Dhenver Castillo sailed to a silver-medal finish for Team Philippines on Tuesday in the boys’ foil windsurfing event of the 6th Asian Beach Games at Sanya Bay Haihong Square in China.
A gold medalist in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last year, Castillo finished with 39 net points—tied with Thailand’s Wachirawit Thonup—after a grueling 13-heat competition. However, he settled for silver after placing second in the final race.
A 14th race was ultimately scrapped due to unfavorable weather conditions in the resort city.
Castillo ended the final sail with two net points, bringing his total to 58, just behind Thonup’s 57, sealing the silver for the Mabini, Batangas native.
Competing against the continent’s best, Castillo said the medal made all the sacrifices worthwhile.
“Of course, during training, it’s really hard. You have to persevere,” Castillo said. “You really put all your heart into these competitions. My family told me to always be careful, do your best, while my coaches, they said, always stay focused.
“The competition here in China is a bit tough because it’s not just the SEA Games, but you are competing against the best in Asia,” he added.
The Philippine campaign in the resort city is backed by the Philippine Olympic Committee under President Bambol Tolentino and the Philippine Sports Commission led by Chairman Pato Gregorio.
Wang Yiguo of host nation China captured the gold with a near-flawless 12 net points.
Later in the evening, both Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 teams advanced to the semifinals at the Sanya Sports Centre Gymnasium.
(C) POC-PSC Media
The women’s team defeated Kazakhstan, 16-11, while the men’s team escaped India, 18-14.
Speed proved to be the difference for the Filipinas, who outmaneuvered a taller Kazakhstan squad that relied heavily on outside shooting.
After a two-pointer kept Kazakhstan within striking distance midway through, 11-12, the Gilas Women attacked the basket with pace and precision to seize control.
Tantoy Ferrer delivered a crucial basket with less than two minutes remaining to extend the lead to 14-11.
Mikka Cacho then sealed the win with back-to-back points.
“Iyon nga, ang sa scouting report namin, parang more on shooting outside (sila), mas malalaki sila sa amin,” Ferrer said. “So, alam naman namin na kahit maliit kami, mabilis kami.
“So, doon lang namin aming dinadaan sa mga ball screen, mga atake, kasi alam namin mabagal sila.”
(C) POC-PSC Media
On the other hand, after squandering an 11-8 advantage, Gilas Men leaned on a decisive 5-0 run in the final minute to stay in medal contention.
Jeff Manday powered inside for the game-tying basket at 14-all with 22 seconds remaining. Crucial foul situations on Aldous Torculas and Manday then opened the door for the Philippines to close out the game.
Torculas’ key free throws with 9.8 seconds left gave Gilas a 16-14 cushion before Manday’s final free throws sealed the victory.
After the game, Manday credited the team’s resilience.
“Although nga underdog kami, lumaban kami hanggang dulo. Yung nga, thankful ako sa mga teammates ko. Although nga mga young guys… Nagtatrabaho para sa bayan.” Manday said.
Team Philippines currently sits third overall with three gold, three silver, and two bronze medals in the 45-nation Asian joust.
China leads the standings with 15 gold, 11 silver, and five bronze medals, followed by Thailand with 7 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze.
The country’s gold medals so far came from jiu-jitsu standouts Annie Ramirez and Alexandria Luz Enriquez, as well as high jump athlete Leonard Grospe. The Games mark their return after a 10-year hiatus.
The Philippines is set to host the 2028 Asian Beach Games in Cebu.
Castillo’s silver added to the country’s medal haul that also includes silver finishes from jiu-jitsu athlete Emily Thomas and the women’s relay team of Jessica Rose Laurance, Kristina Marie Knott, Lianne Diana Pama, and Shane Poince, along with bronze medals from Laurance in the 60-meter dash and Kaila Napolis in jiu-jitsu.
