Paul Marton Dela Cruz opened the haul for the Philippine archery squad after bagging two bronzes in his two events: men’s individual and men’s team compound at the ongoing 2017 Southeast Asian Games action at the KL Sports City.
The veteran internationalist had to shake off Malaysia’s Zulfadhli Ruslan in the bronze medal match to get his medal of the Games. The battle went into a shoot-off after both Dela Cruz and Ruslan shot 144 after five ends.
The Filipino fired off a borderline 10 before Ruslan scored a 9, sealing the country’s second medal of this SEA Games.
Dela Cruz then teamed up with Earl Benjamin Yap and Joseph Benjamin Vicencio to make it two in a row. The Filipinos also had to deal with a stubborn Vietnam squad, who went toe-to-toe against them after two ends at 157.
The Nationals then carved out a clutch performance in the final end and scored a perfect 60 to seal the second bronze medal for the Philippines. The trio finished the Vietnamese, 233-230.
Dela Cruz will take to the range for the last time tomorrow starting at 9am with Amaya Paz Cojuangco as they try to hit gold this time in mixed team compound.
