CAPAS, Tarlac -- The Philippines punctuated its best-ever showing at the Southeast Asian Games with a deluge of medals on the final day of athletics events Tuesday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium.
Filipinos added two gold, three silver, and five bronze medals to the overall haul of 27 medals won.
Eric Cray's performance in the 400-meter hurdles was a redemption for the 31-year-old, having been disqualified in the 100-meter sprint on Sunday.
Cray's 50.21 seconds run was enough to defend the title he first won in the 2013 edition in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
"Man, I can't explain. I'm so happy. Been down the last two years for me. If you don't follow me, a lot of bad times. Haven't been running so good. I've been really down on myself," Cray said.
The race had to be restarted after a false start, leading to Cray having flashbacks. "I was like 'man, that wasn't me,'" he joked.
Aries Toledo, meanwhile, retained his title as the best athlete of Southeast Asia after dominating the men's decathlon. The Filipino amassed 7033 points after the 10 events.
Following him was Vietnam's Van Sui Bui with 6911. Coming in at third is Janry Ubas of the Philippines with 6769.
Even more impressive, the 26-year-old Toledo won while nursing a hamstring injury.
Toledo told reporters he injured his hamstring on Monday while participating in one of the decathlon's events.
William Morrison followed up on his gold-medal performance on Monday with a silver in the men's discus throw.
Joida Gagnao finished second in the women's 3000-meter steeplechase at 10:59.91, almost a minute behind winner Oanh Thi Nguyen (10:00.02). She had won bronze in the women's 5000-meter race earlier in the morning.
Mark Harry Diones also leapt to the silver in the men's triple jump, concluding his five attempts with 16.42 meters as his farthest distance.
In the women's 4x400-meter relay, the quartet of Robyn Brown, Maureen Schrivjers, Jessel Lumapas, and Eloisa Luzon notched third at 3:43.41, behind Vietnam (3:34.64), and Thailand (3:39.78).
Brown also had individual success, finishing at 59.08 seconds in the women's 400-meter hurdles.
Edgardo Alejan, Michael del Prado, Frederick Ramirez, and Joyme Sequita, finished third at 3:08.63 in the men's 4x400-meter relay.
It was a photo finish between the top three as Vietnam and Thailand fought until the very end, but the Vietnamese emerged victorious by just 0.13 seconds at 3:08.07, while the Thais recorded 3:08.20.
The closing ceremonies will be on Wednesday at the same venue.