspiration," Villena said in Filipino.
The same can be said for Tayong.
Like Villena, the 29-year-old Tayong had to spend the bulk of his time in the sea rather than at home beside his nine-month old baby.
"That how it is. You have to sacrifice. But it's really worth it," said Tayong, whose child was able to witness his coronation on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Rhegielyn Boyano and Coleen Jem Ferrer wound up with a silver medal in the women's international 420.
Thailand proved too much to handle, topping the event, while Malaysia's pair of Nor Nabila Natasha Mohd Nazri and Gabrielle Yong Poquita settled for bronze.
In the men's international 420, the Filipino skippers Jericko Marbella and Brandhon Kyrielle Aquin seized the bronze medal.